10 months into his role as Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council (RLC), Daniel Gannon says retirement living accommodation is a significant housing sector that needs respect with Government and understanding by consumers. ‘Same old, same old’ won’t cut it in policy advocacy.
A bigger seat at the Government table, increased RLC membership and greater market share are all on the agenda for the Executive Director.
“When it comes to housing, business as usual just isn’t going to cut it anymore,” he told SATURDAY.
“The country is ageing, and we are in the midst of a housing crisis: there has never been a more important time to ensure retirement living is front and centre when it comes to solving it.
“If we’re not improving legislative, planning and investment conditions – which in turn helps operators create more age-friendly vibrant communities across Australia – then we’re not doing our job properly.”
RLC membership sitting at 30%
This is a considerable task, however.
Seven States and Territories rule over retirement villages and land lease, and they have never ranked as a priority for Federal politicians.
Village operators continue to face red tape around planning and approvals – particularly in NSW – while State Government reviews are increasing the regulatory burden across the board.
It is a big sector. Over 300,000 seniors’ living units across the country house 400,000 Australians aged 65-plus. Retirement village penetration however remains stagnant at 6%.
The RLC currently only represents 30% of village operators – far below the almost-blanket membership of the Retirement Villages Association (RVA) in New Zealand.
Daniel acknowledges these challenges as someone who isn’t a stranger to the sector.
His grandparents Tom Snr and Mavis Gannon founded their family construction business in Adelaide, moving into retirement living with their first village in 1989. They sold out to RetireAustralia around 2007.
Their sons, Tom and Michael, founded Gannon Lifestyle Communities with three villages today and one land lease community. Daniel worked in the villages as a labourer at school and university.
Sector misunderstood by politicians
“I’ve been around this sector since I was at kindergarten,” he stated. “I’m a big believer in what this industry does and the role that retirement communities play within our housing ecosystem.”
“Politicians often don’t realise that retirement living and aged care aren’t the same thing, so there’s an important job in educating leaders about the fundamentals of the sector and the older Australians we provide homes for.”
Before his time at the RLC and the Property Council – where he was its South Australian Executive Director – Daniel worked in state politics for a decade – so he understands the work that is needed to shift this narrative.
“I’ve understood for a long time the importance of working with diverse stakeholders to achieve positive negotiated outcomes, where all parties give ground and take it. This is imperative with the work we do with residents and Governments during legislative review processes.”
“The bonus for Governments is that we create financial efficiencies rather than headaches.”
RLC expanding compelling evidence base
So, what will he do differently to those who have come before him?
“At the end of the day, we’re a member-focused business, so it’s about demonstrating value, creating opportunities and being visible in the public marketplace,” Daniel said.
“But it will also require us to bring industry together and focus on what our new business as usual should look like.
“In coming months, you’ll see us playing a more visible role in key areas like housing supply and affordability, care and support services, ESG, and the importance of a compelling evidence base.”
The peak body has established six new sub-committees to guide its advocacy moving forward:
- Advocacy & Research
- Environmental, Social & Governance
- Housing Supply & Affordability
- Care & Support Services
- Training & Development
- Harmonisation
The RLC has also commissioned global consultancy firm Accenture to capture substantive data about retirement living for its advocacy.
“The industry has a powerful story to tell”
Looking ahead, Daniel has faith that the sector and the value that it is creating for stakeholders will deliver on the RLC’s aims.
“It’s an industry that comes together in a ‘sector first’ and collegiate manner, with a conviction that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’,” he said. “You don’t see this in every part of the property industry.”
He cites the RLC’s recent National Retirement Living Summit where a senior State Government official tracked him down to tell him how moved she was by the compassion and care shown by operators during a panel conversation about housing older Australians.
“She told me that she hadn’t realised how connected and invested these CEOs were with the residents who call their communities home, and the authentic connection that exists,” recalled Daniel.
“Given what we do at the RLC, this feedback was vital. If I could put this in a bottle and take it with me to stakeholder meetings, I would.”
“The industry has a powerful story to tell, because it has people at its heart – the very people who shaped this country.”
Look out for our interview with RLC President and Aveo Group CEO, Tony Randello, on his vision for the RLC, in the next issue of SATURDAY.
