Healthy Loddon Campaspe is launching two new activations in Heathcote to encourage physical activity.

The Heathcote WonderWalk and Active Heathcote booklet launched at Heathcote Community House at in recent days.  

The Heathcote WonderWalk project was developed in conjunction with Heathcote Community House, and involved consultation with locals about free, accessible ways to help them be more active in the community.

WonderWalk is a more ‘mature’ version of the successful StoryWalks that have been implemented by Healthy Loddon Campaspe across the region. 

Instead of a story book, the WonderWalk will feature local photos, poetry and stories for residents to stop and enjoy along a walking trail.

Colourful footpath stickers will lead the way to each WonderWalk board with content to be changed regularly to encourage locals to continue to participate in the walk.

An Active Heathcote booklet has also been created to provide an overview of the variety of locations and ways to move and explore in the town.  

The booklet includes a Heathcote town map as well as a page for each location highlighting the activities that you can be done there, with a focus on low-cost and free activities.

City of Greater Bendigo Active and Healthy Communities Manager Amy Johnston said the city is pleased to work with Healthy Loddon Campaspe to deliver another round of physical activity projects in Heathcote.

“By working with local partners like Heathcote Community House and consulting with community groups, we’re excited to launch the Heathcote WonderWalk and Active Heathcote booklet,” Ms Johnston said.

“We hope that these new activities, most of which are free and accessible for all ages and fitness levels, will encourage Heathcote residents to be more active, more often.”

The City of Greater Bendigo has started construction of new $520,000 accessible public toilet facilities and a changing place in Elmore and a new $210,000 changing place in Heathcote.

City of Greater Bendigo Property Manager Daniella McClure said the City is committed to providing accessible public toilet facilities in line with its Public Toilet Strategy and to improving disability access across the Greater Bendigo community.

“The new Elmore public toilet facility will feature five unisex cubicles, two DDA compliant unisex cubicles and a Changing Place to provide suitable facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets,” Ms McClure said.

“During construction portable toilets for use by the community and visitors to the township are available a short distance away in the Elmore Miniature Railway carpark located at the Southern (Bendigo) end of Elmore.

“A new Changing Place facility to serve the Heathcote and wider community is currently being constructed adjacent to the existing Barrack Reserve public toilets which were opened in 2019.

“There will be no closure of the existing public toilet facilities while the new changing place is being constructed.

“Both projects have been funded by the City of Greater Bendigo with grants of $110,000 for Elmore, and $180,000 for Heathcote, from the Victorian Government.

“The Heathcote Changing Place is expected to be complete by July 2024 and Elmore is expected to be completed before the end of 2024.”

Changing Place facilities provide a secure public toilet featuring a fully accessible toilet with space on either side for carers, moveable ceiling hoist, height adjustable adult size change table, privacy curtain, additional seating and a safe and clean environment for people with severe and profound disabilities.

Changing Places allow people with disabilities to participate more fully in activities and events, access shops, services and education facilities without having to worry if there are suitable toilet facilities available.

Access to Changing Places is available 24 hours, seven days a week to holders of a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK).  

The MLAK system is fitted to elevators at railway stations, Changing Place amenities in council areas and national parks across Australia and on items of play equipment.

People with disability can purchase a MLAK master key which will open all public facilities fitted with this specially designed lock.