A REGIONAL disability transport hub could be established in the Tamworth CBD, if council accepts a recommendation to be put forward at Tuesday night’s meeting.
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A working group of disability advocates has put forward a proposal for a regional disability transport hub in the city’s business district. The space would provide people with high support needs access to shower and change facilities that are otherwise unavailable in the area.
There are two proposed sites for the project, with a car park adjacent to the Tamworth Town Hall earmarked as a possible location. But council has suggested the amenities could be factored into upgrades at the amenities block in Bicentennial Park.
It is estimated the total cost for the project near the Town Hall would be about $400,000. Council papers suggest Transport for NSW has granted funding of $210,000 towards the project.
The accessible toilet and shower facility alone has been estimated at $115,000. The committee hopes a further $150,000 could be raised through disability service providers and the community.
Working group member Michael Ticehurst will be one of three speakers at Tuesday night’s meeting and said the project would benefit not only Tamworth, but the region.
“It’s gone from a disability project to a community project,” he said.
“What’s primarily happening is people don't come into Tamworth when they have people under their care. If they get into town for a specialist appointment they can only stay and do what they need to do.
“We have carers moving people around the community who have to go back to base when somebody soils themselves.
“One of the issues we have is dignity and this area (the car park site) is quite discreet.
“It’s a regional facility and it will impact on smaller country towns, the visitors to Tamworth and it’s good for business.”
Mr Ticehurst described the project as “work, rest and play” and would allow people with high support needs and their carers to be able to partake in leisure activities including more time spent in the CBD and entertainment venues.
“The language we are using is imagine better,” he said.
“People with a disability have the belief and desire to imagine better and we need to provide the same belief as a community to imagine better for people with a disability.”
