Big and Wise moves for the Retirement Living industry
All in the past month, the Property Council has held the annual Retirement Living Summit, finalised the Retirement Living Code of Conduct, progressed further with the 8-point plan and launched several major research pieces and an industry best practice design guide.
Two weeks ago, more than 420 of Property Council’s members were enjoying the fantastic Property Council National Retirement Living Summit in Canberra. Their gathering also marked the finalisation of the Retirement Living Code of Conduct by our industry leaders and thoughtful stakeholder engagement with key politicians, five of the State and National Resident Presidents and allied industry groups.
Over two days we ran Property Council’s 8-point plan thought its paces, scoped the Royal Commission into Aged Care, were challenged on social licence by the Reverend Tim Costello AO, conducted our first deep dive into sustainability and watched Russell Howcroft use balloons to demonstrate why members should double-down on the history-making $2 million war chest they capitalised for the compelling A Wise Move campaign.
The Code of Conduct
The retirement living industry has since officially launched the Code of Conduct and is urging all retirement village operators to sign up over the next 12 months to demonstrate their commitment to high standards and resident satisfaction. The purpose of the Retirement Living Code of Conduct is to promote and protect the independence, privacy, dignity, happiness, safety and security of retirement village residents.
A Wise Move
The Retirement Living Council’s ‘A Wise Move’ industry campaign was officially launched in November, with ads airing across the country to promote retirement village living as the retirement option of choice. An integral part of the campaign is the launch of a new website AWiseMove.com.au as well as a downloadable publication containing detailed information for potential residents and village operators ‘Book of Wise Moves’.
Retirement Census 2018
At the summit the annual PwC/Property Council Retirement census 2018 was launched. The report confirms that the Australian retirement living sector is trending towards a greater proportion of vertical communities and a growing number of new developments are providing a wider variety of services to residents than ever before.
The report shows that nearly 30% of all new retirement communities under development have vertical village components, compared to 15% of existing developments, as baby boomer retirees show more of a preference for apartment living.
Best Practice Principles for Seniors Community Design
The Property Council and ThomsonAdsett have released Best Practice Principles for Seniors Community Design. The guide is for designers and developers of retirement communities, to ensure they are able to capture best practice design elements that lead to great experiences for residents.