A project that would give some dignity back to people with disability and their carers needs your vote.
Local community groups and advocates have been working towards a Changing Places facility in Tamworth since 2016. It would be a first for regional NSW.
The facility is proposed for Bicentennial park as part of the new Disability Transport Hub, which has already been funded using a Transport for NSW grant.
The new Changing Places facility would have all the bells and whistles, said Michael Ticehurst, a member of the Disability Transport Hub group, “including lift equipment to assist family and personal carers with children and adults with disability, the aged, or those suffering from permanent or temporary medical and health conditions”.
“This much-needed community asset will be infinitely accessible in the CBD alongside the Transport Hub parking area for all our loved ones including locals, people with ongoing medical appointments from regional towns and villages, and visitors to Tamworth from across Australia and overseas.
“For many families and carers the nationally accredited Changing Places facility will no longer mean having to change their loved ones on the public toilet floor.”
The Transport Hub team is looking for $200,000 through the state government’s “My Community” grant scheme but needs to secure more than 10,000 public votes to help get the final funding to finish the building.
Essential asset for district
“On behalf of Challenge Community Services, we would like to express our full support of the Changing Places facility proposed for Bicentennial Park.”
“We believe this facility is an essential community asset for Tamworth, providing accessibility for locals as well as domestic and international visitors.”
“We have been involved in this community project since its inception and intend to see it through to completion.”
Challenge Community Services executive Dean Bowman
Image: From left, Michael Ticehurst, Fiona Hemmings, Peter Baxter and Dean Bowman (Challenge Community Services) at Thursday’s community launch of Changing Places in Bicentennial Park, Tamworth.
Story by The Northern Daily Leader July 13, 2019
