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Upokongaro public toilet development

Project typePublic toilet development
Completion Date16 December 2022

Upokongaro toilet block - artists impression

Recent developments in and around Upokongaro, such as the Mountain to Sea Cycle Trail and the Upokongaro cycle and pedestrian bridge that crosses the Whanganui River, are expected to bring new opportunities to the whole of Whanganui as well as the Upokongaro community.

Project background

With growth in visitor numbers anticipated, Whanganui District Council has committed to providing a public toilet facility in the vicinity of the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall. A public survey was held in August 2020 to gather feedback from the community on the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall's future, including the possible addition of a public toilet. Full results of the survey can be found in this report(PDF, 7MB).

The council acknowledges the ongoing relationship with local hapū Ngā Paerangi in the post Upokongaro cycle and pedestrian bridge construction phase, and the leadership Ngā Paerangi have shown to bring the community’s interests to the fore as per the values of Tupua Te Kawa. Further discussion with Ngā Paerangi will take place during the facility’s development.

A community engagement event is planned for early July 2022 to show plans for the site and to seek community input on other aspects of the area like type of plantings and positioning of cycle racks.

The facility and size

New Zealand public toilet designers Exeloo have been contracted to supply a twin-accessible toilet. The toilet block, supplied as a flat pack, is now in council storage while an installation site is prepared beside the hall. A concrete path will connect the toilet to a proposed small parking area in front of the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall with suitable landscaping and plantings to enhance the area.

It’s intended the toilet block will be installed on the southern side of Upokongaro War Memorial Hall in an existing open area. To service the toilet, one 20,000-litre biowaste holding tank will be installed underground behind the toilet block and a new 25,000-litre water supply tank located behind the hall.

Facility components

Exeloo Jupiter silver 42DD twin accessible public toilet

This toilet block is steel-framed with a reinforced concrete base and a highly-durable fibre cement exterior. The unit has been designed with an awning and privacy screens, and on a single wall, two bicycle racks. The interior is ceramic-tiled with surface-mounted stainless steel fittings. While the toilet has been supplied in black to meet production deadlines, it can also be covered in a solid colour of photo film or a pictorial photo film. An advantage with photo film is that it is more difficult to graffiti permanently.

One Eletank 20,000-litre biowaste tank

Although designed as a water tank, this tank will be used as biowaste holding tank to service the toilet and hall biowaste. Buried 300mm below ground, the tank will be installed with an alarm to signal when it needs emptying. Once activated, the alarm will also lock the entrance door to the toilet and notify the council to arrange emptying. The tank will be emptied by a certified company.

One Eletank 25,000-litre water tank

This tank will supply water to the toilet block using water carrier supply. Pending a decision on the future restoration of the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall, rainwater from the hall's roof can be used to supplement this tank in low rainfall situations. The tank will also be fitted with an alarm to notify the council when it needs refilling or emptying of excess water.