Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing Martin Foley was in Ballarat today to announce the location of three new Changing Places facilities.
Changing Places facilities are larger-than-standard accessible toilets and have extra features and more space to meet the needs of people with a disability and their carers.
Each facility has a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system, and space for two people in a safe and clean environment.
The three new facilities, involving a total cost of $330,000, will be built at Victoria Park in Ballarat, the central business district in Shepparton and at the St Kilda Lifesaving Club.
The locations were chosen after a web poll of people with a disability, organised through the Association for Children with a Disability.
The three new locations follow previous announcements of two Changing Places toilets at the MCG and Melbourne Zoo, as well as a facility that will be incorporated into the Rod Laver Arena, as a part of the Victorian Government’s $338 million investment in Stage Two of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment.
Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Neighbourhoods, Amanda Tingay, said the announcement was welcome news after a successful campaign to gain votes for a Shepparton location in an online poll. “There was a concerted effort from the whole community who advocated strongly for a Changing Places facility in our Shepparton CBD,” said Ms Tingay. “There is a need for a facility such as this and we are very pleased with the result.”
Greater Shepparton City Council expects the facility will be built once the most suitable location is determined.
