Gary’s spray at open loo

SURFERS Paradise councillor Gary Baildon plans to let fly at council not improving privacy screening as promised for the party precinct’s pop-up urinal.

The $400,000 Urilift — with two open-air male bays able to be seen by passers-by

— launched in May on Orchid Avenue to howls of outrage.

Federal Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo and Surfers MP John-Paul Langbroek both dubbed it “embarrassing”.

At the time, council said it would “consider” better screening but Cr Baildon called it “inadequate” and said “quite obviously it needs to be adjusted”.

Yesterday, he was perplexed to hear council had not made any change to the privacy screening four months on.

The screening, consisting of short, wood-slat fencing which does nothing to shield male users from the passersby, is the same as it was when installed.

“It should have been done by now. I will check up on that, it should have been done some time ago,” Cr Baildon said this week.

“I’m surprised it hasn’t been done quite frankly.”

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall has also been critical of the lack of screening and urged a “quick fix”.

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said the lack of improvement for screens was just like the idea of open-air urinals

— “a disgrace”.

He urged the council to rectify it before international visitors and media descend for the Commonwealth Games April.

“The council just say whatever at the time to get the public off their back. This is an absolute disgrace.”

Despite Cr Baildon’s comments, a council spokesperson said: “To date we have not seen any evidence to show it is necessary for additional screens to be added.

“We would prefer to keep footpath furniture to a minimum and keep the area as clear as possible when the Urilift is in the ground.

“We will continue to monitor the site and will consider installation if or when warranted,” next the spokesperson said.

The critical views of MPs Mr Ciobo and Mr Langbroek along with the chamber were “noted” but “council has received no complaints about the facilities”.

The Urilifts were common in Europe without any screens.

The toilet, which also has one fully enclosed female bay with a proper toilet, comes out of the ground and is operational nightly from 11pm to 4am.

It was installed to target a public urination problem in the middle of the Surfers Paradise party precinct.