A BLACK HILL resident concerned about his family's safety says his fears have been repeatedly shunned by the organisation looking to operate a group home for youth at risk in the neighbourhood.
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Brynley Hill lives in the rural suburb with his 31 year old twin daughters, who are living with autism and have limited verbal skills and a "naivety" to the risk of strangers, Mr Hill said.
Catholic organisation Marist180 plans to run a facility for youths with backgrounds of trauma in Black Hill, situated 27 kilometres from the Newcastle CBD.
“I have no objection to the house … I really agree with what they are doing,” Mr Hill said. His main concerns are the location and the lack of consultation.
Mr Hill said he wanted to discuss security and his family situation with Marist180.
“I must have asked four or five times,” he said. The requests were made in-person and via multiple emails from himself and his lawyer to Marist180 management seeking an "urgent meeting", Mr Hill said.
The organisation has failed to respond to any correspondence other than a reply that said Marist180 will be in touch “within due course”, though it is understood the facility could be operational by the end of the month, Mr Hill said.
“My frustration with them is dishonesty,” he said. “They came in by way of stealth."
Mr Hill said his family found out about the project through another resident.
“[Marist180] never came to speak with myself or any other residents about alleviating our fears.
“It might not seem that important to them, but for [my wife] and I, the health of our daughters is extremely important,” he said. “What I am asking for is reasonable."
Mr Hill said he had nothing against the youths, but he believed there was a foreseeable risk that needed to be addressed and the authorities responsible were simply “ducking for cover”.
Mr Hill indicated his family would be under pressure to relocate if the Marist180 development went ahead.
The Newcastle Herald approached Marist180 for comment.
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