Page 835 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 April 1994
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into account. By the end of May 1994 the Government will have considered a range of options for younger people with disabilities now residing in nursing homes. At this time the Government also intends to address the issue of Lower Jindalee coming towards the end of its viable life as a nursing home.
I now move to address accommodation choices for older Canberrans. The Government has ensured that the new Territory Plan allows for a wide variety of housing types, including dual occupancy. Because the plan allows greater diversity in housing, ageing people have greater choice in affordable housing. They have access to alternative types of housing that enable them to stay in their own locality and they have accommodation choices that enable them to maintain their independence.
As Mr Cornwell noted in the Assembly on 9 December, in 1992 the Minister for Urban Services formed a task force to develop a set of standards that would allow greater flexibility and innovation in residential development guidelines. I am pleased to say that considerable progress has been made. The task force has reviewed residential development guidelines in the ACT, and in 1993 version one of the ACT code for residential development was released for comment. As a result of community and industry input the code was reviewed, and version two will be available early this year. As the code is intended to represent best practice, it will continue to be reviewed from time to time.
The Housing Trust's development of housing for older people, through the construction of its aged persons units, has been a successful housing initiative. In relation to the progress of joint venturing, the Housing Trust has been active in pursuing this approach to aged accommodation. In 1988 the trust developed a joint venture project with the Abbeyfield Society to build a house in Ainslie for 10 elderly residents, and all members will be aware of that development. In 1992 the trust, in a joint venture with Goodwin Homes, built 20 aged persons units on land in Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie, transferred to it by Goodwin Homes. The units, owned by the trust, are managed by Goodwin Homes.
The trust and the Brindabella Gardens Aged Care Community Board are investigating ways in which to jointly produce housing for older people that addresses linkages between housing and support services. It is likely that the Housing Trust would hold around 25 per cent of the 24 units proposed for a site in Pearce and possibly six of the potential 18 units proposed for a site in Kambah. Additionally, the trust is negotiating with the Uniting Church to build eight units on church land in Lyneham for the 1994-95 capital works program. The trust is also discussing with another church group a joint venture development of land to provide housing for older couples where one of the partners is significantly less independent than the other, such as in cases of dementia.
The Government has also focused its resources on meeting the needs of those on low incomes and with limited assets. The Housing Trust has changed the balance of its housing provision to direct resources towards the needs of those who require smaller and more appropriate forms of housing. This initiative also has benefits for older people. Current trust clients can be accommodated in a range of dwellings, including purpose built aged persons units. Tenants can also have modifications made to their housing to
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