Legal Issues

Legal Issues

Aged care resident Clare Nowland given “no chance” to avoid being Tasered: sentence appealed

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Caroline Egan

02 Jul 2025

Legal Issues

Nine years and counting: Federal Golf Club, Canberra, taking legal action after Mbark’s retirement village approval rescinded

The golf club in Red Hill is taking ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s decision to rescind an approved development application for its proposed retirement village by the acclaimed retirement living operator to the ACT Supreme Court in...

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Ian Horswill

16 Jun 2025

Legal Issues

“A mixed bag”: Russell Kennedy and Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria respond to state’s new Act

“Most of the amendments which will impact financial matters, such as deferred fees, exit entitlements, recurrent charges ceasing and maintenance and repair obligations, will be prospective. However, requirements in relation to village operations...

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Ian Horswill

09 Jun 2025

Community Living

DCM Institute hosts first Professional Development Day for ACT Village Managers

In response to a request from the Retirement Living Council’s ACT Committee, the DCM Institute – Australia’s leading professional development program for Village Managers – hosted its inaugural professional development day in Canberra on Thursday, 5 June, providing practical insights and guidance to managers from across the region.

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Ian Horswill

09 Jun 2025

Legal Issues

Village operator Retirees WA responds to ABC report on legal action involving former CEO’s husband

The Western Australian Not For Profit, which operates 19 retirement villages wih 290 units and two aged care facilities with a total of 200 beds, runs a scheme for discounted funerals. The operator issued a statement on Tuesday, 27 May, after the...

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Ian Horswill

02 Jun 2025

Legal Issues

Mandatory Code of Conduct introduced as major reforms to Victoria’s Retirement Villages Act pass

The Victorian Government has passed the most significant reform of the Retirement Villages Act 1986 to date, reshaping the economic and operational foundations of retirement villages across the state. The main details: 1. Standardised contracts and...

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Ian Horswill

30 May 2025

Legal Issues

Cooloola Waters Retirement Village fails to overturn $22K payout ruling to former real estate agent

Cooloola Water Holdings, which runs Cooloola Waters Retirement Village at Tin Can Bay, in Queensland’s Gympie region, has failed in a bid to overturn an order to pay more than $22,000 in commissions to a former real estate agent who helped broker...

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Ian Horswill

19 May 2025

Legal Issues

NSW Land and Environment Court approves Adria Care’s retirement village plan for Wollongong’s Croatian community

After agreeing to reduce the number of units and the hieght of the development, a continuum of care project wrapping around the Croatian Catholic Church in the suburb of Figtree has been approved. The vision was to provide a space for the wider...

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Ian Horswill

19 May 2025

Legal Issues

2025 LEADERS SUMMIT: The latest on retirement village laws in Australia

Tammy Berghofer, Partner at MinterEllison specialising in Real Estate and Retirement Living, outlined recent developments in the Retirement Villages Acts across various states during day two of the 2025 LEADERS SUMMIT. Tammy revealed how the...

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Ian Horswill

12 May 2025

Legal Issues

Class action launched by Echo Law against Bupa Aged Care

After seeking interested parties for nearly 12 months, class action specialist Echo Law has launched proceedings against one of Australia’s largest providers, Bupa Aged Care, on behalf of residents between 1 July 2019 and 11 April 2025.

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Caroline Egan

17 Apr 2025

Legal Issues

Retirement living residents living in Cairns Regional Council face 800% rate increases

The council proposes in the 2025/26 financial year, the minimum general rate for one dwelling would be applied to each unit in a retirement village, as opposed to charging the village as one dwelling as has been the case. Oak Tree Retirement Village...

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Ian Horswill

07 Apr 2025

Legal Issues

Operators and residents urged to have a say on SA’s proposed regulations for new Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024

Stakeholder feedback will help shape the proposed amendments to the state’s Retirement Villages Regulations 2017. Key changes include: Improved transparency in contracts and disclosure statements for prospective residents; Enhanced codes of...

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Ian Horswill

07 Apr 2025

Legal Issues

ACT workshop: Government requires retirement living operators have elder abuse strategy in place from 27 May

ACT Discrimination, Health Services, Disability and Community Services Commissioner Karen Toohey will be at Goodwin Aged Care Services on Wednesday for the second successive week talking to retirement living operators about the territory’s...

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Ian Horswill

07 Apr 2025