EARLIER this week a crowd of around 40 people gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new high-tech purpose-built disability home on Scoresby Street.

Lowan MP, Emma Kealy, and Southern Grampians Shire mayor, David Robertson, were amongst those who had a chance to have a first-hand look at the modern innovations and functional design elements of the $1.6 million house, which will be home for four people and create 15 local full-time and part-time jobs.

With large spaces everywhere, lots of light from large windows, voice activation included for heaters and TVs, and even a motorised height-adjustable bench in the huge kitchen, the building will be a brilliant boost for residents and staff alike.

Although there were still a handful of minor finishing touches needed to bring it to completion, the facility was clearly in the very final stages, with project architect, Geoff Hooke, especially enjoying looking around the rooms and seeing his vision realised.

He spoke to The Spectator about how the specific requirements of disability housing created challenges but having now completed a significant number of them, the projects each became a “progressive process” of specialist building experience and there was definitely an added layer of satisfaction with finishing them.

13 Scoresby St, Hamilton, was no different.

“When people ask me to look at a project for them, they’ll take me to the site and if it has a slope on it of more than half a metre, I tell them that’s a bit of a problem,” Mr Hooke said.

“Well, this has an immediate slope from the front to the back of almost two and a half metres, so working out a design that was fully functional and fully accessible for everybody, no matter whatever mobility disability - that’s a major challenge.

“That’s why this has got this elevated terrace out the back and a little bit of sort of cutting and filling earthworks at the front.

“But we’ve done it, we’ve managed the site, it works very well.”

Mr Hooke was also pleased that despite the block’s gradient, he was still about to give the bedrooms “their own little courtyard” that were completely “on grade” with flat access to represent no barriers to the residents.

“This house is actually quite a remarkable structure,” he said.

“To walk through it, it feels like any normal home and it’s equipped with everything you could possibly hope for, especially assistive technology.

“It’s a combination of a really comfortable, really efficient, and really safe house.

“I’m immensely proud of this house … it’s just been fantastic to be part of the Southern Stay community.”

Ms Kealy said she was very impressed with the facility and what it would mean for the four locals who will live there.

“This is an absolutely fabulous purpose-build facility, which will turn into a wonderful home,” she said.

“It’s struck the right balance between medical needs and the health needs of people but also (it has) beautiful privacy, lovely building and the timber look - it feels like a home.

“It’s a credit to everyone who’s been involved to make this reality.”

She also praised the location and said, “it’s incredible that there would be something built like this that’s so close to the CBD”.

Searle Brothers director, Bryce Nicholson, said he was honoured to speak to the gathering - “it’s not very often actually the builder gets to stand up and say something” - and that he was privileged to be part of the change in approach to disability housing.

“10 years ago, we were building buildings that (were like) hospitals and now we’re building buildings that look like homes,” he said.

Mr Nicholson said lockdowns and material shortages had been obstacles to overcome, but those weren’t the last challenges.

“Then we entered probably the wettest winter that I’ve known in 30 years’ building,” he said.

“It was hard work - my guys, all the local tradies worked hard through some pretty poor conditions.”

Southern Stay life member, Keith Haines, was tasked with the official opening and said the house was an example of the community embracing a responsibility to improve life for people with a disability.

“It’s been a continuing aim of disability organisations, both past and present, to provide quality accommodation for those in our community with disabilities,” he said.

“Southern Stay Disability Services is all about making life better for people with disabilities and the new house is a step along that path.

“This is specialist disability accommodation (SDA) for people with high complex support needs and the specifications for SDA homes are very specific and quite complex, all (about) making life easier and safer for the residents … an emergency call system, battery backup systems, voice (control) … and many modern devices, some remote control … and this house includes them all.”

Mr Haines then unveiled the plaque on the front and said, “it is with great pleasure that I declare this new specialist disability home open”.

Southern Stay chief executive, Paul Lougheed, said it was great to have a facility that exceeded accessibility standards in Hamilton and was looking forward to the effective commissioning of the house, with the residents expected to move in early next month.