The Retirement Villages Association held its NSW & ACT State Conference in the Hunter Valley on Friday 11th July. Speaking at this conference was the Hon. Craig Knowles, former Minister for Planning, Infrustructure and Natural Resources in NSW.

Mr Knowles' presentation updated those in attendance on recent changes to the planning legislation in NSW and how it will impact upon those in the industry. More importantly, however, were his concluding remarks.

"Be about people, not property."

Mr Knowles pointed out that the NSW Government sees the industry as being about service and people, moreso than bricks and mortar. Retirement villages provide a great service to the community through creating environments whereby person of simlar age and background can live together and have access to a range of services to make their lives more hassle free.