After more than a year of closure and months of determined community advocacy, Lilyponds Park in Mapleton will finally receive fully accessible toilet facilities as part of a significantly expanded upgrade project.
The victory represents a dramatic turnaround from Sunshine Coast Council’s position just two months ago, when it rejected calls for accessible facilities, citing fiscal responsibility. The transformation from a basic $230,000 sewerage repair to a comprehensive $350,000 accessibility upgrade demonstrates the power of persistent community pressure.
From Rejection to Acceptance
The toilet facilities at Lilyponds Park were closed in July 2024 following what Council described as a “catastrophic failure” of the waste storage system. What should have been a straightforward repair became a lightning rod for broader accessibility concerns when the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) highlighted that the township had no public accessible toilets.
In May 2025, Council’s Ethical Standards Branch delivered a crushing blow to accessibility advocates. Despite acknowledging that “Equitable Access” carried the highest weighting in their assessment criteria, the ESB report concluded that the upgrade would focus solely on replacing the sewerage system without modifications for accessibility.
The report dismissed human rights concerns, stating that “the limitation to the complainants’ Human Rights is justifiable due to the fiscal responsibility obligated on Council to ensure public funds are used efficiently and effectively.”
Just two months later, in a remarkable reversal, Division 10 Councillor David Law announced a completely different approach.
“We listened and collaborated with the Mapleton community for the best way forward,” Councillor Law said. “We are delivering a solution that respects the existing infrastructure while embracing the values of accessibility, inclusion and active recreation. This is a big win for everyone in our community.”
MADCA’s Determined Campaign
The transformation didn’t happen by accident. MADCA mounted a sustained advocacy campaign that targeted key decision-makers including Councillor Law, Chief Executive Officer John Baker, and Mayor Natoli.
MADCA consistently emphasised the need for “modern, accessible amenities with ramps, wheelchair access, and grab rails to ensure everyone can equally enjoy Lilyponds Park.” The organisation highlighted the fundamental inequity of a township completely lacking public accessible facilities.
The campaign brought into sharp focus what many consider a basic right in 2025 – accessible public facilities. Yet the journey from closure to compliance stretched across 18 months, raising questions about whether such extensive advocacy should be necessary for what disability advocates consider fundamental compliance.
The Long Road to Basic Rights
The extended timeline reveals the complexity of balancing multiple priorities in Council’s decision-making process. While assessment criteria prioritised “Equitable Access,” finding the right solution required additional community input and creative problem-solving.
The May ESB report acknowledged that of the region’s 25 highest-priority public amenities, 17 lack accessible facilities – suggesting Lilyponds represents just the tip of a much larger accessibility deficit across the Sunshine Coast.
The successful campaign demonstrates that community advocacy and responsive governance can work together to find solutions. However, it also raises questions about how to ensure accessibility considerations are integrated from the beginning of future projects.
What Victory Looks Like
The upgraded facility will include one fully compliant People with Disability unisex cubicle, one ambulant unisex cubicle, and one additional standard unisex cubicle. Council will also construct an accessible pathway linking the car park to the amenity building.
“This innovative reconfiguration not only addressed the community’s concerns about the lack of a Disability Discrimination Act compliant toilet in Mapleton, it also increases the overall capacity of the facility,” Councillor Law said.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with completion expected by December, weather permitting.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson explained that the additional funding came through “Council’s quarterly budget review process” which “provides an opportunity to update project funding to match agreed project requirements.” They went on to say that additionally, Councillor Law contributed $40,000 from his Minor Capital Works allocation towards the project, demonstrating his personal commitment to the outcome.
A Template for Change?
MADCA’s success may provide a template for other communities facing similar accessibility challenges. With Council admitting that 17 of its top-priority facilities lack accessible features, the Mapleton campaign could inspire advocacy efforts across the region.
The transformation from a basic repair to an inclusive upgrade at Lilyponds Park shows that determined community advocacy, combined with responsive local representation, can achieve meaningful change. While the process highlighted the ongoing challenge of ensuring accessibility is considered from project inception, it ultimately demonstrates what’s possible when communities and councils work collaboratively.
As construction begins in August, Lilyponds Park will finally offer what should have been available all along: facilities that welcome all members of the community. The victory belongs to MADCA and the Mapleton community, but the questions it raises about Council processes and priorities deserve answers that extend far beyond one successful campaign.
For more information about MADCA’s campaign, visit madca.com.au/news/
Community members wishing to raise accessibility concerns can contact the Queensland Ombudsman at ombudsman@ombudsman.qld.gov.au or (07) 3005 7000.
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