Visitors to Akitio Beach no longer need to travel home with a car load of sand.

An external shower has been built onto the Akitio Beach toilet block, by Ratepayeros Association Chairman, Peter Greatbatch for the Tararua District Council, alleviating a problem for visitors to the beach.

pAkitio has a wonderful and active Ratepayers Association and during the annual meeting on January 2, the toilets were discussed, as visitors were looking for somewhere to wash their feet before jumping back into their cars,q Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis explained. pThis was the beginning of the conversation and then Peter Greatbatch and I had an impromptu meeting with Council Chief Executive, Blair King, where we were able to reach a suitable and quick solution.q

Greatbatch said the Ratepayeros Association had been donated a push-button automatic cold tap which meant there would be no water wasted. pCouncil paid for the plumbing and I did the building work,q he said. pThere was already a concrete pad in place, so I think there was probably a tap there many years ago.q

However, with the new automated tap turning off after 70 seconds, water is conserved.

pThis summer has been hot and weove had a lot of visitors to the beach and for people with young families there was nothing worse than travelling home covered in sand,q Greatbatch said. pThis has been a brilliant solution.q

Mayor Tracey said other issues raised at the beach meeting were rubbish and the need for a barbecue.

pThe community has done some outstanding work with the rock wall and formed a charitable trust to continue this work, while beach property owner, Chris Horrocks, praised council for their work and having a listening ear,q she said. pIt was very enjoyable to catch up with everyone and great that we can work together on solutions for our community and visitors. We are looking forward to seeing some of the other points raised come through Councilos Annual and Long Term Plan processes.q