Following the success of the Minor Street Project, CLRS planned a similar development. The Opening Doors Project was designed around lessons learned from Minor Street and best practice from similar recent industry projects. The project will be officially launched in February 2016 with an anticipated completion in June 2017.
CLRS purchased land in December 2015 in Eyre Street Echuca for this new project. The aim of project was to open doors to independence, installing smart home technology in the units to help people with physical disability to operate heating, cooling and entertainment systems, turn on taps, water the garden and literally open doors, depending on the individual needs of the client.
A virtual tour of one of the 2 units at the rear of our SDA home in Eyre Street Echuca.
The total project cost was estimated at just over $1.1 million, with:
Land purchase: $250,000
Construction: $900,000
CLRS had access to $500,000 through fundraising and cash reserves, leaving a $650,000 shortfall.
CLRS again launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign to bridge the funding gap and then in mid-2016 CLRS were the successful recipients of a $350,000 grant from the Department of Social Services. This grant opportunity came about through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Transition Program. This program had $10 million in funds nationally available for its Specialised Disability Accommodation Initiative. This initiative was designed to address immediate community need for specialist disability housing in a limited number of locations. The Opening Doors Project at Eyre Street was one of 10 projects funded across Australia.
This meant that the balance of $300,000 needed to be fundraised through the local community.
Once again CLRS’s fundraising strategy included a mix of community events, grant applications, and partnerships. Key initiatives that supported the fundraising effort were Johnno’s Run, which began in 2014 with a small team participating in Run Melbourne. By 2016 and through to 2018 the team raised another $200,000. The Annual Fundraising Dinner also raised an additional $200,000.
Thanks to this collective effort, construction began in 2016, and the project was officially opened in October 2017.
CLRS again engaged local architect Brandrick to design a practical and inclusive space, drawing on the expertise of the first project at Minor Street, senior management, house managers, and support staff.
Key Design Features
Local builder O’Mahoney’s Constructions won the tender, and construction commenced in 2016, and was completed in September 2017.
The Eyre Street development represented a significant milestone for CLRS and the community. It offered:
The project was overseen by a dedicated control group:
Andrew Cowin – Board member
Leanne Willis – Board member
Suzanna Barry – CEO
Debbie Kuyer – Accounts Manager
Dean Seary – Project Officer
Shannon Johns – Architect (Brandrick)
