The Allan Labor Government has confirmed that there are no plans to replace the decommissioned public toilets at McLoughlins Beach while construction of the new jetty has been delayed yet again.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said it was wrong that the Government does not intend to replace the toilets at the jetty, which were closed in 2021 due to the septic system not complying with EPA guidelines.
“I have been writing to the respective Ministers who have held the Environment portfolio since the closure of the toilets to highlight the importance of these facilities to the community.
“Following the closure, I almost immediately began receiving emails – some with photo attachments – complaining of discarded toilet paper and faeces along the foreshore and around the vicinity of the closed facilities.
“It was clear then, and remains clear now, that the decision to close the toilets at the jetty was a terrible one.”
Mr O’Brien said that Parks Victoria previously tried to close the facilities as far back as 2014, with the belief that the shire-owned toilets some 600m away would be a suitable alternative.
“Following the attempted closure in 2014, it quickly became apparent that this was not a suitable fix and it was agreed that the state-owned toilets would remain open until an alternative was found – now some 10 years on the old rhetoric is being revisited.
“The jetty is a popular tourist destination and regrettably visitors are clearly not willing to travel more than half a kilometre to relieve themselves.”
Mr O’Brien also highlighted that despite a funding announcement for the new jetty in May 2022, works have been delayed with the Gippsland Ports website offering the following statement:
“Gippsland Ports is currently experiencing delays with the delivery of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials for the McLoughlins Beach Jetty replacement project. Project construction will not commence in March 2024 as previously indicated to the community.”
Mr O’Brien said this was another example of a delayed project under the Allan Labor Government which has proven time and again that it is not capable of delivering projects on time.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and it’s Gippslanders who are suffering the consequences.
“McLoughlins Bach residents and the wider community rejoiced at the news of a new jetty, now two years on there is no jetty and no plans for new toilets.
“The Allan Labor Government should be investing in the facilities at destinations like the McLoughlins Beach jetty, not limiting them.”