Fully Accessible - Port Macquarie

19 Sep 2019

A new all-access amenities block is a great step forward for people with disability in the region.  The Hastings Access Sub-Committee recognised the need for an adult change table facility in the community.

Now a reality, the Exeloo fully accessible toilet block in Port Macquarie's Plaza Car Park includes a height-adjustable adult change table as well as ultra-wheelchair-friendly toilet facilities.  Mr Ben Oultram from the Hastings Access Sub-Committee said the facilities would greatly benefit the community.

Two wheelchair accessible car parking spaces, a wide footpath and two outside bench seats with armrests were included as part of the project.

The accessible toilet block, which fronts Short Street opened to the public on Wednesday, September 1 and Mayor Peta Pinson said the facility has been a long time coming.  "The new amenities block is a first for our region and is life-changing for the members of our community and tourists who are living with disability," Cr Pinson said.

The state government under the Stronger Country Communities Fund provided $255,000 to the project, Hastings Access Sub-Committee contributed $108,000 and $25,000 came from the Town Centre Master Plan Sub-Committee.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said this was another partnership infrastructure project between the NSW Government and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.  "I think everyone out there knows how important this facility is and how it will make a difference to people living with disability and their carer’s," she said.

Hastings Access Sub-Committee chair Peter Alley thanked Mr Oultram for his advocacy and cited the benefits as a result of the project.  "In our community, we need to bring everybody along with us and that's what makes this type of facility so important," Cr Alley said.