The Affiliated Residential Park Residents Association (ARPRA) will host the forum at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on February 15.

ARPRA NSW president Lesley Wakeling said it was “vitally” important for all residents to have their say.

“In NSW alone there are 900 residential parks with an estimated 90,000 residents choosing this style of living,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we see greedy park owners abusing the rights of residents and homeowners far too often.”

News of the forum follows complaints to Eurobodalla Shire Council by residents of the North Batemans Bay Tourist Park.

A committee, who told November’s public forum they were representing 60 of the park’s irate residents, urged council to investigate a range of complaints.

Park resident Tony Murphy spoke on behalf of the group.

He said the park was very run down and that the owner refused to correspond with residents.

“Elderly residents are suffering,” he said.

Despite their concerns, Development Services manager Phil Costello confirmed earlier this month that council would move forward and renew the park’s registration, which is currently up for renewal.

He said the current owners had recently purchased the park and were working to upgrade facilities and conditions.

“Council empathises with their situation and is prepared to work with them to achieve improved standards,” he said.

“We have yet to renew their registration but we will, taking into consideration their program to upgrade the park.”

But park resident Jennifer Hall yesterday described the state of the park as “disgraceful”.

February’s forum will provide valuable information to residents facing issues pertaining to prospective purchases and equity-sharing contracts.

While the majority of park owners do the right thing by their residents, Ms Wakeling said it was important to give park residents a voice.

Shadow Fair Trading Minister Greg Aplin, Bega MP Andrew Constance, Shadow Ageing Minister Phil Nossiter, the Manufactured Homes Insurance Agency, the NSW Parks and Village Service and Consumer Trader Tenancy and Tribunal chairwoman Kay Ransome will attend the free forum next month.

Downloadable question forms are available from www.arpra.org.au and can be lodged at the registration desk on the day.