New QLD Dept of Housing launches rapid review of the Retirement Villages Act

The first state to transfer retirement villages out of the Consumer Affairs portfolio into the Dept. of Housing (QLD), has called for a sector review that is to be completed by 30 November. Check the thrust of some of the considerations:
• protections for residents; including providing appropriate material to enable informed decisions to be made;
• provide certainty, accountability and transparency for residents in relation to their financial obligations, including the interests of residents in the event of a village closing down;
• operators to develop and adopt best practice standards in operating villages, or require operators to comply with mandatory standards or accreditation;
• promote innovation and expansion in the retirement village industry
• residents to be involved in budgeting
• provide a timely, informal and cost-effective process for resolving disputes