Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House seeks funding to replace inadequate cassette toilets, currently on loan from Rotary, who now require them back for bushfire recovery, with a fully plumbed, stainless-steel toilet and shower block. This addresses a critical gap, as our indoor facilities lack accessibility, and no other free shower/toilet options exist for the homeless and disadvantaged ...
Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House Inc
Outdoor showers and toilets replacement – Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House
GOAL
$15,000
Australia > VIC > Regional
Field of Interest
- Community and economic development
- Housing and homelessness
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- People experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House Inc
Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House is a not-for-profit, community-owned neighbourhood house established to strengthen resilience across East Gippsland's most vulnerable communities. Our vision is to be an inclusive, caring and connected community resource. Our mission is improving community resilience through connection and support.
We address entrenched disadvantage, disaster recovery impacts, social isolation and food insecurity across rural and remote communities where access to essential services, affordable food and mental health support is severely limited. Operating from our Bairnsdale base, we deliver high-volume emergency relief, food distribution through our Remote Rural Meals program reaching 8 Bush Nursing Centres and neighbourhood house venues, community lunches and dinners, op shop, toy library, community garden, and place-based mental health programs including Rural Minds workshops.
We are best-placed to deliver this work because we are community-led, locally embedded, and have proven capacity to respond rapidly during disasters and sustain recovery support long-term. In 2024-25, we transformed income of $404,889 into independently valued community benefit of $8.05 million—delivering 270,120 meals annually, significant emergency relief, and $653,151 in improved quality of life through social connection, supported by over 110 volunteers. This represents $27.99 of community value for every $1 of income.
Current priorities include: expanding our toilet and shower facilities to support volunteer operations and community programs; strengthening Remote Rural Meals and satellite food relief infrastructure; enhancing recovery and mental health programs; and sustaining our volunteer workforce capacity.
Project Summary
Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House seeks funding to replace inadequate cassette toilets, currently on loan from Rotary, who now require them back for bushfire recovery, with a fully plumbed, stainless-steel toilet and shower block. This addresses a critical gap, as our indoor facilities lack accessibility, and no other free shower/toilet options exist for the homeless and disadvantaged in Bairnsdale.
Currently, 15 homeless people use the facility daily, but cassette systems confuse users and demand constant cleaning. The new block will feature two plumbed toilets and one shower (one of each fully accessible), vandal-resistant fittings, stainless-steel construction for superior hygiene, plus plumbing and drainage—making it easy to maintain and available 24/7.
Beyond homelessness support, the facilities will serve weekend community garden users and provide essential overflow capacity for programs like community meals (hosting up to 70 people). This enables us to safely accommodate larger numbers of volunteers and community members during emergencies and extended-hour operations, strengthening our role as a regional resilience hub. The service is endorsed by police and community agencies, ensuring equitable support for those who need it most.
Budget contribution covers: Two stainless-steel toilets, one stainless-steel shower, plumbing, drainage, and vandal-resistant fittings.
We have the ability to access additional funds via Rotary and local donations, currently we have $10,000 and just started the campaign to raise enough for this project.
Project Outcomes
What we aim to achieve: Install a fully plumbed, stainless-steel toilet and shower block (two toilets, one shower; one accessible each) to replace inadequate cassette toilets, ensuring 24/7 dignified hygiene access for 15+ daily homeless users, community garden participants, and program attendees, where no free alternatives exist. This fills accessibility gaps, reduces maintenance burdens, and boosts capacity for volunteers/meals (up to 70 people), strengthening our regional resilience hub.
How we'll know we've succeeded (measured within 12 months post-completion):
Usage: consistency and increase in usage flows (records, observation/discretion))
Maintenance: Zero service interruptions; 50% cleaning time reduction (staff logs).
Accessibility/Impact: 90%+ satisfaction from user surveys (homeless, disabled, garden users); endorsements from police/agencies.
Program Reach: 10%+ rise in event attendance (e.g., community meals).
Overall, a sustainable, dignified resource for homeless people, who may be more inclined to attend appointments if their basic needs are met
Annual reporting via photos, metrics, and testimonials will demonstrate enduring value.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $46,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House | $10,000 |
| Funding gap | $15,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2 x stainless-steel toilets, one stainless-steel shower, accessible fixtures, valndal-resistant fitting | $22,000 |
| Plumbing and draining installation | $12,000 |
| Concrete slab and site preparation | $6,000 |
| Electrical installation | $4,000 |
| Security and access | $2,000 |
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