Ballarat’s central business district could get a 24-hour public toilet in the next year.
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Council officers have identified a site on Lydiard Street for the toilet, which would aim to curb public urination and defecation – something traders have long complained about.
Councillor Amy Johnson said the proposal would come before council ahead of the next budget.
“A preferred site has been identified and the site has been costed,” she said. “A bud-
get bid has been drawn up.”
The former Smart Living Centre would be modified so people had access to a toilet but not the shop itself.
Cr Johnson said the plan was part of a strategy to reduce antisocial behaviour in the CBD and make life easier for traders.
“We have also applied for funding (from the state government) to move the second taxi rank on Lydiard Street,” she said. “It’s down near the station now and not a lot of people would know it was there.”
CCTV cameras and other modifications would need to be made to whichever new spot was picked for the night-time rank.
The lack of toilets in the entertainment precinct has long been an issue for traders, who say revellers often relieve themselves on their shops late at night.
Camp Street occupants in December said the problem was getting worse, and at the weekend one Armstrong Street vendor had had enough.
Rewind Ballarat operator Vincent Heley said his shop was hit often because it has the first indented entrance from Mair Street.
“It’s happening more and more, unfortunately,” he said, referring to people urinating on his front door and windows.
On Saturday morning,he arrived to find vomit all over his shop window.
“(Saturday) morning was so bad. I was dry-retching as I was cleaning it up. They’ve gone all over the window, which has then spilled all over the ground,” he said.
Mr Heley, whose shop hosts 20 different stallholders of varying ages, said toilets in the CBD would help keep his shopfront urine and vomit-
free.
“There’s nothing open at night for (people out late),” he said.
“Whatever happens, there should be some options, certainly something for people out near the clubs, which are all pretty much along from Mair Street.”
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au