More retirement living options on way

4 Dec 2018

COTA NT has been lobbying for some time regarding more lifestyle choices for our rural seniors, so we were very pleased to hear about the proposed new retirement village at Coolalinga. This type of development is much needed. The main concern is keeping the price at an affordable level – $300,000 and under if they are going to be strata titled.  Seniors want safe and comfortable accommodation at an affordable price and with the median house price coming down, supposed ‘nest eggs’ have also diminished as well, so people will not have a lot to spend on downsizing. The next retirement village should now be at Batchelor. With over 200 seniors in the Coomalie region, it is important that the land claim be settled as quickly as possible to allow proposed development to continue.

Talking about retirement accommodation, we had discussions with JA Construct recently regarding high rise retirement accommodation for the Darwin CBD. What do you think of this type of lifestyle choice?  If you are interested in this high-rise space,  you are invited to contact JA Construct ().  High rise retirement accommodation is being proposed around the new Barnstead Boulevard, potentially offering very easy access to facilities.

COTA NT also met with the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Pacific Labour Scheme. We were surprised to hear that not many aged care providers are using this scheme, or even providers under the NDIS scheme. With the projected shortage of staff in this area, there are people highly-skilled, willing and waiting to come to the Territory to work in this specialised field. The responsible agency is the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the age of workers between 21 and 45 years old and they can stay up to three years, with a minimum of 12 months. From all accounts, they are all very excited about an opportunity to live and work in the Territory.

~ Sue Shearer, CEO COTA NT

Tags: Seniors Voice