NEW laws to better protect older Queenslanders buying into retirement villages are expected to be introduced into State Parliament before the end of the year.
Housing Minister Mark de Brenni has confirmed action will be taken following a drawn-out legislative review of the Retirement Villages Act 199 that had its beginnings in 2012.
Just days after the state budget was handed down in June – and only days before the explosive Fairfax Media/ABC Four Corners investigation highlighting alleged inequities in retirement village structures and contracts – Mr de Brenni announced a $1.8 billion housing strategy, said to deliver comprehensive support, from addressing homelessness to assisting home ownership.
Bundled within the glossy pages, but not announced to media, were three “actions” relating specifically to the retirement village legislation review.
Mr de Brenni confirmed to The Senior that legislative changes would strengthen pre-contractual disclosure, make exit entitlements and reinstatement processes fairer, and introduce enforceable behaviour standards for village operators.
Contracts would be simplified and standardised, ongoing fees and charges clearly declared upfront and a minimum 21-day cool-off introduced before signing any contract.
“People have invested significant amounts of money and pay significant fees to live in these villages,” Mr de Brenni said. “Retirees shouldn’t have to resort to public campaigning to see simple changes made.”
Mr de Brenni also confirmed that $1 million had been allocated to strengthen the voice of village residents, something that surprised the Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages.
“We know nothing of that or of any detail in the housing strategy,” said association president Judy Mayfield.
“We’ve sat at the table with the government and heard nice noises; we’ve been told not to worry, that everything will be set out.”
Ms Mayfield said members were frustrated and angry at being still in the dark about exactly what reforms will be made.
“We need to know that whatever improvements are made will be retrospective so that those who are residents now in retirement villages are included,” she said.
“Residents in retirement villages account for not quite 5 per cent of Queensland seniors. That apparently makes us irrelevant.”
About 42,000 Queenslanders live in 315 retirement villages; 17,000 live in 185 residential parks; and 3000 are in aged rental complexes.
Residents left feeling ‘irrelevant’
QUT property economist Dr Andrea Blake said a simplified standard contract for all Queensland retirement villages was essential for buyers.
“They often think it’s the same as buying a normal house or apartment, but retirement villages are completely different beasts,” Dr Blake said.
“Buying into a village can work for people if they are going to spend their whole retirement life in that village; but if their circumstances change or if it’s not what the glossy marketing brochure promised, or they have to get out of the village to access care if their health deteriorates, that’s when the sting occurs.”
While welcoming improvements to housing options, Council on the Ageing Queensland chief executive Mark Tucker-Evans called on the government to invest in face-to-face interactive education sessions for well-informed decision-making.
City set for units bonanza
Brisbane City Council has approved 19 development applications to provide new retirement and aged care accommodation since September last year.
This represents a potential influx of just over 2000 retirement units or aged care beds since the council decided to offer developers financial sweeteners to build senior-friendly housing in inner city suburbs.
Another nine applications, promising a further 1171 aged care beds or retirement units, remain under consideration.
This includes a controversial retirement village redevelopment at Newmarket that has seen more than 500 members of the Newmarket community, including current villa residents, seek the council’s veto.
In an interview with Brisbane Times, the daughter of a 77-year-old resident said her mother and others felt “trapped”, not wanting to move but not wanting their village changed either.
The development’s chief executive, Aveo Group’s Geoff Grady, told Brisbane Times the company had a community responsibility to upgrade its Free Street facility, built 25-30 years ago.
However, Mr Grady said modified plans, before Brisbane Council, would strike a balance between the needs of existing residents, future residents and council requirements.
