Anna Bay community to lose its Ocean Avenue toilet block

While Port Stephens councillors decided last Tuesday night to demolish the existing Ocean Avenue public amenities building, it was also agreed that the council investigate the financial viability of increasing the number of new toilets at nearby Robinson Reserve from four to six.

The council resolution - to acknowledge the need for more, not less, public toilets to cater for more visitors and for use by locals - has baffled the South Tomaree Community Association, which started a petition to halt demolition. STCA spokesperson Chris Mitchell said that residents who signed the petition were disappointed with the outcome.

"Although the council had resolved that more, not less, public toilets were needed in the LGA, we still lost a toilet," Ms Mitchell said.

"Anna Bay has gained nothing and lost a toilet block. What should the community do to continue this dispute? We have promises which are hot air at this stage. The talk needs to be converted into a motion."

The Anna Bay community was assured that demolition would only take place after the $1.3 million Robinson Reserve upgrade works had been completed, expected in early 2020.

"The 40-year-old brick building would be replaced with a beach shower and drinking water station, with the new public amenities facility to be constructed approximately 180m away as part of a revamped Robinson Reserve," the council report said.

The report stated that the building had corrosion in most components due to its proximity to the ocean. "The structure also has asbestos containing material in the roof lining, eaves, waterproofing and switchboard. Based on recent asset inspections, it is considered unviable to undertake a major renovation."

The combined maintenance and cleaning costs for the existing building are in the order of $15,000 per year and the new direction was in accordance with the adopted Birubi Point Aboriginal Place master plan and Robinson Reserve concept plan.

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