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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4359 ..

transitional care to assist people moving between the hospital and aged care sectors. The ACT government welcomes both these changes.

The ACT government has also secured Commonwealth funding for a new sub-acute facility and 100 beds allocated to the site of section 87 Belconnen. The new 60 bed sub-acute care facility, specifically designed to meet both rehabilitation and older persons special needs when moving from hospital to home, has been made possible by a combination of Commonwealth funding—$5.2 million under the Commonwealth’s pathways home program—and ACT government funding, recurrent funds that will reach $9.7 million in 2007-08. Significantly, the ACT was the first state or territory to secure such funding from the Commonwealth under this program. Planning of the facility to be located at Calvary Hospital is under way and will commence operation in 2006.

The government is imposing new requirements in relation to adaptable building standards to enable aged persons to occupy new buildings. We recognise that the accommodation needs of many older people can be met through the provision of adaptable and accessible housing and that many older people wish to retain their independence by remaining in their own home or by obtaining other suitable accommodation in the community.

The government, through the Land Development Agency, is imposing a requirement in certain residential development sites that 10 per cent of units be built to adaptable and accessible standards. While not immediately available for residential care, these units do afford the opportunity for residential care to be delivered to such premises in a more appropriate environment than might be offered in standard residential dwellings. The government has also increased the amount of affordable housing, some of which will be occupied by our aged persons.

Members of the Assembly are aware of the priority the government has given to ensuring that Canberrans in need have access to low cost accommodation. This is vital not only for the elderly in our community but also for the young or disabled or those who, in any way, are disadvantaged. Housing ACT is a working example of the government’s commitment to older people, with over 10 per cent of properties designated for older people.

We are facilitating the provision of supportive housing in ensuring that land designated as community facility can be utilised for aged persons accommodation. Variation to the territory plan No 200 facilitates the development of supportive housing and amalgamated blocks in suburban areas. Applications for supportive housing are being monitored to ensure that the supply of sites is being adjusted when appropriate. The government introduced the concept of supportive housing on community facilities land in 2002 to ensure the ongoing availability of dwellings associated with support services.

The supportive housing approach has recently been reviewed and a further variation to the territory plan No 229 has been released and has interim effect. It is proposed that the definition be amended to clarify this use with regard to ownership and service provisions. These changes will ensure that supportive housing remains in the ownership of one entity and that supportive arrangements are more likely to continue. The proposed variation also includes adaptive housing to specifically recognise aged and disability housing assistance. This will allow the ACT government and other providers of housing

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