REVISED plans for Mildura’s Powerhouse precinct were approved by councillors on Wednesday night – but there was one aspect of the $6 million project that left a bad smell.
Before a vote was unanimously carried at the 20-minute meeting, several councillors raised concerns about the new toilets’ 70-metre distance from the existing amenities beside Jaycee Park.
There was also a question from Cr Stefano de Pieri that flushed out the million-dollar price tag for the demolition of the existing toilet block and building a new one.
“On our current costings, that have yet to be market-tested, the additional toilets and landscaping and removal of existing toilets, it would (cost) in excess of a million dollars,” Mildura Rural City Council’s community general manager Martin Hawson said.
Cr Glenn Milne kicked off the questions about the new toilets’ location at the back of the remodelled precinct, which marks the start of stage 2 in the Mildura riverfront redevelopment.
“I really like the (revised Powerhouse) plan – but I’m really struggling with the placement of the new toilets and the distance from Jaycee Park,” he said.
In his response, Mr Hawson said: “The plan is to put additional toilets on Jaycee Park, as part of the Jaycee Park redevelopment (which has no funding yet).
“The building of the new toilets … would be programmed so that there’d be minimal impact.
“The removal of the existing toilets would be the last phase of the (Powerhouse) development, which would enable a smooth transition between the use of the old toilets and the new toilets.
“With the future development of the toilets for Jaycee, obviously that will cover off on the proximity issue. There’s about 70m difference (from the current block), in terms of the proximity.”
Cr Cyndi Power then asked if it was possible “to keep the existing toilet” because “there is a lot of community concern”.
She was followed by Deputy Mayor Helen Healy, who said: “I, too, have received many inquiries about the toilet situation.
“They are comparing it to the situation down the other end near Nowingi Place and the distance children have to go to the toilet.
“I would ask that the old toilets are kept as long as possible and that we go seek funding for new toilets immediately so that there’s not a long period of time just having the one set of toilets down there.”
Mr Hawson said in his response: “One of the key design objectives is to really make a connection with that side of Jaycee Park and the new (Powerhouse) precinct.
“Where the existing toilets are now, it is actually a barrier in terms of that connection.
“As part of the project, there is a significant cost in the demolition (of the toilets).
“If we were to delay that, then it obviously would have funding implication in that council would have to fund that as opposed to using the funding we’ve got through the State Government.”
In relation to separate concerns about parking in the precinct, Mr Hawson said there would be an additional 48 car spaces as part of the early works package.
“This is compensating for where the village square will be going in the Powerhouse precinct,” he said.
“It isn’t in the current plan that is on the website, but it is certainly built into the project.”
Councillors Mark Eckel, Jodi Reynolds and Milne praised the overall design changes after input last month from 1000 residents and businesses.
In closing the meeting, Mayor Jason Modica said of the project: “It will be a wonderful step forward and another piece in the puzzle of the riverfront.”
