By Corey Everitt
Officer’s popular Dragon Park Playground has been the site of recent complaints over its lack of toilets with calls on the council to install public restrooms for the unique playground.
The Gazette has heard comments and complaints regarding the lack of toilets at the playground in the past week.
One resident took his grandchildren down to the park and was shocked to realise there was no toilet in proximity.
He said it was unreasonable to expect people to go to and from their homes, or even ask a nearby home, for a toilet at the popular playground which many people from near and far go to.
Cardinia Shire Council explained that the park was made by a private developer which opted not to include toilets and within current guidelines the council recommended not to.
“The playground at Dragon Park was included by the developer as part of the Arcadia Estate development at Flanagan Avenue, Officer. The decision to include public toilets as part of this work was at the Developer’s discretion,“ the council’s manager Infrastructure Services, Misty Johannsen said.
“As part of the permit planning process in 2018, Cardinia Shire Council provided recommendations in alignment with the criteria for installing outdoor toilet facilities in public spaces within the Cardinia Shire Public “Toilet Strategy. Given the size, location, and nature of the neighbourhood reserve development, implementing public toilets was not recommended at that time.
“Council does not currently have plans for including toilets at this location. Any future consideration would be in accordance with the Strategy.
“To date, Council has not received a request for installation of public toilets at this location.“
You can view current guidelines on public toilets at cardinia.vic.gov.au/publictoiletstrategy
