Happy days for RV residents and operators
A new campaign that aims to promote better understanding and improve relations between RV residents and operators has been launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs in Victoria
Above: Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien, launching the campaign
The Victorian Government has launched a campaign promoting better communication and understanding between retirement village operators and residents in an effort to foster a more efficient, consistent and clear approach to dealing with retirement village issues.
Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien launched two publications for retirement village residents and operators at the Renaissance Living retirement village in Melbourne’s Surrey Hills yesterday.
Mr O’Brien said with an ageing population, more and more Victorians would consider moving into retirement villages.
“It’s vital we ensure that this sector demonstrates best practice across the industry,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien said the Victorian Government was committed to promoting better understanding of retirement village residents’ rights, as well as improving the effectiveness of internal dispute resolution processes.
“Both of the documents I am launching today, Retirement Villages – Good practice to address key issues and Retirement Villages – Internal Dispute Resolutions Guidelines for Owners and Managers, are important milestones in delivering these commitments.”
Mr O’Brien said the protocols were developed in close consultation with residents’ groups and industry, and would encourage a strong partnership amongst retirement village stakeholders.
“The protocols encourage a more consistent approach to preventing and dealing with contentious issues across Victoria’s retirement villages,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Additionally the internal dispute resolution guidelines assist owners and managers to better manage their village scheme, and reflect best practice in preventing and managing complaints and disputes.”
As part of an education campaign supporting the implementation of the protocols and the internal dispute resolution guidelines, Consumer Affairs Victoria will be contacting every retirement village throughout the state to distribute guides and offer additional information.
“By emphasising the importance of consultation, communication and dealing in good faith, this education campaign will foster a more efficient, consistent and clear approach to retirement village issues across the state.”
A spokesperson for the Minister said that while the materials have been produced for Victorian Retirement Villages, the information would be largely pertinent to retirement village operators and consumers across Australia.
Victoria has approximately 30,000 seniors living in retirement villages and similar accommodation.
The two documents can be downloaded from the Department of Consumer Affairs website:
Retirement Villages – Good practice to address key issues
Retirement Villages – Internal Dispute Resolutions Guidelines for Owners and Managers
