Push for playground toliet
A Brook resident is rallying to get a public toilet facility installed at a busy local playground.
Local resident Belle Clark said the lack of a toilet at the Hockey Reserve playground meant children were ‘‘forced to water the surrounding planting which is unhygienic and avoidable’’.
‘‘The council has listened to the wider community against freedom camping and it is time it listened to the needs of its youngest citizens and helped them avoid the inevitable.’’
She said the playground was used by not just the Brook residents and therefore not everyone could just hop home.
‘‘The lack of such a facility puts a strain on parents and caregivers with small children and special needs, our elderly citizens as well as the wider community and visitors to our area who are unable to access a public toilet facility.’’
Clark set up a petition which so far has 156 signatures towards her goal of 200. It can be found at www.toko.org.nz/petitions/weneed-a-loo-at-hockey-reserveplayground-nelson
Nelson City Council communications manager Paul Shattock said the council didn’t normally install toilets at neighbourhood parks as ‘‘they are intended for residents in the area who have access to their own toilets’’.
‘‘We have received feedback as part of the annual plan consultation process, regarding a toilet facility at the Hockey Reserve Playground in the Brook, and we are looking at considering a portaloo.’’