A majority of State and Territory Building Ministers have agreed to include a national minimum standard for new housing to ensure safe, secure and liveable housing, especially for seniors.
Minister for Public Works and Procurement, Mick de Brenni said a minimum accessibility standard is to be included in the public comment draft of the National Construction Code 2022.
“Housing should be designed to accommodate all people, regardless of their age or disability,” Mr de Brenni said.
“From young families with children to those with a temporary injury or permanent disability as well as the elderly, these reforms will benefit everyone,” he said.
He said the relatively simple and cost-effective fit-out of homes with accessibility features would also mean the elderly could stay in their homes longer, enabling full and continued participation in life, like work, volunteering and family interactions.
“Seniors deserve to remain active and engaged, with strong connections to family and community, and a safe and secure home can help them age with dignity,” the Minister said.
The new national minimum accessibility standard would include simple but crucial features such as at least one step-free entrance door, wider internal doors and corridors and a toilet on ground level (or entry level).
“It will also include sensible exemptions for steep slopes, small lots and, of course, continuing to allow traditional styles like the iconic Queenslander to be a feature of our cities and towns,” Mr de Brenni said.
He said the minimum accessibility standard would now form part of the National Construction Code 2022 public comment draft, which was scheduled to be released on 10 May.
