NSW Disability Services Minister John Ajaka helped launch the unique community, which could be replicated at sites across Australia.

Kemira at IRT William Beach Gardens features 12 villas, a community centre and a five-bed respite centre.

IRT Group chief executive officer Nieves Murray said the Pathways project had been designed to keep families together as they aged.

‘’This is a first for the Illawarra and probably a first for the country,’’ Ms Murray said. ‘’For years I’d been hearing parents of people with a disability telling me they were worried about the future of their children when they were gone.

‘’There’d been a gap in our sector to offer suitable accommodation options for these families.’’

Ms Nieves said the project had been made possible with an injection of $2.9 million from the Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund. IRT supplied $2 million in additional funding and in-kind support.

Mr Ajaka said the facility was proof that the decision to lease Port Kembla and fund Illawarra infrastructure projects had been correct.

‘’Here we see firsthand a wonderful development for the Illawarra that will provide accommodation for people with a disability who still wish to live with a family member,’’ he said.

IRT will enter a tenancy contract with the person with the intellectual disability, rather than their parent or carer, which ensures they can continue living there if that carer dies.

Kiama’s Louella Lyons hopes her intellectually disabled daughter Jaime, 38, will be one of the first successful applicants for a villa.

‘’This is an amazing opportunity that will allow Jaime and I to live together, and then if I pass away she will be settled and comfortable here,’’ Ms Lyons said.

The innovative model was developed by IRT, Greenacres, Interchange Illawarra and Community Gateway with support from the University of Wollongong.

Mr Ajaka also announced funding of $10,000 to build a training kitchen at Flagstaff’s Nowra premises during his visit to the region.

He and Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward also presented $10,000 to the Illawarra Riding Association to upgrade their facilities.

Mr Ward said he was delighted to help secure funding for the three projects, and praised IRT for its vision for Kemira.

‘’The IRT Group is an innovator in the age and disability sector,’’ he said. ‘’They are focused on their clients and meeting their needs and this facility is a great example of that.’’

Wollongong Lord Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the project would provide a blueprint for other service providers.

‘’This is the city of innovation,’’ he said. ‘’This is an extension of the ability of this region to innovate.

‘’It not only adds to the quality of facilities we have in our community to meet our needs, but will inspire others across the state, nationally and even internationally.’’

Jeanette Quilty, had hoped to be one of the first to move into the community with her daughter Josie who sadly passed away late last year. The facility’s community centre is being named ‘Josie’s Place’.

‘’I think it’s a lovely tribute,’’ Ms Quilty said. ‘’This is a marvellous facility which will ease the worry and anxiety many parents have about what will happen to their children when they depart this world.’’