Interest in seniors precinct
Plans for Deniliquin’s proposed Seniors Living Precinct are progressing, with community interest at its forefront.
About 30 people attended an information session at Deniliquin Golf Club on Wednesday, of the 40 who lodged an expression of interest in the precinct with Edward River Council.
Council general manager Phil Stone said Wednesday’s meeting was very well attended by people eager to learn more about the Seniors Living Precinct.
‘‘We are thrilled with the response to date which has exceeded our expectations,” Mr Stone said.
For the first time, the council is taking ‘‘fully refundable’’ deposits to secure a spot.
The development is expected to go to tender ‘‘within the next month’’ and will see the construction of 31 homes in a retirement-style village over five stages.
Six homes and a communal barbecue area will be built in stage one, while 12 blocks will be serviced with infrastructure in preparation for the next stage while homes ‘‘may be built simultaneously depending on demand’’, according to the council.
“Stage one includes the construction of just six homes — we may need to move quickly to stage two given the strong demand,” Mr Stone said.
The council is investigating the potential of the communal area for other development purposes. A solar catchment is being considered as another addition to the development.
Once the project has gone to tender, the council will commence marketing and selling locations in the village, with the first tenants expected to move in as early as the middle of next year.
Under the arrangement, interested parties would buy into the village with a ‘‘lifetime licence arrangement’’.
The arrangement — standard for retirement villages across the state — means title to the properties remains in the council’s name, while a one-off entry price paid by the new resident gives them the right to stay at the property ‘‘until they choose to leave’’.
However, pending construction costs the council has not announced its entry price.
The deferred management fee (DMF) will retain five per cent of the entry fee per year for the first eight years of occupancy, to a maximum of 40 per cent, meaning residents or their beneficiaries would receive at least 60 per cent of this entry price back on leaving the village.
‘‘The DMF helps pay for the construction of the village and homes, the operation of the village and refurbishment of homes when residents change,’’ the council told attendees to the meeting.
While residents are responsible for telecommunication, electricity and contents insurance, a weekly maintenance fee pays for ‘‘land and building insurance, rates, grounds maintenance, building maintenance, water etc’’, but this fee is yet to be determined.
The council plans to hold further public meetings.
‘‘Those in attendance were engaged and very keen with lots of questions and suggestions regarding the designs on offer,’’ Mr Stone said.
‘‘We are taking all feedback on board in these early stages to ensure the finished product meets the expectations of those wanting to live in the precinct.’’