Development reforms to benefit Queenslanders with disability

For Queenslanders with disability, it can be difficult to access appropriate toilet and change facilities in public spaces – but that is set to change, with the Palaszczuk Government today announcing building reforms to address the issue.

Speaking in Parliament, Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de BrenniMiniste said the government would develop a Queensland Development Code mandating accessible adult change facilities in some public buildings.

“Full participation in public life is a fundamental human right, but for adults with profound physical disability, it is a right too often denied,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Unfortunately, it is often our public buildings, the spaces themselves that are designed for people to meet in, that deny that right.

“One reform that I am determined to see through is the provision of accessible public toilets with a hoist or swing rails and continence bins.”

Mr de Brenni said he raised the issue at the National Building Ministers Forum in April last year, where Ministers agreed to accelerate work to amend the National Construction Code to mandate the inclusion of accessible adult change facilities in some public buildings through a Regulatory Impact Study.

“Without access to facilities like public toilets which with a hoist or swing rails, or larger change rooms for carers and people with a disability, too often people have to resort to changing on toilet floors,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The result is that often, these Queenslanders, and their families and carers, simply stay at home instead of participating in public life.

“It is completely unacceptable in 2018 that there are Queenslanders who are afraid to leave the house because they can’t find an accessible toilet or change facility.

“I think we would all agree that we can and we should do better.

“I am concerned through that changes to the National Construction Code may not go far enough.

“And I’m not prepared to wait on the results of a Regulatory Impact Study – Queenslanders with disability have waited long enough.

“That is why, today, I announced that my department will concurrently progress the development of a Queensland Development Code that fully meets the standards that Queenslanders with disabilities deserve – because you don’t conduct Regulatory Impact Studies around issues which are simply a matter of human decency.

“I know that these reforms will improve amenity and quality of life for people with profound disability.”

ENDS

Media contact: Cat Milton 0410 644 113