Changing Places network to expand across WA

Wednesday, 27 July 2016 
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• Liberal National Government funding supports local governments to join network 

Travel across Western Australia is set to become easier for people with specialised bathroom needs, with 11 new Changing Places locations announced today by Disability Services Minister Donna Faragher.

The Liberal National Government has provided funding to support the development of Changing Places in the local government areas of Bunbury, Collie, Fremantle, Gingin, Joondalup, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Katanning, Melville, Port Hedland, Moora and Cunderdin.

Today's announcement by the Minister at the City of Melville completes the two-phase $2 million funding of a State-wide Changing Places network announced in May 2015.

Mrs Faragher said the development of the network was an exciting step forward for inclusion across Western Australian communities.

"WA's Changing Places network will mean people with disability will have the same freedom as others to travel around their communities and beyond," she said.

"The State Government has led the way by establishing the first Changing Places network in Australia.  It is also destined to become part of a national network - Changing Place locations are to be added to the national public toilet and Changing Places maps."

Changing Places are clean and private facilities that are different to standard accessible toilets. They have an adult-sized change table, hoist and enough space for two people to help.

In December 2015, locations were announced for the development of 14 Changing Places, including Cockburn, Albany, Broome, Geraldton, Mandurah, Narrogin and Toodyay.

Additional Changing Places initiatives are also being planned by other State Government agencies at Waterbank, Yagan Square, Scarborough foreshore redevelopment and the Perth Stadium. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority opened a Changing Place at Elizabeth Quay in January 2016.

Fact File

• The Disability Services Commission (DSC) is delivering the project in partnership with the WA Local Government Association and National Disability Services WA
• DSC's success in working with partners to develop the network was recognised by the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) WA's annual achievement awards, jointly winning the Best Practice in Collaboration Between Government and Non-Government Organisations Award
• For more information, visit http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/individuals-families-and-carers/for-individuals-families-and-carers/recreation-and-leisure-/changing-places
• For more about the IPAA Achievement Award, visit http://www.wa.ipaa.org.au