Albany Creek is at the centre of a citywide accessibility plan recognised for improving daily life for residents with high support needs, after Moreton Bay’s Changing Places Network Plan received a state planning award for its practical approach to inclusive public spaces.
Accessibility Needs In Growing Communities
The plan was recognised at the Planning Institute of Australia Queensland Planning Excellence Awards, announced in 2025. The Changing Places Network Plan focuses on providing specialised public facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. These facilities include larger spaces designed for safe movement, use of hoists, and assisted care. Council planning documents show demand for these facilities is expected to grow as the local population ages and as more people live with complex disabilities.
Moreton Bay estimates tens of thousands of residents will require higher levels of physical support in coming decades. Community consultation played a central role in shaping the plan, with feedback from people with disability, carers, and service providers helping determine where facilities should be located.
Albany Creek’s Role In The Network
Albany Creek features prominently in the plan through the Changing Places facility at the Albany Creek Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The site is identified as a key location due to its regular community use, transport access, and proximity to surrounding suburbs.
Local families and carers benefit from having a facility that allows longer visits to public venues without needing to return home early. Community access advocates have stated in coverage from local media outlets that locations like Albany Creek help reduce isolation for people with high support needs.
Award Recognition And Planning Impact
The Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award recognises planning projects that show leadership, collaboration, and long-term value. Reporting across multiple outlets noted the plan is one of the first of its kind developed by a local council in Australia.
Planning professionals involved in the assessment described the network-based approach as effective because it treats accessibility as essential infrastructure rather than an add-on. The award has increased awareness of the plan beyond the region, with planners from other councils reviewing it as a reference point.
What Comes Next For Residents
Moreton Bay Council has confirmed additional Changing Places facilities are planned across the region, including coastal and high-traffic recreation areas. Future sites are expected to follow the same planning framework used for Albany Creek and other early locations.
Community groups have welcomed the staged rollout, saying consistent access across suburbs supports inclusion in everyday activities such as swimming, attending events, and visiting public spaces with family and friends.
Published 5-Jan-2026
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