Attachment B.pdf

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