Council caught short on loos

PORTALOOS will be trucked in and out of Surfers Paradise nightly this Christmas because city leaders are no closer to finding a permanent solution to a “wee” problem.

Nearly a year after the trial of open-air urinals in the party precinct caused an international stink, Gold Coast City Council has highlighted three possible areas between Cavill, Orchid and Elkhorn avenues for a $500,000 public toilet.

However, with a decision not due until next month the facility won’t be ready in time for Christmas.

Area councillor Lex Bell said portable toilets would be set up to help halt the stream of public urination in the streets outside nightclubs.

“We will not have the new structure ready for Christmas but we will have temporary ones which come in on trucks at midnight and then be driven out at 5am so the shop owners are not disturbed,” he said.

“We know from the volumes of urine collected last year that they are needed.

“However, once this permanent structure is built it may not be sufficient at Christmas times so temporary facilities may still be needed for the overflow.”

The toilets were discussed by councillors yesterday at the City Infrastructure and Water Committee meeting.

A report before the committee said a plan to build a new toilet block outside The Mark shopping centre and Top of the Mark apartment complex had been abandoned after an offer was withdrawn by the building’s body corporate.

The shortlist of possible locations include the western side of Orchid Ave outside Sin City nightclub, the north eastern end of Orchid Ave near the Louis Vuitton shop or on the site of the existing Cavill Ave tourist information centre.

“Significant further investigation and consultation will be undertaken prior to the ultimate site for the amenities block being established,” the report said.

Full designs of the new toilet block will be revealed when a further report goes before the council next month.

Weknowfrom thevolumesof urinecollected lastyearthat theyareneeded

CR LEX BELL