Elderly residents argue against Cairns council’s massive proposed rate rise
Cairns Regional Council’s top boss has called on councillors to consider the level of services provided to retirement villages when determining whether a major rate-rise will be imposed on elderly residents.
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Cairns Regional Council’s top boss has called on councillors to consider the level of services provided to retirement villages when determining whether a major rate-rise will be imposed on elderly residents.
The council is considering increasing rates by around 800 per cent on dwellings located inside retirement villages and relocatable home parks in its upcoming budget.
On Wednesday, Parks Retirement Village resident Colleen Duplock desperately urged councillors to scrap the proposed fee increase, arguing that elderly residents will be forced to live on the street as a result.
“This proposal has instilled much fear and stress within our villages and for the residents that live in them,” Ms Duplock, 71, said in her deputation to councillors.
“They fear that they will not have enough funds to last their lifetime. How long, they ask themselves, can I afford to live?”
Chief executive Ken Gouldthorp expressed sympathy for residents while highlighting key factors that must be taken into consideration should a change to rates be implemented.
“I understand the point of contention,” Mr Gouldthorp said. “There is a range of homes available inside these facilities.
“The question to council is in respect to the services provided to the residents.
“Properties within land-lease communities can be occupied by families or couples is similar to strata-titled properties and to that extent, the council provides similar services.”
Mr Gouldthorp said occupants living in 8274 properties within the council area already receive pensioner concessions for their rates.
“The vast majority of pensioners are already occupying strata, or like properties to which the minimum general rate already applies,” he said.
“In comparison, there are 769 dwellings within retirement villages that the council is considering establishing this category for,” he said.
Some dwellings currently contribute as little as $58 per year in general rates.
Some councillors have argued that an increase of more than $300 would bring fees closer to the minimum rate of $1072 for similar units or townhouses.
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