COMMUNITY AMENITY: Alyssia, Delanie and Isabel Sky with Samantha Hood believe a toilet block for Robertson Park is a “brilliant idea” and will be easy for people from out of town to find. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0120sgrobertson
THE Robertson Park public toilet saga could end in just over three months with Orange City Council hoping to have the $260,000 amenity block installed in time for Anzac Day.
Council promised the toilets would be up and running in time for Christmas but the development application (DA) for the prefabricated, stainless steel, three-cubicle structure was only lodged on January 4.
Council spokesman Allan Reeder said the DA was up for public comment until February 4 and council would also seek input from the police because it is a public space with potential crowd safety issues.
Orange councillor Glenn Taylor began the push for more CBD toilets in 2001.
He said he was disappointed the toilets were over schedule yet again, but said the time frame was irrelevant.
“As long as it’s going ahead now there’s not much use crying over the past,” he said.
“We’re hopefully aiming to get them up and operating for Anzac Day which is the biggest day of the year in the park.
“They will be there particular for older people attending Anzac Day celebrations ... it’s a positive for the community.”
The toilets will be installed on the McNamara Lane side of the park in line with the rotunda to capitalise on the electricity and plumbing connections at the site, meaning the prefabricated unit will only need concrete footings to be installed, Mr Reeder said.
He said the outside walls of the toilet would feature historic photos of the park, rotunda and Summer Street to fit in with the rest of the park and the unit would be similar to other automatic public toilets around Orange.
Previously Cr Taylor said the toilets would be kept open 24 hours a day but may close earlier if they are misused.
Mr Reeder said council would find out the views of the police first before deciding on opening hours.
The DA for the toilets is expected to go before a sustainable development committee (SDC) meeting in late February or early March.
If it is OK’d council will then call for tenders for the construction of the unit.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au
