Busy shopping centres can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly for people with hidden disabilities. Stockland Hervey Bay is proud to offer families a range of sensory-friendly activities and tips to make their centre experiences as convenient, calm, and organised as possible.

To help families navigate busy centres, in partnership with Aspect Australia, we have mapped out potential sensory stressors such as noise, light, smell, and touch as well as crowding or busy areas of the centre. The map also indicates calmer quieter places if needed, and assists in preparing a person by increasing the predictability of a new environment.

What is a Sensory Map?

Sensory maps are used to prepare a person and increase the predictability of a new environment and indicate calmer, quieter places if needed. This helps to reduce sensory overwhelm, anxiety and stress. 

Developed in partnership with Aspect

Stockland Hervey Bay was assessed by Aspect's Autism Friendly team on a typical, busy day. Autistic people conducted a walkthrough of common areas, giving live feedback about their experience and advising on potential positives, challenges and solutions. Individual retailers and car parks were not assessed. 

Note: While the Sensory Map acts as a guide for a typical day at the centre, sensory experiences are subject to change day-to-day.

> Click here to download our Sensory Map

The carpark near the Heaps Discounts entry provides the best low sensory access to the centre. 

Customer Care is located near the Post Office and is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm for assistance and queries. If you want to speak with a customer service representative before making your way in centre, please call 07 4124 5422 for more information.

Our state-of-the-art Parents Room is located across from Kmart and features private feeding rooms, a family restroom with children’s toilets, a microwave & bottle warmer, and change tables with disposable change mats. 

A low-sensory Quiet Room is available for parents, carers, and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be used as a retreat away from a busy shopping centre. The Quiet Room is located in the Centre Management Office.
 

> Click here to view our centre map

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