- Home
- Case Studies
- Portarlington Amenities Block
The Challenge
The Portarlington Public Amenities Block project, undertaken by GR Design & Construct, aimed to replace an outdated 1970s-era toilet block with a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing facility.
Located on the Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong, Victoria, the project was part of the local council’s capital works and replacement program. The new facility was designed to cater to a diverse community, including retirees, families, holidaymakers, and individuals with disabilities and in particular with high support needs.
The project needed to meet stringent accessibility requirements, including a specialised ‘Changing Places’ facility that could safely accommodate people with disability and their carers.
The high-visibility and high-traffic location meant that a visual upgrade was also equally important in creating a more sophisticated public amenity that went beyond pure functionality. The facility needed to withstand heavy public use while maintaining cleanliness and durability.
Bondor’s SolarSpan® all-in-one insulated roofing panel, consisting of the roof, insulation, and ceiling in a single panel, provided a cost-effective and energy efficient solution to a traditional corrugated tin roof, and transformed the block from a basic ‘shed’ to a more visually appealing structure.
The Solution
The completed Portarlington Amenities Block stands out as a more functional, accessible, and attractive public space that goes far beyond a ‘typical toilet block’.
The project took about 8 months from design to completion, featuring five toilets, a storeroom, external showers for beachgoers, and a specialised ‘Changing Places’ facility to enable people with disabilities to comfortably and safely use public spaces.
Darren McIntosh of GR Design & Construct said the company was one of the few specialist contractors in Australia who build these facilities.
“Changing Places is a specialist facility that allows people with disability and high support needs to use the beach or public toilets anywhere,” he said.
“We had to meet multiple regulatory requirements, including DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) standards, ensuring full accessibility including door widths, space allocation, and privacy considerations.”
Darren said the Bondor SolarSpan roof was chosen to provide cost and energy efficiencies as well as enhanced aesthetics compared to a traditional corrugated tin roof.
“SolarSpan® offered a cost-effective solution through a single-panel solution incorporating roof, insulation, and ceiling. It also contributed to enhanced thermal efficiency by reducing heat gain and improving energy conservation.”
“The panels provided a streamlined, clean design that elevates the perception of public restrooms and set a new benchmark for public facility projects, demonstrating that practical infrastructure can also be visually appealing and environmentally.”
The Portarlington Public Amenities Block stands as a model for future public amenities, proving that investment in well-designed, high-quality materials like Bondor’s SolarSpan® can result in long-term benefits for both the community and local governments.
SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency to satisfy Section J requirements in commercial and industrial applications. Codemark approved and Australian Standards tested, SolarSpan® features a COLORBOND® steel exterior roof layer, EPS-FR rigid insulation core with a pre-finished COLORBOND® ceiling underside in a variety of profiles and colours to maximise creative expression.
