ANNUAL site holders at the Mansfield Lakeside Ski Village have been served with eviction notices in a surprise move that has 120 families either forced to relocate or otherwise lose their investment.

According to the eviction email the new owners, Wallace Land Holdings, have come to the decision that they are no longer in a position to continue operating the caravan park long–term and are looking to develop the park into a residential village.

A representative for the displaced site holders who chose to remain anonymous said they are not sure whether the residential village would be a more permanent proposal, or if it is a refurbishment of the site allowing new clientele to buy into the park.

Council has confirmed that no planning applications have as yet been lodged for further development at the Howes Creek Road site.

However, the 15 acre caravan park – which is currently on bore water with a septic system – has recently been approved to transition to town water and sewerage through Goulburn Valley Water.

In what site holders have deemed a blindside, they were advised on July 1 that their current occupation licence had concluded the day before on June 30 and would not be renewed.

In emails received at 6pm on the Friday night, all site holders were advised on the impending closure of the caravan park.

Going forward Wallace Land Holdings have offered a limited site occupation licence, with annual fees going up between $800 and $1000, with an additional bond now requested from all site holders.

Those who do not sign the conditional contracts will have their presence on–site deemed unlawful.

Site holders have been given two options regarding this with a short–term licence agreement finishing up on October 31 this year, and a longer term option which concludes on June 30, 2023 with the closure of the park.

Wallace Land Holdings have stated that after this date the park will no longer operate.

The email reads: "It is now imperative that you make plans to relocate or sell your dwelling."

Prior to the closure notice there had been no indication that leases would not be renewed.

"We were concerned when the park sold in January to an investment company with overseas connections," said a spokesperson for the site holders.

"However, we were repeatedly assured via phone calls and emails that the park was not to be closed, rather improved with upgraded amenities."

As recently as May 19, Wallace Land Holdings informed site holders that they had just employed a new management team, who had relocated to the shire to manage Lakeside, and in the company's own words were 'working together, to bring their vision of Lakeside to life'.

Site holders were under the impression that this vision was to enhance current facilities, align all residents and ensure agreements were up to date, according to documentation from the beginning of May.

The new owners even stated that all previous commitments and payment details of the tenants were to remain the same unless otherwise agreed in writing.

"Less than two months later the company has done a complete backflip," said the spokesperson.

"This has devastated site holders.

"We all understand that we don't own the dirt and that we are effectively renting the land from the landowner through a lease agreement.

"However, it is the level of deceit that the majority of site holders are objecting to, and the fact that we have been given little to no time to prepare for this, unless we sign a conditional contract.

"We're feeling shattered.

"The majority of us are young families and this is our dream, and it's been effectively crushed.

"For some, I truly believe this may be that breaking point after the last couple of years."

Though not permanent residents, the 120 families who have caravans or cabins at the park over the years, have a strong affiliation to the region.

Late last year – just before the park was sold – sites were still changing hands, with the median price for new caravans between $40,000 and $50,000, and some cabins commanding more than double this amount.

And just eight days before site holders were told that their leases would not be renewed and the eviction notices served, another family had bought a van at the park and were celebrating their new investment.

These families are all now looking to relocate, which for some is not an easy process, considering the modifications they have made to their vans and cabins, and the additional cost to do so.

"There are limited to no available sites at Bonnie Doon, Peppin Point, Eildon and even Alexandra – and no annual sites on offer in Mansfield township – so we now have 120 families with nowhere local to go," said a spokesperson for the site holders.

Owners of the Mansfield Lakeside Ski Village, Wallace Land Holdings, declined to comment on the matter when contacted, with site holders also struggling to clarify the situation with the company not responding to calls or emails.

A committee was formed at a site meeting held at Lakeside on the weekend with 100 site holders in attendance.

The group is currently seeking legal advice.