The Ruapehu township of Owhango is to get a new public toilet - and the locals have had a say on where the toilet should be located.
Owhango is one of five locations around Ruapehu that received government co-investment funding for a public toilet under a tourism facilities grant.
Owhango locals were invited to give their opinions on the location of the toilet at a meeting on July 25, organised by the Owhango Residents and Ratepayers Association. The decision was made to place the toilet on the road reserve on SH4, opposite Owhango Motors.
Rebecca van Orden from the Ruapehu District Council said that council had preselected two public toilet suppliers who provide various design options for modular pre-constructed toilets where the exterior can be stylised in a number of different ways.
"Owhango residents were asked to decide on their preferred modular design option, location and what styling or aesthetics they would like on the outside of the toilet," she said.
"Locating the toilet on the road reserve opposite Owhango Motors on SH4 means it is next to an already formed carpark and provides good access to available power and water supplies."
Mrs van Orden said the chosen location also leaves plenty of space for any future development such as the suggestion to place an electrical vehicle (EV) charging station alongside the toilet.
"The inclusion of an EV charging station will not be part of this development but it is something that council will investigate.
"We anticipate that the project should be completed by the end of November in time for summer and increased usage of the 42nd Traverse and the Tongariro forest."
