Retirement Living Council demands apology after claims residents feel ‘spied on’ by Cairns Mayor Amy Eden

A peak body has demanded an apology after the Cairns mayor admitted she had completed “social” media checks on retirement village residents against a proposed 800 per cent rate rise.

Retirement village residents claim they have felt violated following recent claims made by Cairns mayor Amy Eden on a live radio interview.

A peak body has demanded a public apology after the Cairns mayor admitted she had completed “social” media checks on retirement village residents against a proposed 800 per cent rate rise.

The claims made by residents in response have been fiercely denied by the Council and Ms Eden.

Cairns Regional Council will vote on retirement living rate rises later this month with fees expected to increase by up to 800 per cent across seven retirement villages based in Cairns.

Mayor Amy Eden was discussing council’s proposed rates increases on ABC Far North Queensland this week when she said she had looked into some of the residents complaining.

“I’ve done a couple of social inquiry checks online of some of the complainants, and I can see them enjoying the lagoon and all the free offerings down at the Esplanade,” Ms Eden said.

“Ratepayers pay for that. Everyone needs to contribute, and whether you use it or not, it’s having the access.”

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden has reportedly admitted to conducting ‘social inquiry checks’ on retirement village residents who have complained about a proposed rate increase. Picture: Brendan Radke

Retirement Living Council executive director Daniel Gannon says he was shocked by the admission.

“This conduct is truly shocking and bizarre. Council is meant to serve communities, not scare them,” Mr Gannon said.

“Some residents now feel like council is spying on them and tracking their movements throughout the community.”

In a statement on Thursday afternoon the council stressed it does not track residents.

“It is well known that the mayor is active on social media and uses it to engage with the community,” the spokesperson said.

“It is also common for social media users to post images of themselves using council facilities, which as a social media user, the mayor made an offhand reference to on radio.”

Cairns retirement village residents have turned out in force at the Cairns Regional Council's general meeting, protesting the proposed change to the zoning of their general rates, which will the annual costs by 800 per cent. Picture: Brendan Radke

Judy Holzheimer, resident at Oak Tree retirement village, said she was surprised.

“When I heard it I thought, oh my god what does this imply? Am I hearing what I’m hearing?” Ms Holzheimer said.

“Is she actually admitting to using technology or people … to find out exactly how much of the facilities that are being provided by council are actually being used by retirement village residents?

Kevin McRae, resident at The Parks Retirement Living, said it was a “complete breach of trust”.

“The fact she’s using social media to track residents of RVs is pretty interesting,” Mr McRae said.

The Retirement Living Council Daniel Gannon — has demanded a public apology from Cairns mayor Amy Eden following remarks she made on a live radio interview about conducting ‘social inquiry’ checks on retirement village residents. Photo: Jeremy Piper

Mr Gannon said residents had paid rates in the community for many years through their general services charges for rates levied over village land in a specific category decided on by the council.

“These residents are ratepayers. That is our very point,” he said.

“To suggest these residents are not paying rates but receiving the benefit of council infrastructure is manifestly misleading.”

Council will adopt the 2025/26 budget on June 25.

Originally published as Retirement Living Council demands apology after claims residents feel ‘spied on’ by Cairns Mayor Amy Eden