What is the 2021 Changing Places funding round?
The 2021 Changing Places funding round is a program which aims to provide funding to build 18 additional Changing Places facilities across Victoria.
Background
Changing Places facilities are larger than standard accessible toilets, with 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, and space for two people either side of a peninsula toilet. To be called a Changing Places toilet, the facility must meet the design specifications as outlined in the Changing Places Design Specification 2020.
Originating in the United Kingdom in 2006, the Changing Places concept has now spread internationally, with Changing Places opening in a number of countries including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, USA and Germany.
The first Australian Changing Place opened at Ringwood Lake in Victoria in 2014, and by July 2021 there were 87 Changing Places in Victoria, with over 178 Changing Places across Australia.
Australia is the first country in the world to regulate for public toilets based on the Changing Places design. The National Construction Code 2019 released by the Australian Building Code Board requires a new class of toilet called Accessible Adult Change Facilities, based on the Changing Places design, to be included in certain classes of public buildings.
Objective
The 2021 Changing Places funding round will:
- Expand the network of Changing Places facilities across Victoria;
- Support Victorians with high support needs to participate in their local community and access recreational and tourist attractions, parks, community spaces, entertainment and sporting venues; and
- Support the implementation of Absolutely everyone: State Disability Plan 2017-2020 and the next State Disability Plan and their universal design approach, by making the built environment accessible for as many people as possible through the construction of Changing Places facilities.
Funding
The 2021 Changing Places funding round provides funding of up to $110,000 to construct a Changing Places facility in their local community.
Each organisation funded to build a Changing Places facility will sign a service agreement with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The service agreement specifies the funding amount, funding conditions and the agreed location and layout design of the Changing Places facility.
The Changing Places facility must be completed within 18 months of receiving formal funding approval.
Eligibility
Local Government Authorities (Victorian) and community not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for this funding round.
Applicants need to:
- Demonstrate an identified need from people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers for a Changing Places facility in their local community and provide evidence of the extent of local consultation and support for the proposed Changing Places facility.
- The submission can include consultation as part of other processes and/or standing consultative processes such as Disability Action Plans, Disability Advisory Committees, Public Toilet Strategies, as well as an indication of need such as correspondence from residents;
And/or
Demonstrate the need for a Changing Places facility in their community which would enhance accessible tourism, whole of journey outcomes, bushfire recovery or economic development and provide evidence of consultation and support for the proposed Changing Places facility.
- Locations can include Changing Places at popular tourist locations or visitor attractions, roadside rest areas and community buildings used in emergency management for example, bushfire recovery, community/evacuation hubs.
- The submission can include consultation as part of other processes and/or standing consultative processes such as Advisory Committees, Tourism Strategies, Emergency Management Recovery Strategies and Economic Development Strategies as well as an indication of need such as correspondence from residents;
- Demonstrate the social, economic and accessibility benefits that a Changing Places will bring for people with a disability.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Build according to the Changing Places Design Specifications 2020
- Ensure their Changing Places facility is accredited and listed on the Changing Places website and the National Public Toilet Map. The accreditation process is outlined in Appendix 1 of the guidelines.
Consideration will be given to applicants seeking funding to construct a mobile Changing Places facility such as a Marveloo, Placeable or other portable toilet designs.
Applications for mobile facilities must include:
- A rationale as to why a mobile facility is preferred over a permanent Changing Places facility;
- A schedule of anticipated events and festivals where the mobile facility will be in operation; and
- Details of where the mobile facility is to be stored when not in use and;
- With the exception of Marveloos and Placeable pods, which have approved designs, all applications seeking funding for portable toilets must include full construction drawings which have been reviewed by a Changing Places Assessor, with full costings for the works to be undertaken.
Timing
Applications close 5 November 2021.
