David Cook and his wife Sandy raised concerns about Housing NSW’s plan to relocate them from their home of 15 years to make way for a unit complex under the Government’s stimulus package.

But after moving into brand new premises last week, he said he need not have worried.

In a plot reminiscent of the film The Castle, Mr Cook dedicated years to making the Third Avenue property a home – including cultivating a rose garden – and was concerned about where he and his wife would be relocated.

He told the Mercury in April he had had bad experiences in Housing NSW accommodation previously, and refused to live in a unit or densely populated site.

Eight months later and the Cooks have settled into a new, three bedroom villa in Aberglasslyn, and Housing NSW covered not only the removalist costs for the furniture, but also transplanting the rose garden.

“I was apprehensive, but I had faith and we ended up here,” Mr Cook said.

“It’s given us some closure from an angry, frustrating time to a time when we are so happy for what Housing NSW has done.”

But more than the bricks and mortar, Mr Cook said the move was a lifestyle change.

The couple had two day’s notice before they moved in on Friday.

“I’m tired, I’m worn out, but it’s all been worth it. We sleep well here,” he said.