Walkers and runners using Bacchus Marsh’s Moon Reserve are forced to travel almost four kilometres to access the nearest public toilet.
Vicki Gregson and her daughter Molly (pictured), who have been using the park on their morning walk for years, say it’s time the popular reserve had toilet facilities.
“You’re meant to be getting healthy, but sometimes you can’t do another lap because you might need to go to the toilet,” Mrs Gregson said. “The nearest toilet is back in town, and if you need to drive you won’t bother going back.”
A $180,000 public toilet at the reserve was listed in Moorabool council’s 2009 capital improvement program. But Western Water did not approve a sewer connection to the nearest main.
A council report at the time noted that since the location for an eastern interchange under the Anthonys Cutting bypass project had not been decided, there was “doubt about the effectiveness of a freeway type stop/rest area”.
A public toilet was again listed as being under consideration in council’s 2012-13 budget, but nothing has happened since.
Mrs Gregson said the reserve’s 2.9-kilometre track was used by many fitness buffs. “It’s getting so popular and the car park is often full, so it makes no sense [to have no toilet].”
Moorabool councillor David Edwards said the reserve often stayed busy throughout the day. “There are people there from 6am, and you go past at 4pm and it’s still packed with walkers and runners. And there’s a picnic area, three rotundas and a car park. But there’s a problem: there’s no toilet.”
Residents hope the matter will be addressed at the next council meeting.
