Victorian Government response welcomed

The Property Council of Australia welcomes the Victorian Government’s response to the recommendations of the recent Parliamentary Inquiry into the retirement housing sector.

In the response, the Government committed to reviewing the Retirement Villages Act 1986, and to consider many of the Inquiry’s other recommendations as part of that review.

Sally Capp, Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council, says the response builds on the work that industry and residents have been doing to enhance the retirement village experience.

“We welcome the Victorian Government’s response and look forward to working with them to make retirement living an even better option for older Australians,” Ms Capp said.

“It’s vital that the legislation is very clear about operator and resident obligations that enshrine high standards and certainty for all stakeholders.”

Debbie McClure, chair of the Property Council’s Victorian retirement living committee and a member of the national Retirement Living Council, said the industry was working with residents on a range of initiatives to make retirement living more attractive.

“The Retirement Living Council is implementing an 8-point plan to increase skills, enhance transparency and implement simple and low-cost dispute resolution procedures.”

“We actively embrace any opportunity to work with the Government and with village residents to create even better resident experiences,” Ms McClure said.