International Day funding boost for people with disabilities

A young man’s dream for a better life for his ill wife and others in her situation moved a giant step closer to realisation today with the State Government announcing a $2.7 million contribution to a new 16-bed facility at Sinnamon Park in Brisbane’s west for younger people with a disability.

The funding was part of a $17.1 million package of funding initiatives to boost services to some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people and ease the pressure on their families.

Premier Peter Beattie and Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt announced the funding today as part of International Day of People with a Disability.

Mr Beattie said the funding package demonstrated the Government’s ongoing commitment to improve disability services.

“We are all too aware of the stress and frustration often experienced by people with a disability and their families and we are working closely with the community to respond to their unmet needs,” Mr Beattie said.

The latest round of funding includes:

• A $4.1 million injection of funds to build two purpose-built apartment complexes for younger people with disabilities in Brisbane and far north Queensland.
• An allocation of $4.1 million for 23 organisations throughout the state to provide day services to help people with a disability to access services and learn skills to improve their quality of life. These services will include literacy and numeracy training, computer courses, life-skills training, craft sessions, sports and leisure outings.
• A $3.2 million package to allow non-government organisations to provide a wide variety of accommodation support services to an additional 61 people with a disability who are most in need. This multi-million dollar commitment will be shared by six organisations across the State.
• Almost $3 million to be shared between the Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland ($1.97 million) and Montrose Access ($930,250) to develop statewide early intervention services for children with a physical disability. These services will help ease the extremely high demands placed on families with a child aged up to eight years with significant and high support needs.
• A $2.6 million package for 119 organisations throughout the state to acquire and replace office equipment, computers and software.

Mr Beattie said the funding would make a real difference to the lives of thousands of Queenslanders and their families.

“Many Queenslanders are aware of David Conry’s quest to provide a better life for his wife Shevaune, who was forced to move into aged care accommodation as her condition deteriorated as a result of multiple sclerosis,” Mr Beattie said.

“This funding boost brings his dream a step closer with $2.7 million earmarked for a new 16-bed facility at Sinnamon Park in Brisbane’s west for younger people with a disability.”

Mr Pitt said the Sinnamon Park complex was one of two purpose-built apartment complexes for younger people with disabilities to be funded. The other is at Gordonvale in far north Queensland.

“These facilities will help reduce the number of younger people with disabilities living in aged care facilities,” Mr Pitt said.

“More than $2.7 million has been allocated to build the 16-bed facility in Brisbane, while almost $1.4 million will go towards the construction of a 10-bed complex at Gordonvale.

“These new services will create welcoming environments for clients, their families and friends, providing a dignified and independent lifestyle for younger people with high and complex health and disability support needs,” he said.

“I am delighted to provide funding to Wesley Mission Brisbane, which is partnering with the Youngcare Foundation, to build the Sinnamon Park apartment block.

“I am also pleased to announce that St John’s Community Care has successfully applied for funds to build the Gordonvale complex.”

Mr Pitt said the funding would be allocated as part of the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Initiative – a five-year, $47.8 million package funded equally by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments.

He said the funding was for the first phase of the Integrated Living Model initiative, which aimed to establish accommodation, disability and health care services for younger people with a disability who had high and complex support needs.

“Disability Services Queensland is working closely with other agencies to ensure a coordinated and responsive approach to providing quality accommodation and support for younger people with a disability,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Queensland Government is committed to assisting younger people living in residential aged-care facilities and will continue to develop a range of alternative support services to meet the varied needs of younger people living in, or at risk of entering, residential aged care.”

The Brisbane complex is expected to be operational by July next year while the Gordonvale apartments could be completed by January 2008.

Media Contact:
Premier’s office: 0418 795 940

Minister Pitt’s office: 0408 701 379

3 December 2006