One of the homes built in stage one of the development.
The Edward River Village retirement living project remains a priority of the local council.
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That is the promise Edward River Council Mayor Ashley Hall has given after a debate raged on the progress of the development on social media over the festive period.
Community members raised concerns the project had stagnated and speculated it may have dropped off council’s radar since it initiated a pause on the development in late 2024.
In a video message released to the community last week, Cr Hall acknowledged the project had not unfolded as originally planned, but had definitely not been shelved.
Six homes were developed in the first stage of the project and released in 2024.
Only one had been occupied at the time of the pause.
Cr Hall said council has spent the past year reassessing the project in detail, with a focus on pricing, occupancy strategies, operational models and potential partnerships with specialist retirement village operators.
“It’s a huge commitment council has put forward, and unfortunately, it probably didn’t go to plan,” Cr Hall said.
“We’ve been working hard to find the best pathway forward, but we need to get it right.
“It’s a significant investment for the ratepayer, and we can’t afford to get it wrong.”
After the current council was elected in September 2024, it paused sales of the stage one villas to allow for a full review.
Cr Hall said the review may take another six months to finalise, but stressed that the time was necessary to ensure the project delivers what was promised - a secure, low‑maintenance and community‑focused living option for local seniors.
His comments come after several years of financial and operational concerns surrounding the project.
While the village has long been recognised as a much‑needed addition to Deniliquin’s housing options, councillors (some now no longer on council) and the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee have previously raised questions about costings and feasibility.
Stage one ultimately proceeded in 2022 after a casting vote from then Mayor Peta Betts.
Cr Ashley Hall
As the current mayor, Cr Hall said ongoing investigations are including broader precinct planning for the area surrounding the village, including renewed progress on the long‑stalled removal of the disused railway sheds.
He said council was “as close as we have ever been” to securing a pathway forward with both the NSW and Victorian governments.
“That does lead into, what we see, as the whole area becoming an aged-care precinct,” he said.
“And that's an exciting master print for the overall area - becoming something that will hold us in great stead for the next 50 years.”
Council is expected to receive a detailed report on the retirement village review later this year, with further decisions on stage two and beyond to follow.
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