'Not on our doorstep': Why a dad is kicking up a stink over public toilets

Parents of the school in the shadows of Melbourne's CBD presented a petition to the council last year with more than 1300 signatures against the planned toilets.

Parents and students at a bayside primary school in Melbourne are up in arms over plans to build a block of public toilets near the campus.

A Current Affair reports temporary fencing was erected near St Kilda Park Primary School last year to construct the block of toilets.

That led to a petition with more than 1300 signatures, which was presented to the City of Port Phillip by dad David Williams.

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“Unfortunately there are problems here,” he told ACA.

“There are many public toilets not well managed, and that’s our concern. We don’t want it on our doorstep.”

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Parents and their children are kicking up a stink over plans for a public toilet outside a Melbourne primary school. Picture: A Current Affair

"This isn't the right location"

Mr Williams said his main concern was the possibility of drug use and anti-social behaviour near the primary school.

School Principal Neil Scott told ACA he was supporting the parents’ petition.

“(I don’t) see the logic in increasing the risk to the safety of the school,” he told the program.

“There is a really high level of opposition on safety grounds, on financial grounds; this isn’t the right location.

“It’s not near the shops, it’s not near the main action on the street.”

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Melbourne dad David Williams is the main driver behind the push to stop the public toilets. Picture: A Current Affair

Nearby toilet block to be demolished

ACA reports another public toilet located about five minutes away has been slated for demolition as the council says it is “rarely used by the public for its intended purpose”.

A school near that block of toilets bans its students from walking past, instead forcing them to use an overpass to walk on the other side of the road.

“We’re very concerned that the opening of a public toilet in the vicinity of our school will lead to the same situation,” Principal Scott told ACA.

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St Kilda Park Primary School Principal Neil Scott. Picture: A Current Affair

"We acknowledge the concerns voiced by members of our community"

In a statement, The City of Port Phillip said the location of the public toilets was a “dilemma” it had been trying to solve for “about 16 years”.

“More than 18 sites were considered in 2018 before the Albert Park location was chosen in June last year,” a spokesperson told ACA.

“We acknowledge the concerns voiced by some members of our community.

“Most people agree a public toilet is needed for this busy precinct, including for shoppers and people attending nearby events.

“We know there is demand for a public toilet in this area including from people who have enjoyed bars, cafes and restaurants and are heading to transport or another venue.

“Over the years, every location proposed for the toilets has attracted multiple objections.

“While we have tried to alleviate community safety concerns through the design and committing to regular cleaning and local law officer patrols, it’s important we consider these ongoing concerns.”

Originally published as 'Not on our doorstep': Why a dad is kicking up a stink over public toilets