Ocean Grove residents and visitors will soon have even more accessibility options when they visit the town’s main beach.
The Victorian government and Barwon Coast Committee of Management announced last week the tender for a new Changing Places facility at Ocean Grove Main Beach has been awarded to Three T Constructions.
The project, which is expected to be completed by the midpoint of the year, will provide larger than standard accessible toilets with features such as a tracking hoist and accessible bathroom with room for two or more carers.
The facility is being funded by a $220,000 contribution from Barwon Coast and a state government Changing Places funding grant of $180,000.
Barwon Coast general manager of operations Paul Gangell said the new facility was a “really important development providing accessible options for high needs individuals”.
“This will be the only facility along this section of the coastline that will meet the important needs of these community members,” Mr Gangell said.
“So it’s a really important project for us, and probably something we’d like to see happen again elsewhere.”
Barwon Coast has been the driver of the project since its inception, applying for and receiving the government grant in 2022.
Mr Gangell said projects like this took time, but the Changing Places facility had encountered “challenges” in the post-COVID environment.
“We’ve refined the project over that time… and we’re really comfortable now that we’ve got a great, affordable Changing Places facility,” he said.
“There has actually been some benefit to delaying the project over the last year to ensure we’ve got a really good design and the right budget to deliver it.”
He said the community was keen to see the project completed.
“Construction works kick off late February and we’d say the project will be operational by mid this year… we’re looking forward to the community getting access as soon as possible,” Mr Gangell said.
“Next month we have our annual Disabled Surfers event at Ocean Grove Main Beach, and they’re just one example of the community needing a facility like this they can access.
“It’s one of the few beaches around that has a sealed ramp and a number of options on how people can get down to the beach.
“We’re looking at providing wheelchair access, having a beach wheelchair station down there. So these are the things we’re looking at for the coming season.”
