Council adds two more adult laydown change facilities in Wagga Wagga’s CBD

Community members living with a disability now have access to more adult laydown change facilities in the city.

Wagga Wagga City Council has completed the refurbishment of two public facility spaces in the city’s CBD to make them more accessible sites.

The finishing touches were recently added to The Rest Centre in Morrow Street, near the Victory Memorial Gardens, which followed works at the public toilets in Bangayarra Walkway in Baylis Street earlier this year.

Community consultation identified an issue for some people with a disability not being able to use existing accessible amenities for themselves or family members.

The project was identified in Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (2017-2021), which is a guide to increasing access and improving the city’s liveability for people with disabilities.

The project involved the conversion of The Rest Centre and Bangayarra Walkway amenities into adult laydown accessible change facilities, which are available 24/7 for community members and visitors who need them by using the Master Locksmith Access Key system.

Council’s Social Planning Co-ordinator Lisa Saffery said the project was another positive step towards providing the city’s residents and visitors with better access to purpose-designed public facilities, which enable them to enjoy our parks, festivals and retail outlets with peace of mind.

“Council continues to work hard to identify and meet the needs of the entire community,” Ms Saffery said.

“The city now has two refurbished public facilities which are safe, clean and comfortable, and most importantly, they are more accessible at any time of the day or night.

“People requiring a higher level of access, and their carers, will benefit greatly from this project.”

Some of the inclusions in The Rest Centre refurbishment include: Toilet, shower and hand basin; kitchenette; hoist; electronically adjustable height bed; installation of an automatic door; compliant ramp connecting the building to the carpark; compliant carpark space; and lounge area screened from wet areas.

Council received $250,000 funding under the Stronger Country Communities Funding initiative towards the project.

Council also installed The Marveloo, a purpose-built adult lay down facility, in the Bolton Park precinct near Livvi’s Place last year.