The Beagle
Nov 26, 2016
The Tuross Head Progress Association (THPA) recently wrote to Council in regards to the plethora of complaints and concerns that the Tuross community has expressed over the past 10 years or more about the sub-standard public toilet blocks which are located at Main Beach (adjacent to the Beach Caravan Park) and at Coila Beach.
They advised Council that these two public facilities were now more than 40 years old and as a consequence of several decades of fair wear and tear and frequent episodes of acts of vandalism they were now both in need an urgent upgrade or total replacement given their dilapidated condition.
In response to that letter Council has written:
Council has in recent years upgraded:
- Kyla Oval toilets
- Evans Street toilets
- Sandy Point toilets (full replacement)
We have also upgraded and replaced public toilet facilities across Eurobodalla and continue to work on these on a priority basis.
Our current program is focussed on providing accessible toilet extensions over the next two financial years to improve accessibility.
The two toilets you mention will be considered in our future renewal programs, with priorities ultimately determined by the Council.
However, neither of the toilets are included for replacement in the 2016-17 Operations Plan, or recommended for replacement in 2017-18 given the current focus on improving accessibility across Eurobodalla.
There are no grant programs available for such works unless the toilet forms part of a larger grant funded program (eg Boating Now program).
In the meantime, we will investigate what minor maintenance work can be done to address the repeated vandalism at the two toilets you’ve mentioned, and the toilets will continue to be cleaned as per our toilet contract schedule.
The tenacious John Tilbrook contacted Council by phone and as a result of that phone conversation
it was agreed that the THPA can take a leading role in mustering a voluntary workforce to undertake the repainting and minor maintenance of both of the toilet blocks before the Christmas tourism season
The aim of the exercise will be to redecorate the interior and exterior of both toilet blocks to present them in a better light to the general public. I
John has now extended an invitation to the Tuross Head Men’s Shed, the Tuross Head Rural Fire Brigade, Tuross Marine Rescue, the Tuross Head Fishing Club and the One Tree Board Riders club.
Council have indicated that they will provide the required quantities of paint and the volunteers would bring along their own painting aids (brushes, paint rollers, paint trays, paint pots and cleaning materials).
Volunteers are asked to email or SMS their contact details to john.tilbrook@gmail.com or 0409 925 458.
Below: Ours is a good community that enjoys solid support across our groups. Here are the Tuross Mens Shed volunteers helping to put in place a new water tank for the Tuross Community Gardeners