New strategy for safer, more accessible public toilets for the shire

Published on 25 August 2022

At the August Council Meeting, Council’s first Public Toilet Strategy was adopted, following extensive community and stakeholder engagement.

“As facility user needs and preferences evolve, and visitor numbers continue to grow, it’s important that Council has a clear framework to guide decision making and avoid ad-hoc outcomes for our public toilet facilities,” said Mayor Kate Hanson. “As our shire’s tourism numbers increase, our public toilets will become an even more important reflection of our townships.”

The Strategy provides a framework for decision-making regarding the provision, management and maintenance of public toilet facilities in Colac Otway Shire over the next ten years and includes recommendations to address key gaps in the network, providing a framework to determine provision and management responsibilities between Council and other parties, and potential asset rationalisation.

“We had 18 submissions on the Strategy and we’re grateful to everyone who engaged with this process to ensure our public toilet facilities provide a network of safe, accessible and well-maintained public toilet facilities that support community health and activity, while being environmentally sustainable,” said Mayor Kate Hanson.

A number of changes were made to the Strategy following community feedback, such as adding in the importance of ventilation for both sustainable design and odour eliminations, as well as maintaining hygiene in a post-COVID environment.

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 often managed by other agencies including Parks Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA).

Following the adoption of the Public Toilet Strategy, Council is keen to work with GORCAPA as they pursue strategic planning for visitor infrastructure, to ensure that the provision of public toilets in our coastal areas is well coordinated and meets future demand.

“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.”

View the Public Toilet Strategy here.