On the 9th of July 2017 our Premier made a statement regarding the need for “a major shake-up of the industry” and from Minister de Brenni that “People have invested significant amounts of money and pay significant fees to live in these villages and manufactured homes. They have a very real right to be heard.”
It is now 2022 and the many problems reported by Advocates and Residents in 2017 to the Government and the Housing Department are unchanged, unfortunately not heard or acted upon and AMHO asks – why not?
Premier you promised new dispute resolution processes would be brought in along with enforceable behaviour standards for village operators, saying: “consultation conducted by the Government over the past 18 months had found the rights of people who live in retirement villages just aren’t in line with the expectations of the community. Seniors living in residential parks were found to be facing similar issues. We must ensure our Queensland seniors can enjoy peace of mind in their retirement years, by giving them stringent consumer protections they need and deserve.”
Premier, you also advised in the article that you wanted the new laws to take effect before the end of the year 2017 as: “Our seniors and retirees have given so much to Queensland over their working lives. It’s only fair and proper that they should be able to retire with peace of mind and security.”
FIVE YEARS LATER in 2022
According to Government figures 45,000+ Queenslanders now live in over 300 Manufactured Home Parks, with many more planned by park owners with the largest profits of any industry in Australia (65%+), on the backs of retired Queenslanders living on fixed incomes – how can this be?
At a meeting with AMHO and ARPQ on the 1st of September Minister Enoch, after years of evidence provided by Advocate Groups and residents, and another Issues Paper, she advised that:
“IF LEGISLATION IS REQUIRED …..
IT COULD BE READY FOR THE HOUSE BY DECEMBER 2023”
WE CAN NOT WAIT THAT LONG ESPECIALLY WITH THE CPI!
The Submission attached is indicative of the error made in 2003 where this CPI All Groups Brisbane formula was incorrectly applied to the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 by this Housing Department and should not be in this legislation. In the current June quarter, All Groups Brisbane CPI has come out as 7.3%. Therefore, those homeowners who have CPI in their site agreements will have their annual site fee increased by 7.3% in this quarter. Each park has a different date to process a site fee so it will get higher.
AMHO has already presented two submissions to the government about this problem but has been ignored. The answer is always the same, quoting the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025, which has nothing in it about problems caused by CPI rises.
We need action and require an Amendment by the Queensland State Government now.
1. Immediate cessation of any increases in rent for manufactured home owners and rents to remain at existing levels until this entire process reaches a conclusion and is implemented into law by royal accent and agreed upon through parliamentary procedure.
OR
2. Implementation of a 1% ONLY annual increase in rent until this entire process reaches a conclusion and is implemented into law by royal accent and agreed upon through parliamentary procedure.
This financial abuse is on the shoulders of this department and the government and you need to fix this error in it now.
