Ground-breaking start for initiative for younger people with a disability

Younger people with a disability living in aged care facilities in far north Queensland will soon have a purpose-designed facility in Gordonvale they can call home.

Today, Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt turned the first sod on the site of the new accommodation facility in Gordonvale, which will be run by St John’s Community Care and is scheduled to open next year.

“This is an especially pleasing moment, as it is another step towards ensuring more age-appropriate care for younger people with a disability,” Mr Pitt said.

“We recognise that younger people deserve accommodation that reflects their lifestyles, their interests and their needs.

“The new Gordonvale centre will feature two five-bedroom houses, which will provide more age-appropriate accommodation for younger people with a disability.”

Disability Services Queensland allocated $1,385,569 in one-off funding to assist
St John’s Community Care with construction and set-up costs, while a further $1,176,594 in recurrent funding will be provided for ongoing operational costs.

“This is part of the initial phase of the five-year, $47.8 million Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiative, which is jointly funded by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments,” Mr Pitt said.

“I am committed to providing quality, age-appropriate residential care for younger people with a disability who do not wish to live in aged care facilities.

“Younger people with a disability have specific needs, and we want to ensure those needs are met so they can enjoy a better quality of life.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280