A Request for Proposal (RfP) is a process inviting third parties to submit a proposal to meet specific requirements of an organisation. The City is proposing a RfP process and is seeking a suitable organisation to operate the village and improve services and facilities.
The City has operated Collier Park Village for over 30 years. During that time, community expectations for retirement living have changed and older Australians are living for longer, with more complex health needs. Many older Australians wish to remain at home for as long as possible and receive care supports at home.
A key consideration for the City, is that CPV residents currently have limited options when their care needs become more complex and are often required to move to higher care facilities elsewhere. The City is seeking an outcome that will enable residents to ‘age in place’ and this will require an incoming operator to undertake significant capital investment to upgrade CPV. The City has limited expertise in retirement living and with the upcoming changes to the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA), it will become increasingly difficult for the City to fulfil its obligations under the Act. It is envisaged that a new operator (with extensive experience in retirement living) will ensure the long-term financial viability and improve the amenity of CPV.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 March 2023, Council endorsed the Officer Recommendation to commence the RfP process for CPV. The RfP process will allow the City to evaluate proposals from experienced retirement village providers to improve and enhance CPV. Council is not obliged to accept any of the proposals. More information can be found in the Minutes of the March Ordinary Council Meeting (refer to Item 10.1.1 Collier Park Village) that will be made available on the City's website this week, and in the FAQs (see next tab).
The City’s proposal to conduct an RfP will be considered by Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 March 2023.
Following this meeting, and if the RfP is endorsed, the City will commence the RfP process by the end of April 2023. The outcome of the RfP process will be considered by Council around July-August 2023. A potential operator will only be recommended to Council if they can demonstrate benefits to the City and CPV residents.
The City envisages that the RfP process will take around six to eight months to complete.
Council has the discretion to accept, or reject, any of the proposals received. The needs of residents will be at the forefront of the City’s and Council’s decision making and residents will be kept informed throughout the process.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 March 2023, Council endorsed the Officer Recommendation to commence the RfP process for CPV. The RfP process will allow the City to evaluate proposals from experienced retirement village providers to improve and enhance CPV. Council is not obliged to accept any of the proposals. More information can be found in the Minutes of the March Ordinary Council Meeting (refer to Item 10.1.1 Collier Park Village) that will be made available on the City's website this week, and in the FAQs (see next tab).
The City will continue to operate CPV and will review the current operating model. Options would be presented to Council for their consideration later in 2023.
In the short-term, there will be no change to the services and facilities at CPV and the City will continue to provide residents with the same level of service. The City will continue to operate CPV throughout the RfP process and transition, should a suitable operator be appointed.
As part of the RfP, the City is seeking proposals from experienced retirement village operators to improve and enhance CPV and facilitate ‘ageing in place’. Should the RfP process be endorsed by Council, one of the requirements of the RfP process is that any building works for new facilities must happen in stages to minimise disruption to CPV.
During the RfP process, there will be no change to the City’s employees and their roles at CPV. If the RfP proceeds and a suitable operator is appointed, CPV employees will remain with the City throughout the RfP process and until the transition is complete. The new operator may wish to retain current employees to ensure continuity for residents, however, the City is also committed to exploring options with employees about their future employment.
Monies paid by residents, such as a bond or the balance of the lease price (after non-refundable lease premiums and exit levies have been applied) are protected by legislation and not affected by the RfP process. Should a resident choose to leave CPV during or after the RfP process, all monies owed to the resident will be returned to the resident in accordance with their individual lease arrangements.
There will be no changes to the operations of CPV in the short-term and residents will continue to receive the same level of service from the City.
To assist residents in the coming months, the City will be recommending to Council that there will be no increase in rents, fees or charges in the coming budget (effective October 2023).
The Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA) offers several protections for Lease for Life residents and these residents are entitled to stay in their current units regardless of who operates CPV. Should a suitable operator be appointed through the RfP process, a 12 month ‘Deed of Variation’ will be offered to all residents with short-term leases from the date the City signs the contract with the new operator. No resident will be required to move while the ‘Deed of Variation’ is current. These arrangements will be legally binding.
The City is recommending that the RfP process includes several safeguards to ensure that residents’ long-term needs are addressed, and that residents’ rights are protected. The City is keen to ensure that any potential new operator shares the City’s vision for CPV. Responses from potential operators will be evaluated accordingly and the City will only recommend an operator if they can demonstrate benefits to the City and CPV residents.
During the RfP process, the City will continue to operate CPV. There will be no changes to the services and amenities provided by the City during this time.
The City has placed several conditions on the RfP process to ensure that residents are looked after and there is a smooth transition from the City to a new operator. Potential new operators must demonstrate to the City how they will support and assist all residents who wish to remain at CPV and move into future new accommodation.
The City will recommend to Council that there be no increase in rents, fees and charges at CPV in the coming budget. Should Council endorse the recommendation, the current rates will apply until October 2024.
Throughout the RfP process and 12-month extension period, the rent, fees and charges set out in current agreements will apply (see previous FAQ).
After the transition is complete, fees and charges at CPV will be the responsibility of the new operator. As part of the RfP process, the City will give greater weight to responses that can demonstrate a mix of accommodation and leasing arrangement options at a range of price points that appeal to a broad cross-section of the market.
The City is seeking a contemporary standard of retirement living to be provided at CPV. At a minimum, the City expects that all new dwellings will meet and exceed current accessibility guidelines and allow for greater care and disability supports. Bathrooms in the new dwellings will be larger than what is currently provided.
The City will give greater weight to proposals which demonstrate environmentally sustainable building design and retain the site’s extensive vegetation (trees and gardens).
Any development on the site will occur in stages and will be subject to the City’s planning and approval processes.
CPV residents have been provided with a copy of the Council Report. Additional copies are available from the City’s website or on request by calling 9474 0777. Should you have any further questions, please contact the City or email collierparkvillagerfp@southperth.wa.gov.au.
Yes. The City will accommodate any requests from residents with short-term leases who wish to leave CPV prior to the expiry of their lease agreement. The City will waive its right to 30 days' notice and there will be no financial penalty to residents who wish to break their lease.
Yes.
There are a limited number of units available at Collier Park Village (CPV) for purchase on a Lease for Life Agreement. Preference will be given to residents currently residing in the Village and clients on the waiting list. During the RfP process, the City will not be offering Short Term Rental Agreements to new tenants.
No.
The Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA) offers several protections for Lease for Life residents and these residents are entitled to stay in their current units, regardless of who operates the Village. Individual titles on units would not offer any additional protection beyond what is contained in the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA).
CPV is on Crown Land and is vested in the City for the purpose of Aged Persons Homes. The site must be used in accordance with the current management order for Aged Persons Homes. The City operates CPV in accordance with the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA).
All units have fixed line telephones provided by the City through an arrangement with Telstra. The City is engaged in ongoing discussions with NBN about services to individuals. Should a suitable operator be appointed, the City will work together with the new operator to ensure a smooth transition for both telephone and internet service provision for residents. Arrangements for mobile phones are at the discretion of residents.
The City understands the importance residents and the community place on the landscaping and established trees at CPV. As part of the RfP process, prospective operators are required to put forward their plans about how the vegetation at CPV will be protected should staged redeveloped of the site occur. These plans will be evaluated by the City as part of the RfP evaluation process.
Any future development on the site would require development approval, and the assessment of vegetation and retention would also occur as part of this process. Protection of the tree canopy is a priority for the City.
As part of the RfP process, prospective operators are expected to outline arrangements for fees and charges. These arrangements will be evaluated by the City as part of the RfP evaluation process.
Residents also have protections under Division 5 of the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA) and can make an application to the State Administrative Tribunal regarding an increase in recurrent charges or imposition of a levy.
The Reserve and associated liability will be considered as part of any proposed transaction. As part of the RfP process, prospective operators must demonstrate sufficient cash reserves and/or financial capability to meet the requirements of the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA) for reimbursement of Lease for Life residents when they leave the Village.
