draft public toilet strategy summary report

Colac Otway Shire

Draft Public Toilet Strategy

Summary ReportOctober 2021

Public Toilet Strategy

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This document has been prepared by Colac Otway Shire Council

VERSION NO. DATE OF ISSUE REVISION BY APPROVED BY

1 26/10/2021 M. Bisits M. Bisits

COLAC OTWAY SHIRE COUNCIL

2-6 Rae Street, Colac VIC 3250

T. +61 35232 9400 W. colacotway.vic.gov.au


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Strategy PurposeTo focus Council investment in public toilet facilities across the Shire that provide a demonstrated community benefit, including the local economy, to prioritise safety and accessibility for all users, and to advocate for and support the provision of facilities at key tourist destinations.

What is a Public Toilet?For the purposes of the Strategy, a public toilet is defined as:

A facility containing one or more rooms/cubicles with one or more toilets or urinals which is available for use by the public without restriction during hours of operation. The facility may be mechanised or automated and consist of stand-alone, service-hosted and privately provided facilities.


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Colac Otway Shire Council has commissioned the preparation of a Public Toilet Strategy to guide decision-making regarding the provision, management, and maintenance of public toilet facilities over the next 10 years. It includes recommendations for asset rationalisation, addressing key gaps in the network and provides a framework to determine provision and management responsibilities between Council and other parties. The recommendations in the Strategy are primarily focussed on Council-owned and managed facilities, with consideration given to the broader network and opportunities for partnerships.

What the Strategy covers

Use Typologies5 categories of public toilet are defined in the Strategy, according to the type of location and dominant user group they service. These classifications or 'use typologies' help to determine where facilities should be provided, how they are designed and who would be responsible for their ongoing management.

1. Campground: facilities located in park/reserve campgrounds.

2. Community Facilities: facilities that are not restricted to certain hours or user groups and primarily serve the residential community of Colac Otway Shire.

3. Community Facilities – Limited Use: facilities typically co-located (often internally) with other social, commercial, and/or recreational facilities and primarily service user groups of these spaces, but are accessible to the general public during the hours that the facility is in use. May be managed by a Community Asset Committee (CAC).

4. Visitor Amenities - Regional: facilities typically located at, or on route to, highly trafficked tourism destinations, which primarily serve regional or international visitors to, or passing through, the Shire.

5. Visitor Amenities - Local: facilities located at Council owned or managed key destinations (such as the Old Beechy Rail Trail) and retail precincts, which primarily serve visitors coming to spend time within Colac Otway Shire.

Service LevelsIn different situations, depending on the level of demand, the context, and the use typology, a different size and standard of toilet would be provided. These are:

Basic 2-3 cubicles, modular design

Standard 3-4 cubicles, modular design

Standard Plus 4+ cubicles, modular design with some customised features

Premium Usually high profile locations with high levels of use, can include higher levels of accessibility such as a Changing Places facility, and often a customised design.

Figure 1:Example of a Premium Facility

Figure 2:Example of Standard Plus facility

Figure 3:Example of a Basic Facility


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Figure 4: Colac Otway Shire existing public toilet network

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CressyCressy

BeeacBeeac

BirregurraBirregurra

ElliminytElliminyt

GellibrandGellibrand

ForrestForrest

Wye RiverWye River

Kenne� RiverKenne� River

Skenes CreekSkenes Creek

Apollo BayApollo Bay

MarengoMarengo

Cape OtwayCape Otway

GlenaireGlenaire

Lavers HillLavers Hill

Beech ForrestBeech Forrest

ColacColac

Colac Otway Shire Boundary

Railway

Colac area refer Figure 16

Apollo Bay area refer Figure 17

LEGEND

Public Toilet Ownership

Refer to the Audit List in Appendix A

Colac Otway Shire Council

DELWP/ GORA

Parks Vic

Other

Private

NumbersNumbers


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Strategic Decision Making PrinciplesSix principles have been developed that outline Council’s approach to public toilet provision and management. The current network was assessed against six principles, to identify priority actions for the coming 10 years.

Principle 1: Adequate Provision – Where should toilets go?Public toilets are to be provided at key activity nodes with provision aligning to existing and anticipated demand, associated infrastructure, and the target user group(s). Provision will seek to maximise the utility of the existing network by identifying opportunities for refurbishment, expansion, consolidation, or alternative operational models of current facilities before recommending new facility locations.

The Strategy recommends that public toilet facilities are distributed to service:

- Key destinations, tourist activity nodes and campgrounds in urbanised centres with facilities within 400 – 800 metres (walking distance) of the key destination. Within shopping precincts, a public toilet should be provided within the area to service a 400 metre walkable catchment.

- Open space reserves, including key recreational linear links, with facilities that attract higher levels of visitation and longer stays. In higher-order open spaces that contain a playspace, public toilet facilities should be located within 150 metres of the playspace. For linear links, toilets should be provided to support recreational usage and encourage use of the link for active transport.

- Community facilities, such as halls and sporting reserves, that service a broad catchment based on demonstrated high levels of demand and visitation, supported by data collection.

Using this framework, the Strategy identified gaps and areas of oversupply. In areas of oversupply facilities can be relocated, consolidated or potentially decommissioned.

Facilities identified in areas of oversupply or that warrant further investigation include: Hesse Street Comfort Station, Pascoe Street permanent toilets, Yeo Hall and Tennis Court Toilets, Loves Creek - Kawarren.

In Colac, most key destinations are within 800 metres of a public toilet and the Colac Commercial Centre is well provided for with public toilets within 400 metres of all areas except the western end. Facilities could be provided in the west, however privately operated toilets are currently available to patrons at that end of the precinct. At present, the eastern end has an over-provision of facilities.

Overall, Apollo Bay is well-serviced in terms of the distribution of public toilets, with a facility available within 400 metres of major destinations. The Foreshore has an over-provision, particularly with two facilities located at and adjacent to the Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre. The condition of the facilities varies and many do not meet current standards. The capacity of these facilities is also not well understood and requires further analysis to identify demand and required service levels.

Outside Colac and Apollo Bay (not including community facilities, public open spaces or regional destinations), locations where a public toilet supports local tourism or the local economy and are currently well provided for, include: Forrest, Birregurra, Gellibrand, Beeac and Lavers Hill.


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Principle 2 - Maximum Economic BenefitPublic toilets that primarily cater to the tourist market will be designed and managed in a manner that drives economic return to the local community and sited in locations that exhibit the highest levels of tourist visitation. Council will consider alternative operational models and opportunities for public-private partnerships through collaboration with other public authorities.

Based on this principle, the Strategy recommends that Council should:

- be responsible for the provision and ongoing costs of public toilets classified as Community Facilities and Visitor Amenities - Local, where sited on Council owned land.

- for other toilets, contribute to provision and ongoing costs where there is a demonstrated 'community benefit’. A set of criteria are provided in the strategy for determining community benefit.

Where facilities are classified as Visitor – Regional it is recommended that they be provided by other agencies such as GORA, DELWP or DoT, due to the primary demand being due to high volumes of regional/ international visitors or through traffic, without a direct benefit to Colac Otway Shire.

In some instances, a Shared Service Agreement (SSA) with the appropriate Community Asset Committee (CAC) or user group is recommended where toilets are classified as Community Facility – Limited Use.

Principle 3 - Environmentally ResponsiblePublic toilet design, siting and management will reflect organisational environmental objectives and consider impacts associated with the development or continuation of services at sensitive sites.

Under this principle, guidance is given to achieving sustainability targets and responding to site sensitivities, for example:

- At environmentally sensitive sites, where enviro-toilets are not feasible/appropriate, new or upgraded facilities should not supply power or water from the main system and their design should prioritise the incorporation of ESD principles.

- Enviro-toilets are the preferred model for environmentally-sensitive sites where Basic or Standard toilet facilities are required.

- Due to the environmental sensitivity of some sites, toilets are not recommended, even if there is a demand from tourism. In these instances, visitors will be encouraged to stop at designated destinations nearby as part of their trip.

Principle 4 - Quality and Safe DesignThe safety of the community will be prioritised with facilities designed and sited to align with CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) principles. New and refurbished facilities will be inviting, well designed and appropriate for their setting.

Some guidance provided under this principle includes:

- New and upgraded facilities must incorporate CPTED principles.

- Install CCTV as a last resort option, at locations experiencing more serious ongoing issues with safety. Where issues are ongoing, consider re-siting or decommissioning the toilet at the end of its asset life.

- Ensure opening hours prioritise and consider user safety.

- Internal configuration and components (fixtures and fittings) of new facilities must comply with the service level guidelines.


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Principle 5 - Equitable AccessPublic toilets will be designed and redeveloped to consider equity and accessibility for all users.

Council will achieve DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliance in all new and upgraded facilities.

Under this principle the Strategy sets out requirements for facilities to:

- Provide all gender cubicles.

- Consider principles of Universal Design to promote accessibility at all levels, regardless of age, ability, culture, socio-economic status or gender identity. For example: on this basis, user pay systems are not supported as they may discriminate on the grounds of affordability.

- Ensure compliance with Disability Access (DDA) legislation.

- Determine opening hours in accordance with intended use and safety considerations.

- Incorporate wayfinding and other signage.

Recommendation is also made for provision (by Council or by others) of a Changing Places Facility at: Memorial Square, and Apollo Bay.

Principle 6 - Well Maintained and HygienicPublic toilets will be maintained at a level that ensures Council’s public toilet infrastructure and condition meet user expectations as well as public health and hygiene standards. Smart technology and other methods may be employed to monitor usage patterns and inform operational responses.

Under this principle, guidance is provided regarding:

- Standards and practices of maintenance.

- Prioritisation of the installation of touch free fixtures and fittings for new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities where possible.

- Renewal/ decommissioning: The condition audit identified a number of toilets considered to be in "poor" condition overall. It is recommended that these facilities are further investigated to determine their role within the public toilet network by undertaking an assessment under the Strategy framework. Where a facility is determined to no longer have a role, it should be considered for decommissioning at the end of its lifespan. Where there is demand and need for a facility, its upgrade should be a priority for Council.


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Based on the most recent condition assessments and facility audit undertaken for the development of this strategy, the following toilets have been identified as high priorities for short-term action:

Yeo Tennis Court Clubrooms

Consider the future of the facilities in the context of the broader recreation and social infrastructure assessment currently underway.

Paradise Reserve

Review the management model and undertake a demand assessment to determine an appropriate service level and scope of future investment.

Irrewillipe Recreation Reserve

Investigate a Limited Use arrangement as part of a broader recreation facility redevelopment.

Lake Colac Foreshore Public Toilets

Determine best location and service levels for future improvements, considering current and future demand generated by the precinct, future major playspace development and other improvements identified in the Lake Colac Foreshore Masterplan.

Forrest Caravan Park Toilets

Investigate relocation and construction of a shared use facility in accordance with the recommendations in the Forrest Common Masterplan 2019.

Barongarook Hall

Consider the future of these facilities in the context of the broader recreation and social infrastructure assessment currently underway. Undertake a demand assessment to inform future improvements, if warranted. Transfer maintenance responsibility for the facility to Council in the short-term, in recognition that the facility services a broader user group.

Pascoe Street temporary toilets.

Based on the distribution gap analysis, it appears that these toilets are surplus to need, due to the proximity of public toilet facilities along the foreshore with a similar typology (i.e. Visitor Amenities – Regional). These toilets however, support not just the attraction of the foreshore itself but an element of local visitation, which is likely to provide an economic benefit to the Apollo Bay Commercial Area. Given the dual purpose of the toilets, further investigation should be undertaken to determine the need to construct permanent toilets in this location.

Priority Actions

For more InformationA full version of the Draft Public Toilet Strategy can be found on the Colac Otway Shire Website at

www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultations

The Strategy is on public exhibition from 3 November 3 to 15 December 2021.


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draft public toilet strategy summary report

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