General News
21 April, 2025
Seniors get reprieve
CAIRNS Regional Council is lessening the blow of rate increases to retirement villages by staging them over two years.
But the move – which has yet to be ratified by councillors – has not impressed residents.
The Oak Tree Retirement Village’s rates have jumped 800 per cent from $9603 a year to $82,613.30.
After receiving feedback and holding meetings with property managers, the council has decided to charge $41,306.65 for the 2025-26 financial year with the full rates of $82,613.30 applying for 2026-27 and every year after.
A council spokesman said the council had listened to feedback from managers and residents at retirement villages and relocatable home parks.
“The proposed increase was due to come into effect from July 1, 2025 but is now likely be implemented over two years to reduce the financial impact,” he said.
“The proposal will realign the rates category to be similar to units and townhouses.
“The current rate structure is resulting in some dwellings contributing as little as $58 a year in general rates, compared to a minimum rate of $1072 for similar units or townhouses.
“We recognise the change, while fairer overall, will impact hip pockets at a time where every dollar counts. We’re aiming to assist people absorb the change by phasing it in over two years.”
The council spokesman said eligible pensioners could also receive a $320 discount on their annual rates bill.
“This would be prorated under the phased approach,” he said.
But an Oak Tree residents’ representative Judy Holzheimer said it wasn’t good enough.
“This latest proposal by (the) council is indicative of (the) council’s ignorance of the role of retirement villages in the broader community, and council’s disregard for the impact that this decision to phase the increase in over two years, will have on elderly residents,” she said.
“They misguidedly think that by phasing this increase in over two years will alleviate financial stress for the elderly pensioners.
“Note that (the) council’s figures are based on 2024/25 figures, and since land valuations have recently increased by 30 per cent, I believe that it is feasible that since the figures relate to the general rate, their quoted figures in their proposal will also be increased by 30 per cent.
“I ask that councillors consider the unique circumstances that relate to retirement villages, the crucial role that retirement villages play in providing safe secure and affordable housing for elderly residents, the fact that residents in retirement villages typically move into an aged care facility five years later than people who enter straight from a family home, hence relieving the pressure on aged care facilities and the huge financial and emotional burden that this proposed recategorisation will have on the vulnerable aged residents of retirement villages.”
