Henley Beach’s Joe’s Kiosk makes application for second toilet

A plan by Henley Beach institution Joe’s Kiosk to install a second toilet has upset locals – all over again.

A Henley Beach institution is causing a stink among locals, prompting one person to protest that a popular beach cafe will turn into a “nightclub”.

Eight years ago the plan for the first toilet saw the beach become a dunny-themed art installation. People sat on loos lined along the sand in a colourful campaign to support the provision of a toilet.

Henley Beach South kiosk, now bar and eatery Joe’s, has lodged an application to install a second toilet.

The application by hospitality heavyweight and Joe’s Henley co-owner Hugo Pedlar describes the new facility as for the use of patrons only. The current loo is available to the public.

Neighbour Chris Newport said he and other locals were outraged by the move because the plan reeked of “deception and dishonesty”.

“It’s the same as anyone building a nightclub on your front lawn,” he said.

“All the residents, basically, have had a gutful.”

Mr Newport said he would fight tooth and nail to block the latest application as well.

“This battle has gone on since 1998,” he said.

“I’ve tried to do it (oppose development at the kiosk) nicely, but nobody has listened.

“Frankly, it’s like they’ve pissed on residents from a great height.”

Joe’s Kiosk. Picture: Nick Clayton.

The application lists Joe’s co-owner and Adelaide identity Mark Balnaves as the client of the architecture group tasked with designing the second loo.

Mr Balnaves said the move followed an increase in people flocking to Henley Beach.

“The reality for us is we’ve got one toilet there which basically serves the whole community using a shared-use path,” he said.

“There’s a lot more people at the beach and taking advantage of the path.

“It’s gone from just weekends to just all day, every day.”

Mr Balnaves said the kiosk had developed a strong relationship with the rest of the community and adding a second toilet was merely a “minor change”.

“We’ve had a great relationship with the community, including partnerships with the local Anglican Church,” he said.

“From our point of view, it’s a pretty minor internal change to the building and the existing toilet is used a lot by the community.”

Joe’s Henley Beach co-owner Mark Balnaves. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The application for the first toilet was more complex and involved establishing sewers and other civil works.

Charles Sturt Council originally considered a $250,000 plan to build a new loo, but the figure was scaled back to $142,310.

A 1200-signature petition from former owner Joe Weber, coupled with the famous toilet protest titled The Coalition of the Constipated, spearheaded by Grange surrealist artist Andrew Baines, resulted in the dunny plan getting the go-ahead.

With the latest plan already facing backlash, Mr Baines said he was prepared to reboot the “potty powered” protest if needed.

“I would definitely do it again,” he said.

“I’ll call up the local plumber again and get all the toilets we need.”

SA artist Andrew Baines had volunteers sit on toilet seats on Henley Beach, dressed in suits and bowler hats while reading The Advertiser newspaper for his artwork 'The Coalition of the Constipated'. Radio announcer Bob Francis. Picture: File

The latest application was submitted while Mr Newport was awaiting the outcome of a review of the liquor licence operations of Joe’s and an earlier request to increase patron numbers.

The review, conducted by external law firm Minter Ellison, found a council resolution to increase the number of patrons at the kiosk was “technically unlawful”.

But it concluded the decision had no legal effect, but that the council should act on the administrative errors it found.

During the review period, Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans, chief executive Paul Sutton and council employees attended a Christmas lunch at the venue, which is a popular spot for politicians, Adelaide celebrities and sportspeople.

Mr Sutton later said all attendees paid for their meals.

Charles Sturt Council has been contacted for comment about the new loo proposal.

The application is open for public consultation until April 29.