In response to two complaints aired at this month’s city council meeting, infrastructure services manager Glenn Reddick said a decision was yet to be made.

“Council is undertaking a public toilet strategy that will involve seeking community feedback on a range of issues including location and type of toilets that best meet the city’s needs,” he said.

Cr Peter Hulin described the temporary block as disgusting and ratepayer Les Ryan said the community wanted answers.

Mayor Michael Neoh later said the current arrangement was not a good look for a progressive regional city.

The facility was installed in early 2011 just before public toilets behind the former entertainment centre were closed for a major rejuvenation of the venue to transform it into what is now the Lighthouse Theatre.

There are no after-hours toilets attached to the theatre.

In December 2011 Cr Michael Neoh aired community concerns there would be no after-hours toilets at the southern end of the CBD if the temporary block was closed without a replacement.

Yesterday he reaffirmed his view saying the portable toilets were not ideal.

“We are promoting ourselves as a regional city, but here we have portable toilets in the centre of town — it’s not a good look,”  he said.

“There certainly needs to be accessible toilets at that end of town given the entertainment venues, taxi rank and Civic Green.”

Cr Neoh said it had been a collective decision by the council to undertake a consultant’s study looking at  the overall  picture of  public toilets in Warrnambool.

“Personally I would have preferred the study money and maintenance money to have been spent on replacing the Gilles Street portable unit immediately,” he said.

“However, a wider study will look at needs in other areas and priorities.

“I think it is due to be completed by the end of this financial year.

“The Active Ageing Committee has already done an audit and looked at accessibility for disabled people.”