Eco-friendly toilets for an active community

New eco-friendly toilets were a community effort.

Warrnambool City Council, Victoria, has opened new compostable toilets at Jubilee Park/Wurrumbit Birrng Yaar, bringing its investment in the park to more than $500,000.

Warrnambool Mayor, Tony Herbert said that the construction of the toilet facilities was a major milestone for the park.

“Over the past decade, Jubilee Park has completely transformed to become one of the most popular parks in the municipality.

“It’s an important community hub, but it’s also a place that attracts people from further afield.

“Following the completion of the walking trails, the foot bridge and the playground in recent years, the addition of public toilet facilities makes it easier for everyone to spend more time in this beautiful environment.”

The new accessible toilets were made possible thanks to the efforts of community volunteers with the support of the Warrnambool Fly Fishers Club. 

Arnold Brian, a retired engineer, oversaw the construction of the project and said that the lack of available sewerage was an opportunity to create an especially eco-friendly facility that uses no electricity and very little water.

“It’s a two-tank system that is approved by the Environmental Protection Authority and used extensively in areas where there isn’t any sewer available.

“It has a micro-flush system so you still have a certain amount of water on the site with the tank that captures the roof water.

“Everyone I’ve talked to is elated that it’s there.”

Long time resident and volunteer leader, Trish Blakeslee, said, “I was very lucky that Warrnambool City Council voted unanimously to finance it and I really appreciate their support.

“There was a lot of volunteer work done. Arnold and the fly fishing club built all of the retaining walls, so it was a pretty good effort.

“I appreciate that the Warrnambool City Council gave us the opportunity to have a go at something. It was a good partnership with the community.

“It’s a beautiful open space that has a great deal of historical and cultural significance.

“It’s an excellent facility to have out here. It’s so well used and it’s lovely seeing so many families there.”