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Warkworth’s town centre toilets are due to get a second major refurbishment just seven years after a $275,000 makeover was carried out, mainly due to them being smelly.
Rodney Local Board member Tim Holdgate raised the issue at a workshop on September 4, saying they were a health hazard that attracted a stream of complaints.
“I wouldn’t put a dog in there,” he said. “When is something going to be done?”
Rodney area manager for parks and community facilities Geoff Pitman admitted the Baxter Street toilet block next to the information centre was dated and said a revamp was on the list of jobs for this year.
“I know it’s been a long time coming and they’re probably the worst in Rodney at the moment, but investigation and design on what works will be done are underway,” he said.
“Physical works are intended to be done this financial year.”
The toilets were last revamped in 2017, when all internal fittings and fixtures were replaced, the interior re-clad and repainted, new drainage installed and a new coating applied to the floor.
Pitman said after the workshop that normally council would expect to get a lifecycle of around 15 years after such a refurbishment.
“However, this varies site by site and is impacted by factors including the amount of use and whether there has been any vandalism,” he said.
“For these toilets, there is a very heavy odour, which possibly means there is an issue with the sealant on the floor.”
He added that the building itself was in good order, so any work would be renovation, rather than a complete replacement.
“The intent is to bring the toilet up to today’s standard and make it fit for purpose,” he said.
“The cost for this specific toilet is yet to be determined and, once we have completed the investigation and design phase, we will have an estimated cost for the intended works.”
The work will be funded from Rodney Local Board’s Local Renewal budget, which has $710,000 allocated for toilet renewal and refurbishment across the district over the next three years.
Warkworth member Michelle Carmichael asked at the workshop if quotes from local contractors could be put through the council procurement system when the time came to carry out the work.
Pitman said while it might be possible, it wouldn’t be easy.
“Potentially, yes, but it would be a difficult journey,” he said. “But nothing’s impossible.”
