For 15 years, the dual Australian and Canadian citizens have split their time between the countries, spending Australian summers in their unit at Murray River Holiday Park.
In March last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Canada cancelled their flight back to Canada, which had been booked for May.
Under the NSW Holiday Parks Act, the couple is only permitted to spend 180 days at the park in a 12-month period.
The law has caused immense angst and frustration and many sleepless nights for the Costalls, who are in their late 70s, with nowhere to stay when their 180 days are up in August.
“At our age, we just don’t need this,” Mr Costall said.
“The annual agreement is great for us, it’s worked well for 15 years.
“This is just not Australian for people to not have compassion. We are just trying to do the right thing.
“We never thought something like this would happen.”
With an overseas travel ban still in place in Australia, people are only allowed to leave if they receive an exemption from the Federal Government under certain criteria — making a return to Canada for the couple near impossible.
With the help of NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton, the Costalls sought an exemption with the NSW Government to stay at the park until they can get a flight back to Canada, but have been told it is not possible.
In a letter from Better Regulation and Innovation Minister Kevin Anderson in response to their request, he said the legislation did not provide for exemptions.
“Parks may have a combination of holiday and permanent sites, only permanent sites, or only holiday sites,” he said.
“If a park owner has no sites which have been approved for permanent occupation, they are unable to offer longer occupancy agreements.”
Ms Dalton said “common sense would suggest the Costalls should be granted an exemption”.
“We have a housing crisis and a slump in tourism. If they are forced to leave the park, they will have to find another place to live in an extremely tight rental market,” she said.
“Why push this elderly couple on to the streets when caravan parks are struggling for tourism revenue?
“I hope both common sense and compassion prevails, and this couple is allowed to stay. That’s why I have pleaded with the NSW Government on their behalf.”
The Riv contacted the park for comment.
More local news
Echuca ready to fulfil grand final destiny
"Ripple effect enormous" as Echuca Lions Club donates golf day proceeds to Vivid
Historic Lockington CFA Election
26°C