THE Margaret River Regional Environment Centre in Memorial Park is expected to be rebuilt into $168,000 public toilets, with shire staff recommending the shire pay rental costs of up to $6000 to the Centre residents for alternative premises.

It is also recommended they give 60 days’ notice to the residents.

However, the MRREC, while agreeing the park needs toilets, is not happy with their lease being terminated.

“Public misperception might view turning an Environment Centre into a toilet block as a graphic portrayal of the shire’s attitude towards the environment,” Centre co-ordinator Blair Darvill and assistant co-ordinator Saul Cresswell said in a letter to the shire.

“Environmental regard is rapidly becoming a mainstream concern, and things that only five years ago were regarded as ‘radical’, such as the abolition of plastic shopping bags, are being embraced with enthusiasm.

“We know the shire has a number of great environmental initiatives (but) the Environment Centre is a valuable community resource.

“We propose that the shire build composting toilets adjacent to the current building, rather than toilets inside the current building.

“(These are) the perfect example of a Towards Zero Waste initiative, as articulated in the recent Waste Strategy.”

Composting toilets were successfully used in such places as Booyeembara Park in Fremantle and Calgardup Adventure Cave, they said.

They suggested the MRREC be given responsibility for the building’s upkeep, having four certified carpenters among their members.

The Centre plans to expand their services to incorporate an Enviro-Shop for environmentally sound products, and an expanded library/research area.

The shire and Centre representatives have investigated alternative sites such as the Old Settlement site at the entrance to town, but the centre members would prefer to remain where they are.

Funds for the building construction would be available from the shire’s carpark cash-in-lieu contributions.

The Margaret River and Augusta Townsite Strategies identify the need for new public toilets but have not identified specific locations.

However, public consultation showed strong support for new toilets at Memorial Park.