'Tell him he's dreamin'': Family vows to chain themselves to their door to save their home 'just like they did on The Castle' as government orders its demolition - but not everyone will be on their side
- John Howard and Melissa Rayner could lose part of their home to the upgrade
- 'We will fight this ...they can't just take our homes,' Mr Howard said
- The government could partially or fully obtain nine additional properties
A couple have vowed to defend their home 'just like they did on The Castle' to protect it from being partially demolished to make way for a new road, but not everyone agrees.
John Howard and Melissa Rayner could lose a portion of their home to a $5million road upgrade on the corner of Woodside Road and Old Princes Highway in Nairne, south west of Adelaide.
The couple could lose part of their front yard and driveway access and have pledged to protect it like the characters in The Castle - an Australian film where a family fight tooth and nail to save their home from proposed developments.
But social media users have hit back claiming the intersection near their home is 'a fatality waiting to happen'.
John Howard and Melissa Rayner could lose a portion of their home to a $5million road upgrade
'Be a bigger hero and sell up to the intersection so that the safety of the masses that use it can be upheld,' one person wrote on Facebook.
'That intersection is a fatality waiting to happen and if they would rather see that than move to a better location without headlights shining into their place and constant banked traffic, I can only say they’re halting progress.'
Others commented on the condition of the front yard.
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'Try looking after your house before you fight for it.'
'Your place looks like a bloody wrecking yard, cars everywhere.'
But Mr Howard told Adelaide Now he would 'fight' the proposal.
Pictured: The house featured in Australian film The Castle where a family fight tooth and nail to save their home from proposed developments
'If I have to, I will chain myself on to my property, just like they did in The Castle, they are not taking my land.'
'We will fight this, as will our neighbours. They can't just take our homes, or portion of it.
'We've also been told that land valuations have come back at $300,000 for our properties – if that's all they are going to offer us, they will have a fight on their hands.'
The home at 10 Old Princes Highway is one of nine properties the government will partially or fully obtain to fix the dangerous intersection.
According to realestate.com.au, the median sale price for homes in Nairne is $375,000.
While the couple could only lose part of their front yard and driveway access (pictured on Google Maps), they have pledged to protect it
Another resident who lives nearby claimed she didn't know about the proposed development.
A Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government spokesman told the publication all affected community members were informed.
'All property affected property owners have been advised and the department has spoken or met with all affected owners,' he said.
'Property acquisition is a very sensitive issue and we will continue to work with the community and property owners to provide as much detail as possible throughout this process to minimise disruption and inconvenience.'
