The Residential Parks Act and its Regulations were assented to on June 14, 2007. The Act was subsequently proclaimed on November 5, 2007. However, house owners/residents of dedicated Residential Parks had little or no opportunity to give their input into the crafting of the Act and its Regulations. So a group of concerned residents from these dedicated Residential Parks in and around Adelaide got together quickly to form our Association. The South Australian Residential Parks Residents Association (SARPRA) was granted formal Incorporation status on December 18, 2007. Its chief goal was, and still is, to represent the interests of house owners in Residential Parks.
Such Parks provide affordable lifestyles and a secure environment for those aged fifty-plus. Every Residential Park uses transportable, manufactured, relocatable, or built-on-site homes that, structurally, are not made to be moved after being placed on site. They look like many well-kept permanent holiday homes. Ownership of the house remains with the resident. Only the house site is rented from the owners of the Park.
Membership of SARPRA is available to any person who is a permanent resident of a Residential Park and who accepts the objectives and rules of the Association. Membership ceases if a resident leaves the Residential Park.
Since 2007 the elected Committee has worked hard to establish recognition of this lifestyle. Many meetings have been held with relevant Members of Parliament, the Residential Tenancies Tribunal, the Council On The Ageing (COTA) and other bodies involved in developing affordable housing for seniors.
SARPRA is connected to similar bodies interstate. With such colleagues, SARPRA supported the founding of a national body, following a meeting in April 2013 in Sydney. The National Alliance of Residential Parks and Communities (NARPAC) is developing as an organization and gathering more knowledge about how all Residential Parks are growing into well-managed operations with satisfied house owners. SARPRA expects that NARPAC will unify the various State organisations to give weight to our concerns and lobbying power.
SARPRA exists to help Park house owners have the best possible Park experience. But it needs strong membership numbers, so the SARPRA Committee welcomes any invitation from Residents Committees in any Parks to speak to residents on SARPRA’s current activities.
SARPRA is involved with the Government to amend the Residential Parks Act 2007. A discussion paper has been released with a view to reviewing the Act.
SARPRA has put a submission in with Consumer and Business Services in regards to the review of the Residential Parks Act.
Priorities are:-
* Security of Tenure,
* Clear definition of Residential Parks and Caravan Parks,
* Full disclosure on information and advertising,
* Clearly defined penalties for breaches of the act,
* Dispute resolution, and
* Fire evacuation procedures.
Our Submission is supported by COTA SA, SACOSS, SHELTER SA, and a letter of support from National Seniors Australia.
Contact the Secretary for further information.