Residents of Fairy Meadow in Wollongong are living in darkness just metres away from concrete walls.
They’re not in solitary confinement — they are living in the shadows of an unfinished retail and residential complex that was abandoned a year ago because the developers went broke.
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Resident Eric Bresolin lives in one of the adjoining villas, and he has a car ramp next to his window.
“I said to the builder - when this finished it’ll be like the Sydney Bridge in here,” he laughs.
Walls have been built up to boundary lines, putting pressure on the structures of the surrounding homes.
“My wall is going to collapse,” Eric says.
These residents have been putting up with the grey eyesore since the development was approved four years ago by Wollongong City Council. And they don’t know when they will see sunlight come into their homes again.
The council is no longer operating after several counsellors were sacked last year over corrupt dealings with developers.
We are not implying this development’s approval was corrupt. But Vicky Curren, a former council employee says the setback and the height of the building does not comply.
She’s decided to try to help out the local residents. But no one knows how long it will take.
“The residents have no recourse. They sit there and worry their homes are going to be effected structurely, and no one's helping them,” she says.
The new council administrator claims to be doing his best.
"Council is now considering alternatives to resolve this ongoing issue. These actions may include commencing legal action," a spokesman said in a statement.
