Changing Places funding ensures accessibility to Victorian parks and tourist destinations

The Victorian Government’s 2022 Changing Places funding round aims to ensure popular tourist destinations, community facilities and public spaces are more accessible for people living with disability.

The funding will provide $5.4 million to build 30 new fully accessible Changing Places facilities across the state.

More than 325,000 Victorians rely on these facilities when accessing popular destinations, parks and events. There are now 96 Changing Places in Victoria out of 213 nationally. Each one has a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system and enough space for two people.

Funding of up to $180,000 is available to local governments and popular tourism destinations to build accessible restrooms with adult change tables and hoists.

The new grants round builds on $5 million already invested by the Government to build Changing Places facilities across Victoria.

Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks notes “Small renovations to community facilities can make a very real difference. The Universal design grants will help improve access so that more people can get the best out of their day-to-day lives, without worrying about accessibility.”

Those who are Victorian Companion Card holders are also now eligible for a free Master Locksmith Access Key – a universal access key used to open Changing Places facilities.

The Victorian Government is also investing $2.5 million in new Universal Design grants to improve the accessibility of community facilities and public spaces. Small grants up to $100,000 and large grants of up to $500,000 will go to building accessible infrastructure in existing facilities.

To find out more about the Universal design grants visit www.vic.gov.au/universal-design-funding-round

To find out more, or apply for a Changing Places grant visit www.vic.gov.au/changing-places-funding-round

To find maps of popular tourist spots with Changing Places toilets and your closest facility visit changingplaces.org.au

Image: Surf Coast Shire Council has two Changing Places facilities in Anglesea and Winchelsea.