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Whyalla’s commitment to helping those in the community living with a disability has been rewarded with news that a Changing Place toilet will be built here.
The disability toilet will be built in Whyalla as part of a $1.7 million State Government program aimed at increasing access for people living with disability.
Changing Places are best-practice toilets that include customised features that give people with disability a dignified and purpose-built facility to use when they are out.
“This is more great news for Whyalla and those in our community living with a disability,” Mayor Lyn Breuer said.
“As a city and a community we have been especially pro-active in providing these sort of facilities and creating an even better understanding in our community of the issues facing those with a disability.
“Our own Youth Advisory Committee organised a wonderful day at the foreshore recently to mark International Day of People with Disability where we rolled out beach access mats and wheelchairs able to go on the sand.
“We are fully committed to catering for those in our community living with a disability and those visiting our great city.
“We thank the State Government for this initiative that helps make Whyalla an even friendlier and more accessible city for everyone.”
The toilet is the same facility the State Government is building at locations like the Adelaide Oval, Rundle Mall, Glenelg, and the U-City development in Franklin Street.
The toilets have a range of features not available in standard accessible toilets, including a height-adjustable adult-sized change table, a tracking hoist system, non-slip flooring, and more space to accommodate a person using a wheelchair and up to two carers.
The State Government’s $1.7 million investment also includes funding to build two portable Changing Places toilets, called “Marveloos”, that can be used at major community events across the state such as festivals and concerts.
“The support from the City of Whyalla 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,” Minister for Disabilities Katrine Hildyard said.
“Currently in South Australia, there are no toilet facilities that meet the Changing Places specifications.
“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’s also critical that 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.”
Member for Giles Eddie Hughes said the new facility would be a welcome addition to Whyalla.
“This Changing Places facility will provide people with disability and their carers in Whyalla with the peace of mind to enjoy an outing without the worry of not having an appropriate restroom,” Mr Hughes said.
“All South Australians with disability deserve the opportunity to live full and active lives.”
Council has identified the foreshore as the most likely location for this facility. A full assessment will be conducted and will include a schedule of construction in line with the delivery of funding.
PICTURE: An example of a Changing Place-style toilet. This is not necessarily the actual design of the toilet that will be built in Whyalla.