Traders say a lack of toilets in McLaren Vale is hurting tourism
A community toilet scheme will not be introduced in McLaren Vale — despite local traders saying there is an urgent need for more public loos to boost tourism.
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A community toilet scheme will not be introduced in McLaren Vale — despite local traders saying there is an urgent need for more public loos to boost tourism.
The idea has been shelved after Onkaparinga Council voted against the scheme, where business owners would allow public access to lavatories on their premises.
The idea came about as a compromise after the council decided against building a toilet block in Ellis Park on Main Rd, McLaren Vale.
More than 130 locals signed a petition in July last year, calling for installation of the block.
However, the council voted against the idea as it believed the area was “well-serviced with public toilet amenities including council-owned and privately accessible facilities”.
Elected members decided at their last meeting that any future applications for public toilets would be decided on a “case-by-case basis” — including, possibly, another look at the community scheme.
McLaren Vale Tourism and Business Association president Sandy Mount said there was “definitely not” enough public toilets in the area.
“The current public toilet facilities in our town definitely deter tourism and influence visitors as to whether they should come to our town or not which in turn effects the local business trade in our area,” Mr Mount said.
“When we have any event in the town, the organisers of that event need to hire public toilets in and cover the cost of that.
“As an Association we are determined to continue lobbying to have a new public toilet facility in the heart of our town — preferably in Ellis Park.”
He said it should include a block of men’s and women’s toilets, disabled toilets, bike facilities for water and air, animal water bowls, as well as an RV dump point.
“(This would) attract the growing group of older Australian caravan and camping car travellers to our region who do not currently have us on their destination agenda because of lack of facilities in our zone,” Mr Mount said.
He said the nearest toilets were at War Veterans’ Memorial Park on Main Rd in the centre of town, at the tennis courts 300m south of Main Rd and at McLaren Vale Central Shopping Centre.
Councillor Richard Peat questioned whether there was “a larger issue” about a lack of adequate signage to direct people to existing facilities.
The council staff will now prepare a report with the address and locations of all council- owned toilets.
The report will determine the cost and “worthiness” of signs pointing the way.
People can also download public toilet apps to find the nearest facilities.
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