WHITTLESEA’S new estate parklands have everything a nature lover could want – unless they have a call of nature themselves.
For all the wide open spaces, barbecues, playgrounds, walking and cycling paths on offer, there are no public toilets except for one park.
The developers of estates in Mernda and Doreen claim the Whittlesea council won’t let them install public toilets because of maintenance and vandalism, but for Mernda resident Nick Gaynor it is not good enough.
“They encourage people to come to parks, have barbecues and bring their children; but what if they’re busting (to go to the toilet)?” he said.
“If council claims it’s a vandal risk you wouldn’t build anything, not even barbecues. If there’s an argument against public toilets because of illegal activities, then you would have to close down the public toilets in Whittlesea township.”
Council facilities manager, Dave Pirie, said the council refused toilets at Buttercross park in Mernda Villages because it was a short walk to the town centre’s toilets. He said if toilets were not near popular parks the council would build them.
But in Mernda Villages the adventure playground was “hugely” popular with families and the nearest toilets were in the town centre, a kilometre away, Mr Gaynor said.
Sarah Clarkin, a spokeswoman for Mernda Villages developer Stockland, said the company did not include toilets in parks because they expected them to be refused. “The installation of public toilets within community parks are rarely approved due to the high risk of vandalism and damage,” she said.
She said there were no public toilets in the 4000-square metre adventure playground or the two-hectare Buttercross Park – both in Mernda Villages. None were planned for the two 1.5-hectare parks proposed for Eucalypt estate in Wollert.
Lend Lease spokeswoman Kate Rogers said Hilltop Park in Laurimar estate at Doreen had toilets because it was considered a regional park when a previous developer applied for approval. She said there were no other public toilets in Laurimar’s 30 hectares of public open spaces, including its six parks.
“Previously, we have experienced some difficulties with council regarding installing public toilets in our parks or reserves. Council’s key concern is the ongoing maintenance,” she said.
– with Andra Jackson
