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OVERVIEW
- Business Overview
- Bookings
- Emergency Management
- Communications
- Other Information
- Guide Dog and Service Animals
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GENERAL
- Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
- Cognitive Impairment Support
- Car Park and Access amenities
- Internal Spaces
- External Paths
- Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
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ACCOMMODATION
- Bedrooms
- Room Amenities
- Bathrooms
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COMMON AREAS
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FOOD AND DRINK
- Dining Spaces
to view the full report.
Overview
General
Accommodation
Common Areas
Food & Drink
Business Overview
The business has the following products/services available
Accommodation
Food and Drink
Our business caters for the following disability types:
Blind or low vision
Deaf or low hearing
Limited mobility
Wheelchairs or mobility scooters
Food allergies or intolerances
Bookings
The business offers the following methods for bookings and enquiries:
Phone
Webportal
Our website supports Screen Readers
Emergency Management
The business has an emergency management and evacuation plan for guests with a disability
Emergency and evacuation procedures are explained on arrival
Guests with disabilities are noted in the guest log book for emergency and evacuation purposes
Communications
An accessibility guide is available on the website
https://hotelbendigo.com.au/accessibility
Our website meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
Our business offers the following alternative communication methods
Plain English
Magnifiers
Nothing to add
There is easy to read signage and information (e.g. menus and emergency information)
Other Information
For bookings made onsite, the ticket booth/counter/box office is accessible for people using a wheelchair
Guide Dog and Service Animals
The business provides a secure area with shade and water for service animals
The business provides a toilet area for service animals
Bowls, bedding, etc. are provided for service animals
The business provides the following services for services animals:
Service Animal Accommodations at Hotel Ernest: At Hotel Ernest we warmly welcome guests accompanied by service animals and are committed to providing a comfortable and accessible environment for both you and your animal companion. Our services and accommodations for guests with service animals include: No Additional Fees: Service animals are welcome at no extra charge. Accessible Rooms: We offer accessible guest rooms designed to provide ample space and comfort for guests and their service animals. Water Bowls and Mats: Complimentary water bowls and mats are available upon request to ensure your service animal’s comfort during your stay. Relief Areas: Designated outdoor areas are available for service animal relief, and our staff can provide directions or escort you to these locations. Welcome Amenities: Upon arrival, service animals receive a welcome treat and information about nearby pet supply stores and veterinary services. Housekeeping Coordination: Our housekeeping team will coordinate with you to arrange cleaning times that are convenient and comfortable for your service animal. Emergency Support: Information about local veterinarians and 24-hour animal emergency services is available at the front desk. Staff Training: Our staff are trained to interact appropriately with service animals and to respect their role in assisting our guests. If you have any specific needs or requests for your service animal, please let us know before or during your stay. We are dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and supportive experience for all our guests.
Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception
Booking information and websites are compatible with screen readers
There is a reception/public entryway.
Seating available at reception
A clipboard to allow check-in/ticket purchase whilst seated
A tablet with text to voice or pen and paper at reception to aid in communication
Lighting in the reception area is even and glare free
Information and maps are available in written form
A step free map/guide
A familiarisation tour
Keys are available for each guest
Luggage assistance
Additional Information from the business
The following steps are in place to ensure that people with fatigue related to their disability are not disadvantaged by long wait times:
As a boutique property of only 10 suites it is highly likely that all guests will be arriving at the same time. People with a disability are prioritised and other guests understand this. We sent a pre-arrival text message to all guests the day before asking for arrival time. This ensures that the guest experience manager has a detailed run sheet and is able to anticipate and plan for any potential guest overlaps.
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
We have a "quiet" room as part of the hotel reception which is separate from lounge bar, if a person needs solitude and peace. The bar area is not in operation until after 5.30pm and by this time a majority of guests have checked in.
Cognitive Impairment Support
Documents are available in plain English for people with cognitive impairment (This may include instructions, guides, menus and general information)
Quiet periods or early opening times for people on the Autism Spectrum
Car Park and Access amenities
The business has the following Car Park and Access amenities
A drop off zone
Level or ramped access from the car park to the entrance
The public transport services available are:
This information is provided at reception upon request at arrival
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Bendigo Ernest Hotel, built c. 1864 during the gold rush period. Designed by architect Alfred Smith from Melbourne, it was first owned by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, and is the oldest surviving bank building in Bendigo. It sits adjacent to Rosalind Park, a late 19th century recreation reserve with heritage trees, a fernery, conservatory building, rose gardens, and heritage sculptures. The building’s decorated facade with pedimented windows faces Pall Mall, Alexandra Fountain and View Street - built in a prominent position to oversee the town. There are three entry points - two of these are accessible.
Internal Spaces
Tableware/glassware contrast with the table surface or table cloth
External Paths
External paths of travel
Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
Paths or slopes longer than 15 metres have resting places or seats
Pathways are wider than 900mm
There 3 successive steps or less on any path or at any doorway
Any paths having steps are clearly identified as non-wheelchair accessible
Step free routes clearly signed
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities have the following amenities are in place
There is an accessible toilet for public use
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is a minimum of 850mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
The toilet seat of a contrasting colour to the floor
The toilet seat is460mm above the floor
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Guests can call us on 0447 242 987 on arrival and we will be able to greet them in the car park. Our guest experience manager can also help with luggage and direct guests for personalised tour of the suite, detailing amenities and important information.
Bedrooms
The bedrooms have the following facilities/amenities in place
There are 1 rooms available to guests who use a wheelchair
Bedroom furniture can be re-arranged on request
Accessible bedroom 1
Accessible bedroom 2
Accessible bedroom 3
Room Amenities
We have a set of drawers they can access
Additional Information from the business
For guests with a hearing impairment, the following emergency evacuation procedures apply to ensure safe evacuation:
The accessible suite is separate from the main hotel building. It has direct access to the courtyard which is the rear evacuation point.
Televisions are equipped with closed captioning capability
There is contrast between the walls, skirtings, floor and furniture
There is a clear path through the room
The edges of all furniture and fixtures are rounded
Housekeeping procedures instruct staff not to reposition furniture that has been moved
Doors open fully against the adjoining wall
There is a clear opening at least 850mm wide
There luggage racks for at least two suitcases
There at least one chair with rigid arms
Wardrobe and drawer handles are easy to grip
The bedside lamp switch is easy to reach from the bed
There is at least 850mm clear space beside the bed
The bed height is no higher than 680mm from the floor
There is at least 130mm clearance under the bed
The business offers a range of non-allergenic bedding
Non-allergenic cleaning products are used
Bathrooms
The bathrooms have the following facilities/amenities in place
All heating appliances and hot water pipes are protected or insulated
All shower, bath and basin taps are clearly differentiated between hot and cold
Fixtures and fittings have rounded edges
The hot water is thermostatically controlled to 41 degrees
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is a minimum of 850mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
There is a minimum of 1400mm of clear space in front of the toilet
The toilet seat is a contrasting colour to the floor
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
A range of non-allergenic toiletries are available
There is a roll-in shower with fold down fixed seat or a shower chair
There is a portable shower head on flexible hose
Accessible bathroom 2
Accessible bathroom 1
Dining Spaces
The dining spaces have the following facilities/amenities in place
The entrance has level access
The doorway is at least 850mm wide
There is level access through the dining area
Chairs are moveable to allow for wheelchairs to be seated at the tables
All glass doors and full height windows have contrast markings
There are areas of full lighting
There are Plain English menus
There is an accessible toilet
Our business caters for the following dietary requirements
Sugar free (diabetic)
Gluten free (celiac)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Low fat and fibre with no gastric content
Low potassium
Low sodium
Additive free
Organic
Vegetarian
Kosher
Halal
There are procedures in place to avoid cross-contamination of food products
Procedures to Avoid Cross-Contamination of Food Products Separation of Raw & Ready-to-Eat Foods Raw meats, poultry, and seafood are stored on the lowest shelves in dedicated containers, always below ready-to-eat itemsSeparate refrigeration units (or clearly designated zones) are used for raw proteins and cooked/ready-to-eat productsRaw and cooked foods are never transported on the same tray or trolley without thorough sanitisation between usesColour-Coded Equipment Colour-coded chopping boards and utensils are used to prevent cross-contact (e.g. red for raw meat, green for vegetables, blue for seafood, yellow for cooked meats, white for dairy/bread)Staff are trained to never use equipment across categories without washing and sanitising firstHandwashing & Glove Use Staff wash hands thoroughly between handling different food types, after touching raw proteins, and after any non-food contact (bins, phones, doors)Single-use gloves are changed between tasks and are never considered a substitute for handwashingAllergen Management Allergen-free meals are prepared in a dedicated area or on sanitised surfaces with clean equipmentAllergen information is clearly labelled on storage containers and communicated to front-of-house staffSeparate utensils and oil are used for allergen-specific cooking (e.g. gluten-free fryer)Cleaning & Sanitisation All food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitised between tasks using food-safe sanitiserCleaning schedules are documented and verified by the duty manager each shiftStaff Training All kitchen staff complete food safety training (including cross-contamination and allergen awareness) at induction and annually thereafterRefresher training is provided whenever menu changes introduce new allergens or processesReceiving & Storage Deliveries are inspected on arrival and separated immediately into appropriate storage areasPackaging from raw products is disposed of before entering prep areas
There is a sample menu available online
Sample menu is available here -
https://terraebendigo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Menu_web.pdf