Millions of ratepayer dollars flushed down the drain as eshays destroy Gold Coast public parks and toilets

Millions of ratepayer dollars are being flushed down the gurgler as “eshays” burn down and destroy new toilets. See the cost and suburbs impacted.

Almost $2 million of ratepayer money is being flushed down the drain each year as youth gangs target the city’s park toilets.

In the worst instances, toilet blocks are being burnt down and need to be rebuilt.

Council lifestyle and community committee chair Cr Hermann Vorster says the vandalism is “horrible” with a toilet block in his division vandalised 34 times in a month.

Council officers are launching an investigation and citywide audit after being urged by concerned councillors fed-up with skyrocketing costs and forced lockdowns of amenities.

Cr Vorster told the meeting: “It’s horrible because these assets often begged for by the community to unlock for recreation.”

Police investigate a fire in a toilet block at Oxenford. Picture supplied by Councillor William Owen-Jones updating on his Facebook page.

Council and park sources suggest the vandalism is sparked by a growing “eshay” culture along with homeless needing accommodation.

“They are also used by people to shoot up drugs,” a Southport park regular said.

Southport-based councillor Brooke Patterson at the meeting was backed by all councillors when calling for a review on the maintenance of the city’s public toilet amenities.

She said the investigation must consider “public safety, accessibility and maintenance costs”. A solution is building special toilets using cheaper local trade supply chains.

“The officers are saying the cost of maintaining them (existing toilets) is prohibitive,” Cr Patterson said.

Police had charged a couple for public defecation outside a toilet block but their defence lawyer successfully argued “it’s fine they’re doing that because the toilets are locked at night”.

“We really decided to keep them (those toilets) locked,” Cr Patterson said.

Vandals targeting Gold Coast toilets are costing ratepayers almost $2 million annually.

Cr Vorster said the committee’s recommendation would see City officers go back to the drawing board in terms of best design, build and servicing for the amenities.

“I’ve had residents in tears when children’s birthday parties have been affected and when

elderly walkers have been caught out when toilets have closed for repairs,” he told the Bulletin.

“In Varsity Lakes, our newest toilet was hit 34 times in a couple of months prompting

installation of steel reinforced doors, visits by security and deployment of new cameras.

“And this ultimately means money flushed down the drain when it could be used to upgrade

playgrounds, repair roads, or plant trees.”

At a second community consultation for a new toilet at Lake Lomandra Park, locals voted in the negative.

“We can’t let these idiots rob us of afternoon walks or children from their playgrounds,” Cr Vorster said.

Cr Hermann Vorster — working on solutions to stop vandalism of toilets. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“We need to take a fresh look at how we deliver and maintain amenities.”

Lifestyle and Community director Alton Twine said the issue “front of mind in the city” with

the annual maintenance bill for 255 toilet facilities reaching $1.9m.

“We do close up some of those toilets that have been abused. We don’t do it lightly. We do it with consultation with the QPS,” he said.

Some of the graffiti left by vandals at Gold Coast toilets.

Helensvale-based councillor William Owen-Jones said the city had 254 toilets “because the one at Oxenford got burnt down” .

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Originally published as Millions of ratepayer dollars flushed down the drain as eshays destroy Gold Coast public parks and toilets