Highgate Park Disability Services

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Disabilities questions about Highgate Park and the state of the accommodation and service provision for residents at that place.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: As I understand it, there are about 85 people currently living at Highgate Park in Fisher Street at Fullarton. Mr President, you might recall that it was previously known as Julia Farr. It has been pointed out to me that in another century this building was considered an outstanding gift to people with disabilities and was well recognised for its lifestyle programs and stimulating supports.

Recently, I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are family carers of people who reside at Highgate Park and are in receipt of group-funding packages through Disability SA or another relevant state government department or agency. They are extremely concerned about the less than adequate service provision at Highgate Park for their family members, including the maintenance of the ageing building no longer fit for purpose, and the lack of future planning for the residents there. Many of these families feel that the government is approaching this with a ‘there will be no solution’ approach.

It has also been pointed out that only two and a half floors of the nine-floor building are devoted to residential care at this point. Often only two of the six lifts work, I am told. In fact, when I attended Highgate Park for a meeting with NEAMI earlier this year, I was told that the lifts only work on a wing and a prayer. It was a substantial wait for me to get a lift to the seventh floor and it is not practical for me, nor many other mobility-aid-using residents of Highgate Park, to take the stairs.

I understand that one deinstitutionalisation program of the state government, that is, the re-homing of the residents of the former Strathmont Centre, is proceeding quite well. Dignity for Disability wonder if the same planning, thought and care might be invested into what used to be known by the less than acceptable name ‘The Home for Incurables’, now known as Highgate Park. It would be a shame to see Highgate Park become known as an 'incurable' problem. My questions to the minister are:

1. Does the minister acknowledge that Highgate Park is no longer a fit-for-purpose residential facility and that the costs of maintaining the ageing building no longer seem sustainable?

2. Is the minister aware that often only two of the six lifts at Highgate Park work?

3. With the ageing resident population at Highgate Park, a significant number of residents using mobility aids and a large workforce present in the building on weekdays, what is the evacuation plan for that building in the event of a fire or other emergency?

4. What planning has been undertaken by the minister with the social housing minister to identify accommodation options for residents at Highgate Park?

5. Will the minister embark on developing a whole-of-government approach to this issue?

6. Has a cost-benefit feasibility study been undertaken in relation to the ageing facility at Highgate Park and whether it is a cost-effective model to provide high quality services to residents?

7. Has the minister discussed with the planning and/or social housing ministers state government-owned land currently sitting unused or vacant that may be identified for potential social housing for people with disabilities?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:06): I thank the member for her questions and will refer them to the Minister for Disability in another place and bring back a response.