The Berwick Springs Wetlands Reserve Masterplan was endorsed by Council in 2016 to improve the reserve for residents and visitors. The masterplan identified the need for a public toilet within the reserve to enhance the use and function of the space by allowing visitors to stay longer.

The proposed location was chosen based on community feedback and consultation with Melbourne Water.

We undertook community engagement in October 2022 to seek feedback on our proposal to upgrade the Berwick Springs Wetlands Reserve west playground which included a new public toilet facility. Following community feedback, we’ve relocated the public toilet.

The new location is more centralised within the reserve and has been purposely located close to existing facilities such as the playground, tennis court and fitness equipment where visitors and general reserve users are most likely to visit.

The new toilet location and orientation provides visitors with direct, convenient, and accessible access to public toilet facilities from the playground and adjacent path.

The public toilet design aims to create a welcoming atmosphere while maximizing its integration with the surrounding environment. The structure features rounded edges and light-coloured materials, which help soften the street view while providing good passive surveillance. To further blend in with the natural surroundings, carefully selected vegetation will be incorporated, achieving a seamless integration with the environment while maintaining visibility standards.

The proposed toilet design encompasses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an approach to preventing crime by considering the relationship between the physical environment and its users. We all recognize how our space can convey a message about safety, whether safe or dangerous. The idea behind CPTED is that the design of a physical environment can influence our behaviour and, in turn, reduce the incidence and fear of crime.

The proposed public toilet is considered highly visible within the reserve and surrounding recreation area and not hidden from public view. The toilet location and orientation provides easy access to users from an accessible well-lit path ensuring safety for all.

The toilet will operate between the hours of xxx through the winter months and xxx during the summer months. Outside of these hours, the cubicles will be locked automatically.

The toilet will be cleaned regularly as part of Council's scheduled maintenance program.

Construction is anticipated to commence in early 2024 and take three to four months to complete.