New loos go from ‘wow factor’ to foul factor

New public toilets were meant to bring a ‘‘wow factor’’ to Tokoroa. Instead, they’ve brought a foul factor.

Ventilation, flushing, layout and lighting issues with the Leith Pl toilet block, which marks out the Southern Cross constellation, continue to plague the disastrous shopping precinct redevelopment project.

In February, project manager Walter Williams noted design flaws with the toilets had become apparent after they were opened in late 2020 following extensive delay. Additional ventilation would be needed to extract smells from the cubicles and toilets were becoming blocked due to the installation of low-water-use cisterns.

During the South Waikato District Council’s April meeting councillor Peter Schulte again highlighted ongoing issues which he said had become an ‘‘embarrassment’’ for the town.

‘‘This morning at 7.30am I went in and all the toilets smelled,’’ he said. ‘‘As a landlord I have to have a fan in my bathroom, is the council actually exempt from that? Inside you [also] have the washbasin on the right-hand side and the dryer on the other side of the bowl so you have to bend over the bowl to dry your hands.

‘‘The disabled toilet, which we all know is the furthest away from parking, also says if it is blocked to please use the next one, however, there is a slight problem if someone is in a wheelchair because when they go into the next one they can’t get [back] out.

‘‘It needs to be fixed. My personal view is that it is an embarrassment to all of us.’’

Schulte also noted lack of lighting and privacy. ‘‘There is a single bulb in each of the towers, they are very dark and dingy and not inviting at all,’’ he said.

‘‘I was also sitting on the new seating [outside], which is very nice, and a gentleman came out and did his fly up. Privacy screens in front of the doors ... would help a lot.’’

Councillor Hans Nelis said he too was embarrassed by the toilets. ‘‘The towers are nice, they have been architecturally designed, but inside is just budget.

‘‘It is protocol to work with the contractors that they stump up with the money [to remedy the issues] ... but maybe we have to forgo that and put those ventilation frames in sooner and better lighting in sooner because it is not good for our image and reputation.

‘‘It could be another year before they are installed. Do we allow ourselves another 12 months and get all these complaints from people about the toilets?’’

Asset group manager Ted Anderson said the council was working with contractor Burton Construction to remedy any outstanding contractual issues.

Deputy Mayor Bill Machen called for an update at the next council meeting.

‘‘My personal view is that it is an embarrassment to all of us.’’

Peter Schulte

Councillor