Unit owners will have to pay about $1000 per year, minus a $16.80 per week pensioner rebate (not all residents are pensioners), through the not-for-profit owners of the village, Princes Court Homes Inc.

Princess Court Homes Inc chief executive Garry Wescombe said a meeting of residents was held on August 2 to explain the changes, which were “quite detailed”.

“We had a big meeting with the residents – there were only a couple away from the area,” he said.

“It was fully explained what this process was about...

“It’s an internal thing; it’s not anything to be publicised.”

Resident Dudley Marrows said it was another cost for already cash-strapped senior citizens.

“The requirement for us as unit holders to pay rates came out of the blue,” he said yesterday.

“It came as a real shock I suppose, and particularly relevant to those that are financially stressed.

“Now the background of it all to me is very, very confusing, because we do not have factual knowledge what negotiations took place between the board and Mildura Rural City Council or for how long those negotiations were taking place.”

Mr Marrows said Princess Court Village was deliberately set up as a not-for-profit entity, unlike most other retirement villages in Mildura, which according to Mildura Mayor Glenn Milne would normally mean a rates exemption.

“Usually non-profit groups and churches that provide accommodation for people on pensions have a rate exemption which is basically a government instigated system,” he said.

Cr Milne said Princes Court Homes had been paying rates since 2007 and the changes were not to do with council.

Mr Marrows’ friend, Stan Giddings, said he would have to find an extra $20 each week.

“It’ll add an extra cost to stay here on top of our weekly maintenance fees,” Mr Giddings said.

Ken Wright, another resident, explained: “It’s just that originally it was believed because of the nature of the village that rates wouldn’t be payable but that proved to be not the case. Therefore we were asked to pay rates.”

First National Real Estate agent Sharon Voysey, who is selling the last few properties, said rates were payable on Princes Court Village units, which cost around $250,000.

The first rates instalment for 2010-11 is due on September 30.

This story appeared in Thursday’s Sunraysia Daily 9/9/2010.