.jpg)
THE SDA HOUSING PODCAST
The SDA Housing Podcast is a leading voice in the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) sector, delivering in-depth discussions, expert insights, and the latest updates related to housing solutions for people with disabilities. Through interviews with industry leaders, advocates, and lived-experience voices, we explore policy developments, innovative best practices, and real-world stories shaping the future of disability housing.
Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on emerging trends, sector challenges, and inspiring success stories, making this podcast an essential resource for investors, providers, advocates, and anyone passionate about inclusive housing.
Debbie Kindness – General Manager, NDIS Property Australia:
With over 20 years of expertise in tourism, finance, and property, Debbie has played a pivotal role in transforming NDIS Property Australia from a two-person team to a 22-member powerhouse. Her leadership drives the successful marketing, sales, and development of SDA properties nationwide, working closely with builders, designers, lenders, and support providers to ensure high-quality, compliant housing solutions.
Minh Le – Founder & Director, NDIS Property Australia:
A visionary in the SDA space, Minh is dedicated to accelerating the delivery of purpose-built disability housing across Australia. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, investors, and NDIS participants, he champions choice, control, and dignity for people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to homes that truly meet their needs.
Together, Debbie and Minh are committed to ethical, sustainable, and impactful solutions in the SDA sector, bridging gaps and driving meaningful change.
Engaging with the SDA Community:
Each week, we feature guest speakers from across the sector—sharing their expertise, experiences, and contributions to social impact in SDA. From innovative housing designs to policy advocacy, our conversations highlight how we can collectively improve living options for NDIS participants.
As the SDA landscape evolves, we invite you—our listeners—to join the journey. Whether you're an investor, provider, advocate, builder, developer, parents of participants, or simply passionate about inclusive housing, this podcast equips you with the knowledge to make a difference in the lives of People with Disabilities (PWDs).
Share Your Story:
Have an SDA journey you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!
📞 Call us: 1300 254 397
📧 Email us: podcast@ndis.property
🌐 Visit us: www.ndis.property
Join the conversation and help shape a more inclusive future in disability housing.
THE SDA HOUSING PODCAST
EPISODE 120 - Fire Sprinklers & Class 3 Builds
EPISODE:
Minh and Angad (SADHANA CONSTRUCTIONS - WA) sit down once again to discuss Class 3 builds and Fire Sprinklers within the SDA space. This topic is becoming increasingly important so we decided it was time to sit down and discuss this in detail in a solo episode.
The current SDA Design Standards do not mandate the inclusion of sprinkler systems in new SDA dwellings. However, they do state that “it is desirable for fire sprinklers to be provided”. There is also some disagreement between stakeholders as to whether the National Construction Code does not, in effect, require all SDA dwellings to be classified as Class 3 buildings, in which case (because they are for residential care buildings) sprinklers would be mandatory. It is not appropriate for the SDA Pricing Review to determine these issues. However, it is recommended that the NDIA should work with SDA developers and with the Australian Building Codes Board, which is responsible for the National Construction Code, to provide greater clarity to SDA developers and building certifiers as to the appropriate classification of SDA dwellings.
We strongly recommend our investors listen to this episode as it is likely to impact many SDA properties past, present, and future.
ARTICLE RELEASED - 23/06/23
Fire safety is a critical aspect of health, safety, and amenity in buildings. The NCC mandates fire sprinklers in Class 2 and 3 buildings but does not require them in Class 1a buildings. This may not adequately suit the needs of individuals with disabilities. To address this, the SDA Design Standard specifies additional building features to cater to the diverse needs of people with disabilities, including building access and utilisation.
While the SDA Design Standard notes that the inclusion of sprinklers is desirable, it does not mandate them in Class 1b buildings. However, considering the high-risk individuals with disabilities may face in emergencies, there is a strong argument for making fire sprinklers mandatory in all SDA. The NCC aims to achieve nationally consistent safety standards, and enforcing sprinkler requirements would align with this goal.
If the NCC does not enforce mandatory sprinklers in all SDA, it should be addressed in the upcoming update of the SDA Design Standard in 2023. Relying on voluntary implementation by developers is naive, as not all developers fully understand the needs of SDA participants and may prioritise cost over safety. The final choice of participants in selecting their SDA is influenced by effective fire safety measures,
NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA:
Our team conducts thorough research on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and provides appropriate technical advice through premium and strategy-based solutions. We also use complex feasibility calculation spreadsheets to help investors understand the expected annual income of an SDA dwelling, the timeline stages of construction of their property, as well as revealing the hidden costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDA data and pricing payments information, we help clients make better-informed decisions and achieve their investment goals.
FOLLOW US:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise, just pop on over to our website to find out more.
For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via podcast@ndis.property