Fancy dunny plan provides some light relief

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A design for $400,000 unisex toilets on Kumutoto wharf.

An artist's impression of the wharewaka next to Frank Kitts lagoon. Construction is scheduled to start early next year.

A view of Kumutoto wharf. A temporary 40-berth campervan park is proposed to take the place of the building on the right, perhaps as early as December this year.

A proposed building for the Maritime Police and Dive Squad near the old Eastbourne ferry terminal at the bottom of Whitmore St.

The green sculpture in the centre is a Michel Tuffery design called Nga Kina, attached to the seabed.

A proposed temporary ice skating rink under the sails at Queens Wharf.

A proposed fabric structure between Te Papa and Waitangi Park that could be used for indoor sport and markets.

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The public has spoken - the $400,000 designer dunnies planned for Wellington's waterfront look like a fallopian tube, bulging eyes, or a bra discarded by pop star Madonna.

Wellington City Council wants to build the loos at Kumutoto Wharf, behind pub The Loaded Hog, as part of its draft waterfront development plan, which goes out for public comment this month.

But those enjoying the waterfront sun could barely wait to have their say, including Craig Simeon.

"Oh my God. It looks like something Madonna would have worn in the past ... It is just ugly. What are they supposed to be based on?"

He said the toilets reminded him of the new "rusty looking" Wellington airport terminal now being built, but which was likened by some to a pumpkin.

The toilet design was the winning entry from a competition held between 30 young designers from the Studio of Pacific Architecture.

Dan Scanlon thought the unisex loos would cost about $2.5 million to build and was surprised to learn they would cost about one-sixth of his estimate.

"They look like something internal, maybe a fallopian tube ... but if they are building something like a toilet they should look at functionality and spend the money on more important things."

Nicky Shields also thought the price tag was a bit steep for dunnies she said resembled a pair of binoculars.

"I think it is good to have public facilities and it is good to have the waterfront looking nice but it has to be within reason and $400,000 sounds quite a lot."

That view was backed by Catherine Robertshawe, who thought the toilets looked like the back end of a crayfish.

"It is important to have the dunnies but I don't think it is important to spend that much on them."

Anna Bowbyes said the ablution block looked like two big googly eyes and she thought it would be a good addition to the waterfront. "[But] at this time it is not that appropriate and they would have other projects to spend the money on."

A poll of Dominion Post readers on dompost.co.nz showed 31 per cent of respondents thought the fancy dunnies should be built. However, 46 per cent wanted the council to build bog-standard toilets to save money.

Two of the most recent toilet blocks built by the council at Mt Victoria and in Central Park cost just over $100,000 each.

The remaining 23 per cent of respondents thought the waterfront toilets were too expensive in the present economic climate.

The draft waterfront plan also includes a temporary ice skating rink for Queens Wharf and an indoor soccer venue between Te Papa and Waitangi Park.

A 40-berth campervan park at the bottom of Whitmore St is also proposed and could be open by December.

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Eddie Hartnett   #3   11:33 am Sep 07 2009

Its an eye sore and the cost is to dam high for rate payers but maybe the new super city up north some where will let the new mayor with super powers can put in his new office that way he or she can kook good even in a dunny.

Taryn   #2   10:07 am Sep 07 2009

its ugly, stupid and a waste of money. Welly councils trying to be too much like Bulls councils. at least the toilet they wanted to build up there makes sense.

this is just stupid.

Rex   #1   09:46 am Sep 07 2009

Does any other capital city in the world claim public toilets, airport terminals and Hilton hotels as tourist attractions?

I do not believe anyone anywhere in the world will make their holiday destination decisions based on who has the weirdest public toilet, stupidest airport terminal and snobbiest hotel.

Council recently canvassed the public on ways to save millions but keeps coming out with this crazy spending. Pull your heads in please.

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