Queensland Government taskforce response welcomed

Queensland Government’s taskforce response welcomedThe Property Council has welcomed the release of the Queensland Government’s response to the Advisory Taskforce on Residential Transition for Ageing Queenslanders Report.The Taskforce reported last year and made 21 recommendations to address the housing and related needs of older Queenslanders.The Queensland Government last week made its official response to each of the recommendations, supporting 18 of them and providing in-principle support to the other three.Of particular relevance to the retirement living sector, the Government supported the establishment of an ongoing roundtable to develop financial models and products that encourage older people to rightsize and make informed and confident housing choices;The Government has also provided $0,000 over two years to a telephone helpline services to assist older people to make confident housing decisions.Queensland Property Council Executive Director, Chris Mountford, has labelled the Government’s suite of commitments an important first step in tackling an important social challenge. “The property industry is committed to delivering a variety of housing options, promoting the attractiveness of existing retirement living options and ensuring long-term housing affordability for older Queenslanders,” Mr Mountford said. “As our population ages and demand for purpose built seniors’ housing increases, the supply of appropriate housing for older Queenslanders needs to be a key consideration of the Government, industry and the community.””The Property Council was pleased to be part of the taskforce of industry experts which worked to produce solutions-based policy recommendations to boost housing options available for ageing Queenslanders.””The Government’s response represents a framework for further collaboration with industry and community leaders to remove roadblocks preventing the adequate delivery of age appropriate housing.”