Council’s Draft Public Toilet Strategy goes out to public consultation
Published on 28 October 2021
Colac Otway Shire Council’s first Public Toilet Strategy has been released for community feedback by Councillors in a vote at the October 2021 Council meeting, with public and stakeholder feedback from 1 November – 15 December, 2021.
The Strategy provides a framework for decision-making regarding the provision, management and maintenance of public toilet facilities in Colac Otway Shire.
“Council’s aim is to focus investment in public toilet facilities across the Shire that provide a demonstrated community benefit, including to the local economy, to prioritise safety and accessibility for all users, and to advocate for and support the provision of facilities at key tourist destinations,” said Mayor Hanson. “We encourage people, particularly those with special needs such as disability access, to provide feedback on challenges and needs that we need to meet in the future.”
The Strategy also includes recommendations for asset rationalisation, addressing key gaps in the network and provides a framework to determine provision and management responsibilities between Council and other parties. There are currently 89 public toilet facilities in the shire, with 43 being Council-owned, primarily concentrated along roadways and in the urbanised areas of Colac-Elliminyt and Apollo Bay. Hinterland public toilet facilities are generally located at campgrounds, trailheads and other recreation facilities managed by Parks Victoria, DELWP and GORCAPA.
“Many Council public toilet facilities are in poor to fair overall condition and have low levels of compliance with Disability Access requirements,” said Mayor Hanson, “however the distribution of them is good within urban and regional areas.”
Public toilets identified as high priorities for short-term action due to their condition are Yeo Tennis Court Clubrooms, Paradise Reserve, Irrewillipe Recreation Reserve, Lake Colac Foreshore, Forrest Caravan Park and Barongarook Hall.
“As COVID restrictions ease and regional and international tourism returns, the need for suitable public toilet facilities that are accessible will be important and will show our shire in a positive light,” says Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor, Cr Kate Hanson. “Council and our partners will need to coordinate our plans to locate toilets where they are needed to meet this tourism demand.”
The Draft Public Toilet Strategy is available on Council’s website with feedback invited to be submitted via online form or by post/email. Community members are also invited to register their interest in joining an online drop-in session to find out more or discuss their views. For more information and to view the strategy, please visit: www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/DraftPublicToiletStrategy.