CHANGING PLACES MARKS HALFWAY POINT

On the Western Highway, almost exactly halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, Horsham’s May Park is a popular stopping point, both for weary travellers and locals, due to the iconic takeaway outlets and beautiful natural public space.

The disability-friendly Changing Places restroom installed by Landmark Products is a smart addition to the park, delivered as part of a major upgrade completed by the local council in early 2017.

The Changing Places restroom has many “smart” features. Not only does the facility supply a high-tech 14-square metre cubicle, specifically designed for people with profound disability and their carers, but also makes efficient use of the space by including seven other toilet facilities.

In addition to the restroom, updated barbecue areas, landscaping, fencing, closed-circuit television camera and improved parking were also part of the upgrade, funded by the Victorian State Government.

“This project will add to Horsham’s existing visitor economy and cement the city as the perfect rest point between Melbourne and Adelaide,” said Jaala Pulford, Victoria’s Minister for Regional Development.

Landmark Products won the Horsham Rural City Council tender for the Changing Places restroom, designing, manufacturing and installing the facility to replace an aging brick restroom.

As with all Changing Places restrooms, the main cubicle includes all facilities that meet the needs of people with profound disabilities, including remote-controlled overhead hoist and change table, automatic doors, and a disability-compliant shower.

The curved roof for the facility was chosen by the Landmark design team to compliment the park, and a life-like render of the finished project was presented to the Council as part of the overall design proposal.

Apart from the Changing Places room, features of the facility include:

• Two male, female and unisex ambulant cubicles
• One unisex accessible facility for those using wheelchairs
• A service duct running the length of the facility, ensuring all cisterns and pipework are protected from vandalism and allowing easy maintenance
• Three external vandal-resistant hand basins, also allowing for water bottle refills for locals and travellers

As part of the service, Landmark Products is providing ongoing plumbing maintenance and support through a local sub-contractor.

Much positive feedback has been received from users, proving that the Changing Places restroom is a popular and highly appreciated feature of Horsham’s May Park.