Lalor toilet below par
Melissa Merrett
08Jul08
Mike Davis is calling on the council to provide modern public toilet facilities.
A PARAPLEGIC wheelchair user who works in Lalor is campaigning for an immediate upgrade to the ageing David St public toilet block.
Epping's Mike Davis says the public toilet, which is nothing more than a concrete block and steel bowl, lacks the basic necessities to cater for disabled and elderly users.
"The David St toilet is just a steel toilet bowl," Mr Davis said. "There is no hand rail and it's not clean.
"This is totally inappropriate for the disabled and elderly."
The toilet block, built more than 20 years ago, received a major renovation in 2000.
In an emailed statement, Whittlesea Council acting chief executive Neil Hocking said the council was developing a public toilet strategy in a bid to upgrade public toilets across the municipality.
"Disabled toilet facilities are available within the Lalor shopping precinct," he said.
"In addition to the David St block, facilities are available for public usage at Lalor Library during library operating hours.
"The public toilet strategy will better place council to seek external funding."
Mr Davis said the Lalor Library disabled toilet was not always available.
He said nothing had improved since he last called on Whittlesea Council to look into the matter.
The Whittlesea Leader spoke to Mr Davis in April after he was accidentally locked inside the Lalor Senior Citizens Centre.
"I have had much experience using disabled toilets," he said.
"But in these toilets there is no hand rail and I can't do a 360-degree turn.
"The toilets are totally out of date in this modern day."
Lalor Traders' Association centre manager Ray Jacobs said he admitted the toilets were not "up to scratch".
"As far as I know the council has met with the request favourably and were looking for funding," he said.
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