The Edward River Council of New South Wales’ Riverina region has announced plans to make a public call for expressions of interest from prospective developers to design, build, finance, and operate a retirement village in Deniliquin.

Council Administrator Ashley Hall said the initial call should be made by October, with market-testing the project soon to follow. Ms. Hall also expressed the notion that planning for an ageing community was an increasingly important priority for rural councils.

‘‘There is a clear community need to provide a greater range of housing and accommodation options for seniors, and council is very serious about seeing a retirement village developed locally,’’ Mr Hall said.

Long-time advocate for a retirement facility in Deniliquin, Sally-Ann Dillon, said she is ‘‘thrilled’’ by council’s announcement, after having worked as one part of a team of campaigners advocating the social and economic benefit the village would have to the Edward River Council.

‘‘Our vision in asking for a retirement village was to help attract retirees to our community - to provide a facility that would make people want to move here.”

‘‘This decision is not just for the betterment of welfare for our aged people, but also for the economic development of the council area,” she said.