A CHANGING Places disability toilet will be built in Mount Gambier as part of a $1.7m State Government program aimed at increasing access for people living with disabilities.
Changing Places are best-practice toilets that include customised features to give people with disabilities a dignified and purpose-built facility to use when they are out.
Mount Gambier City Council has backed the plan that will deliver significant benefits for people living with disability in the region.
“Council welcomes the funding for Changing Places disability toilets and is pleased to support the program,” Mayor Andrew Lee said.
“We want to ensure our community members with a disability have access to facilities to ensure greater independence.
“Council will now determine the most appropriate location for the facility in consultation with council’s community engagement and social inclusion sub-committee and key stakeholders.”
Disabilities Minister Katrine Hildyard said currently in South Australia there were no toilet facilities that met the Changing Places specifications.
“The support from Mount Gambier City Council means more South Australians with disability and visitors to the region will have important facilities that give them greater independence, as well as delivering greater peace of mind for families and carers,” Ms Hildyard said.
“The State Government is committed to ensuring all South Australians with disability have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives as active members of their communities and more Changing Places toilets will help to achieve that goal.
“It is also critical regional communities have access to improved facilities which not only boost independence for people with disability in those communities, but also help to attract more tourists and encourage more locals to travel throughout SA’s regions.”
