Green Point Public Toilet

Extensive consultation (the feedback from which can be viewed here) was undertaken as part of the Public Toilet Strategy in 2018. As part of selecting a preferred location, Council consulted with residents and key stakeholders to understand their views on the preferred location and design of the new toilet along the Green Point foreshore.

The majority of the responses (22 of the 25) supported the construction of a new public toilet in the vicinity of the northern end of the carpark in close proximity to the Brighton Foreshore Gardens. A number of respondents commented that it was important that the location should be central to serve the carpark and reserve (but not in the middle of the reserve) and some suggested a kiosk or café.

Many factors were considered including: Crime Prevention Though Environmental Design (CPTED); local sightlines; below ground services and infrastructure; cultural heritage and proximity to local amenities (picnic area, playground, shared path, coastal trail and beach access).

The public toilet is now open for use while we complete minor finalisation works.

Safety is Council’s primary concern. Best practice guidelines indicate that to minimise vandalism and anti-social behaviour in and around public toilets, they should be located in a highly visible and high traffic area. This is called Crime Prevention Though Environmental Design (CPTED).

Unisex toilets are part of Bayside City Council’s standard design of new toilets. The facilities are much smaller than providing separate toilets for male/female/all abilities/all genders. A smaller building means less impact on the natural environment and a reduced cost to build, clean and maintain.

We aim for the highest levels of accessibility for everyone when new toilets are designed, but in the case of Green Point there are significant site restraints and no access to the water.  It is felt that while such facilities enhance community participation, they are better located as part of larger council buildings such as, for example,  sporting pavilions, lifesaving clubs or where there are opportunities for water access. There are a number of other locations that have been put forward as preferred locations for Changing Places facilities that will be delivered in Council’s next four-year plan which is currently being developed.

As safety is the primary concern in building public toilets, it is important that they are visible and clearly identifiable.

The bright entry door colours are chosen to provide a contrast for people who are vision impaired and to improve CPTED outcomes. The current design Bayside is using for public toilets is bright, modern, attractive with good levels of natural light and ventilation.

The current design will be similar to the toilet on the foreshore at Sandringham, opposite Southey Street. The design includes two unisex toilets, an accessible toilet and a small cleaner’s room (some sites may have two ambulant unisex cubicles).

The bright entry door colours are chosen to provide a contrast for people who are vision impaired and to improve CPTED outcomes. The design is bright, modern and attractive with good levels of natural light and ventilation. The design uses some recycled cladding, energy efficient LED lighting and is cost effective to build, clean and maintain.

The toilet will be open for use only within daylight hours. Lighting for the toilet will also be turned off when closed, the toilet will not be lit all night.

The doors will face south