A long-running community push for a new toilet block at a riverside park has paid off, with the state government contributing $1 million to build it.
The funding, announced in the recent state budget, will go towards the facility at Quota Park on Gympie Terrace at Noosaville.
Noosa Council is set to deliver the amenities, which will include a bathroom for people with high support needs.
Infrastructure services director Shaun Walsh said it was a long time in the making.
“The community has long called for improved toilet facilities along the foreshore,” he said.
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
“The new amenities block will provide much-needed public toilets between Pirate Park and the tennis courts.
“Importantly, the facility will also include a Changing Places bathroom: a safe, dignified and inclusive space designed for people with high support needs and their carers.”
Mr Walsh said council had worked closely with key disability advocates and support organisations including Spinal Life Australia, Sunshine Butterflies and other community stakeholders “to ensure the facility’s location and design meet the highest standards of accessibility and inclusivity”.
The Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association welcomed the funding and the new public toilets.
“The proposal to provide an additional toilet facility along the very popular Noosa River foreshore has been the result of requests over a number of years,” the group stated.
“The community indicated extra amenities would be a most welcome addition … NSRRA supports the provision of new public toilets.
“There’s certainly a need for new and updated facilities.
“This is an area much loved and it is used heavily by visitors and locals of all ages (and) the volume of use will probably only grow more over time.
“The Olympics will bring a lot of visitations to the area and the Noosa River foreshore is a major attraction.
“We can’t comment on the cost as we haven’t seen the plans but it’s a sensitive site close to the river and work may be costly.
“Add to that the need to make a facility that will meet the needs of the community, not just now but into the future.”
The state government’s funding announcement came after the LNP made a pre-election pledge in September to deliver new public toilets.
The ultimately unsuccessful LNP candidate for Noosa, Clare Stewart, said then how the amenities would benefit the community.
“As a local mum and former mayor, I know that an additional toilet block on this popular stretch of the river foreshore will provide a boon for local residents as well as tourists,” she said.
“This all-abilities toilet block is a vital piece of infrastructure … and is widely supported by the community.”
Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton highlighted the funding for the all-abilities toilet facility in her recent budget reply speech.
“Upgrades in accessibility for all of our community are welcomed and confirmation of this funding appreciated,” she said.
SCN asked the council if the $1 million in funding would cover the entire cost of the facility but did not receive a direct response.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
