New Wheelers Hill home for six seriously injured Victorians

Published date: 04 Oct 2018

Six Victorians who have been seriously injured in transport accidents now have the freedom to live independently following the completion of a new housing development in Wheelers Hill.

Minister for Finance Robin Scott today visited the six new two-bedroom units and central support hub, built as part of the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Residential Independence Pty Ltd (RIPL) program.

RIPL supports TAC clients to regain independence and live safely in their own homes, with assistance from support staff and medical professionals brought in as needed.

The $5.6 million Wheelers Hill development will give TAC clients currently living with carers in group homes or nursing homes more autonomy and a better quality of life.

The development includes an integrated home automation system, which allows residents to communicate with support staff and control features of the house using a smartphone or tablet.

More than 5,000 Victorians are seriously injured in transport accidents each year, around 150 of whom sustain a spinal cord injury or a severe acquired brain injury.

RIPL, which received the award for ‘Excellence in promoting health, housing and wellbeing’ at the 2018 Victorian Disability Awards, was created to address a shortage of accommodation for seriously injured clients.

RIPL Wheelers Hill is the fifth purpose-built TAC housing project following developments in Glenroy, Frankston, Lilydale and Abbotsford, where 21 TAC clients are already living independently.

Quote attributable to Minister for Finance Robin Scott

“The Wheelers Hill housing development is one of many projects the Government has built to address a pressing need to secure independent living for Victorians seriously injured in road crashes.

“Living independently is critical to supporting TAC clients to get their lives back on track, and these units provide this in a safe supported environment.”

Quote attributable to TAC Head of Independence Liz Cairns

“The RIPL housing program is vital to addressing a shortfall in accessible housing for seriously injured TAC clients.

“The units are fitted with a range of state-of-the-art technologies, enabling people who have suffered serious injuries in transport accidents the opportunity to regain as much independence as possible.”

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