ONE councillor has warned toilets planned for Robertson Park might not meet their budget as other councillors make further demands.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At Tuesday night’s Orange City Council meeting, councillors were asked to formalise a previous resolution earlier in the month for a three-cubicle brick design on the eastern side of the park.
But in moving it, councillor Glenn Taylor wanted it increased to five cubicles.
“This will come back as a DA and you will be lobbied by people who will not want either the toilet put in the position it is or the design or whatever else, so just be aware,” he said.
“I know the new councillors have said why can’t we build a simple toilet, they might be about to find out.”
However, the addition then paved the way for other councillors to push for their desired features.
Mayor Reg Kidd said he would not support the design in its current diagonal alignment, requested by police to improve surveillance.
“That park park was designed specifically on those sorts of lines and I understand perhaps what they’re saying … but that will throw the whole park if you have the toilet block at an angle,” he said.
“I don’t tell them how to set up their breathalyser and nor should I.”
Councillor Tony Mileto wanted CCTV cameras covering all sides of the toilet, while councillor Sam Romano wanted urinals added to the male component.
“I don’t think there’s enough toilets, I think we should go back to basics that a gentleman can just walk in and use a urinal,” he said.
However, councillor Russell Turner was concerned the cost could become an issue.
“I just as much as Cr Taylor want this to be put to a finality and we have the first flush,” he said.
“We’re talking about $220,000 for a three-cubicle model, but we’re now talking about voting on five tonight, the figure of $300,000 was set in 2014 which is four years ago and given that we’ve got a very robust building community at the moment and the chances of getting a very competitive tender are fairly low, I can’t see how we’re going to achieve it on these figures.”
General manager Garry Styles said there was an option to project manage the job with sub-contractors to cut the cost.
Councillor Stephen Nugent voted against five cubicles because three would be sufficient for everyday use and port-a-loos would still be required for large events.
If the toilet is successful in receiving state government funding, approval would be needed to alter the design.