outrage over one council’s decision to close public toilets

The Cessnock City Council has taken to Facebook to announce the temporary closure of public toilets due to the current Covid-19 situation.

The toilet cloures come into effect from 3pm, Thursday, January 13, 2022.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staffing, Cessnock City Council wishes to advise the following public toilets are temporarily closed from 3pm, Thursday, January 13, 2022.

Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause during this very difficult time. The community will be advised once these facilities have reopened.

• North End Park, Cessnock

• Mount View Basin Sporting Complex, Cessnock

• Chinaman’s Hollow, Weston

• Weston Memorial Park, Weston

• Margret Johns Oval, Kurri Kurri

• Booth Park, Kurri Kurri

• Norman Brown Park, Greta

• Ayrfield Miners Memorial Park, North Rothbury

• East End Oval ( no longer a public toilet), Bridges Hill Playground amenities adjacent open

Some citizens have been very vocal in their disgust in the comments section one user wrote,

“Really? Out of everything you choose to cut back on, public toilets made the top of the list?!… Everyone understands sacrifices need to be made in the current climate, but closing public toilets is a really poor choice…”

Another user wrote,

“So we’ll all just come into council to use your toilets instead?”

With many more citizens voicing their concerns on the Facebook page.

A source from inside council has told MHV NEWS that decision has made by the General Manager, due to staffing issues caused by the pandemic.