Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Supported Accommodation

Funding Information Paper 2016–17

Provision of a Fully Accessible Specialist Disability Accommodation Property for people with Disability in the Brisbane Region

1.Snapshot of the Funding Initiative

Purpose of the Capital Grant Funding Initiative

The purpose of this funding initiative is to provide a one-off capital grant funding up to a maximum of $800,000 for the provision of a suitable property (construction of a purpose-built property or purchase and modification of an existing dwelling) in the North Brisbane area, Brisbane Region.

The property will provide an appropriate long-term accommodation option for three people with high physical disability support needs who are currently inappropriately accommodated in unsuitable accommodation and require a long-term solution to address their need for specialist disability accommodation.

Target group

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants eligible for Fully Accessible Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in the Brisbane North area.

Funding available under the Supported Accommodation Initiative

$800,000 GST exclusive

Location

Brisbane North area of the Brisbane Region

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must be demonstrate eligibility as a SDA Provider under the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Applicants must be incorporated and hold appropriate insurance i.e. a minimum of $10 million public liability insurance per event.

Closing date

5pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) Monday 20 February 2017

2.Background

A one-off capital grant up to a maximum of $800,000 is available for the provision of a property (construction of a purpose built property or purchase and modify an existing property) for three people with high physical support needs in the Brisbane North area,Brisbane Region.

To enable maximum use of funding, it is proposed to leverage this project with one off contributions offered by non-government organisation and/or private partners, for example,the provision of land, matched funding and/or management of construction.

3.Purpose

The objective of this capital grant funding process is to provide a property, in the Brisbane North area.

People with high physical support needs experience significant barriers in accessing suitable accommodation and require innovative solutions to address their need for sustainable housing.

The property will provide an appropriate long-term accommodation option for three people with high physical support needs in the Brisbane Region. These people are currently inappropriately accommodated in unsuitable accommodation.

The design of the dwelling will provide a suitable living environment for people with high physical support needs (at a minimum three bedroom with ensuites plus carer room with PWD bathroom, accessible kitchen, shared dining room, living room and laundry facilities). Some of the building requirements (i.e. fire safety and disability access) are dictated by current legislation. The design will adhere to modesty standards.

4.Target Group

The target group for this property will be three people with high physical support needs who require 24hour supported shared accommodation, requiring consideration in the built environment and design.

The NDIS participants need to be eligible for Fully Accessible Specialist Disability Accommodation in accordance with the NDIA requirements.

The target group for this service may require:

  • bedrooms with ensuites ensuring sufficient circulation space for wheelchairs and staff supports
  • assistance with all aspects of care including but not limited to personal hygiene
  • assistance with skills toprepare meals and sufficient space to eat together in a communal setting
  • the use of a hoists to assist transfers.

5.Important Information Regarding Funding

Property Ownership

The ownership of any property acquired or built with a contribution of capital funding from this process will be assigned to the applicant that lodged the submission and secured the funding.

The Queensland Government will not own the property. Where the Queensland Government is providing more than $200,000 funding, a mortgage will be required on the property to ensure that the property is used and maintained in accordance with the purpose detailed in the submission. The mortgage will exist for a period of 20 years from the date of execution of the capital funding agreement.

The owner of the property shall be responsible for managing and maintaining the property, including all charges related to the property, such as council rates and tenancy management, in accordance with SDA guidelines.

Further information on this requirement will be outlined in the capital agreement, which is to be entered into with the Queensland Government, prior to the release of any capital funding to the successful applicant.

The Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy

The Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy( been revised with changes being effective from 1 July 2015.

The Training Policy plays a key role in ensuring the building and construction industry continues to employ apprentices and trainees and upskill its existing workforce.

The policy requires contractors to ensure employment and structured training occurs on State Government building and construction contracts to address skills shortages and create additional employment opportunities in the building and construction industry.

For further information about the Training Policy, visit the Construction Skills Queensland website( or phone Construction Skills Queensland on 1800 798 488.

Conditions of funding

Successful applicants will be required to comply with the Community Services Act 2007(Qld), the prescribed requirements contained in the Community Services Regulation 2008, theQueensland Procurement Policy (2013) and with the following conditions by:

  • Entering into a capital funding agreement (20 years) with the Queensland Government.
  • Complying with the milestones detailed in the Capital Funding Agreement.
  • Providing a mortgage (20 year term) to the Queensland Government as applicable (only applies to capital funding over $200,000).Upon expiry of the capital funding agreement, the organisation may request the release of the mortgage held over the property.
  • Securing financial and/or in-kind contributions from your organisation or other sources.
  • Agreeing that should the project not proceed to completion, capital funding already paid to the Applicant is to be returned to the Queensland Government upon demand.
  • Recording expenditure relating directly to the grant separately from all other income and expenditure.
  • Expending the capital funding allocation within two years of the capital agreement being executed.
  • Funding payments will be based on milestones being achieved in line with timeframes identified in the capital funding agreement (Funds not used will be required to be returned to the department).
  • Ensuring that the property is used for the purpose of providing accommodation to the target group for the term of the capital funding agreement.
  • Providing a Quantity Surveyor’s detailed cost estimate for projects valued in excess of $500,000.
  • Providing quotes or tenders as per the Queensland Procurement Policy (2013))from a registered builder or contractor for all projects.
  • Employing a project manager who holds the appropriate licence to carry out project management services pursuant to the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991 and the Queensland Building Services Authority Regulation 2003, for projects valued in excess of $500,000 or are considered complex projects.
  • Submitting performance and financial reports, including a reconciliation statement, as required.
  • Submitting information on the project for promotional purposes.
  • Participating in evaluation and collecting and returning agreed information as required.

Payment of the approved capital funds to the successful applicant will be in the form of a Grant. Grant payments will not be made until the Capital Funding Agreement and the mortgage have been satisfactorily completed, signed and returned to the department, and arrangements for financial or in-kind contributions from other sources have been secured, to the satisfaction of the department.

All submissions received will be considered current for a period of 12 months from the closing date.

No additional funding is available from the department to support the development of a submission.

Privacy Notice

The department collects information in a submission for the express purpose of considering thesubmission for funding. Only authorised staff from the department, technical experts and members of the Assessment Panel, who are bound by confidentiality agreements, will have access to this information. The department generally advises local Members of Parliament of the contact details of organisations approved for funding to assist them in being aware of activities within their region. Unless required by law, personal information will not be passed on to any other third party without the contracted party’s consent.

Acknowledgement of Assistance

The successful applicant must acknowledge the funding received from the State of Queensland when making any public statements.

6.Selection of Submissions

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services will assess all submissions in accordance with the Eligibility and Selection Criteria, and in consideration of local needs and existing service provision.

Organisations may be asked to submit further details or provide clarification during the selection process. Recommendations for funding under the Community Services Act 2007 are forwarded to the Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services for consideration.

7.Conditions governing funding round process and submissions

The funding round process is being delivered by the department and invites eligible organisations to lodge asubmission on the funding submission form electronically via the smarty grants system by 5.00pm Eastern Standard Time 20 February 2017.

After submissions are registered with Smarty Grants, they will be screened to ensure they conform to the mandatory criteria. Conforming submissions will be forwarded to the assessment panel for review and consideration. Assessment panel members will receive information in relation to both conforming and non-conforming submissions.

Applications must address each selection criteria, including evidence of claims made in each selection criteria, minimum requirements provided in addition to notes for each selection criteria. Applicants must also provide documents to enable assessment of due diligence, i.e. financial viability, performance record and corporate governance.

A project team within the department, with assistance from technical experts as required, will screen the submissions.

The assessment panel will be chaired by the Executive Director, Centre of Excellence for Clinical Innovation and Behaviour Support, Disability Services and Seniors and Northern Regions, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and comprise senior officers from within the department.

Assessment panel members will assess submissions using the information provided by applicants, plus obtain additional information from specialist technical advisors within and outside their respective departments as required. Submissions will be rated against the selection criteria by the assessment panel.

Applicants may be requested toprovide a presentation in relation to their submission and/or provide additional information/clarifications in response to specific questions.

On completion of the initial evaluation of submissions, the assessmentpanel may undertake further investigations, which may include but is not limited to:

  • requests for further information from applicants
  • formal applicant interview or presentation
  • reference checks
  • detailed risk assessment.

Checks will be performed by the department to meet due diligence requirements.

Recommendations made by the assessment panel Chair will be submitted to the Director-General for approval.

The conduct of the submission process is not intended to give rise to any legal or inequitable relationship.

The department may cancel or vary the process at any time, whether before or after the closing date for submissions.

Other than the amount of the Capital Grant, there is no obligation to provide recurrent funding associated with this process.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check for any updated information relating to this funding round. If there is any updated information, it will be located on the smarty grants website. It is the responsibility of each applicant to regularly check this website for any changes prior to the closing date. The department accepts no responsibility for applicants not being aware of any changes to the funding round.

No applicant shall be entitled to claim compensation or loss from the departmentfor any matter arising out of the submission process.

8.Mandatory Criteria

All submissions will be screened for compliance with the following mandatory criteria (evidence is required for each) to determine whether the submission is conforming. Organisations which are corporations, including not-for-profit organisations and for-profit organisations are eligible to apply. Evidence of incorporation is mandatory, except for submissions from Local Government Authorities.

  • Financial and/or in-kind contributions are required from applicants. A description of how the in-kind contribution has been or will be secured is mandatory.
  • Projects funded under this initiative must not require additional funding from the Queensland Government department for service delivery or property maintenance.
  • The design of the buildings should provide evidence of AS1428 – Design for access and mobility compliant access to all service user accessible rooms or spaces. The design of the buildings must also comply with the National Construction Code of Australia Class 1B and referenced standards (which includes the Disability Standards), to provide access for people with physical disabilities.
  • Evidence of compliance with the NDIS Fully AccessibleSpecialist Disability Accommodation Design Category Minimum Requirements (
  • Applicants must hold appropriate insurance (or plans to obtain insurance).

Submissions which are identified as non-conforming will not be considered further.

9.Selection Criteria

Desirable requirements and weightings / Elements to be used for evaluating offers will include but are not limited to:
Knowledge of the high physical support needs cohort in terms of sustainable specialist disability accommodation designed to meet disability specific needs
WEIGHTING: 20 % /
  1. Experience and knowledge of the needs of the clients with high physical support needs and the impact of environmental conditions on behaviour.
  2. Experience in providing sustainable specialist disability accommodation designed to meet disability specific needs. The property will require large spaces for accommodation of multiple wheelchair users, relining of internal areas with robust material to prevent equipment damage to walls, ramps, and bathrooms suitable for use by people with a disability using wheelchairs for mobility, functional improvements to the kitchen and a covered outdoor living area for recreation and therapeutic activities.
  3. Knowledge of the NDIS requirements for the Specialist Disability Accommodation properties and the potential impact on the support provider for the clients in this property.

Value for money
WEIGHTING: 10 % /
  1. Amount of capital funding requested from the department represented as an amount and as a percentage of the total value of the project, including considerations for the level and type of fully accessible accommodation proposed.
  2. Evidence of a detailed, high level budget describing the major cost items, including the cost of a quantity survey, which demonstrates value for money.
  3. Existence of financial and/or in-kind contributions from sources other than government, for the project and for the support services that will be provided, as relevant. Evidence of these contributions.

Project Management
WEIGHTING: 20 % /
  1. Project proposal detailing the project design and delivery method to ensure delivery on time and on budget, in compliance with relevant building codes and standards identified in the Mandatory Criteria.
  2. Identification of resources available with the project, for example, Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Town Planner, Engineers, Architects, Consultants, Financial Controller.
  3. Details of inclusions and exclusions for the project; consideration to be given to the provision of fixed furniture as part of the project proposal.
  4. Tolerances and contingency strategies.

Readiness
WEIGHTING: 20 % /
  1. Ability to commence the project promptly (the project is to commence as soon as possible after the capital agreement is signed).
  2. Detailed timeline, including planning milestones, for the commencement and completion of the build, purchase or modification.

Property Maintenance
WEIGHTING: 20 % /
  1. Demonstrated knowledge of the NDIS requirements for the Specialist Disability Accommodation properties.
  2. Description of how the property will be managed and maintained after the building is complete.
  3. Strategy for the collaboration with the support provider inclusive of managing the tenancy.

Risk Management and communication
WEIGHTING: 10 % /
  1. A detailed risk management plan, including the extent of community support for the proposal including exploration of neighbourhood fatigue.
  2. A detailed communication strategy, inclusive of a complaints strategy for management of neighbourhood conflict.
  3. A detailed consultation strategy.
  4. Two referee reports

10.Timeframes

Open Date9 January 2017

Closing Date20 February 2017

Approval MonthMarch2017

11.Department’s Rights

The department reserves the right to:

  • accept the panel’s recommendation where, taking all factors into consideration, any one/multiple submission/s is/are considered to provide the best option/s; or
  • accept a portion of anysubmission/s. If the department funds the applicantfor only a portion of the requested funding, negotiations may be necessary to determine if the reduced allocation is viable for the service proposed and to determine the parameters of the funding offered; or
  • not accept any submission/s.

12.Non-Conforming Submissions

Failure to comply with mandatory requirements or the intent of the founding round will result in a submission being considered non-conforming.

The department may for any reason and at any stage during the funding round process decline to consider any non-conforming submission/s.

13.Previous Decisions / Undertakings

On the release of the Funding Round Information Paper, any previous undertakings, representations, promises or conditions in respect of the subject matter, process or assessment of Funding Round, will not be binding on the department.