Construction is underway in Summer Hill on NSW’s latest state-of-the-art accommodation and respite facility for people with disability.
NSW Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, today joined Member for Strathfield, Virginia Judge, and Member for Drummoyne, Angela D’Amore, to inspect progress on the $7.7 million project – which will provide significantly improved residential facilities and better respite services for people in Sydney’s Inner West.
"The new, purpose-built buildings at the Grosvenor Centre will accommodate 20 permanent residents who have complex and ongoing health care needs in two, ten bed houses – giving them access to comfortable and modern facilities," Ms Keneally said.
"The Centre will also include 10 respite beds in two, five-bed houses - which will provide a place for people who live in the area and who have a disability to take a short break from their families.
"The new buildings at the Grosvenor Centre will substantially improve the experience and quality of life of the people who live there and provide a much better environment for their visiting families and employees." Ms Keneally said the facilities at the Centre will include:
• Extensive landscaping and a large internal courtyard for passive recreation;
• Separate lounges, dining rooms, laundries and kitchens in each building;
• Activity rooms and good quality television and sound systems; and
• Large external windows in all bedrooms.
Ms Judge said the two, 10 bed supported accommodation units were designed as independent living quarters - which as closely as possible reflect an everyday, comfortable home setting.
"The new facility will provide 21st century facilities on a site with a tradition of providing services to people with disability reaching back into the 19th century," Ms Judge said.
"The respite centre and the group home on the site will be connected by a walkway but built separately to offer the residents both privacy and a community atmosphere.
"Supported environments such as the one in Summer Hill make it easier for people to access the services they need to allow them to participate in the community."
Ms D’Amore said that the new facility was being delivered as part of the Iemma Government’s Stronger Together program – which has been backed by an injection of $1.3 billion.
"When devising Stronger Together, the NSW Government consulted widely with the community, who told us they want a range of choices when it comes to accommodation for people with disability," Ms D’Amore said.
"We have now closed 11 large-residential centres, and moved residents into a range of more flexible and more appropriate accommodation.
"It is expected that construction on the Summer Hill facility will be completed by Christmas 2008".