A COLLINGWOOD Park couple's hopes that the State Government will help them build a new life after mine subsidence devastated their neighbourhood two years ago have been dashed.
Frank Egyed and Kathy Reed founded the community action group after the subsidence which campaigned for State Government assistance.
Last week the government announced the purchase of a further five properties in Collingwood Park, bringing the assistance package to residents to almost $10 million.
Mr Egyed and Ms Reed's home was not among them.
The five homes brought the total of properties bought by the government to 29 – 14 of which have been bought under "special circumstances" provisions.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the buy-back offers were for residents "most directly affected by the mine subsidence".
"It is important to note the Queensland Government is not liable for mine subsidence in Collingwood Park, but it is providing this assistance package because it is the right thing to do," he said.
"Outside of properties already identified for purchase, there are up to 30 properties with possible mine-subsidence-related damage."
Ms Reed said the government had considered 42 properties under the "special circumstances" provisions, but decided to buy only eight.
"In at least one instance, the government has ignored medical advice in their decision-making process," she said.
"We have had our application to be bought out under the special provisions denied, despite providing medical evidence from a specialist and two general practitioners indicating that we should be bought out on the grounds of ill health."
A psychiatrist gave an opinion that the chronic stress associated with living in the Collingwood Park subsidence zone was having a very negative impact on Ms Reed's mental health.
A doctor's advice, provided to the State Government, said the couple's mental health would continue to be adversely affected while they remained in their current Milgate Street home.
Ms Reed said they had been given no reason why their application was denied.
Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the government had not "shut the gate" on people who wanted to apply for assistance.
"Some people, I understand, will be disappointed," she said.
"The process was completely independent and undertaken by the officers of Mines and Energy."
Mr Egyed said, although his house had only minor cracking, he was unable to sell it.
"We want to move from here," he said.
"No one can say for sure that (the subsidence) is not going to happen again."
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