Public Works Committee: CBD Disability Respite Facility

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (11:13): I move:

That the 535^th report of the committee, entitled CBD Disability Respite Facility, be noted.

This is an excellent opportunity to address the need for more disability respite accommodation. It places accommodation at the centre of the city, where access to many services and attractions are within easy reach. This is a proposal for 18 disability respite apartments to be incorporated in a much larger new development to be built and managed by Uniting Communities.

Following a tender process, the government will provide a $7.44 million grant to Uniting Communities for these apartments. The full project being proposed by Uniting Communities is for the redevelopment of its site at 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide, opposite the Central Market. They will demolish the current building and replace it with a new 17 to 19-floor mixed-use facility.

The project is still in the early stages of design and development, as we heard, but the development is aimed at providing specialist and affordable CBD accommodation for predominantly older people and those with special needs. The new building will contain:

active ground-floor retail space, including cafe and dining facilities;

a range of community service facilities and services;

car parking;

several floors of commercial space, much of which will be for Uniting Communities own staff and services;

a variety of housing options, including the 18 disability respite apartments and purpose-built, affordable and market-based options particularly for older people;

integrated accommodation support services for all residents in the mixed development through dedicated concierge and reception facilities;

a major facility for public use, including a large multifunction auditorium with a capacity of 500 to 600 people for public events; and

a community arts exhibition space.

An amazing array of opportunities and facilities is being provided. It is intended that the work will commence with the demolition of the current facility in mid-2016. The project should be completed by September 2018. The overall project is estimated to cost in the order of $60 million to $66 million, including the $7.44 million government grant.

Once completed, Uniting Communities will be responsible for providing the necessary maintenance and care services required for the 18 disability respite apartments. There will be no additional state government funding for the maintenance or operation of these apartments. All costs need to be offset by revenue generated from room charges and rent. The South Australian Housing Trust will monitor the project and payments, and these will be made once key milestones have been achieved.

As part of the agreement, the apartments are to be designed solely for disability respite accommodation. This is a great project, providing centralised respite accommodation as well as integrated living opportunities close to services and attractions. It is also a great example of our government working with the non-government sector, especially an organisation experienced in providing disability services.

Given this, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works, and I wish the department and Uniting Communities every success on this extremely worthwhile project.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (11:16): This is a very worthwhile project, as the member said. It was an interesting project to have a look at and discuss, but I guess the thing that caught my attention, and that also of at least one other member of the committee, was the fact that we actually had no hard plans to look into. We had a draft idea but no actual plan. That is the first time that I can recall in my time on Public Works Committee giving approval to a development that had no plan. But it will be of benefit to South Australia and Adelaide and we look forward to its completion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Speirs.