Lake Dunstan visitors will soon have four more reasons to relax and enjoy the scenery, with Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) planning to install new public toilets around the popular recreation area.
While new toilets do not often make headlines, LINZ Leader Project Delivery Sarah Thompson says these facilities are likely to become some of the hardest-working infrastructure on the lake.
"The new toilets will support growing visitor numbers and make it easier for locals and tourists to spend time cycling, walking, fishing and boating around Lake Dunstan without having to plan their day around the nearest bathroom," she says.
Two new dry vault toilets will be installed at the Jacksons Inlet freedom camping site, which previously had no toilet facilities. An additional dry vault toilet will also be installed at the Lowburn freedom camping site near the boat ramp.
The existing toilets at Bannockburn and Bendigo have reached the end of their serviceable life and will be replaced with new dry vault toilets.
Thompson says the project is about delivering practical benefits for visitors while helping protect the surrounding environment.
"Unlike a traditional long drop toilet, a dry vault toilet stores waste in a sealed underground tank that is regularly emptied, helping protect the surrounding environment while providing a durable toilet solution for high-use recreation areas," she says.
"Toilets might not be glamorous, but they're among the most important public facilities we provide. People rarely notice them when they're there, but they certainly notice when they're not."
LINZ expects all new toilets to be operational by early summer.
Media contact
Email: media@linz.govt.nz