There will be relief in Tarras this summer as a temporary solution to its toilet problem is found.
The Central Otago District Council plans to open the Tarras Hall toilets to travellers by late this week or early next week to address the town's lack of public facilities.
They will be open from 8am to 8pm daily for the next three months, when travellers often visit the town's shopping area.
Previously, the Tarras Country Cafe toilets were open to the public, but three years ago they began failing and the council offered financial help for waste disposal.
It stopped contributing in June and the owners enforced a ‘‘patrons only'' policy as costs grew too high.
Last month, Tarras School pupils sent a letter to the mayor requesting a solution to the problem after several incidents in which travellers climbed the fence and relieved themselves on school grounds.
Council property and facilities manager Mike Kerr said it was just waiting for the arrival of signs which would be placed on either side of Tarras to direct traffic to the hall, 800m north of the town.
Toilet paper dispensers and security locks had been installed and the council would pay the hall committee to maintain the toilets.
Its modern sewerage system could manage demand over the busy summer season, he said.
In the past, the council had discussed a solution with Tarras Country Cafe in which toilets could again be used by patrons and the public, although no agreement had been reached.
It would continue to pursue long-term solutions, although at present it was focusing on the coming Christmas period, Mr Kerr said.
Tarras Country Cafe owner Christina Perriam said she was glad the council had taken action.
"It's good that they are actually doing something. At least now we can tell customers that there are toilets down the road.''
She hoped a more permanent solution could be reached in the future.
Tarras School principal Karen Blue said the signs might stop people jumping over the school fence.
The issue of security for the children would not be affected by this solution as it would be largely during a period when school was closed, she said.
"But even when we aren't there, you still don't want excrement in your back yard.''
