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.
HAAG's submsission to the Consumer Affairs Options Paper made in July 2009 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
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.
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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