Nundle Village residents stuck in motel with unit ceilings caked in mould

Nundle resident Kerrie Fearby is friends with many of the women who live in the units, and she said they've been staying in a local motel for "just over a month" now.

But with the locks changed and no word on when they can go back inside their homes, Ms Fearby said it was taking a toll on the residents.

"The lady in the middle unit, which was most affected, was on rostered duty at the op shop when they ran the test and shifted everyone out," Ms Fearby said.

"She wasn't even allowed back in her unit, she had to buy clothes from the op shop to get by.

"We have no idea when they'll be going back in. Eighty year old ladies can't take that."

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But a council spokeswoman said they could go back at any time if needed.

"Due to risks associated with mould and the pending remediation works, access to the units needed to be restricted and the locks were changed. However, the tenants are able to access the units at any time through their council contact," she said.

Ms Fearby said the motel didn't have cooking facilities, either.

"The motel accommodation is extremely basic, you can't do any cooking, one lady's got a little electric frypan and takes it out into the courtyard to cook," she told the Leader.

"There's a tiny wee little bar fridge, too."

The council's acting director corporate and governance, Jason Collins, said the council was made aware of a leaking roof in late January and took immediate action after testing confirmed high levels of mould.

"Our first concern has been for the wellbeing of our tenants and we immediately sought to relocate them to suitable alternate accommodation in their community," he said.

"A council staff member is in regular contact with them to ensure their needs are met and any inconvenience to them is as minimal as possible."

The spokeswoman said the council was providing the temporary accommodation without expense to the tenants. Their rent payments have also been suspended.

But the council is uncertain as to when works on the Durbin and Gill street units will begin.

"Quotes to remove the mould and undertake repairs to the premises have been sought and work is expected to start soon," the spokesperson said.

Ms Fearby hoped the issue would be rectified soon, as it was a "serious situation".

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