Portarlington beach accessible amenities upgrade

Concept image of new public amenity building. Please note, final building may appear different.

We are preparing to upgrade the public amenity building at Henderson Reserve, Portarlington, to provide accessible amenities at the busiest beach on the northern Bellarine Peninsula.

Construction works are due to commence in mid-October 2024 and will include the demolition of the current building to replace it with a new public amenity building that will include a Changing Places facility, providing upgraded and equitable facilities for the community.

Changing Places facilities are larger than standard accessible amenities, and contain extra features under strict design specifications. They provide people with disabilities and high support needs access to safe, suitable, and private bathroom facilities. This facility in Portarlington will allow everyone to experience the beautiful and calm waters of the northern Bellarine Peninsula.

The new Changes Places facility will be complemented with a full upgrade to the existing amenity building, providing new accessible, ambulant, and standard cubicles, outdoor showers, and storage room with public access beach wheelchairs. Each of the cubicles has been designed to be a larger size to include changing areas for people accessing the beach. The new building has been designed with natural finishes to blend with the environment which will blend with the surrounding environment and sit in harmony with other recently updated structures along the coast.

To find out more about Changing Places facilities, go to the Changing Places website.

During construction, the facility will be out of use and the nearest public amenities can be found near the Portarlington Pier, next to Pier St Cafe.

This project is supported by the Victorian Government through its Changing Places Funding Grant, aimed at making it easier for all Victorians to take part in community and social activities.

In addition to the public amenity upgrade, we are pleased to have been successful in obtaining a Victorian Government Coastal Public Access and Risk (CPAR) Grant 2023–24 to safely link the new Changing Places to the Bellarine Coastal Trail and beach across the foreshore road. This initiative will include installation of accessible paths, a wombat crossing, disabled parking, all abilities beach matting and associated accessible furniture. Works will begin on these upgrades after the peak summer season in 2025.