If you're lucky enough to visit the beautiful landscapes of the Dandenong Ranges, we recommend that you also stop at Kilsyth. With a population of around 12,000, Kilsyth isn't just home to the Cougars Football club. This suburb is also making strides towards inclusive disaster management.

At the heart of the community is the Kilsyth Sports Centre. This is a place where locals often come together. It serves the community in many different ways. The Centre is a gathering place for social sports and recreation. It also serves as the Kilsyth Bushfire Relief Centre. Kilysth falls within the Yarra Ranges shire. This is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world. The Kilsyth Sports Centre provides an extremely important service and it just got more inclusive.

Earlier this year, we attended the opening of the Changing Places facility. Senator Lisa Darmanin opened the facility, with a great turnout from the local community. We also had our very own, Gabriel Ward attend. He is our local Victorian Coordination and Planning Officer.

The facility offers shelter and support for those affected by disasters. It also provides amenities for people with a disability during evacuation.

The unit provides a safe and clean environment, featuring: 

• a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench 
• a ceiling hoist to help lift the person out of their wheelchair and onto change table or toilet 
• shower facility 
• a spacious area for carer and person with a disability 
• a shower 
• safety features. 

Focus on accessibility 

The Yarra Ranges Council recently hosted the ceremony as part of the Access and Inclusion Expo. The Expo showcased various services, resources, and programs to support individuals with a disability.  

During disasters, people with disability face a higher risk of death, injury and neglect. The Changing Places facility is a big step towards filling this gap in relief and recovery in the region.  

The Yarra Ranges Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) assisted the design. This offered invaluable first-hand perspectives.  

Supporting Australian communities 

The Preparing Australian Communities Local Program (PACPL) is a program providing support to communities. It aims to build their resilience against bushfires, flood and tropical cyclones.  

In 2022, the PACPL awarded $10 million to the Yarra Ranges Council to support the Resilient Yarra Ranges program.  

Between PACPL and the Council’s own contribution, they have invested $224,000 to build the Changing Places Facility.  

The facility fills a critical relief and recovery need for those impacted by fire, storms and other disaster events. It helps people with a disability stay near their family and friends during an emergency.  

It also provides an ongoing benefit to the community as it supports equitable access for sports and recreational activities at the Kilsyth Sports Centre.