Mornington Peninsula Council asked to give beach box owners access to camp ground toilets
Mornington Peninsula beach box owners asked their council to fix an unusual problem — finding a place to spend a penny. Councillors have now decided on whether they will give them access to toilets reserved for campers.
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A secret code to unlock loos reserved for campers will be shared with an elite group of property owners.
Mornington Peninsula Shire last night (Tuesday, January 28) voted in favour of allowing beach box owners and their guests to use foreshore toilets.
Currently the toilets are open from October to April to service shire-managed foreshore campgrounds at McCrae, Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento.
The rest of the year the toilets are closed, have no electricity or water and are not cleaned.
Cr David Gill asked his fellow councillors to support a request from beach box owners for access to the code so they and their guests could also use the facilities.
He said there wasn’t a big distinction between the two groups.
“Beach box users pay a (license) fee; they use the beach and need access to a toilet,” Cr Gill said.
“Campers pay a fee; they bring their caravans or tents and they need a toilet block.”
The council manages 824 beach boxes across the peninsula and of those about 25 per cent are within shire managed camp grounds.
“Access to foreshore camping ablution facilities would not benefit all beach box licensees, and creates inconsistencies between licensees and box locations,” a council report states.
The report also revealed that it would cost at least $250,000 extra to service and inspect the toilets through the off season – from May to September.
Cr Antonella Celi said she supported the intention of Cr Gill’s motion, but wanted it to be “more robust”.
She asked that it be considered as part of the council’s boatshed and bathing box policy which is currently under review.
“Let’s embed it in good policy,” she said.
Cr Bev Colomb wanted to take it one step further and open the toilets to everyone.
“There’s nothing more frustrating than being out for a walk along the foreshore and not being able to find a toilet,” she said.
Cr High Fraser feared the gesture might have wider implications for the council, which is currently in the middle of a legal battle with the Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association.
The Association took the council to the Supreme Court last year over a new $241 rubbish collection charge.
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The case has been heard but a ruling is yet to be made.
Cr Fraser suggested the council wait until that decision was handed down before “giving (beach box owners) another service”.
His fellow councillors did not agree and Cr Gill’s motion was passed.