Parkes CBD Changing Places Facility

  • Project typeGrant funded with co-contribution by Parkes Shire Council
  • Project value$245,879
  • Project scheduleStarted
  • Completion Date29 October 2027
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Project overview

Parkes Shire Council is delivering a new Changing Places facility in the Parkes CBD, providing the first fully compliant Changing Places toilet in the town centre.

The project will address a significant gap in accessible infrastructure, providing safe, dignified and appropriate amenities for people with high support needs, as well as their families and carers.

The nearest compliant Changing Places facilities are currently more than 100 kilometres away in Blayney and Dubbo, creating significant barriers for people who require these specialised facilities.

The new facility will help make the Parkes CBD more inclusive and accessible for residents and visitors, supporting greater independence, dignity and participation in community life.

Why is this project needed?

Parkes is a major regional centre and transport hub, attracting residents, visitors and travellers from across the region and beyond. Despite this, there is currently no Changing Places facility in Parkes.

The Parkes Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan identifies the delivery of an accessible adult change facility as a priority.

A Changing Places facility provides more space and specialised equipment than a standard accessible toilet, allowing people with complex disabilities or high support needs to use bathroom facilities safely and with dignity.

Without access to appropriate facilities, people may be unable to stay in or fully participate in everyday activities such as shopping, appointments, travel, community events and visits to the CBD.

The new facility will help remove these barriers and ensure the Parkes CBD is more welcoming and accessible for everyone.

What is being delivered?

The project will install a prefabricated modular Changing Places facility alongside the existing CBD public amenities in Church Street.

The project will also include:

  • upgrades to the existing public toilet facilities to improve accessibility, compliance and functionality
  • improvements to accessible parking spaces, including line marking, signage, gradients and pathways
  • improved pedestrian access between parking and the amenities
  • associated civil and accessibility works to integrate the new facility into the existing precinct.

Together, these improvements will create a more accessible and functional public amenity precinct in the Parkes CBD.

Project objectives

The project aims to:

  • provide a fully compliant Changing Places facility that meets national guidelines
  • improve access to appropriate amenities for people with high support needs
  • support greater independence, dignity and safety for users and their carers
  • improve the accessibility and functionality of the existing public amenities
  • improve accessible parking and pedestrian connections
  • support inclusive participation and visitation in the Parkes CBD.

Project benefits

The new Changing Places facility will provide an important service for residents, visitors and carers who currently face significant barriers when accessing the Parkes CBD.

It will support people with complex disabilities to participate more fully in community life and help make Parkes a more inclusive and accessible regional centre.

The project will also support visitors attending major events in Parkes, including the annual Parkes Elvis Festival, by providing appropriate accessible facilities within the CBD.

It will also be identified on to National Public Toilet Map that shows the location of more than 23,000 public and private public facilities across Australia. Information is provided about each toilet, such as location, accessibility details, opening hours and features. 

Community Involvement

Currajong Disability Services clients are playing a vital role in the project by creating artwork that will be featured on the exterior of the new amenity.

The artwork will help give the facility a strong local identity while ensuring the people who will benefit from the project have an opportunity to help shape it. This collaboration is an important part of making the project genuinely community-led and inclusive.

 

 

Location

14 Church Street, Parkes 2870  View Map

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Contact details

Annalise Teale
(02) 6861 2373
planning@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Project Partners

Parkes Shire Council has secured $122,939 through the Australian Government’s Accessible Australia Tranche 2 program.

Council is contributing $122,940 to bring the total value to $245,879.

 

 

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