Shrek the sheep mural planned for public toilet

Hermit sheep Shrek with his impressive fleece in 2010. Photo / Supplied

Tarras' soon-to-be-built public toilets will be graced with a mural of its woolliest celebrity.

The Central Otago District Council says the facilities are still planned for a late-June installation.

The village has no public toilets, which led to problems at the school with tourists trespassing and relieving themselves on its grounds.

Tarras School has relied on two Portaloos at the school gate since March last year, and the council has paid for waste removal.

Council property and facilities officer Tara Bates said the toilets would be partly on the edge of the car park and partly in the northeast front corner of the school grounds.

The school was asked if it wanted to contribute artwork to go on the toilet block wall, she said.

''But because of the tight timeframe they were happy to approve a photo of Shrek, suggested by Exeloo.''

The council would buy land from the Ministry of Education for the block and wastewater disposal system.

It would contain two standard unisex toilet cubicles and one disability cubicle.

The project is being funded with $247,000 from the Government and $370,000 from the council.

Acting principal Christine Stevenson said the sooner the toilets were installed the better.

The Portaloos did a ''decent job'' of stopping tourists entering the school, she said.

''But they aren't the best look to have at your school gate, and as the children have pointed out, they stink.''

Having Shrek on the toilet wall was appropriate as the sheep ''put Tarras on the map''.

The children ''advocated very, very strongly'' about their feelings towards their school playground being used as a toilet, she said.

''They lobbied the council, they wrote to the MP. They have a great sense of pride and great sense of responsibility.''