Cota Backs Housing Design Moves

NEWS RELEASE

COTA BACKS HOUSING DESIGN MOVES

Australia's peak organisation for older Australians, COTA (Council on the Ageing), has strongly backed moves by the Victorian Government to make all new homes more accessible and practical.

COTA's Chief Executive, Mr Ian Yates, said the release today by Victoria's Planning Minister, Mr Justin Madden, of proposed new mandatory building regulations for more accessible housing was a long overdue positive step that should be urgently copied by all other States.

The proposed regulations will make accessibility features such as wider doorways and halls, a toilet suitable for people with limited mobility on entry level and reinforced bathroom walls so grab rails can be easily fitted if required compulsory in all new houses in Victoria.

Mr Yates said that most Australian homes built today were not designed with the future needs of older people or the disabled in mind.

"The costs involved in retro-fitting many houses is often prohibitive and can result in older people being trapped in homes that are no longer suitable and in many cases could even be dangerous," he said.

"In addition the large costs incurred in retro-fitting is a public policy scandal as the need for this kind of regulation has been recognised for well over a decade"

"However, this problem can be easily overcome if some basic low-cost features are incorporated in new homes when they are built."

Mr Yates said these changes would have little or no impact on initial building costs.

"These proposed regulations will make architects and home builders give more thought to their designs, as at present they generally give little thought to the issues that face older populations.

COTA has also welcomed the initiative by Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, in convening a National Dialogue on Universal Design in which COTA is a participant.

"The Victorian initiative is a sensible first step which other States should adopt without delay."

Further Information:
Ian Yates
Chief Executive
COTA National
Ph: 0418 835 439 or
08-8224 5510 (office)

SOURCE: COTA Seniors Voice