Winchelsea Hall

CONSTRUCTION of a Changing Places toilet and change room will begin this month at the former Winchelsea Shire hall.

Changing Places aim to provide facilities for people with high physical support needs. They include an adult-size change table, ceiling hoist and enough space to meet the needs of people with high physical support need.

Winchelsea Ward councillor James McIntyre said the facilities would be a significant improvement in the community.

“Ultimately these Changing Places are helping us fulfill our goal of creating an inclusive community where everyone can participate, by supporting people with high physical care needs.”

The use of the former Winchelsea Shire Hall has been a contentious matter in recent years.

After the council reached an impasse with the hall’s tenant over rent, the building, which had previously been a community hub, became unused.

The council subsequently endorsed the community’s aspiration for the former Shire Hall to become the Winchelsea Cultural Centre at its July 23 meeting this year.

Surf Coast mayor Rose Hodge said she was pleased to see the Changing Places being built in Winchelsea.

“It’s heartening to know that both locals and visitors to Winchelsea will have access to a facility that can be used by people of all abilities.”

There is another Changing Places under construction in Anglesea at the Four Kings car
park.

Council is contributing $177,000 for the two facilities and the state government is contributing $200,000 via the Department of Health and Human Services. The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is contributing $30,000 for the Anglesea project.