Friday 6 June 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
Is Cairns Council “spying” on retirement village residents?
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is demanding a public apology from the Cairns Regional Council Mayor following “shocking” revelations on talkback radio.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden has admitted to conducting “social inquiry checks” on people who have complained about a proposed rate increase for retirement village residents, declaring she “can see them enjoying the lagoon” and other places in the community.
The stunning disclosure played out live on ABC Radio Far North Queensland on Tuesday morning during an interview on Council’s proposed rates increase, which has triggered fear and anxiety for residents who say they could become homeless because of an 800 per cent jump in rates.
Mayor Amy Eden told ABC Radio host Charlie McKillop (3 June 2025):
“I’ve done a couple of social inquiry checks online of some of the complainants, and I can see them enjoying the lagoon and all the free offerings down at the esplanade. Ratepayers pay for that. Everyone needs to contribute, and whether you use it or not, it’s having the access,” she said.
Retirement Living Council Executive Director Daniel Gannon said he is “shocked” by this admission.
“This conduct is truly shocking and bizarre. Council is meant to serve communities, not scare them.
“Some residents now feel like council is spying on them and tracking their movements throughout the community.
“Retirement village residents have been incredibly anxious over the past three months. Now they feel violated.
“These remarks also reveal that Mayor Amy Eden sees them as ‘complainants’. These people are good, decent people who fear poverty, homelessness and cuts to medicines because of this rates proposal.”
Mr Gannon said for many years, these residents have paid rates both in the community as Cairns locals and now through their general services charges for rates levied over village land in a specific category decided on by the council.
“These residents are ratepayers. That is our very point. To suggest these residents are not paying rates but receiving the benefit of Council infrastructure is manifestly misleading,” he said.
“One resident has told the RLC: ‘we want council to stop spying on us and instead meet with us.’
“Why is the Council targeting seniors? Do they not want to attract investment into Cairns? Are they not wishing for the elderly to live in their community in age-friendly homes?
“Mayor Amy Eden has a lot of questions to answer, and she has an apology to make to retirement village residents. This admission doesn’t adhere to the standards her community expects.
“Council hasn’t consulted properly with the community from the outset, underlined by this latest, shocking revelation.”
Given Council’s lack of consultation and engagement, the RLC reiterates its call for this proposal to be scrapped. Failing this, it should be deferred for 12 months to allow for appropriate consultation.
Mayor Amy Eden must explain:
- How many people were “tracked” and over what period of time did this occur?
- How were resident names obtained?
- Was CCTV vision utilised?
- Is there official documentation of the people “tracked”?
- How is this information being used?
- Were other members of Cairns Council involved in the “social inquiry checks”?
ENDS
Media contact: Ben Harvy | 0430 306 424 | [email protected]