As President of the Retirement Living Council (and CEO of Australian Unity Retirement), Derek McMillan gave an upbeat opening address at this week’s RLC annual conference in Brisbane. His major points:

1. The ‘greatest gift’ to the retirement village sector is the move to Consumer Directed Care which is to be formalised in January 2017, 14 months away. His view: it’s a move from a supply led market to a consumer led market – and the village sector ‘knows the consumer’, understands the consumer plus and has direct contact with the consumer.

2. A significant change in the past 12 months has been growing recognition by the Federal Governments. They are now talking about the concept of supporting the downsizing movement by seniors and supporting pension entitlement security - rather than undermining it.

3. On a state level, he stated that he has now personally been approached by four state governments for advice on how to attract more retirement villages. Melbourne now wants older people to downsize into its inner suburbs.

His Australian Unity is currently developing two medium rise co-located villages in Melbourne.