The following information will help answer some common questions about moving into Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate. This information is not intended to replace the legal documentation you will receive if you decide to proceed but rather help you in your initial decision making process.

This information covers off key things that we understand people like to know when moving into a retirement village. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or would like further clarification.

• Who owns and manages Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate?

  Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate will be a 180 villa retirement estate located in Mt Barker, South Australia and constructed over several stages. It will include significant community amenities which will be shared by residents, family, friends and the general public.

  Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc. (‘Southern Cross Care’) own and will manage Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate (‘Oakfield Rise’). Southern Cross Care is a charitable, non-profit organisation.

  Southern Cross Care has been providing independent living, community care and residential care services to South Australians for 50 years. We pride ourselves on the community spirit our residents enjoy and the enthusiasm and professionalism of our staff in looking after our residents.

  Stage 1 is under construction and is due to be completed by May 2019. It comprises a mix of 2 and 3 bedroom villas, landscaping, visitor parking, a retention basin and a shared use path which meanders along the creekline and takes you into the heart of Mount Barker.

  As the village grows, a manager will be located on site to liaise with residents and to coordinate maintenance, services and facilities as required.

• Who can live at Oakfield Rise?

  Oakfield Rise is designed for retirees or those over 55 years who are able to live independently. Living at Oakfield Rise enables you to enjoy all the normal aspects of living in your own home, but without the burdens of home and garden maintenance that are required in your standard residential property.

  Residents will also enjoy much more than just their architecturally designed, spacious villa. The communal facilities will also be available to enhance general health and well-being.

  Southern Cross Care is committed to providing all residents at Oakfield Rise with a secure, peaceful, friendly environment with a vibrant, social atmosphere.

• Will I have full entitlement to my villa?

  Upon becoming a resident of Oakfield Rise you will be granted a licence to occupy the villa and will have those contractual rights set out in your Residence Agreement.

• Why leasehold?

  All residents living at Oakfield Rise will occupy their homes under a leasehold arrangement, which is also referred to as a Licence to Occupy. Whilst Southern Cross Care will maintain the title ownership of the property, The Retirement Villages Act and the Residence Agreement protect the residents’ tenure.

  Southern Cross Care (the owners and managers) has a long term interest in the ongoing success of Oakfield Rise and will therefore be committed to maintaining a high standard of facilities and services.

  Your interest in the villa is secured by a lifetime lease. The rights and obligations of residents are clearly set out in the lease, and cannot be changed without the residents’ consent. This means that although residents do not have the title to their villa, they will have the exclusive right to occupy their villa for his or her lifetime if they wish, subject only to certain exceptions set out in the Retirement Villages Act.

  Continuity of management is ensured by this form of contract.

• Will there be an emergency call system in place?

  Yes. A 24 hour emergency call system will be in place, offering you and your family members additional peace of mind. Your weekly maintenance fee includes the standard provision and monitoring of the emergency call system.

• How do I secure a villa at Oakfield Rise?

  Upon being offered a villa by Southern Cross Care, you will be asked to complete an Application Form and pay a refundable deposit of $2,000 which will secure your interest in that villa.

  Whilst the village is under construction, you will initially be provided with a Reservation Agreement to execute, however closer to completion, you will enter into a Residence Agreement.

  The balance of the ingoing contribution is paid at settlement.

  We recommend that you seek independent legal advice of your choice prior to signing the documentation. Fees for such advice will be an additional expense to you.

• Will you accept an application for a villa ‘subject to the sale of my property’?

  Absolutely, this is a very common situation.

• How long will you give me to sell my property?

  We will give approximately 3 months to confirm the sale of your property.

• Will there be a ‘cooling off’ period after signing the agreement?

  Yes, you may choose to withdraw from the arrangements within 10 business days after signing the Agreement, provided written notice is given to Southern Cross Care. Southern Cross Care will refund in full any money paid by you.

• Are visitors allowed?

  Yes, of course. Your family and friends can visit you in the same manner that you are used to.

  Overnight guests are also welcome, however prior written consent needs to be provided by Southern Cross Care if those guests stay with you for more than 10 days in one period.

• Are pets allowed?

  Domestic pets are welcome at Oakfield Rise as long as prior written consent has been provided by Southern Cross Care. The organisation reserves the right to withdraw such consent should any pets cause inconvenience and annoyance to others, and the consent will automatically lapse upon the death of the pet.

• Are there limitations on absences?

  We acknowledge that the villa is your home, however, for security reasons, we would appreciate receiving advice from you, if you intend to be absent from your villa for an extended period.

• Can I still work if I enter into an agreement to live at Oakfield Rise?

  Yes. However, in each villa there must be at least one retired person. This means that at least one resident in each villa must have attained 55 years of age and be retired from full-time employment.

• Can I make variations/additions to our villa?

  Each villa has been architecturally designed to provide optimal living spaces and styled by professional interior designers to ensure that the presentation suits most requirements. Much thought and planning has gone into each villa so we do not expect there to be much demand for variations or additions.

  Consent is required for variations or alterations, such as pergolas. Conditions may apply and may also be subject to approval in accordance with statutory requirements.

• Is a community centre available to socialise with other residents and friends and what activities can I expect to participate in?

  Yes. Oakfield Rise will include a wide range of in-house facilities and services for you. You will be warmly welcomed and encouraged to make use of these fabulous facilities as often or as little as you like.

  It is planned to construct these in conjunction with Stage 3 (subject to sales); there will be a café/bar, gym, internet and library, billiards room and multi-purpose activity room for gatherings and private functions hosted by residents. (Not yet finalised and subject to change)

  You will of course be invited to participate in any activity that is planned by the Oakfield Rise community.

  The Wellness Centre will offer health, fitness and well-being classes and services such as a range of allied health services (scheduled fees will apply for these services).

  Oakfield Rise will also feature several outdoor ‘green spaces’ for exercise, socialising and general enjoyment, heath and well-being.

• Will meals be provided at Oakfield Rise?

  We encourage everyone to continue their usual activities, including entertaining with friends and family as you would in your previous home. There are also many restaurants in the nearby vicinity.

  Refreshments and light meals will be available for purchase from the café (days/ hours yet to be determined). From time to time, resident functions will be organised, with catering provided at the cost of those participating.

  Residents are also encouraged to use the facilities for private functions.

• Does each villa have its own air conditioner?

  Each villa has an individual ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning system.

• Where are TV points installed?

  Each villa has 3 TV points, positioned in bedrooms 1 and 2 and the living area.

• How can I vacate or be compelled to leave a villa?

  A person may vacate a villa at any time by giving thirty days written notice to Southern Cross Care. Subject to the provisions of the Retirement Villages Act, Southern Cross Care may also terminate the lease, but only if a person has breached any of the terms of the lease or if, in accordance with medical advice, the villa is no longer appropriate for daily living.

• Once I move in, do I have a settling-in period?

  Yes. You have 90 days from when you move in to decide if you like the retirement village lifestyle. If you do not, we refund your money in full, less market rent for the time that you have occupied the villa, and less any other expenses incurred by us.

• Is Oakfield Rise a gated community? How will I access my villa?

  Oakfield Rise residents will have vehicular and pedestrian access through secure entrances. Each villa will be fitted with a video intercom and access to the village will be via automated gates. This system will allow remote access for friends and family.

• Where are the closest shops?

  Oakfield Rise is ideally located within walking distance to several shopping precincts including Gawler Street, Victoria Crescent and Mt Barker Central. Here you will find a range of supermarkets such as Foodland, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, along with variety store K-Mart and a wide range of specialty stores, financial institutions and food outlets.

  Mt Barker Community Library, Wallis Cinemas and Tavern and historic Auchendarroch House, are also just a short stroll from the village.

  Fuel outlets, Bunnings and several cafés and hotels are a short drive away, as is the entrance to the South Eastern freeway which takes you to Adelaide within 40 minutes.

• Will there be transport available for outings, shopping and appointments?

  There is a bus stop located 500m from Oakfield Rise on the corner of Hawthorn Street and Adelaide Road, servicing Hahndorf, Stirling and Adelaide. The Dumas Street Park n’ Ride is located adjacent to the village and also services Adelaide and Mt Barker

• Where will I collect my mail/post?

  Like in your own home you will have your own secure letterbox at the entrance to your villa.