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Visitors to Redcliffe can now enjoy public spaces with greater confidence thanks to a council strategy that prioritizes specialized sanitary facilities for people with high support needs.
For many Australians, a standard accessible toilet does not provide the necessary space or equipment to use the bathroom safely. This lack of infrastructure often forces people with severe disabilities to stay home, limiting their ability to socialize or run errands.
The Changing Places facilities solve this by providing height-adjustable adult change tables, ceiling hoists, peninsular toilets, and privacy screens, with some locations even offering showers. This equipment removes the barriers that prevent residents from fully participating in community life.
A State-Recognized Strategy
The City of Moreton Bay was recently honored for its efforts to fix this gap in public infrastructure. The Planning Institute of Australia presented the council with the Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award at the Queensland Planning Excellence Awards. This accolade recognizes the council’s Changing Places Network Plan, which stands as the first time a local government in Australia has developed such a comprehensive strategy.
Mayor Peter Flannery stated that the award highlights the innovative planning behind the network. He emphasized that these facilities are vital for ensuring that public spaces remain inclusive for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities.
Preparing for a Growing Need
The push for better facilities is driven by data that suggests a significant increase in demand over the coming decades. Planners predict that by 2041, the region will be home to 52,000 people living with profound or severe core activity limitations. To prepare for this, the council is expanding beyond the current sites in Redcliffe, Albany Creek, and the South Pine Sports Centre.
A fourth facility is expected to be finished at Woorim Beach in late 2025, allowing specialized access to the foreshore. Further plans include a site at the Burpengary Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre in 2026, alongside future locations identified for Suttons Beach, Centenary Lakes, and Pine Rivers Park.
Published Date 11-December-2025
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