VETERANS and children attending Anzac Day services in Robertson Park might only have to last one more year without permanent toilet facilities.
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After organisers of Friday’s FOOD Week Night Market also commented on the shortfall, deputy mayor Chris Gryllis said Orange City Council and the Orange branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) had agreed in principle for the CWA to consider a proposal from the council to locate the toilets near the CWA Hall.
The facility would use the hall’s sewerage system, but a different entrance.
Councillor Glenn Taylor, who has lobbied for the toilets for more than a decade, welcomed the progress.
“I have friends who joke that I’m the minister for toilets because I’ve been pushing for so long,” he said.
“It wasn’t the original spot, but the fact is that we should be moving ahead with it, we are within sight of the end.”
“It wasn’t the original spot, but the fact is that we should be moving ahead with it, we are within sight of the end"
He hoped the toilets might be under way by the end of the year. Orange CWA president Elizabeth Lynch said the CWA was open to the idea because it held advantages for the organisation.
“We’re beautifying the hall to make it an affordable venue for major functions. If there’s a toilet block, that would be an advantage for us,” she said.
However, she said any designs from the council would be put to the CWA membership for a vote.
Council spokesman Nick Redmond said the location had not been formalised, but the CWA site had been identified.
“It will come back to councillors for a briefing in May with a DA [development application] to follow,” he said.
“Even with the installation of a new permanent toilet facility, it will be necessary to have temporary toilets added to the park during large events such as Anzac Day and the Night Markets.”
He said appropriate lighting would be installed as part of the project.
Meanwhile, the council will provide portable toilets at Robertson Park for the upcoming Anzac Day services.
Orange RSL sub-branch president Lindsay Wright supported a toilet for both services because, while surrounding hotels would be open for the 11am service, the children attending would not necessarily be able to use them.
“We have about a thousand school children marching for the 11am service,” he said.
While the number of veterans was generally low at the annual dawn service, Mr Wright said a large crowd was still expected and toilets would be of “great benefit”.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
