New IOOF proposal includes residents

A new proposal has been announced by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) to redevelop its Homes Centre at Ettalong.

It is proposed that the single bedsitter units and cottages will be refurbished.

While the redevelopment is in progress, affected residents would be relocated to vacant cottages or placed in suitable alternative accommodation nearby with subsidised rent.

Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews has welcomed the news, claiming "the long battle by residents in the IOOF Homes at Ettalong is finally over".

A meeting was convened by IOOF chief executive Mr Hugh Quelch at the Homes Centre last Wednesday, where the proposal was outlined to either redevelop or refurbish all the dwellings on the site.

Ms Andrews and senior policy officer Mr Adam Heydon from the Office of Fair Trading attended the meeting.

"Residents will have the opportunity to consider the proposal, but it appeared from the meeting they were delighted with the idea of securing much improved accommodation," said Ms Andrews.

Ms Andrews said the fight began when residents of the IOOF Homes Centre at Ettalong feared they would become homeless after receiving a letter from management saying the centre no longer met the definition of a retirement village.

"The management, the IOOF, claimed that the rights and protection offered to the residents under the Retirement Villages Act no longer applied."

Ms Andrews said the Office of Fair Trading stepped in at her request to assure residents that management could not force them out of their homes.

"The change in attitude by the IOOF appears to have been spearheaded by the television program A Current Affair," she said.

"Under the guidance of a hardworking committee representing the residents, the assistance and support of Ministers and representatives from the Office of Fair Trading, the IOOF management had to concede that the centre must comply with the Retirement Villages Act 1999," she said.

Press release, August 8