Pressure mounts on Cairns Regional Council to back down over retirement village rate rise

Cases of destitute elderly pensioners living on the breadline are set to rise with a White Rock retiree warning that Cairns council’s likely rate hike on retirement villages will send senior citizens broke.

White Rock retirement village residents Michael and Wendy Jewell say the council's proposed rate rise will hurt many seniors, particularly those with little or no superannuation to rely upon. Picture: Samuel Davis

Cases of destitute elderly pensioners living on the breadline are set to rise with a White Rock retiree warning that a Far North council’s likely rate hike on retirement villages will send senior citizens broke.

Around 40 residents marched into Cairns Regional Council’s offices ahead of an ordinary meeting on Wednesday morning, angrily carrying placards calling for councillors to reconsider the more than 800 per cent spike in fees.

Protesters allowed into the gallery was limited at Cairns Regional Council's ordinary meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Picture: Samuel Davis

Oak Tree resident Michael Jewell, 76, said the prospect of paying hundreds of dollars more each year simply wasn’t an option for he and his wife, Wendy.

“It’s a big hole in your pension,” the doting grandfather said. “That’s $866 per fortnight and then we pay for our weekly upkeep and maintenance of the village.

“There’s electricity, groceries, car rego if you’re lucky enough to have one. It all adds up. You have to go without because you can’t afford it.

“We were only basic workers. That’s why it’s frightening. If you do get thrown out on the street, where can you go? We can’t afford $600-a-week rent.”

Dozens of senior citizens marched into Cairns Regional Council's ordinary meeting on Wednesday morning, eager to oppose a possible rate rise on residents living in retirement villages. Picture: Samuel Davis

Mr Jewell echoed comments from the Retirement Living Council earlier this week that elderly women would be disproportionately impacted by the huge increase in fees.

“There are people who live day-to-day and haven’t got any superannuation,” he said.

“I’ve only got another four years of super and then it’s finished. Wendy was a stay-at-home mum for most of her life.

“I’d say for most of the ladies here at the protest, they raised their kids. We didn’t have a second income, so there isn’t a great lot of savings.

“The government says downsize and now we’re being punished. It just doesn’t seem fair.”

‘SEEN A FEW THINGS’

Inside the meeting, several elderly residents were shut out with the council limiting access to just 30 protesters. Security initially informed seniors that placards couldn’t be taken into the chambers before finally relenting.

“It’s fundamentally unfair and totally against our democratic rights,” resident Colleen Duplock said.

“The anti-fluoride protesters were inside the gallery with their placards last year.

“The council is extremely worried about this. They don’t want to look bad, or the press to take photographs of people in the gallery with their signs.”

Protesters with larger signs at Cairns Regional Council's ordinary meeting were instructed to stand by the council's staff. Picture: Samuel Davis

A council spokesman said the cap on protesters was put in place to allow other community members into the gallery despite more than a dozen spare seats left empty during the meeting.

“Regarding the signage, attendees were asked not to obstruct the view of others in the gallery,” the spokesman said.

“It was suggested that the group choose a mix of larger signs and their holders position themselves towards the back so as not to obstruct others’ views.

“We acknowledge there was some initial confusion around the messaging.”

While retirement village residents expect a rate rise, Ms Eden will reportedly receive a pay increase.

The mayor will make almost $5000 more in the next financial year, earning $203,137 in 2025/26.

The boost was recommended by the Local Government Remuneration Commission in a report delivered to local government minister Ann Leahy late last year.

The council has received a petition against the rate rise, with 470 signatures.

“We might be old but we’re still here and we’ve seen a few things in our lifetime,” Mr Jewell said.

Originally published as Pressure mounts on Cairns Regional Council to back down over retirement village rate rise