‘Can’t afford to leave, can’t afford to stay’: Retired residents at a crossroads amid council’s proposed rate increase

A retirement village in Cairns is facing a 520 per cent increase in rates with residents contemplating moving, selling their cars and giving up their holidays.

The Parks Retirement Living in Earlville, Cairns. Picture: Molly Frew

A retirement village in Cairns is facing an almost 520 per cent increase in rates with residents contemplating moving, selling their cars and giving up their holidays.

In March, Cairns Regional Council proposed changing how rates are levied on retirement homes with residents at Oak Tree retirement village in White Rock and The Parks Retirement Living (The Parks) furious at the hike.

The Parks, run by Aveo Group, were levied $27,189 in council general rates in the 2024/25 financial year.

Under council’s proposal, The Parks would be charged $168,455.30 in the 2025/26 financial year — an increase of almost 520 per cent.

Resident Jean Humphris, a pensioner who moved to The Parks in 2018 and receives around $1140 a fortnight, said she would have to restrict her budget to essentials such as food.

“It’s not going to help me one little bit,” she said of council’s proposal.

“I like to go and buy a few clothes sometimes. That’ll be the sort of thing that I won’t be able to do. I might be able survive, to eat.”

Ms Humphris moved from Atherton to The Parks to be closer to family. Picture: Molly Frew

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, also said he was told by a female resident that if council’s proposal went ahead she wouldn’t be able to live at the village, but wouldn’t be able to afford to leave.

“What is she supposed to do?” the resident said.

Fees levied on The Parks are split among residents and are included in their monthly service charge, which also pays for the village’s street lights, roads and recreational facilities.

The monthly service charge is proportionate to the size of each resident’s unit, but the average cost is between $700 and $730 a month.

If the council’s proposal went ahead, this monthly charge could be increased by roughly $100 for some residents.

According to The Parks management, in 2024 the village paid more than $346,000 to council, which included the general rate as well as charges for water, cleansing and sewerage services.

The Parks Retirement Living in Earlville, Cairns. Picture: Molly Frew

One Nation Senate candidate Geena Court, whose mother is a resident at the Parks, said the proposal was especially unfair because residents were not able to own their property in the same way others could.

“I thought that the council had been rather heavy-handed at doing this with virtually no notice to the stakeholders,” resident Ted Griffin said. Picture: Molly Frew

While addressing residents at a recent meeting, Ms Court said the rate increase was “revenue raising” and “mind-blowingly disgusting”.

Alan and Helen Sims. Picture: Molly Frew

Residents Alan and Helen Sims have lived at The Parks for nearly 12 years and love the sense of community it provides.

“You make a decision to come in here because it is a good, healthy decision, because of the sense of community. We shouldn’t be penalised for it,” Ms Sims said.

“There would be people in here who may have to sell their cars, which takes away their independence, which isn’t what healthy ageing is all about.

“The anxiety that this is going to create for so many of the residents is unbelievable.”

Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger said council was working towards a solution for residents.

“We’re trying to find the best way to soften it,” she said.

Council’s proposal will be voted on at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday, June 25.

Originally published as ‘Can’t afford to leave, can’t afford to stay’: Retired residents at a crossroads amid council’s proposed rate increase