Decision of Council

At their meeting of 27 November 2023, the Council supported the decision of the Asset Management Committee (20 November 2023, Item 4.83, pg 337) to approve the construction of the secure, automated, public toilet facility on Fawk Reserve, Athol Park.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation process and, in particular, shared concerns or local/personal experiences that were relevant to this project, including the social conditions at the reserve. SA Police was engaged in the consultation process, and the decision of the Council was not made lightly and required significant consideration.

The Council requested additional measures be considered by project staff to ensure appropriate passive surveillance, specifically for this location (for example, in-ground uplighting to ensure the toilet is well-lit after dark, or similar).

About the Facility & Safety Measures

The new, single-use facility will be constructed in the identified and preferred location on the western side of Fawk Reserve, between the clubrooms and playground/BBQ facilities. This location is central and accessible to all reserve users via the existing path network. Our intent is to 'wrap' the facility with artwork that reflects the reserve and its community.

The facility has a 10-minute maximum occupancy timer, after which it will open automatically, and it will lock and unlock at designated times which can be adjusted outside of daylight savings (e.g. lock at 9:00pm and reopen 9:30am). It will also include anti-vandal and automatic fittings and fixtures, and an automatic wash system.

What Next?

It is proposed that the public facility will be constructed in 2024/25 and is subject to future funding approval. The project will be included as an item in the Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2024/25, and the community has the further opportunity to make comment on budget items as part of the budget consultation process.

Following endorsement of the 2024/25 budget and if the project funding is granted, the existing toilet block located at the rear of the clubrooms, which have been closed for some time due to poor condition and ongoing anti-social behaviour, will be demolished and construction of the new facility will be planned - likely late 2024 or early 2025.

If you want to be directly notified about future budget approval for this project, it is recommended you ‘Follow’ the Your Say Charles Sturt project page (link below). Notice of Works signage will be placed on the reserve a few weeks before to alert reserve users and neighbouring properties of the upcoming works and any area-restrictions in place for the duration of construction. There should be minimal impact and access to other facilities will likely be retained throughout.

We will also share this final update over the coming week, with local residents surrounding the reserve, by letter.

You can view the decision report for the licence, including consultation outcomes, by following the link below and searching "Fawk Reserve" (Ctrl + F") or navigating to the relevant report on page 337.