A FAMILY of five faces the prospect of having to live in a tent next to their newly-built home because they can’t get power to their property.
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Robyn King, her husband and three children, aged 14, 12 and nine, are victims of a ban on AusNet crews securing electricity to new homes.
Their plight was raised on Tuesday night in Victoria’s parliament by Benambra MLA Bill Tilley.
“Robyn King is a mother of three who is now contemplating living in a tent on her property,” Mr Tilley said.
“She and her husband were due to move in on February 19.
“AusNet have told them this won’t be happening.
“They apologised for the inconvenience but couldn’t give any idea of when they might be connected.
“The family is renting a home and had already given notice to vacate and move into their new home in Osbornes Flat.
“The house they are renting is going to be sold.
“This is a hardworking family with three school-aged children and looking likely to be homeless in a matter of weeks.”
Mrs King told The Border Mail her family, now living at Yackandandah, was in limbo.
“If we have to we can always live in a tent, but how long for?” she asked.
“It’s awful, we don’t want to have to do that and we’re trying to put that out of our heads but time is ticking on.
“We just know we need to vacate our place and need to arrange some storage and find a way to live on the block outside our house or move into a very small house with my mum and her partner.
“They’re in their 70s, so I don’t think they want kids hanging around too long.”
Mr Tilley called for a resolution during his speech to parliament.
“I’m not arguing ideology,” Mr Tilley said.
“I’m fighting for people wanting to move into their own home, builders who are part of an industry the Property Council estimates contributes to more than 10 per cent of the economy in Benambra, the tradies and others who are part of the more than 7000 workers employed directly and indirectly in the industry in my electorate.
“I haven’t taken sides here, I just want what’s best for the people of Benambra and both the company and union need to come back to the table sooner rather than later.
“Failing that, this needs the Andrews Government and its Industrial Relations Minister Natalie Hutchins to bring this dispute to a head.”
Mrs King said when she spoke to an AusNet representative and asked whether it would be two weeks or two months before her home was connected she was given no timeframe.
“We’ve paid enough rent, we need to pay our mortgage,” she said, referring to her new house.
