Adults and children with a disability will benefit from a full-sized change table and hoist, installed at Bayfit Leisure Centre in Altona North.
The Changing Places accessible change and toilet facility is a first for Hobsons Bay.
It complements other accessibility features at the centre, including aquatic wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps and hip floats.
Hobsons Bay council will also install a fully accessible toilet in time for summer at Weaver Reserve, opposite Altona beach.
Seven-year Altona North boy Brodie, who loves the water, will no longer have to be changed in dangerous or unhygienic conditions.
Brodie’s father Shaun Kelly said his 20-kilogram son, who has a neurological condition, would be in the water every day if he could.
Like many families, Shaun and his partner Deanne previously had to change their son in places such as the back of a vehicle or even the floor of a public toilet.
“Personally, I used the back of our van,” Mr Kelly said.
“That’s not too good as you’re going on in later years.”
The facilities are for the exclusive use of people with a disability and their carers.
Hobsons Bay is also the first Victorian council to introduce 24-hour accessible beaches at Altona and Williamstown, with beach matting and beach wheelchairs available for free hire.
Details: 99321000 or email socialplanning@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
