Maroondah Council’s Changing Places toilet at Ringwood Lake named Australia’s best bathroom

IT’S enough to make Kenny swell with pride — a dunny in Melbourne’s outer east has taken the title of the best in Australia.

LIBRARY: Actor Shane Jacobson in the film Kenny.

WANT to take a seat on Australia’s top toilet?

You need not look far, with Maroondah laying claim to the title.

Ringwood’s Changing Places toilet caters for people with high needs and has been named the country’s Best Bathroom at this year’s Total Facilities conference.

The Maroondah Council facility opened at Ringwood Lake in September 2014 and was the first of its kind in Australia.

The award-winning toilet opened at Ringwood Lake in 2014. Picture: Steve Tanner

It features height adjustable change tables, tracking hoist systems, a centrally located toilet and circulation space to cater for people with severe and profound disabilities who cannot use regular bathrooms.

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Since opening in Ringwood, another 11 Changing Places toilets have been rolled out across the country, including at Eastland, Melbourne Zoo and the MCG.

Ringwood resident Barbara Rinderer said the toilet gave her wheelchair-bound son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, the freedom to do things other families took for granted.

“At more than 50 kilograms and without access to a hoist and adult changing table, spending time further away from home is difficult,” Ms Rinderer said.

“Going out means taking a risk that we may need to cut short any activity to go home if he needs changing. (But this gives us) some new freedom to enjoy our community.”

Mayor Natalie Thomas said the award was further recognition for the council, who continued to advocate for more accessible toilets across the country.

Changing Places started in the UK, where there are now more than 800 public facilities.