Specialist toilet and changing facilities were opened in Portarlington in time for the busy summer season.
Changing Places toilets are larger and equipped with a ceiling track hoist, an adult change table, and a toilet and shower that have enough room for two people to assist.
Changing Places are locked using the Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) key system which are available for purchase by people with disabilities and their carers or support workers.
Alongside the Changing Places, the public amenities have been upgraded to include new accessible, ambulant and standard cubicles. The cubicles have been designed to be deeper than standard cubicles and provide benches and hooks to allow for a quick change of clothes, complemented by new outdoor showers to rinse sand and salt off.
“I am so proud that Bellarine Bayside has been able to deliver the first ever Changing Places facility on the Bellarine Peninsula, providing users and their carers greater freedom to enjoy community life, including the simple joy of a day out at the beach,” Bellarine Bayside chief executive Scott Crabtree said.
“We want to make sure everyone can experience what our coast has to offer, and we are striving to make the beautiful Portarlington foreshore a destination known for its accessibility.”
The $650,000 upgrade was supported by the Victorian government with $180,000 through its Changing Places Funding Grant.
“The Changing Places facility in Portarlington is an important asset for the Bellarine Peninsula and will support the disability community to experience our coastal region,” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said.
Bellarine Bayside will also deliver a $157,000 project, partially funded through the Victorian Government Coastal Public Access and Risk (CPAR) Grant 2023–24, to undertake complementary works to safely link the new Changing Places to the beach across the foreshore road.
This initiative will include installation of accessible paths, a wombat crossing, disabled parking, all-abilities beach matting and associated accessible furniture. Works will commence on these upgrades in 2025.
