New IRT Group Community Will Keep Families Together as They Age

IRT Group's new Community for ageing people with intellectual disability and their primary carers was officially opened today by The Hon John Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services.

Minister Ajaka said “I am delighted to open a unique facility such as Kemira that allows people with intellectual disability to age in their home and community, in a supportive environment.”  

Kemira at IRT William Beach Gardens features 12 universally designed villas, a community centre, and a five-bed respite centre. IRT Group Chief Executive Nieves Murray said the Community was founded on the unique Pathways through Partnership model, designed to keep families together in a supportive environment as they age.

The innovative model was developed by IRT Group, Greenacres Disability Services, Interchange Illawarra and Community Gateway, and is supported by the University of Wollongong, which is evaluating the model as a blueprint for other service providers.

"We are immensely proud of Kemira and grateful for the support we received from the NSW Government, our disability service partners and the University of Wollongong," Ms Murray said.

"People with lifelong disability represent one of the most rapidly growing groups within Australia's ageing population.

"We know there is often a crisis situation when ageing people with intellectual disability are forced to separate from their carers, who are usually family members, because their carers go into aged care.  

"In this new IRT Community up to 12 people with intellectual disability will be able to rent a home of their own and live with their primary carers within a supportive community as they age."

The NSW Government contributed $2.9 million in funding for the project from the $100 million Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund, with $2 million in additional funding and in-kind support from IRT Group.

“The project not only benefits people with intellectual disability and their families, but the broader community with more than 100 direct and indirect jobs created to service the Kemira community,” said Mr Gareth Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast, and Member for Kiama.

IRT Group will operate Kemira alongside its existing IRT William Beach Gardens Lifestyle & Care Community at Kanahooka, south of Wollongong.

"By including a five-bed respite centre onsite, we're also hoping to improve the lives of many other Illawarra families who are needing a break, and help them form connections with each other," Ms Murray said.

IRT will enter a tenancy contract with the person with intellectual disability, rather than their carers, which is crucial to the success of the model. "This ensures that people with disability can continue living at Kemira even if they become separated from their primary carers due to poor health or passing," Ms Murray said.

"Parents and carers are telling us that this is very important to them." 

Click here to find out more about IRT Group's aged care services.