Knowledge Centre

Month: November 2022

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Key things to help you everyday Latest industry developments

Have your say on seniors housing changes in new NSW Housing SEPP

Image: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Image: NSW Department of Planning and Environment

The NSW Government has released an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) on its proposed amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 (Housing SEPP), including a draft Seniors Housing Design Guide developed by Calderflower Architects.

The EIE from the DPE includes proposed updates to accessibility standards for seniors’ independent living units, as well as the reclassification of what used to be called “hostels” into a “supported living” category, encompassing smaller-scale seniors and disability housing.

Lara Calder, Managing Director at Calderflower (pictured), told The Weekly SOURCE that proposed changes in the SEPP mean that retirement village developers may be able to slim down some of the spatial requirements for their units.

“These are very space-hungry buildings, because they have to comply with the requirements for accessibility, and the Australian standard 1428. A lot of retirement providers find that quite onerous, because their apartment is just blown out into a much bigger dimension.

“You could potentially get more units in because, if you’re not having to have so much space in one apartment, you can have a slightly more efficient floor space ratio for each unit,” she said.

Lara is urging operators to have a look at the new guidelines and send in their feedback.

“I don’t think a lot of people know that these changes have happened. If we can alert people that there are changes afoot, and that they’re available to review, and they also are invited to comment, then it’d be good to get feedback,” she said.

Operators and developers can have their say about the new Seniors Design Guide until 19 December.

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Latest industry developments Village Operator

Centennial’s Derek McMillan says “every village needs a five-year plan”

VILLAGE SUMMIT 2022 was in Melbourne last week, where Derek McMillan, CEO of Centennial Living, drew on more than two decades of experience in the industry when encouraging every retirement village to have a five-year plan.

Regardless of a retirement village being established or young, Derek noted the benefits of having a clearly defined vision that Village Managers can work toward with their residents, which in the end would benefit current and future customers.

“I’ve always been a believer in an EOS approach,” Derek said before explaining further how a village’s Environment (various stakeholder groups), coupled with the support of an Organization (the Operator) can deliver on a Strategy of where you want to be in five years’ time.

Derek encouraged VILLAGE SUMMIT delegates to be disciplined when involving the various stakeholder groups, as they can have the biggest impact on realising a five-year plan, with the most important stakeholder group of all being residents.

The Summit, which was centred around a Village Manager’s role being “for purpose”, dedicated a large portion of the day to conversations about the emergence of the Baby Boomers as a consumer group and the impact this will have on our industry and our villages.

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Latest industry developments

Three VIC Village Managers achieve 1,000 DCMI Professional Development points – recognised at VILLAGE SUMMIT 2022 in Melbourne

Once again, the team at DCM Institute took a moment to acknowledge the achievement of three Village Managers who have excelled with their own professional development by reaching the milestone of 1,000 professional development points.

Sally Doodt from Mercy, alongside Bernadette Bullock and Hannah Horsley from Baptcare, were presented with their awards by Tiffany Folbigg, National Administrator for DCM Institute.

“As we’ve said many times across the day, Village Management is not something that can be learned at university,” said Tiffany. “It is great to see DCM Institute participants across the country embracing their professional development which can only benefit their villages and, most importantly, their residents.”

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Village Operator

Centennial’s Derek McMillan says “every village needs a five-year plan”

VILLAGE SUMMIT 2022 was in Melbourne last week, where Derek McMillan, CEO of Centennial Living, drew on more than two decades of experience in the industry when encouraging every retirement village to have a five-year plan.

Regardless of a retirement village being established or young, Derek noted the benefits of having a clearly defined vision that Village Managers can work toward with their residents, which in the end would benefit current and future customers.

“I’ve always been a believer in an EOS approach,” Derek said before explaining further how a village’s Environment (various stakeholder groups), coupled with the support of an Organization (the Operator) can deliver on a Strategy of where you want to be in five years’ time.

Derek encouraged VILLAGE SUMMIT delegates to be disciplined when involving the various stakeholder groups, as they can have the biggest impact on realising a five-year plan, with the most important stakeholder group of all being residents.

The Summit, which was centred around a Village Manager’s role being “for purpose”, dedicated a large portion of the day to conversations about the emergence of the Baby Boomers as a consumer group and the impact this will have on our industry and our villages.

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Facility Manager Village Operator

RLC slams Asset Management Plans ahead of 2023 NSW election

The Retirement Living Council has labelled NSW’s Asset Management Plans (AMPs) the “biggest adverse impact” on the sector this year.

AMPs, which operators have called “laborious and unrealistic”, were criticised at the NSW Retirement Living Forum’s Regulation and Policy panel this month.

RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon (pictured) says that while the NSW Government likely thought AMPs were a good idea, in practice they have added an extra burden in cost and red tape for operators.

“Over 80% of attendees at this year’s NSW Retirement Living Forum said the policy outcome does not meet the Government policy’s intent,” he told The Weekly SOURCE.

“There is a demonstrable need for government intervention and amendment to remove this massive compliance burden for both operators and residents.”

Daniel has signalled the RLC may lobby the NSW Government on AMPs ahead of the state election in March next year, pointing to how the official guidelines for operators stretch to a 26-page document.

“The retirement living industry is mobilising ahead of next year’s election. Cutting the unnecessary red tape that simply adds cost to business, then customers, is a key priority,” he said.

The Government earlier this year was forced to push back the deadline for AMPs, given the confusion and difficulty operators were experiencing in preparing them.

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Latest industry developments

Finally, a story to warm your heart

Jack, son of Goodwin Aged Care Services’ Executive Manager of Residential Care, Sarah Oliver, deserves a prolonged round of applause.

The seven-year-old has raised $2000 from his “Mullets for Memory Loss” campaign and will be using the funds to purchase various items for residents at the Canberra-based provider of Retirement Living, Residential Care and Home Care.

“My Gran Iris passed away in August 2021, I was lucky enough to spend so much time with her for my whole life. We would visit Gran a couple of times every week, and even though sometimes Gran didn’t remember some things she always loved me and my sister Chloe. She loved reading with us, sharing her yummy treats, and watching us play,” wrote Jack, who has just celebrated his eighth birthday.

“When Gran moved into Residential Care in May 2021, our visits didn’t stop they just changed. We would take Gran for walks, still read books together, share treats and just hang out. I have been growing my mullet since August 2021 and have decided that on Gran’s birthday (28 September), I will cut it all off to raise money and awareness for people living with Dementia in residential aged care.”

He was true to his word.

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Facility Manager Village Operator

Knowledge Centre Update: Workplace Health and Safety

As we are all aware, WHS is an essential part of village management. For Village Professionals to maintain a certain level of safety in the workplace for our residents, staff and ourselves, it is critical we have processes and procedures in place.

In this learning module, Kylie Harding from Critical Success Solutions, explores areas which require our focus, provides us with resources and handy hints and tips to get things aligned to the requirements within our villages. Kylie covers off the following topics:

  • Defining Work Health and Safety (WHS)
  • Identify key WHS components
  • Explore “responsibility of self”
  • Responsibility of the organisation and responsible person
  • Best practice systems and processes
  • Where to find more information

Kylie Harding is a community sector professional with over 25 years management experience in the community services and health care sector for both NGOs, Government and Statutory Authorities.

Access to the DCM Institute Knowledge Centre can be found here.

Not a participant in the DCM Institute Village Professional Program? Contact us for more information.

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Facility Manager

State In Focus: New Website for Queenslanders Comparing Retirement Villages

The Queensland Government has launched a new website that will allow seniors to quickly compare retirement villages in the state.

The website uses mandatory Village Comparison Documents provided by Queensland’s 330 retirement village operators. According to Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch (pictured), the site provides “greater security and certainty” for seniors looking to move into retirement living.

The site does not give information on fees and charges, advising seniors instead to contact villages individually, as well as urging them to obtain independent legal and financial advice before signing.

Speaking at Village Summit 2022, Chris Rooke, Managing Partner at One Fell Swoop, notes that two-thirds of the touch points we have with customers, does not involve us. Today’s generation of customer is quite capable of doing their own research so they can make an informed decision on their future.

Village Managers, sales professionals and operators in Queensland should be aware of this website and should take the time to look up and confirm the information provided about their village to ensure potential residents are enticed to reach out to them for more information.

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Village Operator

DCM Institute continues to recognize professional development in Brisbane and Perth

Picture: (L-R) James Wiltshire, DCM Institute Executive Director, Sarah Mosconi, Amanda House, Adam Green and Tiffany Folbigg.
Picture: (L-R) James Wiltshire, DCM Institute Executive Director, Sarah Mosconi, Amanda House, Adam Green and Tiffany Folbigg.

VILLAGE SUMMIT 2022 continued in Brisbane and Perth last week, with DCM Institute once again taking a moment to recognise individual excellence in professional development.

Starting in Brisbane, Karen Brown from BHCL’s Arbor Sherwood Retirement Village was recognised for successfully reaching 1,000 professional development (PD) points as part of DCM Institute’s Village Management Professional Program.

Likewise in Perth, where there were five Program participants recognised for the same achievement: Sarah Mosconi (Bethanie); Susan Reeves (Kwinana); and Amanda House, Mandy Williams and Adam Green, all from Southern Cross Care WA.

DCM Institute’s commitment to the professional development of Village Management across the country continues with the final Village Summit for 2022 being held in Sydney on 1 December.

Image: Karen Brown with Tiffany Folbigg, DCM Institute’s National Administrator.
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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday Village Operator

QLD Govt launches retirement village comparison site using mandatory operator data

The Queensland Government has implemented a new website that will allow seniors to quickly compare retirement villages in the state.

The website uses mandatory Village Comparison Documents provided by Queensland’s 330 retirement village operators. According to Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch (pictured), the site provides “greater security and certainty” for seniors looking to move into retirement living.

“Our new website provides access to this information for seniors and their families in an accessible, easily digestible format. It lets users compare services, facilities and location advantages such as distance to shops, hospitals and public transport options.

“It provides some guidance on the ongoing price range for accommodation units and some examples of cost scenarios. It makes the job of narrowing down options a whole lot easier and quicker for seniors and their families,” she said.

The site does not give information on fees and charges, advising seniors instead to contact villages individually, as well as urging them to obtain independent legal and financial advice before signing.

“The safeguards we introduced with the amendment of the Retirement Villages Act 2019 include improved pre-contractual disclosure allowing prospective residents to make better-informed decisions and giving them more time to get advice, improved behavioural standards for residents and operators and time limits to enable resident certainty around the payment of exit entitlements,” said Ms Enoch.