Warrnambool City Council says putting toilets at the Logans Beach whale-viewing platform is unlikely, citing the unpredictability of visiting whales.
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Visible effects of a wave of visitors to the site such as extra rubbish and muddied grass areas used for parking, prompted by an outstanding season for southern right whale-viewing, sparked discussion about how to improve facilities.
Council’s visitor economy manager David McMahon said the attraction was dependent on the whims of wild animals, meaning some whale seasons would be busier than others.
“This is an exceptionally good whale watching season with up to 11 whales taking up residence in the waters just off our shoreline,” he said. “In contrast, in 2016 no whales remained in the area for more than a couple of days and as a consequence, comparatively few people visited the whale viewing platform.
“So we have a location that receives significant, yet very irregular visitation.”
Mr McMahon said people were staying at the platform for about half an hour, and almost everyone travelled to the area by car.
He said a recently refurbished toilet block at the Blue Hole, a popular spot all year round, was less than a two-minute drive from Logans Beach.
“A comprehensive review of Warrnambool’s public amenities was undertaken in 2013, which acknowledged that while requests had been received to construct toilet facilities at Logans Beach, other locations were considered to be higher priorities,” Mr McMahon said.
He said upgrades had been finished at Koroit Street and Lake Pertobe and were to be done at McGennans Carpark and the Botanic Gardens.