Lord Mayor Graham Quirk unveiled an ambitious plan this week to bolster retirement village and aged care development, including cutting infrastructure charges for aged care units by 33% for three years.
That’s a big decrease, from $8,000 down to $5,300.
The Council’s Labor opposition has objected to the infrastructure changes though. Why?
Opposition leader Peter Cumming says the money will go straight into developers’ pockets.
“They don’t tend to translate into more affordable property, despite the fact that developers often cite infrastructure charges as one of the reasons property prices are so high,” he said.
Cr Quirk argues the scheme is essential though. Why?
Not enough beds to meet demand
Only 49 retirement and aged care developments were approved by Council between 2010 and 2015 for a total of 5,159 beds, an average of less than 1,000 a year.
“Over the next 12 years, there is a forecast average annual increase of 3,600 persons that may require dedicated retirement or aged care accommodation,” he said.
The Lord Mayor says the drop in the charges would encourage more facilities and keep prices down.
The Council’s package also includes:
- Allowing an extra two storeys in medium- and high-density locations
- Considering proposals for privately-owned sport and recreation areas, if there is a community benefit provided
- Amending the 2014 City Plan to include a new streamlined code for assessing developments
Praise for the project
Chris Mountford, Executive Director of the Property Council Queensland, has welcomed the move, warning that Australia will face a seniors’ housing crisis without “urgent change” to state and local planning systems.
“By 2025, the demand for retirement living accommodation for people aged over 65 years is expected to double. But at the current rate of development, there will simply not be enough supply of retirement communities to meet demand,” he said.
ThomsonAdsett Group Director of Seniors Living Ann-Maree Ruffles also said the package highlights the importance of keeping people integrated within their communities.
“When people have access to their local doctor and families, they really benefit from a greater quality of life. Studies show that it’s much more positive to keep seniors in an environment they’re familiar with and where they have control over the type of care they receive,” she says.
Similar incentives set up by the Council for new hotels and student accommodation have paid dividends in the past. Clearly Cr Quirk is hoping they will work again.
