No loo-sers in public toilet designs

PLEASED: Lorraine Gittings (left) and councillor Greg Lang with the exhibition of Carrington Park toilet designs now on display at the Carterton Events Centre. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

A collection of creative and quirky ideas for Carterton's public toilets are now on display, with organisers hoping the exhibition will inspire public debate on the new design.

About 46 designs for the Carrington Park toilets have been submitted by the public and are now available to view at the Carterton Events Centre.

The public can vote for their favourite ideas, with organisers looking to collate themes from the top designs.

Councillor Greg Lang said people had put a lot of time and effort into their designs. "It's fabulous that people are that interested and they've obviously put a lot of thought into it."

Carterton District Council community development manager Lorraine Gittings said they were pleased with the number of submissions, but always welcomed more. "It shows us that people do think that something needs to be done and they want to be involved."

The exhibition had already attracted some debate, she said.

"A lot of people are discovering by mistake that it's here, but quite a lot of people stand here having a chat."

The working group behind the scheme was hoping for community participation at all stages, she said.

"It's not about council making all the decisions or people thinking it's council's responsibility to do it ... this will only work if the community gets behind it."

Ideas received so far ranged from daffodil-laden designs, to scenic landscapes or changeable murals.

Some people chose to draw or use computer graphics while others had written in with plans.

It was important people took time to consider all the designs, not just the colourful ones, Ms Gittings said. "It's not a drawing competition."

Voting closes on May 10.