Two friends who were forced to camp on their own land after being rescued from the housing crisis are now being evicted.
Nathaniel Muller bought the two-and-a-half-acre plot of land near Castlemaine in central Victoria in 2020, intending to use it for camping.
But he now lives on the property with his friend, single mother Beck Myers and her two children, aged seven and 10, after rent became unaffordable.
But Mount Alexander Shire Council plans to evict them from the property amid concerns it has “severe” limitations and is not suitable for living.
Municipality employees will visit on Friday to ensure that Ms. Meyers and Mr. Muller comply with the municipality’s instructions.
Beck Meyers, who is camping with her two children and boyfriend Nathaniel Muller on a 2.5-hectare plot of land near Castlemaine in west-central Victoria in 2020, previously accused the council of showing no “pity” after moving to evict them of the site
Municipality employees will visit the location (photo) on Friday to ensure that Ms. Meyers and Mr. Muller comply with the municipality’s instructions
Ms Meyers previously accused the council of failing to show ‘compassion’.
“There has been so much press about how the council is becoming so much more compassionate about people’s living situations and rent affordability, so I am surprised and appalled at how uncaring they are,” Ms Myers told the newspaper. Midland Express.
‘Given the housing crisis, I think it’s a bit ridiculous.
“We have everything here, we don’t cause any damage, we stick to our waste system and we could only increase the burden and pressure on society to find housing for everyone.”
Mount Alexander Shire Council infrastructure and development director Michael Annear said the council had spoken to the couple several times over the years.
Single mother Beck Myers and her two children, aged seven and 10, moved to the campsite on freehold land after rent became unaffordable
Mr Annear insisted the block was not suitable for living due to concerns including the risk of bushfires, cultural sensitivities, environmental impact and the fact it is in an agricultural area.
“Unfortunately it has gotten to the point where we have had to ask them if they want to move this week,” Annear told ABC.
“We’re going to talk to them… and we’re going to deal with it with compassion.
‘We are going to talk to them and listen to their situation.’
Daily Mail Australia approached Ms Meyers for comment.
She told the ABC she was open to finding another place to live.
“Somewhere in the shade of someone’s large backyard or lot is ideal,” she said.
“We are also open to short-term rentals, but I can’t keep up with current rental prices, so it would have to be a maximum of $190 per week.”