Premier

Changing Places Will Make The Zoo Accessible To All

20 September 2015

A day out at the Melbourne Zoo is now more accessible and convenient for all Victorians and visitors to the State with the opening of a $110,000 Changing Places facility, funded by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing, Martin Foley today opened the newest Changing Places facility, completed in time for the third term school holidays.

Changing Places facilities are larger-than-standard accessible toilets and have extra features and more space to meet the needs of people with a disability and their carers.

Each facility has a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system, space for two people and a safer and cleaner environment.

This is the second Changing Places facility in Melbourne funded by the Labor Government. The first was opened at the MCG in time for this year’s footy season.

Three more Changing Places facilities will be built at Victoria Park in Ballarat, the central business district in Shepparton and the St Kilda Lifesaving Club for a total cost of $330,000.

In addition, $80,000 in funding has been made available to Maroondah City Council to build and manage a mobile Changing Places facility for hire at public events and festivals across Victoria.

A Changing Places facility will also be part of the Rod Laver Arena, as a part of the Government’s $338 million investment in Stage 2 of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing Martin Foley

“This new Changing Places facility at Melbourne Zoo is open in time for the school holidays, so children and families will have more accessible facilities to enjoy a day out.”

“Providing accessible public toilets with better facilities enables people with disabilities to participate more fully in social, recreational and community activities.”

“Since their introduction in England in 2006, there are now more than 700 Changing Places facilities across the United Kingdom, which shows you how invaluable people have found them.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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