Broadbeach gets plan for disability tower
PLANS have been lodged for an ultra-thin luxury tower that will provide high-end disability housing.
The high-rise is earmarked for a 607sq m site on Broadbeach’s Second Ave.
The proposal, put forward by SDA Fiduciaries 8 has been welcomed by both disability advocates and the council as a necessary step in diversifying the city’s housing options.
According to documents filed with the council, the tower will feature just 20 units, including five multi-storey three-bedroom “skyhome units”.
“It will have a mix specialist disability accommodation (SDA) for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and luxury dual-level skyhomes, contributing to the delivery of much-needed disability housing and diversifying dwelling choice within Broadbeach,” a planning report on the project reads.
The unnamed tower will also have a mixture of one and two-bedromm SDA units as well as a single carer unit.
Advocates have long warned the Gold Coast had a severe shortfall in specialist disability accommodation.
Accessible Homes Australia founder Perry Cross became a C2 ventilated quadriplegic as a result of a rugby injury more than 25 years ago and said there was a significant need for more specialty accommodation.
“Traditional models of
support are changing and there has been a move away from institutionalised support,” he said. “As long as this is not institutional by nature and has mixed facilities then it would be good to see.”
City planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said council would perform a “rigorous” investigation.
“There will be a thorough report ... which will look at all aspects, particularly given it is proposed for such a small site,” he said.