Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Ministers statements: Changing Places

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:21): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting all Victorians to participate in activities across the state through our investment in Changing Places facilities. For those who may not know, Changing Places facilities are larger than standard accessible toilets and have extra features such as a tracking hoist and space for two or more carers, and we are delivering these facilities right across the state.

Just last week I was pleased to open two new Changing Places. On Wednesday I was in Eltham with the member for Eltham from the other place and members of Nillumbik Shire Council to celebrate the Alistair Knox Park redevelopment, including the opening of the Changing Places facility. It is one of the prettiest Changing Places I have visited, and I was very pleased to meet Kylie and other artists from Araluen who painted a beautiful mural on the facility. It was fantastic to see the many accessible features within the park that were also made possible by our government through the 2022 universal design grants round. We provided $233,431 for additional accessibility upgrades, including door widening, accessible pathways and outdoor areas.

On Thursday alongside the member for Bellarine from the other place, I opened the Changing Place at Ocean Grove main beach. It was wonderful to be down on the Bellarine and to hear from the members of the Barwon Coast Committee of Management and Jeremy from the Disabled Surfers Association about what this facility will mean for the community.

As these two examples show, these specially designed facilities allow individuals with high-support needs, their families and their carers to take part in all elements of community life. Here in Victoria we are leading the charge in making Australia a more accessible place for people with disability, with 170 of the 347 Changing Places nationally located in our state. I am proud of the fact that the Victorian government has provided $11.4 million towards Changing Places since 2015 to build these facilities. This includes $180,000 for the Alistair Knox facility and $315,000 for the Ocean Grove Changing Place. A key commitment in Inclusive Victoria is to create more inclusive outdoor spaces so all Victorians can take part in nature and community life. Facilities like the new Changing Places in Eltham and Ocean Grove will help us to reach this goal, and we are proud of our continued commitment to the Changing Places initiative alongside our work in Inclusive Victoria to make Victoria more inclusive.