Projects coming with NDIS
Infrastructure on its way
THE Darling Downs is set for a big increase in infrastructure projects as part of the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, according to the State Government and Toowoomba Regional Council.
State Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke met with key stakeholders and service providers yesterday to discuss the NDIS in the region, where she elaborated on the potential benefits of the scheme.
Aside from the massive increase in disability sector jobs, Ms O’Rourke said an increase in infrastructure projects designed to help participants would be another benefit.
“It’s an opportunity to start exploring the entrepreneurial opportunities that might emerge,” she said.
“We will have the numbers of disabled people accessing services doubling across Toowoomba over the next six months.
“We’re looking at 7000 people accessing support and services across the region, who will, for the first time, have choice and control over the direction their life takes.
“It’s time for the community to start thinking on their feet and identifying these opportunities and building on them.”
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio said he had already met with a group looking to build units designed for people with a disability.
“None of them have come to council yet, but I’ve had a couple of people come to my office, which is the very early stage of anything happening in Toowoomba,” he said after the meeting.
“I’ve had one group come here who have 40 sufferers with the disease they look after.
“Their (clients are) disabled and they’re looking very closely at establishing units integrated within normal suburbia.
“They will be set up specifically for people with a disability and I don’t have a problem with that.”
NDIS Queensland South regional manager Peter Smales said about 40 people a day were being approved for the scheme from the Toowoomba region.
“We’re approving on average about 40 plans a day since January 3 in this region,” he said.