Cairns mayor accused of 'chilling' debate amid proposed 800pc retirement village rate hike
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Elderly residents of retirement villages in Cairns lobbying against a council proposal to hike their rates have hit out at the city's mayor, accusing her of "spying" on their movements using social media.
Cairns Regional Council is proposing to charge its minimum general rate of about $1,072 to each individual unit in retirement villages from next financial year.
At the moment, it imposes a single charge across entire villages.
Retirement village operators say the change would lead to a rates increase of about 800 per cent which they claim they would be required to pass on to elderly residents under state legislation.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden defended the council's position during a live radio interview with ABC Far North saying many retirement villages "put in requests [to the council] for footpaths" which ratepayers had to pay for.
But it was a follow-up remark about elderly residents using council-owned recreational spaces that one critic said has had a "chilling effect".
"I've done a couple of social enquiry checks online of some of the complainants and I can see them enjoying the lagoon and all the free offerings down at the Esplanade," Ms Eden said.
"Ratepayers pay for that. Everyone needs to contribute."
Retirement village resident Judy Holtzheimer, who has lobbied against the council's proposal, said she was shocked by the mayor's on-air comments.
"I was absolutely stunned that someone in her position would, I would say in my words, stoop to spying on elderly [people]," she said.
Another retirement village resident, Kay Nyland, said she believed she would be "one of the people" the mayor has looked up "because I have been very prominent on social media about this issue".
The ABC has contacted Ms Eden to seek her response to the concerns.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said the council "does not engage in tracking of residents".
"It is well known that the mayor is active on social media and uses it to engage with the community," he said.
"It is also common for social media users to post images of themselves using council facilities, which as a social media user the mayor made an offhand reference to on radio."
"We've seen survey data from these retirement villages that indicate that at least 50 per cent will be financially fine with this increase," Ms Eden said.
She said others should seek financial hardship assistance from their village operator or the council.
"There are always going to be a percentage of ratepayers that really struggle to pay their rates," Ms Eden said.
"That is just the way that it goes."
The retirement village sector has campaigned against the proposal, concerned other councils could follow suit.
Oak Tree Retirement Villages CEO Christine Gilroy said villages already paid for the installation of roads, lightning and garden maintenance, and that it would be a "double hit to those residents to pay that again".
Retirement Living Council executive director Daniel Gannon said the council should put off its plan for a year for "genuine and proper consultation".
He described Ms Eden's remark as "shocking and bizarre".
"These comments have absolutely had a chilling effect across the retirement village resident community in Cairns," he said.
The council is due to vote on the proposal at the end of June.
By Christopher Testa and Charlie McKillop
Cairns Regional Council is proposing to charge its minimum general rate of about $1,072 to each individual unit in retirement villages from next financial year.
At the moment, it imposes a single charge across entire villages.
Retirement village operators say the change would lead to a rates increase of about 800 per cent which they claim they would be required to pass on to elderly residents under state legislation.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden defended the council's position during a live radio interview with ABC Far North saying many retirement villages "put in requests [to the council] for footpaths" which ratepayers had to pay for.
Mayor Amy Eden says retirement village residents should pay more in rates because they use council facilities. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
But it was a follow-up remark about elderly residents using council-owned recreational spaces that one critic said has had a "chilling effect".
"I've done a couple of social enquiry checks online of some of the complainants and I can see them enjoying the lagoon and all the free offerings down at the Esplanade," Ms Eden said.
"Ratepayers pay for that. Everyone needs to contribute."
Retirement village resident Judy Holtzheimer, who has lobbied against the council's proposal, said she was shocked by the mayor's on-air comments.
"I was absolutely stunned that someone in her position would, I would say in my words, stoop to spying on elderly [people]," she said.
Another retirement village resident, Kay Nyland, said she believed she would be "one of the people" the mayor has looked up "because I have been very prominent on social media about this issue".
Retirement village residents protesting outside the council chambers in Cairns. (ABC Far North: Sophie McManus)
The ABC has contacted Ms Eden to seek her response to the concerns.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said the council "does not engage in tracking of residents".
"It is well known that the mayor is active on social media and uses it to engage with the community," he said.
"It is also common for social media users to post images of themselves using council facilities, which as a social media user the mayor made an offhand reference to on radio."
Comments 'bizarre'
Cairns Regional Council argues changing its rating structure would bring retirement villages into line with other multi-dwelling complexes."We've seen survey data from these retirement villages that indicate that at least 50 per cent will be financially fine with this increase," Ms Eden said.
She said others should seek financial hardship assistance from their village operator or the council.
Retirement village residents packed a recent Cairns council meeting to argue their case. (ABC Far North: Sophie McManus)
"There are always going to be a percentage of ratepayers that really struggle to pay their rates," Ms Eden said.
"That is just the way that it goes."
The retirement village sector has campaigned against the proposal, concerned other councils could follow suit.
Retirement Living Council executive director Daniel Gannon said the council should put off its plan for a year for "genuine and proper consultation".
He described Ms Eden's remark as "shocking and bizarre".
"These comments have absolutely had a chilling effect across the retirement village resident community in Cairns," he said.
The council is due to vote on the proposal at the end of June.
By Christopher Testa and Charlie McKillop
