Retirement village costs still being questioned

Mr Goode told committee members – Mayor Peta Betts, Deputy Mayor Paul Fellows, Councillors Marc Petersen and Linda Fawns – that construction of homes was planned to commence in late April.

Cr Fellows told the Pastoral Times the previous council created the Edward River Village concept with the current council continuing the legacy.

“The pricing model/structure has proven successful all over Australia, particularly so locally in Berrigan and Finely where there are waiting lists,” he said.

Councillor Pat Fogarty, who was previously the chair of the retirement village committee, is supportive of the concept but has asked for detailed financials, voicing concerns of ratepayers the model being used may not be financially viable.

Marketing efforts for the village have included direct mail outs, print and social media advertising, billboards and a new video.

To date, 21 enquiries have been received by council for the planned 32 dwelling village.

Mr Goode said of those, three say they are ‘very keen’, two ‘interested but not in a hurry’ and one could not proceed as they didn’t have any funds.

Pricing for homes in the village start at $475,000, plus a weekly fee of $130 with a 65 per cent refund when tenants vacate their home.

During the council debate, Cr Shirlee Burge asked for monthly detailed financial statements.

Cr Betts said that request was something the committee could consider, appearing to seek clarification from Mr Stone.

He advised if the councillor wanted to move a motion requesting detailed monthly financial updates she would have to wait until the June meeting.

Cr Fogarty argued that during previous major projects, such as the revitalisation of Cressy and Napier streets, councillors received fortnightly updates.

“That was very useful, to keep everybody informed and it kept the whole community informed,” she said.

“The whole community is interested in this project.”

The mayor however interjected, thanking Cr Fogarty for her question but reminded the council both councillors Fogarty and Burge had stepped off the retirement village committee.

Cr Burge responded that she stepped off the committee for “that exact reason”.

“We were given no financials, we asked for them months ago and we have still not seen them,” she said.

Cr Betts again interjected saying there was “no question in that” response from Cr Burge, and would not allow her to continue speaking.

Cr Burge told the Pastoral Times council had ignored her concerns and questions for months.

“In February 2022 our proposed pricing structure was over $100,000 above those in a 200km radius. Our current proposed figures are now $200,000 above,” she said.

Finley’s retirement facility has three dwellings currently available, starting from $230,000 – less than half the cost of the Edward River Village.

Moama currently has at least four villas available starting at $145,000. Wagga has at least six, starting at $225,000.

“At the early committee meetings I attended, we were never given detailed financial disclosure and to my knowledge that committee still do not get that disclosure,” Cr Burge said.

“That is apparent in the meeting minutes – this continued lack of written detail, as in cost spread sheets or project manager’s detailed reporting is absent.

“I have never seen prime costs, or provisional sums, or a variation register.”

Despite the pricing structure, Cr Linda Fawns told the council she was confident in the budget for the Edward River Village but declined to elaborate when asked by the Pastoral Times.

Cr Fellows has, however, said the project is running under budget.

“The project manager is working collaboratively with our local contractor who is doing an excellent job,” he said.

Cr Marc Petersen, who is on the Edward River Village committee, said the budget appears balanced but more details are required.

“There are large sums of money, but I can’t see where any actual money is being spent,” he said.

“I would like further breakdowns of the overheads so I can account for any spending, as detailed under local government legislation relating to due diligence,” he said.