UPDATE:
Mortdale couple Charalambos and Chrystalla Koutsoullis will be allowed to stay in Cook Street home, Georges River administrator John Rayner said.
“Yesterday I had a discussion with Mr and Mrs Koutsoullis’ son, Dr Kypros Koutsoullis and guaranteed that his parents can stay in their home as long as they need to,” Mr Rayner said.
“We amicably discussed arrangements for the council to purchase the property for car parking after his parents passed away or until they are no longer able to remain there independently.
“I respect the family’s right to meet with the Minister and if the Minister does not meet their request I will certainly by Administrator’s Minute, and subject to legal advice, not proceed with Compulsory Acquisition, and seek an agreement with the family as discussed.”
EARLIER:
An elderly Mortdale couple facing the compulsory acquisition of their home will meet with the Local Government Minister next week asking for the decision to be overturned on compassionate grounds.
Charalambos and Chrystalla Koutsoullis were informed by letter just before Christmas that Georges River Council was compulsorily acquiring their home of 40 years at 23 Cook Street, Mortdale for a car park.
Mr and Mrs Koutsoullis’ daughter, Alexia O’Sullivan wrote to the Minister asking for a meeting to plead their case.
They will meet with Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton next Thursday to ask to be allowed to stay in their home.
An online petition asking that they be allowed to stay has gathered almost 24,000 signatures.
The petition states:
“Charalambos and Chrystalla Koutsoullis are about to lose their home. A home that has raised 6 children. A home that is raising 19 grandchildren. A home that has 40 years of love, laughter, tears and memories built into its walls. The only home they have known since fleeing Cyprus during the war 1976. They are 83 and 77 and they are being forced to leave.
“The Georges River Council wish to acquire the Koutsoullis’ home to widen an existing car park (which currently has no plans, nor any funding in place to complete). While we appreciate their agenda, this does not make the catastrophic impact to this elderly couple any easier to stomach. They are not asking the council to retract their plans, they are simply asking that they can remain in their home for the period of their natural lives (or until they are no longer able to remain there independently).”
The petition is at: