New toilets for the Apollo Bay boat ramp

COLAC Otway Shire will start work this week installing new toilets and a shower near the Apollo Bay Harbour boat ramp.

Infrastructure and leisure services general manger Ingrid Bishop said the work was being undertaken in response to strong community support for the existing portable facilities to be upgraded.

“We understand how popular this area is, particularly during the tourist season, so it’s important these facilities are upgraded to meet user needs,” she said.

Three new portable cubicles will be installed, including an accessible toilet.

An outside cold water shower and foot basin will also be put in place so people can wash sand and salt off after using the boat ramp and beach.

“These toilets will be a vast improvement on the existing facilities and have a much larger holding tank to ensure they can be used for longer periods without needing to be closed for the tank to be emptied,” she said.

Installation works are expected to be complete by early March.

Ms Bishop said the installation of permanent of plans for the development of Apollo Bay Harbour.

“It is currently not possible to install a permanent facility as there is no power or sewerage access to the site, but the process currently being undertaken to seek private sector interest in developing the harbour will ultimately result in helping us to overcome these challenges.”

Council will shortly be calling for nominations from Apollo Bay residents to join the project control group, which will be responsible for designing the expression of interest process for market testing of vision for the harbour.