General News
11 October, 2024
Dunolly toilet upgrades complete
After it was “identified as a priority” close to five years ago, the $211,000 upgrades to the Rene Fox Memorial Garden public toilets have officially been completed.
The project, fully funded by the Central Goldfields Shire Council, received approval from Heritage Victoria to upgrade the disabled toilets, fully refurbish the male and female toilets, replace the roof and place a new footpath over the existing crushed rock.
According to Central Goldfields Shire Council’s general manager infrastructure, assets and planning Amber Ricks, the project has been a continued priority for council.
“Upgrades to the Rene Fox Memorial Garden public toilets have been identified as a priority over the past four to five years, with community groups such as the Dunolly Town Hall committee and Dunolly Historic Precinct committee advocating for the project,” she said.
“Better access to the town hall was identified in the Dunolly and Surrounds Community Plan, and several residents have identified the need for the town to have contemporary accessible toilet facilities.
“The existing disabled toilets were nearing [the] end of their life.
“The construction of the upgraded toilets and pathway into the town hall took two months, and the Dunolly community now has contemporary and accessible facilities for residents, visitors and those attending events at the hall and in the gardens.”
Dunolly Historic Precinct secretary Lynda Vater said the upgraded toilets are a welcomed addition to the community.
“For all the toilets to be completely compliant with modern standards, especially with the disabled toilets, it’s an imperative thing for our local area,” she said.
“So many people stop here, lots of caravaners, lots of holidaymakers and anybody on the road.
“Those old toilets must have been there since the 80s at least. Whenever you went into the ladies, you would get in and you would just get round the corner and the door would slam so hard it would make your eardrums ring.
“Even the new footpath is a good upgrade — we have a market inside the town hall and the paths used to be slightly muddy so people would bring mud into the hall.
“We hope this a renewed interest in the historic buildings that are here by the council.”