CARPRA

Caravan and Residential Parks Residents Association (CARPRA)

Here are the members CARPRA working group holding aloft a copy of the Options paper: Tenancy policy framework for residential parks when it was released in June 2009.

History of the working group Caravan and Residential Parks Residents Association (CARPRA). CARPRA was formed in 2005 following a statewide forum held by Housing for the Aged Action Group. On that day, 100 older residents from a number of caravan and residential parks across Victoria came together to discuss their concerns about their accommodation. The response from residents was overwhelming, and the active participation of the large number of people who attended revealed their widespread concern about the difficulties faced by residents in caravan and residential parks in Victoria.

The Forum and the subsequent report, Living in Limbo emphasise the needs of older people who, in the main, have chosen caravan and residential park living as a lifestyle option.

The minutes of the forum and report are available from links at the bottom of this page.

HAAG's submission to the Department of Planning and Community Development on the Residential Tenancies Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration Standards Regulations 2010. This response was lodged April 2010. To read the submission, click > here 54 KB

In June 2010, the CARPRA working group was thanked for the submission made to the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2010 Consultation.

Click > here to read the letter of acknowlegement from the Department of Planning and Community Development 325KB

Click > here to download and view a table of the issues raised in the submission and the changes made to the draft Regulations by the Department of Planning and Community Development as a result. 400KB



Long-term lease battle not over
An article by Lee Opitz, The Senior (Victoria) May 2010.

Security of tenure was the number one priority for Helen Dakers, who lives in a residential village in Inverloch.
"We are not all fit enough, and in some cases not financial enough, to continue to live in large homes on large blocks, so we have no choice but to make the seemingly sensible decision to move into a village.
"Security plays a huge part in making this decison, especially for women who live alone. "Think of the ramifications if two or three villages closed down. As one resident here said: 'I just want to know I can live her until I die'."
To read the full article click >here

Invy's Shifting Sands
An article by Matthew Dunn in The Star newspaper on Tuesday 30 March 2010 looks at a failed four year battle by a group of Inverloch residents to see out their retirement in a residence of their choice.

To read the full article click >here

Stability urged for movable home residents
An article by Dewi Cooke, City Reporter, appeared in the Age on Saturday 27 March 2010. Dewi met with members of the CARPRA working group in March and listened to their concerns on the review of consumer protections for park residents which is currently under way. >> read more

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Residential Accommodation Options Paper - Tenancy Policy Framework for Residential Parks July 2009

HAAG's submsission to the Consumer Affairs Victoria on Residential Accommodation Options Paper - Tenancy Policy Framework for Residential Parks was made July 2009 and was in two parts:

Click > here to download and view the first part of the submission 290KB (Opens in a new window)

Click > here to download part 2 (2MG) (Opens in a new window)




The Minister for Consumer Affairs, the Hon Tony Robinson MP, wrote to Jeff Fiedler, HAAG, in September 2009 and acknowledged the work and number of submissions from residents and members of the working group.

Click > here to download and view the letter from the Hon Tony Robinson 338KB




Caravan Parks and Villiages - a report on the issues and problems faced by communities in three Local Government Areas (LGA's) of Victoria.

Click > here to download a copy (2.3MB)

Options paper: Tenancy policy framework for residential parks This paper released by Consumer Affairs Victoria in June 2009, provided an opportunity for park operators, residents, advocacy groups and other interested stakeholders to contribute to improving the legal framework for tenancy arrangements in residential parks.

Click > here to download Options Paper: Tenancy policy framework for residential parks 312KB
Over the past 10 years, residential parks have emerged as an important form of long term accommodation, particularly for retirees and pensioners. With these new forms of accommodation, issues arise which may not be adequately addressed by the existing legislative framework.

This Paper sets out a series of options to address the following issues:

  • security of tenure
  • internal dispute resolution
  • resident participation in decision making
  • contractual issues relating to resale and disclosure conditions
  • deferred management fees
  • resale arrangements
  • park rules
  • rent increases
  • capital replacement
  • energy charges
  • information disclosure, and
  • repairs and maintenance

Written submissions to the Options Paper closed on Friday 10 July 2009.

Congratulations to the HAAG working group, CARPRA - Caravan and Residential Park Residents Association - for their valuable contributions.

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The 'Caravan Parks or Villages?' forum was held on Thursday 16 October 2008 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) Federation Square, Melbourne.

Background to forum

Caravan and Residential Parks are a central part of a rapidly changing housing environment, particulary for older people. With an ageing population and reductions in Commonwealth Government expenditure on public housing, huge demand has been created for decent housing to assist older people on low incomes and those reaching retirement.

There have been two main trends in the caravan and residential park sector in Victoria in recent years: many caravan parks have closed due to increasing land values.

Other caravan parks are gradually transforming into residential parks for people wanting to live permanently in this form of accommodation. In addition there are also new multi-residential developments of 200 - 300 dwellings that have services linked to community facilities. Many of these are like retirement villages in appearance and function.

This forum provided background information on the changes that are occuring within caravan parks. It highlighted major issues and brought people together to contribute to a reform of the current legisislation by Consumer Affairs Victoria of the Residential Tenancies Act and the Retirement Villages Act.

Click > here to download minutes from the forum 248KB

Living in Limbo - Caravan and Residential Park Residents Statewide Forum Report

On Wednesday 29th June 2005, Housing for the Aged Action Group held a statewide forum. On that day, 100 older residents from a number of caravan and residential parks across Victoria came together to discuss their concerns about their accommodation. The response from residents was overwhelming, and the active participation of the large number of people who attended revealed their widespread concern about the difficulties faced by residents in caravan and residential parks in Victoria.

The Forum and this report, emphasise the needs of older people who, in the main, have chosen caravan and residential park living as a lifestyle optiion.

This report is a snapshot of many of the issues that residents faced and it became a stepping stone towards a comprehensive enquiry into this housing sector.

Download the >Living in Limbo report 2MG

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Read of a group in South Australia with very similar aims and objectives.

Click > here to download and view the Aims and Objectives of SARPRA 994 KB







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