Rates exclusion a Eureka moment

Eureka Group Holdings, an ASX-listed entity (EGH), specialises in providing quality and affordable rental accommodation for seniors in safe and well-managed environments. It has 52 villages across six states, including two in Cairns – New Horizons Villas Earlville and Cascade Gardens Smithfield.

In April, Eureka contracted the SAS Group to engage with the Cairns Regional Council regarding a proposed rates change that, if implemented, would increase rates by 800% for residents at Eureka’s two Cairns communities.

The SAS team travelled to Cairns visit the company’s two retirement villages, meet residents, and hold discussions with Cairns Regional Council’s CEO. Along with Eureka’s CEO Simon Owen and its Group Operations Manager, Andrew Hudson, we conveyed the impacts of the Council’s 800% rates increase on residents, who are mostly retired women living on a fixed income. The team requested an exemption from the rates change.

Cairns Regional Council then sent officers to the retirement villages where they witnessed Eureka’s operational model where units are not fully self-contained and residents receive all meals in a communal dining area.

Council subsequently agreed that Eureka’s villages would be excluded from the proposed rates changes. Despite an intensive engagement on a specific issue, the face-to-face meetings and genuine participation by decisionmakers and stakeholders resulted in a positive result for Eureka, its residents and the Cairns Regional Council. The SAS Group is proud to have helped Eureka achieve a favourable outcome.