By Callum Ludwig
Concerns regarding only public toilets on the northern side of the Yarra River in Warburton have been raised at the Tuesday 26 November Yarra Ranges Council meeting.
Warburton resident Karen Duke, who ran for and came second in the recent Yarra Ranges Council election in her local O’Shannassy Ward, submitted the question to the Council.
Ms Duke said the toilets had been reported to cthe ouncil for over four years about being broken and running into the river and now they have been closed for over two months.
“There are no other facilities close by and these toilets are next to a barbecue area, visitors have been using trees and even the river itself as a toilet, this is unacceptable and disgusting,” she said.
“I have just paid my rates but would gladly ask for it back to put it into portable toilets here, portable toilets at Chisholm Park area on the north side of the river, the other barbecue area and to turn the unused council building office at the bakery into a disabled and family toilet with change rooms along with the same facilities at the Redwood Centre as council insists this is for overflow parking with no amenities,”
“Warburton has never had an upgrade or added amenities to compensate for the over tourism is experiencing, not one cent has been spent., this is the stuff that needs to be done now, not in a couple of weeks now.”
According to the National Public Toilet Map, part of the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care’s National Continence Program, lists seven public toilet facilities in the Warburton township:
A male, female and disabled-access toilet at the Scotchman’s Creek Bridge
A male and female toilet on Dammans Road
A unisex and disabled-access toilet on Thomas Avenue
A male, female and disabled-access toilet at the Warburton Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre
A male and female toilet at the Warburton Recreation Reserve
A male, female and disabled-access toilet in Ottrey’s Car Park
A male, female, unisex and disabled-access toilet at the Warburton Water World
Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure at Yarra Ranges Council Hjalmar Philipp said the public toilets on Dammans Road are owned by the State Government and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
“However, council does include them on its cleaning schedule for the benefit of local residents and visitors, Council are aware that these toilets have been closed on the recommendation of DEECA following an engineering report concerning the structural integrity of the building and risks to public safety,” he said.
“The lack of public toilets on this side of the river is acknowledged and council officers are currently working with DEECA on requirements for a potential rebuild or refurbishment,”
“In Warburton itself, Council has recently undertaken several minor upgrade projects including works at Scotchman’s Creek, Warburton Recreation Reserve and Thomas Avenue. In addition, Council also carry out regular maintenance and a targeted cleaning program across all amenities within Warburton and across the broader municipality.”
There are also two public toilets at the Mt Donna Buang summit, one at the 10-Mile Turntable and one at the Rainforest Gallery servicing popular visitor destinations in Warburton.
DEECA Regional Director for the Port Phillip region Stephen Chapple said DEECA are supporting the Upper Yarra River Reserves Committee of Management (CoM) regarding the closure of the toilet block on Dammans Road, Warburton.
“The toilet block was closed in September 2024 after a structural inspection recommended immediate closure due to the risk of roof collapse,” he said.
“DEECA, the Upper River Reserves CoM and structural engineers are working together to determine if there is a viable make safe option. A temporary toilet block will be considered if a make safe option cannot be delivered before the busy summer school holiday period.”
To find the nearest public toilet facility to you or where you are visiting on the National Public Toilet Map, visit toiletmap.gov.au/8271.
