Kangara Waters

The following information includes frequently asked questions and information required to be provided to prospective residents as prescribed under the ACT Fair Trading Act 1992 Retirement Villages Industry Code of Practice.

Q1. Is my deposit refundable if my circumstances change or I change my mind?

Yes. Any deposit paid is fully refundable.

Q2. When will final payment be required on the apartment/villa?

Final payment is due prior to entry date which is agreed between the resident and IRT.

Q3. How much will the apartments/villas cost? Are there various price options?

Price options, cost of each option and refund amounts are detailed in a separate information sheet. IRT refer to apartment/villa prices as Ingoing Contribution. Apartment/villa prices vary throughout Kangara Waters according to the location, style and size of the apartment/villa. Individual prices are available from IRT Allocations Staff.

Q4. Do I own the apartment/villa after I have paid an Ingoing Contribution?

No. Residents enter into a loan/licence agreement (residence and service contract) with IRT. The agreement grants you a right to occupy the apartment / villa but you do not own the apartment/villa. Ownership remains with IRT. Under this arrangement there is no Government Stamp Duty payable. An agreement is drawn up to comply with the ACT Retirement Villages Code of Practice. Residents should discuss the agreement with their legal advisor.

Q5. What are the fortnightly recurrent charges?

Recurrent charges are payable fortnightly, in advance and are calculated on a fixed formula based on the Age Pension. Recurrent charges are dependent upon the number of people occupying the apartment/villa. The same rate applies to all residents regardless of their financial status or location within Kangara Waters

Single occupant fee is 30% of the Single Age Pension
Couple occupants fee is 25.5% of the Couple Age Pension

The percentage remains unchanged for the life of the agreement. Refer to the separate information sheet for current amounts.

Q6. When do the fortnightly recurrent charges cease?

IRT allows for a period of ten (10) days from the date the unit is vacated for clearing of all resident belongings and return of keys. If the apartment/villa has been cleared and keys returned within this period, the recurrent charges will cease on the date the apartment/villa is vacated. If this is not the case, recurrent charges continue to be payable until the date that the premises are cleared and keys returned to IRT .

Q7. What costs are covered by the fortnightly recurrent charges?

Recurrent charges cover costs relating to:

ACT Government charges, as applicable (eg. water rates and waste collection)
Building and other appropriate insurance
External building and grounds maintenance
Ongoing maintenance of internal fixtures and fittings supplied by IRT
Lift maintenance
Care call system monitoring
Security patrols
Common lighting and power
Operating and use of village centre and communal facilities
Operating and use of pool, gym and bus.

Not covered by these fees are individual apartment/villa electricity, gas, telephone & personal contents insurance.

Q8. Are recurrent charges decreased on departure or death of a spouse/partner or increased by any additional occupant?

Yes. The recurrent charges are dependent upon the number of people permanently occupying the apartment/villa.

Q9. After I am no longer with IRT, when is my Ingoing Contribution refunded?

Ingoing contributions are refunded as per the terms in the agreement. Ingoing contributions are refunded within fourteen (14) days of a new resident moving into the apartment/villa or after six (6) months regardless of whether a new resident has been allocated to the apartment/villa.

Q10. Can a resident move from one part of the village to another and under what circumstances?

Yes. Residents may move subject to the availability of accommodation and financial arrangements at the time. A transfer fee also applies.

Q11. What happens if my needs change and I can no longer live independently in my apartment/villa?

Kangara Waters Residential Care Facility will provide care for low and high care residents. IRT also offers a range of residential aged care facilities in Sydney, Illawarra and the South Coast of NSW. You should be aware that access to residential aged care facilities is subject to your being assessed as eligible to receive residential care under the Commonwealth Aged Care Act 1997 and a place for you cannot be guaranteed.

Q12. Are there any additional services available to self care residents?

A range of IRT Community and Optional Services are available at set charges which are reviewed by IRT from time to time. These services include care support, meals, domestic and cleaning services, transport assistance and are detailed in an Annexure to the agreement.
Cafe - An on-site cafe will enable residents to avail themselves of refreshments and light meals during opening times. Normal retail rates are anticipated.
Hairdressing Salon - An onsite hairdressing salon is included. Normal retail rates are anticipated.

Q13. If I move from a self care apartment/villa into Kangara Waters Residential Care Facility, what are the costs associated with moving into the different types of accommodation?

A separate information sheet is available on request detailing the various options available for low and high care transfer. There are options available so that the resident is not required to pay any additional up-front costs. Fortnightly fees are charged at the rate specified by the Commonwealth Government. Further details are available from IRT Allocations Staff.

Q14. Can I have visitors stay with me?

Yes. Residents are welcome to have houseguests or visitors. IRT approval will be required if the guest wishes to stay longer than six (6) weeks. If a guest becomes a permanent occupant, a revised agreement will be required.

Q15. What protection do I have should Kangara Waters be sold to another organisation or cease to operate?

IRT is a not for profit organisation and public benevolent institution incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (ABN 52 000 726 536) under the Corporations Act. IRT does not have trustees or shareholders. Under IRT's constitution, any surplus made by IRT cannot be distributed to members of the company and is utilised to enhance existing services or develop additional aged services. IRT's Memorandum & Articles of Association which form its constitution can be made available for inspection on request.

IRT is also approved by the Commonwealth Government to care for the aged and disabled and authorised under the Aged Care Act 1997 as an Approved Provider for all types of aged care.

The organisation's sole purpose is to provide accommodation, care and services for the aged. Formed in1969, IRT has grown over the past three decades to be a leader in aged care services and accommodation and one of the largest not for profit, non-sectarian, aged care providers in Australia.

IRT's Residence & Service Contract is in the form of a licence to occupy. Your ingoing contribution (payment) takes the form of a loan and in return, you have a contracted right to occupy that apartment/villa. This right to occupy remains in force should (in the unlikely event) IRT sold the village.

IRT has a strong financial base with established internal financial management processes. All legislative and financial requirements are met and subject to audit as appropriate. IRT provides full financial disclosure in Audited Annual Financial Statements.

Q16. What is the process for Disputes Resolution?

If a dispute arises, IRT's aim is to attempt to settle this amicably. In the case of a dispute arising, the following procedures would be followed:
1. Raise the matter with the Village Manager;
2. If not satisfied with the result, raise the matter with the Regional Manager;
3. If still not satisfied with the result, raise the matter with the Chief Executive Officer;
4. If necessary, IRT will convene an internal disputes committee under the framework in the ACT Retirement Villages Industry Code of Practice.

Q17. Is medical evidence required to certify the ability to live in self care?

IRT does not require medical certification or certificate for self care residents. An IRT internal assessment may be required in some cases.

Q18. Are there any village rules?

Yes, village rules are applicable at Kangara Waters and are available on request. The village rules will be issued to residents at the time of being offered an apartment/villa and form part of the agreement that is entered into by residents prior to occupation of the apartment/villa. The village rules are not designed to be restrictive but to enhance resident lifestyle. Many of the rules are covered in this question/answer document. Consultation processes through the residents' committee or IRT Resident Council enables changes to village rules to be considered in conjunction with IRT.

Q19. Is there an annual budget for the village operation?

Prior to the village being operational, a projected budget will be determined based on the anticipated income and expenditure. When the village is operational, annual budgets will be prepared and presented to residents.
Kangara Waters will be an integral part of IRT. The breadth of IRT services enables unexpected short-term and long-term building repairs and replacement to be considered, on a priority basis, from consolidated funds.
IRT operates on the basis that resident fees, as a percentage of pension, remain unaltered for the duration of the Residence and Service Contract.

Q20. Is there a Residents' Committee?

Residents will be encouraged to form a Residents' Committee providing a conjunct to meet with IRT management. If residents choose not to have a committee, IRT will convene meetings providing the opportunity for the exchange of information.

Q21. What is the IRT Resident Council?

IRT has established a Resident Council which is made up of an elected representative from each village. This provides a forum for IRT to meet with elected representatives to discuss common IRT items and aged care generally. Kangara Waters residents will be encouraged to elect a resident to represent them at the IRT Resident Council.

Q22. Can I have a pet in the apartment/villa?

There are no restrictions on a small bird in a cage or fish in a bowl. Any other pets will require the written approval of IRT following the full written agreement of ALL other residents of the village.

Q23. Are there parking facilities on site?

Yes. Undercover secure basement parking will be available for residents in each apartment building. Each villa has a garage attached. Limited visitor parking will also be available on site.

Q24. What noise restrictions will apply?

Residents are responsible for ensuring that noise is kept to a minimum with respect for one's neighbour. Any action undertaken by residents should have in mind the common interest of all residents.

Q25. Will the cleaning or washing of balconies be permissible?

It is the resident's responsibility to clean his or her own balcony. When washing or cleaning balconies, the resident has a responsibility not to adversely impact on residents below.

Q26. Is it permissible to hang washing on my balcony?

It is the resident's responsibility to ensure washing is hung on clothes lines and in designated drying courts. If items are hung on the balcony or any part of the premises it must be in such a way as not to be visible from the outside of the building.

Q27. Is the resident responsible for checking their electrical appliances prior to occupying the apartment/villa?

Yes. It is the resident's responsibility to ensure that all electrical appliances owned by the resident that are not new, are checked by an appropriately qualified person and tagged to be in good repair prior to occupation. Residents are encouraged to have electrical appliances checked annually.

Q28. What type of village security will be provided?

Random mobile security patrols will be provided. IRT provide and maintain locks and other security devices to apartment/villas.

Q29. Is the resident responsible for the connection of electricity, gas and telephone?

Yes. It is the resident's responsibility to have the electricity, gas and telephone connected prior to occupation as are all the charges incurred for connection and use. It is also the resident's responsibility to have the electricity, gas and telephone disconnected when vacating the apartment/villa.

Q30. Is the resident responsible for contents insurance?

Yes. Residents are responsible for their own personal and contents insurance.

Q31. Does IRT charge any legal fees?

No. There are no legal fees charged by IRT. Residents are encouraged to seek their own legal advice when considering the Residence and Service Contract.

Q32. What is the background and experience of IRT's Leadership Team?

IRT's Leadership Team consists of highly qualified, professional and caring people who have decades of combined aged care experience, innovation and leadership. This extensive experience includes working with residents and staff to fully understand and respect the needs of both individuals and the group alike, ensuring these needs are met through IRT's vision, mission and values.

A copy of the Leadership Team chart and IRT's vision, mission and values is shown in IRT's annual reports and will be displayed at the village. Additional details relating to individual biographies are available on request.

Kangara Waters' management team will be selected prior to the commissioning of the village.