RIDBC planning sell off, relocation and expansion over five years

THE Royal Institute of Deaf and Blind Children plans to sell its North Rocks site and relocate its services as part of an ambitious five-year plan.

RIDBC

THE Royal Institute of Deaf and Blind Children plans to sell its North Rocks site and relocate its services as part of an ambitious five-year plan.

The charity has published its new strategic plan for 2016-2020, which includes ­relocating its offices, services and support functions to new facilities.

Sale opportunities for the 14.8ha North Rocks site would also be investigated.

The relocation would provide the “opportunity to co-locate and integrate with other leading organisations in the sensory field”, the plan says.

Chief executive Chris Rehn said the institute was considering relocating to Macquarie University.

“Our ambition to co-locate on the Macquarie University campus will result in partnerships, synergies, indu­stry leadership and sector collaboration,” he said.

Mr Rehn said the site was not currently for sale, but RIDBC has “had initial discussions with the Hills Shire Council’s planning department regarding the future possibilities for this organisation’s site”.

Other five-year goals for the organisation include ­expanding services, opening new permanent sites and building new centres of ­excellence for vision and hearing.

Mr Rehn said changes in the health, education and disability sectors had prompted RIDBC to explore its strategic plan for the future.

“RIDBC is committed to ensuring that people in the Hills district receive the hearing and vision services they need and we will continue to offer services within this area based on the ­demands of children and adults in our local community,” he said.

Long history

RIDBC was established in 1860, more than 80 years ­before school attendance became compulsory for children who were deaf and/or blind.

Originally located at Liverpool St in the city, the charity relocated to North Rocks in the early 1960s.

It has expanded over the years to 17 sites across Australia but its head office ­remains in North Rocks.

For more information visit ridbc.org.au.

RIDBC is a charity and Australia’s largest non-government provider of therapy, education and cochlear implant services for people with hearing or vision loss, supporting thousands of adults, children and their families each year. It relies heavily on fundraising and community support