Minda showcases SA’s largest disability support hub

Minda has taken the wraps off the next stage of its $260 million Master Plan development at Brighton, showcasing the largest, and most advanced, disability support hub in South Australia.

Minda Patron, the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC officially opened the new accommodation and lifestyle precinct at a celebration on Monday July 9.

Minda CEO, Ms Cathy Miller, said the Master Plan was the biggest project in the organisation’s 120-year history.

“Stage 2 of the Master Plan represents a $95 million commitment and includes a lifestyle precinct offering a range of recreational facilities. We have also built 18 single storey houses and two three-storey residential apartments buildings that combine the comforts of home with leading-edge technologies and a contemporary model of service delivery,” Ms Miller said.

“The Master Plan for Minda Brighton was first conceived in 2007 and it has become a physical expression of person-centred thinking. It reflects our commitment to become an intentional, mixed community village, that draws on smart technology to ensure people live as independently as possible without compromising on support,” she said.

“The people we support now have far greater diversity of choice as to the type of accommodation they want to enjoy, with a range of one and two-bedroom apartments, shared three and four-bedroom community living options, and independent living units for people with high support needs integrated into the Master Plan design.”

Minda’s purpose-built lifestyle precinct offers an ideal hub for its learning-based MyPATH programs and lifestyle services. Based on person-centred thinking and active support, MyPATH gives participants choices in activities, with each day providing the opportunity to develop skills and foster independence. The lifestyle precinct facilities include a pottery and kiln, spaces for cooking, art and other learning-based activities.

The new accommodation also includes state-of-the-art spaces, with technology offerings that are a first for the sector.

“I’m really excited about the technology behind the project, which is the first of its kind delivered for the disability sector. The Integrated Building System comprises building management, lighting control, CCTV and security, electronic access, energy management, assistive technology, just to mention a few,” Ms Miller said.

“We’re finding innovative ways to provide industry-leading support to our customers, with a non-intrusive approach to service delivery and support.”

Minda resident, Chris Bergin, relishes having his own space and living independently in his new one-bedroom apartment on Bonython Way at Minda Brighton with his two budgerigars in his apartment, Hamish and Jack.

Having previously lived in some of the old congregate dwellings at Brighton and in the community before that, Chris says his new apartment is by far “the best”.

“My favourite thing is having space to myself,” Chris said. “Before the move I was really looking forward to living in my own place and being independent. The apartments are good because I’ve got my own space, but there’s other people around for socialising too.”

“From my balcony, I can see a bit of the ocean, I can see planes taking off, I can see the Grand at Glenelg. Living here has made me happier,” he said.

ENDS

 

About Minda

Established in 1898, Minda is the largest non-government disability support organisation in South Australia that assists people with disability to thrive in their local environments as valued members of their communities by offering residential and lifestyle services, employment and respite support. Minda is a major employer of more than 450 supported workers across its highly successful range of commercial enterprises. Across seven businesses, Minda provides the community with a broad range of services that include manufacturing, design, packing solutions, commercial laundry and catering.

Master Plan – Background

Stage 1 of Minda’s Master Plan was completed in late 2014, with the remaining five stages scheduled for completion by 2022.

A total of 61 people who expressed an interest in living in supported, share-house arrangement were the first in late 2014 to move into a mix of single-storey three bedroom, four bedroom and exceptional needs dwellings, and an apartment building with 17 x one and two bedroom apartments.

In addition to reflecting best practice in Universal Design Principles and Ageing in Place, the range of housing options includes energy-efficient LED lighting features throughout, while solar hot water and extensive insulation in walls and ceilings achieve the performance benchmark of a minimum 6-star rating.

Stage 1 also saw 2 x three-storey apartments constructed on the corner of Repton Road and The Esplanade, with each containing 24 apartments comprising of a mixture of two bedrooms and two bedroom + study and three bedrooms and three bedrooms + study for the over 55’s market.

Stage 2 has seen the staged construction of 18 x single storey houses, 2 x three storey residential apartment buildings as replacement and updated accommodation for individuals supported by Minda, as well as 4 x Life Style Option buildings.

The 18-month schedule of work began on Stage 2 in early 2017 and was recently completed in mid-2018.

The development of a vibrant mixed-use precinct, which is the largest of its type anywhere in Australia, provides a range of purpose-built facilities for various lifestyle activities (such as pottery, arts and crafts, music, and a community centre) and offers greater connectivity to the wider community.

People supported by Minda now have greater diversity of choice as to the type of accommodation they want to enjoy, with a range of one and two-bedroom apartments, shared 3 and 4-bedroom community living options, and independent living units for people with high support needs, integrated into the Master Plan design.