NDIS red tape nearly sent builder broke

Tasmanian builder Peter Overton has created three homes accessible for people with wheelchairs, which didn’t go to the intended NDIS families due to excessive red tape.

Lifetime Homes director Peter Overton says his business has done more than $100,000 worth of work for the NDIS without being paid. Picture: PATRICK GEE

WHEN builder Peter Overton created purpose-built homes to the specifications of the National Disability Insurance Agency, his priority was to make life easier and more dignified for Tasmanians with disabilities.

He created three homes that were accessible for people in wheelchairs and living with high needs, after encouragement from the NDIA, which is the commonwealth agency responsible for implementing the NDIS.

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“The NDIA went around the country trying to stimulate supply,” Mr Overton said.

“They held workshops about the demand and incentives to build these specialist homes.

“Disability support providers confirmed the demand, saying ‘you build them and we will find the people’.”

Although he tried to enrol the homes with the NDIA as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) dwellings, Mr Overton said the agency did not process the paperwork.

Mr Overton said the New Town homes were high-quality tailored homes that would have suited NDIS participants.

“However it took five months for Lifetime Homes to hear back from the NDIA,” he said.

During the long wait to hear back from the NDIA, Mr Overton said he suffered financial losses — mainly in interest payments and being forced to sell below the value of the properties due to their specialised features.

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By the time the NDIA even acknowledged the application to have the homes enrolled as SDA dwellings, Mr Overton had been forced to sell the homes on the open market because he could not afford to wait any longer.

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