Renewed calls to fix dilapidated public toilet block at David St, Lalor
It was earmarked as a problem nearly a decade ago — yet the only public toilet at one of Lalor’s busiest shopping strips remains an eyesore, with cubicles missing locks and syringes strewn on the floor. But users will still be holding on a while for repairs.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Elderly shoppers in Lalor are being forced to use a “filthy and poorly maintained” toilet with syringes sprawled across the floor and locks missing from cubicle doors, almost a decade it was earmarked as a problem.
Whittlesea Councillor Caz Monteleone said the David St public toilet block was identified as “high priority” in Whittlesea Council’s 2011 Lalor Neighbourhood Activity Centre Master Plan.
But there has still been no action to clean up the eyesore.
At a meeting on Tuesday, Cr Monteleone pushed for the council to allocate $400,000 towards the construction of a new toilet block by June.
“This 2011 report recommended the new toilets be delivered within three years,” he said.
“Nine years later and elderly people who use this shopping centre and these toilets are still using a facility that is poorly maintained, freezing cold during the winter, is filthy and dirty and has even had syringes on the floor.
“The toilet block is half a century old — It’s unacceptable and our residents deserve better than this.”
But Cr Monteleone’s notice of motion was adjourned until next month’s council meeting, with councillors calling on officers to develop a detailed business case.
While the project was not included in the 2019-20 council budget, director of city transport and presentation Helen Sui said a design had been completed for a two-unit unisex disabled automated toilets at a cost of $400,000.
She said the works could start in June subject to council funding.
MORE NEWS:
‘KEEPS RACKING UP’: COUNCIL’S $90K BILL FOR OVERLAND ADVICE
COUNCIL MEETINGS SET FOR PRIME TIME LIVE STREAM
WHITTLESEA COUNCIL CEO REVOLVING DOOR CONTINUES
Cr Sam Alessi agreed the project needed to go ahead, but said councillors needed more information about how the $400,000 would be spent.
“There needs to be a report to see exactly what the issues are and which is the best way to go about looking after residents’ money,” he said.