YARRIAMBIACK Shire councillor Graeme Massey fears a lack of upkeep at Warracknabeal public toilets could be harming tourism in the town.
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Cr Massey voiced his concerns about how the toilets on Scott Street were maintained and cleaned at a meeting on Wednesday.
It comes on the back of Wimmera Mallee Tourism speaking out about changing trends in camping being detrimental to the region’s caravan parks.
Cr Massey said having unclean public toilets meant people would shy away from stopping in the town for breaks.
‘‘We don’t want our toilets to get to the point where our information centre is getting complaints,’’ he said.
‘‘Something needs to be done to maintain and encourage tourism.’’
Cr Massey said he had heard complaints about the male toilets especially, and said men were often using the female toilets as a result.
He said the toilets were not being cleaned thoroughly enough.
‘‘There might be a mentality that as soon as they’re cleaned up, they’re messed up again,’’ he said.
Yarriambiack infrastructure and planning director James Magee said there was not much indication the toilets were deterring tourists.
‘‘I haven’t heard any complaints,’’ he said.
Mr Magee said the toilets were cleaned once a day.
‘‘Public toilets are important. Travellers often remark on public toilets if they are good and we want to be in that category,’’ he said.
‘‘We generally get pats on the back about the toilets in our shire.’’
Mr Magee said the toilets would be inspected next week to see how the situation could be improved.
‘‘One option is to check twice a day or see if an upgrade is warranted,’’ he said.
Councillor Terry Grange said there had been many positive reports from people regarding the state of the toilets at Murtoa, Minyip and Rupanyup.
The public toilets on Scott Street are open 24 hours a day.
Council also takes care of 24-hour public toilets at Warracknabeal’s Lions Park and near the boat ramp on Craig Avenue.