Stage 2 of Nobbys improvements set to start

A spacious dual-purpose building with family change facilities and accessible toilets will be built at Nobbys Beach to complement the recently refurbished surf pavilion.

Newcastle City Council will soon invite tender proposals to build the 28sqm assisted-change room facility with accessible toilet, shower, basin and bench next to the lifeguard tower.

_{The stage 2 dual-purpose building and adjacent tower showers (third tower is in front of the new building).}

A new lift and change amenities will allow for the future installation of a hoist for heavily mobility-impaired beach goers, offering them help to transfer to a beach/water chair if required.

"This part of the project will provide a large changing space and dramatically improve access to Nobbys for people with mobility challenges as part of our efforts to create a more inclusive city," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"The design ensures the changing space provides excellent circulation for able-bodied people and also those who utilise mobility devices.

"Having an accessible toilet, including a baby change facility adjoining this adult lift and change facility, will be a great asset for people with disabilities and encourage them to visit Nobbys."

The new facility will be built in conjunction with public domain improvements including:

* Three new external shower towers with 12 showers on new draining platforms

* An access ramp from Bathers Way to the lower promenade

* Seats/benches for some showers to help people with mobility difficulties to shower

_{Plans for stage 2}

The Nobbys Beach Pavilion upgrade stage 1 has refreshed the iconic Depression-era building and overhauled the interior last updated 30 years ago.

Tied to a $500,000 State Government grant and a set delivery timeframe, the upgrade has maximised the functionality of limited space -- due to the heritage façade, the building's footprint couldn't be expanded -- to cater to demand created by Council's highly successful coastal revitalisation priority project.

The project has helped meet the growing needs of Nobbys Surf Live Saving Club.

^{Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club interior.}

The pavilion's previous public amenities included outdated open-plan change rooms accessible from the beach side only and public toilets on the road side.

The male and female change rooms provided a communal changing space, showers and a single toilet, with just two additional cubicles each for men and women at the rear.

"The new design has replaced the previous change rooms and remedied a shortfall of toilets as well as long-running hygiene problems," Councillor Nelmes added.

"The Bathers Way has doubled foot traffic in places it's been completed. The number of people walking to or past Nobbys will only grow as the project develops and the pavilion overhaul, together with this next stage, will help cater for that growth."

The new breeze-through facilities house seven female and five male cubicles, plus two urinals for men, and also include ambulant accessible stalls and external wash basins for passers-by.

The new toilet layout addresses several public safety concerns and hygiene issues through:

• Active viewing corridors in line with public safety guidelines including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, which all Australian police forces encourage in public buildings to address a broad range of criminal activity
• More cubicles and hooks to enable each cubicle to be used as a change room
• Breeze-through layout to increase ventilation and reduce moisture

The $1.7million improvement project has been funded by the NSW Government through the Newcastle Port Community Contribution fund, Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club, Newcastle City Council and NSWSLSA and Department of Family and Community Services through the SLSA NSW Community Inclusion Project.