The Albanese and South Australian Governments have opened a new accessible changing place, marking a key step towards ensuring every Australian can equally access their community.

The George Bolton Swimming Centre, located in the City of Burnside, is the first completed facility under the Government’s $32.2 million Changing Places Initiative.

The bathrooms go beyond conventional toilet accessibility and provide additional supports and space for people with complex needs and their caregivers.

South Australia already has 21 Changing Places located across the state and has partnered with the Commonwealth to add a further two facilities - the George Bolton Swimming Centre and Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills.

Building more of these facilities across the country will contribute to creating a more inclusive society for the one in six Australians with disability.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Changing Places Initiative aligns with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, where all levels of government are working together to ensure every person with disability can participate as equal members of society.

“The Changing Places Initiative underscores our goal to dismantle the barriers that too often stop people with disability from participating in community activities,” Minister Rishworth said.

“The Government recognises the importance of functional infrastructure for all, which helps to ensure every person can live their life with dignity and take part in sporting or social events”.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten said that fostering accessibility throughout all public spaces is a prerequisite to the full inclusion of people with disability.

“The Changing Places Initiative recognises that we must drive change both in and outside of the NDIS to ensure that people with complex needs are fully supported in every aspect of their lives,” Minister Shorten said.

“This was a promise we made at the last election, and we’re making good on that promise by opening these accessible change places”. 

The George Bolton Swimming Centre facility is one of five Changing Places projects set to be opened across the ACT, Victoria, and South Australia by the end of 2024.

South Australian Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook, said it was great to have a Changing Places facility at the George Bolton pool, a centre that is accessed by many people with disability in the community.

““We’re pleased to be able to open this Changing Place facility to the South Australian community, and we are working hard to continue to boost access across the state,” said Minister Cook.

“Our strong partnership with the Federal Government has brought the Changing Places Initiative to life, and this joint investment is just one of many ways that we’re building a more inclusive South Australia”.

All Changing Places facilities under the Initiative will include:

• a height-adjustable adult-sized change table
• a constant-charging ceiling track hoist system
• a centrally located peninsula toilet
• more circulation space than standard accessible toilets
• an automatic door with a clear opening of 950mm at minimum
• a privacy screen.

For more information about the Commonwealth’s Changing Places initiative, visit the Department of Social Services website.