The proposed toilet block is to be built in Wood Park. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A North Griffith resident has objected to her council’s plan to build a public toilet at a park near her home, saying it could attract antisocial behaviour, represents poor value for money and has been proposed without consultation with nearby residents.
Griffith Council announced on Facebook in May that it planned to build a $250,000 amenities block at Wood Park as part of its 2026/27 budget.
The proposal blindsided young mother Alison Pittavino, who grew up near the park and now lives beside it with her children. She said neither she nor her neighbours were consulted about the project.
“If we all used public toilets as they’re supposed to be used for, it would be fine. But we know public toilets at night can be used for other things,” she said.
Ms Pittavino said a bathroom located metres from family homes could attract unwelcome visitors late at night and create safety concerns.
“I feel deeply concerned about the way this project has been handled,” she told a Griffith Council public forum this week.
“The residents who live by the park … were not informed, not asked and not given any opportunity to provide feedback.
“Placing this infrastructure metres from family homes creates a predictable and avoidable impact on residents’ safety and quality of life.”
She argued the plan contradicted the council’s own guidelines, noting Wood Park was classified as a neighbourhood park intended to serve residents living within a 10-minute walk. She said this differed from destination parks, such as the ‘Egg Park’ on Banna Avenue, which attracted visitors from across the city and were more likely to require public amenities.
Ms Pittavino also questioned whether the project was the best use of ratepayers’ money.
“Council is adopting a budget with a very thin margin, and you’re investing $250,000 in a toilet block. It seems like a bit of a ‘nice to have’ thing,” she said.
“It’s $250,000 for a start, then you have to clean it and lock it, and then upgrade it in the future.”
Some nearby residents, however, are supportive of the toilet block plans.
“Most parks have toilets,” grandma Leearna Brauman said.
“It would be an asset as so many families use that park. Any place can attract the unwelcome. As a grandmother that uses that park weekly I know first hand what it is like when you or a child need to go to the toilet. The space is so open that you could not even squat behind a tree. A toilet is an everyday necessity for us all.”
Ms Pittavino, though, wants genuine discussion and debate before the project proceeds.
“I’m asking for proper consultation and a pause on the project until that is complete,” she said.
