A REFURBISHED toilet block in central Warrnambool is flush with energy-saving themes to take a load off the environment.
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There’s a solar panel on the roof to produce electricity, tanks to gather rainwater for flushing and manually-operated doors instead of the previous automatic electric mechanism.
The $140,000 Warrnambool City Council project in Koroit Street comprises two unisex cubicles and one to suit people with physical disabilities and parents with young children.
“They are brighter, cleaner, more environmentally friendly and compliant with modern standards,” said council communications manager Nick Higgins. “The solar photovoltaic panel on the roof will offset about 50 per cent of power requirements for the toilet block.
“Tanks collect roof run-off to supplement water requirements.
“The design is considered safer because the alcove is gone and people can access cubicles directly off the footpath.
“With the previous design we had regular feedback that the automatic doors caused concerns, so now there’s manual opening and closing.
“This makes maintenance much simpler because the automatic system required specialists.”
Toilet blocks in Gilles Street and Dennington’s Payne Reserve are also listed for upgrades this financial year.