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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Loos to be replaced

Public toilet paradise... the options-rich Titan.

EARLY last year “CityNews” exposed the paucity and dreadful condition of public toilets in Civic.

Despite this, the loss of thousands of taxpayer dollars to fix lock breakages, graffiti and damage to tiles and electric doors continues as cleaners battle to keep them hygienic.

But there is hope. The Territory and Municipal Services has prioritised the Exeloo toilets in the Civic bus interchange, near the intersection of Mort and Bunda Streets and Mort and Alinga Streets, to be replaced by new, state-of-the-art Exeloo Titan toilets.

The installation of the toilets is expected to begin within two weeks and completed by the end of September.

So what does the future hold for patrons of the Titan? Well, the manufacturer’s website says this model optionally includes solar panels to generate electricity, rainwater harvesting, black water on-site treatment and recycling, water-efficient toilet pans and flushing systems.

“The latest technological advances at Exeloo provide the capability for a web-based remote monitoring system to be integrated into the automated versions that will enable instant access to extensive data including number of occupations, water usage, power consumption, programmable time settings and provide solutions to trouble shooting.”

None of which suggests that it will stop the locks and doors from being broken, spare the tiles or manage the graffiti.

While coy about revealing the cost of the Titans because “there are a number of factors involved in the installation”, a TAMS spokeswoman told “CityNews” that the upgrade of the city toilets would be funded as part of the $750,000 allocated in last year’s Budget for toilet upgrades.

“In recent months there were several occurrences of lock breakages, damage to tiles, graffiti and damage to electric doors,” she said.

“Over the past 12 months the total cost of repairs was $7300.

“Maintenance (including cleaning) of public toilets in the city is approximately $50,000 per year.”

She said staff monitor and clean public toilets in Civic up to six times a day Monday to Saturday, and four to six times on a Sunday.

“Staff also respond to Canberra Connect calls if members of the public find the toilets in an unclean condition,” she said.

In coming months, the toilets at the Hughes and Chisholm shops will also be refurbished.

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Ian Meikle, editor

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