Disabled home pledge

DOZENS of Tasmanian disability centre residents must find elsewhere to live after it was announced an Eastern Shore care facility will close.

Oakdale Lodge, a Warrane residential centre operated by Li-Ve Tasmania, has told its 35 residents the facility will close by 2021. The centre’s 25 staff have also been told they will no longer have a job at the site.

The closure announcement follows recent changes to National Disability Insurance Scheme funding arrangements, which now limit the number of residents in specialty disability accommodation.

Under federal law, the NDIS will no longer provide funding for groups of more than five people living in one facility.

Oakdale Lodge chief executive Paul Byrne last week issued a letter to lodge residents, families and staff informing them of the closure.

A former Oakdale Lodge carer told the Mercury he was saddened that long-term residents would need to find somewhere else to live.

Labo r Franklin MHR Julie Collins called for immediate government action to prevent the closure.

“Th i s news will be hard for residents who have made a home at Oakdale Lodge, particularly those long-term residents and residents’ families,” she said.

“The Government must intervene to ensure every resident is placed appropriately prior to the closure planned in 2021. Tasmania’s Liberal representatives cannot stay silent and must speak up for the residents impacted.”

Federal Disability Minister Stuart Robert was contacted for comment but directed the Mercury to the National Disability Insurance Agency.

A NDIA spokesman said: “The NDIA reassures participants and their families that we will proactively work with Li-Ve to ensure they have the appropriate and ongoing supports in place. This will assist with their smooth transition to contemporary living arrangements in advance of the suggested 2021 closure.”

Mr Byrne told residents he was confident new homes would be found before the facility’s closure.

“I am confident that, working together, we will secure suitable housing for everyone,” he said.

Mr Byrne also said jobs would be safe and “wherever residents move to, staff members would go with them”.

New federal Liberal MHR Gavin Pearce was contacted for comment.

Julie Collins