Inside the meeting that could change South Burnett's future
'I'm glad that a developer looked at our area, because they usually think it's too difficult and turn on their heels.'
South Burnett
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"I'M glad that a developer looked at our area, because they usually think it's too difficult and turn on their heels.”
Those are the words Kingaroy CTC CEO Nina Temperton said after attending a forum about a housing developer potentially investing in the region.
Specialist Development Accommodation Qld travelled to Kingaroy this week to speak about two proposals the team had to offer that were in accordance with the NDIS.
Mrs Temperton said the meeting came about after a two-way conversation with the company about the lack of housing availability for people living with a disability in the South Burnett.
"Initially, we said to them we like anything that helps people with disabilities,” Mrs Temperton said.
"They are a fully commercial housing developer and there's nothing wrong that.
"If somebody wants to invest their money here, then they are entitled to do that and make a profit.
"We were happy to advise for them to come here and provide a space for them to host the event.
"Now, we can't commit to anything else.
"We are not pushing them and we are not stopping them.”
SDA Qld director Peter Marles said they had worked in the commercial development industry for decades, but it was their first time building housing for people with disabilities.
SDA Qld has two other projects under way in neighbouring regions, and Mr Marles said they were glad they visited the South Burnett to present their projects.
"We think the region is under resourced and that was supported by the feedback we received,” Mr Marles said.
"There was a lot of enthusiasm coming from the people who attended the forum.
"We currently have proposals in council for projects in Gympie and Ipswich, which are a month apart in the processing stage.”
SDA QLD provides three different levels of fit for NDIS housing: high physical support, robust (people with autism) and full accessible.
Mrs Temperton said she had her concerns about how South Burnett residents who needed housing would gain access to the proposed developments.
"A local occupational therapist who attended the forum said she didn't know anyone in the room who would be eligible,” Mrs Temperton said.
"There are only 6 per cent of NDIS people in our region who would be eligible for the high physical support care.
"The real issue is if you are a person living with a disability it is really, really, hard to be eligible for SDA.”
After conducting the forum, Mr Marles said he was confident about progressing forward to the next stage in their process of construction.
"Now, we will be engaging with a local town planner for surveying purposes and then submit the plans to council,” he said.
"Of course, we are hoping to provide NDIS housing for people living with a disability in the South Burnett that have all of the necessary approvals and funding.
"Alternatively, as the Kingaroy Hospital is being redeveloped, there is also the opportunity to rent out the accommodation to staff.”
There are no definite approvals in place to build as of yet, and Mrs Templeton said she thought the forum was a necessary step forward.
"The government said they had committed $700 million a year to improve housing for people with a disability,” she said.
"How much of that will filter through to the South Burnett I would like to know.
"The forum was a great start because it brought a lot of people together to talk about an important issue.
"It will be really interesting to see whether they put their application into council.”
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