By Brendan Rees
Casey council wants a change of planning law to allow greater safety for places caring for the disabled.
Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon successfully moved a motion at a council meeting in July seeking “greater flexibility” with the state’s building regulations in order to provide accommodation that is “a safe and quiet environment”.
It comes after the Planning Minister rejected a council dispensation to build a higher fence from 1.5 metres to 1.9 metres at the new Robust Home in Cranbourne – on the grounds that it did not meet planning guidelines.
According to Cr Stapledon this meant a three metre set back from the road on Hotham Street “diminished the amount of secure outdoor space that the high needs clients desperately need.”
“With robust homes such as Hotham Street, the people who live there need their space in a safe and quiet environment,” she said.
“We need to bring out planning and building controls in line with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), giving opportunities for people with a disability to have a home to call their own.”
Anna Fleming, director of Purposed Housing said she supported council’s push for a fence exemption.
She said “space is a premium for our clients” and outdoor use was “critically important for their well-being.”
“Council and planners need to understand there’s going to be a lot more SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) properties built in the various municipalities … they need to understand the needs of the residents are going to be a little bit different to your standard domestic houses.”
Cr Stapledon said council was seeking “greater flexibility and discretion” in the building controls especially with the introduction of the NDIS, facilitating more capacity to build homes for people with a disability.
“There are opportunities and a desire to apply flexible thinking to controls, where we can and it is justified,” she said.
“Council in March 2019 adopted a Housing Strategy workplan which included the preparation of a Social and Affordable Housing Strategy.”
