New homes to meet ‘silver standard’ for better liveability for ageing population

Up until now a voluntary scheme had been in place but some features will become mandatory as part of a minimum accessibility standard. Find out what it could mean for you.

New guidlines will mean all new homes across Queensland will be of “silver standard” making them more accessible and liveable for seniors and those with disabilities.

New homes around the country will meet the “silver standard” following a recent national building ministers’ meeting.

During the meeting, a majority of building ministers around the country agreed to adopt a minimum accessibility standard for new homes, that will meet the ‘silver’ standard of the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines.

The new standards will mean new houses and apartments will be designed and built upfront with things like a step-free entrance through the front door and shower, wider internal doors and corridors, and a toilet on the ground level.

It also means these basic elements, which are considered essential for the safety of older Australians in their own home, come upfront, saving around 95 per cent of the costs of retrofitting.

There’ll be exemptions for steep blocks and designs such as the iconic Queenslander built on stilts.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said the new standards would keep families and communities together.

“It’s no secret that Bundaberg has an ageing population. So we want to do everything we can to make sure our seniors can remain active, connected and safe in their communities and their homes,” he said.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said new homes having basic accessibility features would ensure seniors and those with a permanent injury or disability could stay in their homes longer.

“By making sure that all new homes have basic accessibility features like wider corridors and step free showers, we are ensuring that seniors and those with a permanent injury or disability can stay in their homes for longer.

“It’s a small cost – and far less expensive than retrofitting – that will keep families and communities together and that’s something every senior in my electorate deserves.”

Queensland’s Public Works and Procurement Minister Mick de Brenni said the decision was a step that would improve the lives of millions of Australians.

“For the elderly, people with a disability or a permanent injury, finding a home that is accessible, safe and fit for purpose can be incredibly challenging,” he said.

“Small things that most of us never notice around our homes make getting around a house an often-insurmountable challenge for them.

Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni. Picture: Stewart McLean

“Australia’s population is ageing, and the decision means we can start now to prepare for that.

Mr de Brenni said the new standards would save about 95 per cent of the cost to retrofit.

“Up until now, a voluntary scheme has been in place. A good scheme, one that set a target that all new homes by 2020 would be “liveable”,” he said.

“The voluntary Liveable Housing Design Guidelines were lauded as a massive step forward by seniors and disability advocates a decade ago and the promise was the building industry would progressively use them to adopt a better standard – that was the deal.

“But in the ten years since it was introduced, there has been no discernible increase to the number of accessible homes built.

“It underscores the adage, that a target without a plan is just a wish.

“That’s why we took the decision to progress regulation, to make these accessibility features mandatory in all new homes.”