NDIA’s Geelong headquarters open

THE latest addition to central Geelong’s skyline and economy is officially open, with the headquarters for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) now up and running.

The highly accessible building, which incorporates part of the façade of the Carlton Hotel in Malop Street, will hold about 600 staff.

The NDIA is the agency responsible for administering the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the headquarters leads by example when it comes to accessibility, including wider access to accommodate wheelchairs and
scooters, self-opening and closing doors to cater for staff with varying abilities, integrated braille signage, meeting rooms with hearing loops and kitchens with accessible sinks.

Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services Sarah Henderson officially opened the building on Friday.

One of the building’s features is the Changing Place facility on the ground floor – a specially designed toilet with an adjustable adult-sized changing table, a tracking hoist system to support lifting and a circulation space to move around the room easily.

“The Changing Place facility exemplifies one of the core values of the NDIS in creating an inclusive society,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Once it’s fully accredited, it will be accessible to people in the community who may need to use it, providing a safe and clean space.”

Ms Henderson said the establishment of the new building had created hundreds of jobs and more than $300 million of economic benefits over the two-year construction period.

“Beyond construction, the building will deliver continued economic benefits for the region.

“The annual ongoing economic impact for Greater Geelong will be about $334 million, including the value of jobs and flow-on benefits to the community.

“The NDIA has become an integral feature of the local community, reinforcing Geelong’s position as a centre of excellence for disability and personal injury insurance.”

NDIA chief executive officer Robert De Luca said almost 12 per cent of NDIA employees identified as having a disability.

“So the new office will ensure our entire workforce has the accessible facilities, technologies and work environment they need to continue the important work they’re doing in delivering the NDIS to Australians with disability.”