BEING able to use a proper public toilet is not an outrageous request, according to a group of Burrill Lake residents.
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The residents are upset the toilets in McDonald Parade Reserve have been closed, a fence placed around them and replaced by portable toilets.
The toilets were closed about six months ago. The fence went around the amenities block six-weeks ago and portable toilets dropped installed in their place.
Local resident Tracy Surace said the toilets were used by both visitors and local residents alike.
"We need the toilets because we have a lot of people who use the park here," she said.
"People who come on holiday, people who have picnics, people who are just passing through and people who play cricket all need to use the facilities."
Mrs Surace said children can't go over to the Lions Park because it was too far and added workers, like nurses, also need to use the facilities.
Vice President of the Burrill Lake Community Association, Stew Craig, has been liaising with council on the matter.
He feels the council just wants them to go away.
"I think it's important that they (council) realise that we are serious and do not appreciate being ignored," he said.
Council did respond to a request from the Milton Ulladulla Times for more information.
"An inspection of the Public Amenity blocks located at McDonald Parade Reserve was undertaken earlier this year by Council staff," a council spokesperson said.
"Both amenity blocks were found to be in extremely poor condition with potential structural issues.
"An engineer was engaged to provide a structural report which deemed the blocks unsafe for continued use by the public.
"The amenities were restricted immediately, and portable toilets were provided to maintain an amenities service at that location."
Council will be moving the project up higher on its list of things to do.
"This Public Amenity was originally planned to be retired and replaced in the 2024/25 financial year. However, council has elected to move their replacement forward rather than repair them," the spokesperson said.
"Preliminary plans for a new twin unisex accessible amenity block at this location are close to being completed for public comment.
"Council is planning to have the new amenities constructed by July 2021."
Given how many people visit the area Mr Craig thinks the lack of public toilets is a bad look.
"With the traffic flow, especially during the holiday period, when you are stuck there [on the Princes Highway] there is nowhere for you to go and the toilets do get used by people who are stuck in traffic," he said.
"The toilets are essential - they really are."
The residents say the toilets were going to be fixed more than eight years ago and nothing was done.
They want the matter to be resolved now - not later.