Attachment B.pdf

Page 2

Letters of Support
Further to our original letter of support from Australian Network for Universal Housing Design we have
more recently had support for the project from the Summer Foundation through their Building Better
Homes Campaign Manager Mr Tim Naughtin which we have attached for information.
A further letter from Caro Lewellyn, the Director of Wheeler Centre and a wonderful shining light in the
literature world of Australia and abroad, has eagerly offered to provide support for our proposal to
construct 8 Gold Standard LHA.
Caro was previously on the board of the Summer Foundation and was deeply involved in the Building
Better Homes Campaign which helped secure the minimum standard accessible features into the
National Construction Code. She also knows firsthand, the challenges of living in homes that lack
accessible features, having grown up with a father who was 95% paralysed by polio as a young man.
Caro and her family spent much of their childhood scouting ahead of their father to ensure the
pathway ahead was clear for him in his wheelchair, living in a house where there were scratch marks
along the hallway walls and doorframes from her father’s wheelchair.

Living with MS herself Caro knows something of the need to plan for an unknown future where
mobility friendly living will feature prominently.

Whilst letters of support may not be included in reports to Council, I am requesting that these be included
in the report presented to Council.




             1. Letter of Support Australian Network of Universal Housing Design
             2. Letter of Support Building Better Homes
             3. Letter of Support Caro Lewellyn




Concept Planning and Development Consultants ABN 99 789 542 467                                           1


[OCR of page images]
Letters of Support

Further to our original letter of support from Australian Network for Universal Housing Design we have
more recently had support for the project from the Summer Foundation through their Building Better
Homes Campaign Manager Mr Tim Naughtin which we have attached for information.

A further letter from Caro Lewellyn, the Director of Wheeler Centre and a wonderful shining light in the
literature world of Australia and abroad, has eagerly offered to provide support for our proposal to
construct 8 Gold Standard LHA.

Caro was previously on the board of the Summer Foundation and was deeply involved in the Building
Better Homes Campaign which helped secure the minimum standard accessible features into the
National Construction Code. She also knows firsthand, the challenges of living in homes that lack
accessible features, having grown up with a father who was 95% paralysed by polio as a young man.
Caro and her family spent much of their childhood scouting ahead of their father to ensure the
pathway ahead was clear for him in his wheelchair, living in a house where there were scratch marks
along the hallway walls and doorframes from her father’s wheelchair.

Living with MS herself Caro knows something of the need to plan for an unknown future where
mobility friendly living will feature prominently.

Whilst letters of support may not be included in reports to Council, | am requesting that these be included
in the report presented to Council.

1. Letter of Support Australian Network of Universal Housing Design
2. Letter of Support Building Better Homes
3. Letter of Support Caro Lewellyn

Concept Planning and Development Consultants ABN 99 789 542 467 1

Page 3

8 September 2021

Planning Department
Noosa Shire Council

Dear Sir or Madam,
                       Proposed townhouses for Jameson and Stirling
                              25-27 Toolbar Street, Tewantin
We refer to the proposed townhouses for Jameson and Stirling at 25-27 Toolbar Street
Tewantin. We write to support this development.
The Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD) represents people from
industry, government, the community sector and academia who want the homes we build
to be fit for all Australians. To this end, we successfully advocated for a national Livable
Housing Design standard (Silver level) to be mandated in the National Construction Code
(NCC) in September 2022 for all new housing. A Livable Housing Design standard (Gold
level) will also be published as an optional technical provision.
This project is significant because it illustrates how the Livable Housing Design standard
(Gold level) can be achieved. We have brought this project to the attention of the Minister
for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement, the
Hon Mick de Brenni MP. Minister de Brenni championed the Livable Housing Design
standards through the recent Building Ministers Meeting and is now keen to see them
implemented in Queensland. This project is an excellent demonstration of what is possible.
This project will draw attention across Australia. For too long, our members have asked the
housing industry to adopt universal design principles and to build homes that cater for most
life circumstances. This project shows how easily this can be done, and to a higher standard
than the NCC will require.
We hope that you approve this project and acknowledge the importance of this project and
the national leadership of the developers. If you would like any further information, please
do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,




Dr Margaret Ward PSM/ David Brant
Convenors

Cc     Saj Abdoolakhan, [email protected]

                   ANUHD email: [email protected] website: www.anuhd.org                   1


[OCR of page images]
for Universal
Housing Design

—

Australian Network
a
8 September 2021

Planning Department
Noosa Shire Council

Dear Sir or Madam,

Proposed townhouses for Jameson and Stirling
25-27 Toolbar Street, Tewantin

We refer to the proposed townhouses for Jameson and Stirling at 25-27 Toolbar Street
Tewantin. We write to support this development.

The Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD) represents people from
industry, government, the community sector and academia who want the homes we build
to be fit for all Australians. To this end, we successfully advocated for a national Livable
Housing Design standard (Silver level) to be mandated in the National Construction Code
(NCC) in September 2022 for all new housing. A Livable Housing Design standard (Gold
level) will also be published as an optional technical provision.

This project is significant because it illustrates how the Livable Housing Design standard
(Gold level) can be achieved. We have brought this project to the attention of the Minister
for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement, the
Hon Mick de Brenni MP. Minister de Brenni championed the Livable Housing Design
standards through the recent Building Ministers Meeting and is now keen to see them
implemented in Queensland. This project is an excellent demonstration of what is possible.

This project will draw attention across Australia. For too long, our members have asked the
housing industry to adopt universal design principles and to build homes that cater for most
life circumstances. This project shows how easily this can be done, and to a higher standard
than the NCC will require.

We hope that you approve this project and acknowledge the importance of this project and
the national leadership of the developers. If you would like any further information, please
do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr Margaret Ward PSM/ David Brant
Convenors

Cc Saj Abdoolakhan, [email protected]

 

ANUHD email: [email protected] website: www.anuhd.org 1

 

Page 4

Riverport Properties


21 January 2022

To Riverport Properties

Support for Accessible Housing Developments

I understand that Riverport Properties is seeking to construct eight units at Toolar
Street in Tewantin that will meet Livable Housing Australia’s (LHA) Gold standard in
terms of accessibility.

The Building Better Homes Campaign is a coalition of more than 70 seniors, disability,
housing, health and allied health organisations who support the inclusion of
mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code. We are very
pleased that Queensland has taken a strong position on this, with the Queensland
Government signing up to have mandatory LHA Silver standard accessibility
requirements in the National Construction Code from this year.

For Riverport to not only meet those requirements, but seek to exceed them by
reaching Gold standard is something the Building Better Homes campaign strongly
supports.

The benefits of mandatory accessibility standards are clear. Right now, nearly
three-quarters of Australians with mobility impairment are unable to find housing
that meets their needs.

This impacts the ability of people with disability to live independent, productive lives,
it restricts the ability for older Australians to age at home, and makes support for
people with chronic illness or injury and innovative service delivery such as Hospital
in the Home challenging.

We are very supportive of Riverport - and any builder - to go above and beyond
minimum accessibility requirements and commend you for this.


[OCR of page images]
Building Better Homes
A National Building Code for All Australians

Riverport Properties

21 January 2022
To Riverport Properties
Support for Accessible Housing Developments

| understand that Riverport Properties is seeking to construct eight units at Toolar
Street in Tewantin that will meet Livable Housing Australia’s (LHA) Gold standard in
terms of accessibility.

The Building Better Homes Campaign is a coalition of more than 70 seniors, disability,
housing, health and allied health organisations who support the inclusion of
mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code. We are very
pleased that Queensland has taken a strong position on this, with the Queensland
Government signing up to have mandatory LHA Silver standard accessibility
requirements in the National Construction Code from this year.

For Riverport to not only meet those requirements, but seek to exceed them by
reaching Gold standard is something the Building Better Homes campaign strongly
supports.

The benefits of mandatory accessibility standards are clear. Right now, nearly
three-quarters of Australians with mobility impairment are unable to find housing
that meets their needs.

This impacts the ability of people with disability to live independent, productive lives,
it restricts the ability for older Australians to age at home, and makes support for
people with chronic illness or injury and innovative service delivery such as Hospital
inthe Home challenging.

We are very supportive of Riverport - and any builder - to go above and beyond
minimum accessibility requirements and commend you for this.

 

Page 5

Yours sincerely,

/
We

Tim Naughtin
Campaign Director, Building Better Homes

0468 917 025

 

Page 6

Wednesday February 16, 2022

To Riverport Properties
Support for Accessible Housing Developments

I am the CEO of The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas in Melbourne and the bestselling
author of the memoir, Diving into Glass published by Penguin Random House. I am also on the Board
of the Summer Foundation and heavily involved in the Building Be er Homes Campaign, supported
by a coalition of more than 70 seniors, disability, housing, health and allied health organisations who
support the inclusion of mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code.

I understand Riverport Properties is seeking to construct eight units at Toolar Street in Tewantin to
meet Gold Standard Livable Housing Australia’s criteria, which is a step-up from the Queensland
Government’s recent ruling on mandatory LHA Silver standard accessibility requirements.

The Queensland Government’s ruling on Silver standards is to be applauded. When I was growing
up, my father who was 95% paralysed from polio, could not go to the cinema nor get into most
public buildings. The doors in our home had to be carefully navigated for him to get through. There
was a step into our bathroom, so he used a commode in his bedroom. We’ve clearly come a long
way since then and Silver Standards make homes much more liveable for people with disabilities.

But why wouldn’t we go for a Gold Standard if that’s within our grasp and there’s a company willing
to put the resources into making those homes just that little bit better for people like me – with
Multiple Sclerosis – and my dad? For Riverport to not only meet those Silver Standard requirements,
but seek to exceed them by reaching Gold standard is something we should be applauding, not
trying to curtail.

Since when has Australia tried to stop its athletes, its sporting teams, or its leaders from settling for
silver if in their hearts they want to strive for gold?

The benefits of mandatory accessibility standards are clear. Right now, nearly three-quarters of
Australians with mobility impairment are unable to find housing that meets their needs.

In a country like ours where we say everyone deserves a fair go, shouldn’t we go above and beyond
minimum accessibility requirements, and lead the world in providing Gold Standard housing for
people who need it?

When asking people to consider complex questions like these, I often ask this simple question: What
would you do if it were your son or daughter, husband or wife who needed – in this case – a house
for independent living after an accident or illness? Gold or Silver?

I hope you will consider Riverport’s proposal with that question in mind.

Sincerely,




Caro Llewellyn


[OCR of page images]
Wednesday February 16, 2022

To Riverport Properties
Support for Accessible Housing Developments

| am the CEO of The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas in Melbourne and the bestselling
author of the memoir, Diving into Glass published by Penguin Random House. | am also on the Board
of the Summer Foundation and heavily involved in the Building Be@ler Homes Campaign, supported
by a coalition of more than 70 seniors, disability, housing, health and allied health organisations who
support the inclusion of mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code.

| understand Riverport Properties is seeking to construct eight units at Toolar Street in Tewantin to
meet Gold Standard Livable Housing Australia’s criteria, which is a step-up from the Queensland
Government’s recent ruling on mandatory LHA Silver standard accessibility requirements.

The Queensland Government’s ruling on Silver standards is to be applauded. When | was growing
up, my father who was 95% paralysed from polio, could not go to the cinema nor get into most
public buildings. The doors in our home had to be carefully navigated for him to get through. There
was a step into our bathroom, so he used a commode in his bedroom. We've clearly come a long
way since then and Silver Standards make homes much more liveable for people with disabilities.

But why wouldn’t we go for a Gold Standard if that’s within our grasp and there’s a company willing
to put the resources into making those homes just that little bit better for people like me — with
Multiple Sclerosis — and my dad? For Riverport to not only meet those Silver Standard requirements,
but seek to exceed them by reaching Gold standard is something we should be applauding, not
trying to curtail.

Since when has Australia tried to stop its athletes, its sporting teams, or its leaders from settling for
silver if in their hearts they want to strive for gold?

The benefits of mandatory accessibility standards are clear. Right now, nearly three-quarters of
Australians with mobility impairment are unable to find housing that meets their needs.

In a country like ours where we say everyone deserves a fair go, shouldn’t we go above and beyond
minimum accessibility requirements, and lead the world in providing Gold Standard housing for
people who need it?

When asking people to consider complex questions like these, | often ask this simple question: What
would you do if it were your son or daughter, husband or wife who needed — in this case — a house
for independent living after an accident or illness? Gold or Silver?

| hope you will consider Riverport’s proposal with that question in mind.

Sincerely,

Caro Llewellyn