Bass Coast Shire Council, Victoria, has recently replaced the toilet facility at Guide Park in Wonthaggi, which has been made even more exciting, with the inclusion of a Changing Places toilet.
This is the first Changing Places toilet to be located on mainland Bass Coast and Council’s second facility, in addition to the one located at the Cowes Transit Centre on Phillip Island. There is also a Changing Places toilet located at the Phillip Island Health Hub and Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Penguin Parade.
Changing Places are fully accessible public toilets with additional features and equipment, such as a height-adjustable adult-sized changing table, ceiling hoist and enough space to provide a safe, clean toilet and changing environment for people with additional support needs. The new facility in Wonthaggi also has a shower.
Like many other Changing Places, the facility requires a Master Locksmiths Access Key, giving people with disability and their carers access to a network of these facilities at any time.
All Changing Places facilities must be approved by a Changing Places Assessor to ensure they are built to standard, so that users can be confident that the design is fit for purpose and are compliant with the National Construction Code requirements for Accessible Adult Change Facilities.
The new toilet facility at Wonthaggi provides universal access, while considering public safety and meeting current Australia Standards. As well as the Changing Places toilet, it also features two standard unisex cubicles, one ambulant unisex cubicle and two accessible unisex cubicles.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Brett Tessari, said the inclusion of the Changing Places toilet in Wonthaggi would provide a meaningful benefit for locals and visitors with additional support needs.
“Having this accessible toilet option will attract people who otherwise may not have visited the area, due to a lack of suitable facilities.
“The upgrade of these toilet facilities is part of Council’s objective to positively contribute to the social health and well-being of our communities.”
