Architectural news & editorial desk
Upon agreement of mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code, the Victorian Building Authority has welcomed the changes, saying it will ensure independence for people with disabilities within their own home.
The new standards will take effect in 2022, and were agreed upon at a National Building Ministers Meeting of Building Ministers last Friday. The Livable Housing Design Guidelines silver standards will ensure basic accessibility features are included in all newly constructed homes and apartments.
Under the changes, new homes will be required to include features such as step free entry, step free showers, ground level accessible toilets, structural reinforcements to support grab rail installation in bathrooms and for doorways and transitional spaces to allow ease of movement.
A NATIONAL national meeting of building ministers on Friday (April 30) has agreed to reform to the National Construction Code, with all new homes built across Australia to include minimum accessibility standards.
Housing ACT tenant Dianne Corcoran demonstrates the difficulty she has getting out of her front door. Photo: Danielle Nohra
The majority of ministers agreed to include minimum accessibility standards for residential housing and apartments in the National Construction Code 2022 based on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines silver standards.
ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said: “Modest but significant changes will mean housing built in the future will better meet needs. This is important not only for people with disabilities, mobility issues, or who are ageing. This reform is for all of us.
Australian Greens
The ACT Government has secured national reform to the National Construction Code, with all new homes built across Australia to include minimum accessibility standards.
At the national meeting of Building Ministers on Friday afternoon (30 April), the majority agreed to include minimum accessibility standards for residential housing and apartments in the National Construction Code 2022 based on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines silver standards.
Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said she was delighted to have secured this national reform.
“This is a win for the community,” Minister Vassarotti said. “Modest but significant changes will mean housing built in the future will better meet needs. This is important not only for people with disabilities, mobility issues, or who are ageing. This reform is for all of us.
Date Time
New standards for safer, secure housing
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement The Honourable Mick de Brenni
Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni has helped score a big win for millions of Australians today, with a majority of State and Territory Building Ministers agreeing to include a national minimum standard for new housing in the public comment draft of the National Construction Code 2022.
Mr de Brenni said a minimum accessibility standard would ensure safe, secure and liveable housing especially for seniors, with significant growth expected in the number of Australians remaining in their homes as they age.
Australian Greens
The ACT Government wants to ensure every new residential is built to meet accessibility standards, not just in the ACT but across Australia.
At the upcoming meeting of all the nation’s Building Ministers, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti will call for mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code, so that all future homes, townhouses and apartments meet a threshold level of universal design.
“Imagine a world where every home is accessible or more easily adaptable for most people regardless of age, disability, background or other factors. That’s what universal design is about and it’s how we plan to build a better normal in Canberra homes,” Minister Vassarotti said.