Bayside Council to spend $617,000 on two new public toilets on Sandringham foreshore

A MELBOURNE council is spending more than $600,000 on two architecturally-designed public toilets, just 200m apart on the Sandringham foreshore.

One of the new Sandringham toilets Bayside Council is spending more than $600,000 to build.

BAYSIDE Council is spending $617,000 on building two new architecturally-designed public toilets, just 200m from each other on the Sandringham foreshore.

An ageing Jetty Rd convenience at Picnic Point will be rebuilt with beach showers, bike loops, drinking fountains, new walkways and upgraded landscaping, with bluestone from the removal of the existing toilet reused.

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A second brand new shower, fountain and toilet facility will also be built, near the Sandybeach Kiosk car park — a five-minute walk from the Picnic Point set-up.

The total spend consists of $544,500 for construction, $60,000 contingency money and $12,400 on consultancy fees for “architectural and engineering design services”.

The project is part of the council’s Bayside Public Toilet Strategy, whereby they spend about $300,000 for a new toilet and $250,000 for the renewal of an existing toilet each year.

Bayside environment, recreation and infrastructure director Steven White defended the need for two toilets blocks so close together.

The existing toilet block near the carpark at Jetty Rd that will be demolished to make way for a new toilet. Picture: Chris Eastman

He said the new “fully accessible, family-friendly public toilet” at the kiosk car park would service beach users, dog walkers at Sandringham Harbour, school groups and visitors, while the current site was for people attending farmers’ market, sports events and those going to the beach.

“Sandringham foreshore is one of the largest and most accessible areas of public space on the coast in Bayside,” Mr White said.

George Reynolds, Beaumaris resident and former vice president of Ratepayers Victoria, said for that money the toilets should be “gold-plated”.

“It’s a waste of money, especially when we are in rate capping,” Mr Reynolds said.

“It is ridiculous to spend huge amounts of money building toilet blocks when they could buy automated ones so much cheaper.

“This council excels at excess.”

There are 60 separate toilet facilities throughout Bayside along the foreshore, in parks, carparks and at sporting centres, ranging from traditional designs built in the 1920s to fully automated modern versions constructed a few years ago.

Work will begin after the Easter long weekend.

$600,000 WOULD …

● Pay 12 childcare workers for a year

● Buy a pair of Brighton bathing boxes

● Purchase 30 new small cars

● Shout a beer for all 100,000 people in Bayside