Wednesday, 13 May 2026

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:10): President, you will be very interested in my ministers statement, because I rise to update the house on our visit last week. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting a property in Doncaster East, alongside you, which is part of the government’s pilot program to build contemporary models of specialist disability accommodation as an alternative to larger group homes. Specialist disability accommodation is a form of specialist housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, and the Victorian government is the largest provider of SDA in Victoria. In this year’s budget we are investing an additional $18.7 million to build 13 new contemporary SDA homes. The government’s purpose-built SDA homes are built to the NDIS SDA design standards and contemporary building standards, designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment that supports residents’ wellbeing, their choice and their control. In addition, our properties are in fantastic sites around metropolitan and regional Victoria, close to local amenities such as shops, public transport, health services and parks.

The investment in this budget builds on a $27.5 million pilot program to build 27 new and innovative SDA dwellings. I am proud to say the cumulative investment from this budget and the pilot program will see over 50 residents living in new homes. Our market-leading SDA properties have a number of key features, including flexible floor plans that are adaptable to enable resident’s individual needs to be supported whilst helping them stay connected to their community; accessibility features like step-free entrances, wide corridors, spacious bathrooms and reinforced ceilings to allow for the installation of hoists; access to natural light and green space for quiet time, gathering and connection; drought-tolerant and low-maintenance landscaping with accessible features such as paths to provide wheelchair access into the garden; and raised planter boxes to support residents to grow their own plants and vegetables.

Lastly, hardworking support staff have not been forgotten either, with large and light-filled office spaces being created, as well as their own bathroom facilities. With high ceilings, lots of natural light and additional multipurpose spaces, I am pleased to report that the Doncaster East units are a great example of modern architecture and quality materials providing flexibility and choice for people with disability to meet their needs and their preferences. Congratulations to the team at Homes Victoria, and I look forward to seeing the pilot program progress.