- Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
The Andrews Labor Government is marking a new era in disability support and the historic end to institutional care in Victoria with the state’s last institution for people with disability closing its doors.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan today announced the final residents at Colanda Residential Services in Colac have moved into their new homes and were receiving the very best care closer to family and friends.
This ends more than four decades of dedicated support to residents and their families at Colanda, with the Labor Government replacing all outdated disability institutions with more contemporary and personalised support.
The Labor Government invested $25 million to build 15 new homes for Colanda’s 74 residents – offering 24-hour support and accommodation to promote inclusion and residents’ active participation in the community.
The new homes also offer personal space and privacy and have been built in close consultation with the residents to ensure their needs and preferences are met.
There are six new homes in Colac, seven in the Geelong area, and one each in Warrnambool and Ballarat.
The homes have spacious bedrooms, a staff office, two resident bathrooms, a large open plan kitchen and dining area, and an undercover outdoor area.
The closing of Colanda coincides with the completion of the transfer of government disability accommodation and respite services to five non-government providers, all of which have a proven track record of delivering innovative, high-quality and individualised support for people with a disability under the NDIS.
The providers, Aruma, Home@Scope, Life Without Barriers, Melba Support Services and Possability, have strong safeguards in place to protect people with disability.
As stated by Minister for Ageing, Disability and Carers Luke Donnellan
“Colanda Residential Services was Victoria’s last institution for people with disability – its redevelopment marks an important milestone and an end to an outdated model of institutional care in Victoria.”
“These beautiful new tailored homes in the community ensure residents are happy and healthy, and getting the best support, close to family and friends.”
“This is an important milestone in disability support and is part of our work to ensure people with disability have more say in exactly how and where they want to live.”
