A community driven effort to make the northern Central Coast more accessible for people with a disability is getting a boost this month with Roads and Maritime Services installing new accessible toilets at the Hawkesbury River rest area on the M1 Pacific Motorway.
Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein said the NSW Government provided $200,000 for the project to ensure people with a disability have better access to rest area toilets when travelling between Sydney and the Hunter and Central Coast. “Roads and Maritime Services has worked with the Disability Council of NSW and the local Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee to develop concept designs and progress planning for the upgrade,” Mr Holstein said.
“The Committee have been proactive in identifying this issue and a big help in developing the project, along with other disability and community groups.” Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee president Mr Gary Blaschke said the new toilets support the local community’s efforts to make the Central Coast the world’s most disability friendly holiday destination. “As part of this project, our group has audited local tourism organisations like cafes, pubs, clubs, hotels and public facilities to ensure disability access is available.
“Ensuring rest areas along the M1 have accessible toilet facilities is key to our success.” Mr Holstein said of the four new toilets being installed at the southbound Hawkesbury River rest area, the accessible toilet would be protected via the Master Locksmith Association Key system, supported by the Disability Council of NSW. “The system provides safer and more hygienic facilities for people with a disability by restricting use to people with a special key. Mr Holstein said the three additional toilets to be built would be available for use by the general public.
“This is a very busy rest area for truck drivers and motorists and the additional toilets will improve the site as a good quality rest stop for all road users,” Mr Holstein said. Work has started and is being carried out on weekdays between 7am to 5pm and is expected be completed by September, weather permitting. The existing two toilets will remain open during the work.
Media release, 27 Jun 2014
Chris Holstein,
Member for Gosford