Authorities pass the buck while elderly couple left strandedAn 86-year-old war veteran and his wife remain cut off from the world while authorities continue to squabble over whom is responsible for providing access to their property.
Bill Olive and his wife Marie, also 86, bought their Congo property almost 40 years ago and have lived there for more than 30 years without incident.
However, a week before Christmas 2007, a neighbour, whose paddock they had to cross to drive home, decided he was no longer happy with the informal arrangement.
Instead of driving along the private formed road they had used until that time, he insisted they use the “paper road” shown on the maps about 100 metres away.
The low lying “paper road” becomes impassable following rain.
The couple’s family then asked both Eurobodalla Shire Council and the NSW Lands Department to provide proper access to their parents’ property, however both insisted it was the other’s responsibility.
Both authorities have been passing the buck for more than two years, leaving the Olives stranded every time it rains.
The “paper road” is currently a boggy mess, impassable for anything but a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Even the local nurse is unable to check on Mrs Olive, who was only recently released from hospital and continues to be unwell.
Mr Olive said the situation made it difficult for anyone to visit.
“You can come but it’s a long walk,” he said.
Bega MP Andrew Constance said he had taken up the issue with the State Government.
“I approached the State Government again on this matter on April 21 and am yet to hear a response,” he said.
“The NSW Labor Government’s handling of this matter has been nothing short of disgraceful. They have an obligation to ensure that these residents have access to their home and for years they have been unable to resolve this matter.
“This situation puts at risk the wellbeing of an elderly couple who deserve a solution to the difficulties associated with access to their property.”
A spokesperson for the Lands Minister Tony Kelly said the Land and Property Management Authoirty (LPMA) had been negotiating with the Olives and council to help resolve the problem.
“LPMA has identified a number of options in discussion with the Olive family and is waiting for the Olive family’s response on their preferred option,” he said.
“LPMA will continue to work with the Olives and council to attempt to resolve this matter.”
However a family spokesman said no viable options had ever been put forward.
Two years ago then Eurobodalla Mayor Neil Mumme described the issue as “a very unfortunate situation that council is unable to resolve without spending a significant amount of public money”.
“There are three possible solutions: a right of access is negotiated between the two landowners; the Crown road is transferred to council and the couple construct a road to council’s minimum standard; or the Crown road is transferred to council and council resolves to construct a road to minimum standards at the couple’s expense,” he said.
However yesterday a council spokesman said it was “a private matter between landowners and it is for them to determine”.
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly said it was a matter between the Eurobodalla Shire Council and the NSW Government, however he would be happy to make representations on the behalf of Mr and Mrs Olive to help resolve the matter.
“LPMA has identified a number of options in discussion with the Olive family and is waiting for the Olive family’s response on their preferred option,” he said.
“LPMA will continue to work with the Olives and council to attempt to resolve this matter.”
However a family spokesman said no viable options had ever been put forward.
Two years ago then Eurobodalla Mayor Neil Mumme described the issue as “a very unfortunate situation that council is unable to resolve without spending a significant amount of public money”.
“There are three possible solutions: a right of access is negotiated between the two landowners; the Crown road is transferred to council and the couple construct a road to council’s minimum standard; or the Crown road is transferred to council and council resolves to construct a road to minimum standards at the couple’s expense,” he said.
However yesterday a council spokesman said it was “a private matter between landowners and it is for them to determine”.
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly said it was a matter between the Eurobodalla Shire Council and the NSW Government, however he would be happy to make representations on behalf of Mr and Mrs Olive to help resolve the matter.
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