While there’s been plenty of machinations over the years about where and when to put a toilet in Robertson Park there’s one niggling problem that keeps rearing its ugly head, and that’s safety.
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Many of us who have lived in Orange for several years consider Cook Park and Robertson Park two of the city’s greatest assets.
Both parks are very well maintained by Orange City Council staff and serve as lovely gateways to our CBD.
However the fact is both parks are not always safe places to be despite the concerted efforts of staff who are quick to shut down any anti-social behaviour.
Many parents wouldn’t send their children to the Cook Park toilets alone, and if toilets were built in Robertson Park they’d probably be just as cautious.
However when adults, including Orange councillor Jo McRae, express safety concerns about the proposed site of a new toilet in Robertson Park then you know you’ve got a problem.
I can’t in good conscience vote for a facility I would not feel safe using.
- Orange councillor Joanne McRae
As Ms McRae told the Central Western Daily: “I can’t in good conscience vote for a facility I would not feel safe using”. Of course she’s right.
It seems even before we look at constructing a toilet, where we should locate it and whether it should be uni-sex or not, we need to address park safety.
At Orange City Council’s meeting on Tuesday those attending were given a scary insight into some of the anti-social behaviour which happens at the park.
MAP: Where is Robertson Park …
Sophie Fardell spoke about the free Pilates class she tried to run and how she and her fellow exercisers were hassled by a man who had been drinking in the park.
While the police were called and the session was cancelled, it was a disappointing indictment on just how problematic park use can be.
Another Orange resident told how his staff working adjacent to the park had been threatened and his office vandalised.
“Unfortunately for staff safety reasons, we now have this brand new glass door which is permanently locked, but we’ve never had these issues from the rear car park,” Ryan Stewart said.
Councillor Jeff Whitton is right, there needs to be more discussion about park safety and more action around keeping its users safe.
If we actually want a safe and usable toilet in Robertson Park let’s not put the horse before the cart.
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