New disability housing set for Crows Nest

Published Tuesday, 07 June, 2016 at 01:05 PM

Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

Churches of Christ in Queensland has received more than $435,000 in Palaszczuk Government funding to provide housing for local people with disability in Crows Nest, bringing peace of mind to their elderly parent carers. 

Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke said as part of the Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Initiative (EPCII) the purpose built homes would help to address the shortfall in appropriate accommodation for people with disability who lived with ageing parents.

“Investing in these types of projects goes a long way towards giving older parent carers more certainty about the long-term care options for their son or daughter with disability,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Finding appropriate housing can be a real issue for people with disability in our regions, which is why we are proud to work with community organisations like Churches of Christ to deliver suitable and supported options.

“Once built, these two homes will incorporate innovative technologies including emergency response devices such as sensors, pendants, watches and networked smoke alarms, to ensure the residents feel connected at all times.”

Minister O’Rourke said the construction of the new premises would lead to the creation jobs for local tradespeople and suppliers during construction.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to creating jobs in Queensland and under the EPCII model we expect that jobs will flow to the construction sector as a result of this investment,” she said.

“The project is expected to be completed by April next year, and has been jointly funded by Churches of Christ in Queensland who invested an additional $270,000 on top of the capital funding.”

Churches of Christ in Queensland CEO Dean Phelan said his organisation was delighted to partner with the Queensland Government on the housing project.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with the government to help people with disability to access long term accommodation,” Mr Phelan said.

“EPCII is a real win-win, providing elderly parents with a real sense of security and hope for the future.”

Under the EPCII model, the State Government has worked in partnership with service providers to deliver more than $26 million worth of innovative projects throughout Queensland, creating more than 120 places for adults with disability.

For more information about EPCII, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/key-projects/elderly-parent-carer-innovation-initiative

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                 3719 7184