A temporary toilet solution has not stopped visitors to Tarras doing their business in the town's school and playgroup grounds.
Last year, a lack of public toilets led to tourists trespassing and relieving themselves on the Tarras School grounds.
The Central Otago District Council talked with locals about solutions to the problem but, as a temporary measure, organised for the toilets at the Tarras Hall, which lies 800m north of the town, to be available during the busy period of mid-December to late February.
Tarras School principal Karen Blue said the school still had problems with trespassing over the summer.
"We've had people painting. One of the men said one day he yelled from the roof at people, at two different people, who jumped over the fence to go to the toilet in the bushes.''
The school started back last week and already had many instances of tourists trespassing on school grounds looking for toilets, she said.
"It's a real problem. It's when the kids are in school, and we have no idea who these people are.''
It seemed as though the hall toilets were being well used, she said.
"The man who cleans it said it has gone through a lot of hand towels.
"But I hope the council doesn't just decide to leave the doors open and have that be the solution. There need to be public toilets in the town.''
Tarras Playgroup president Tracy Dennison said she found faeces on its grounds that were left there over the summer.
"When I came in to do the gardens, I had to clean up some disgusting stuff.''
On the playgroup's first day back on Tuesday, five people tried to enter the grounds looking for toilets, she said.
"Without a doubt, there needs to be a public toilet in the town itself.''
Council property and facilities manager Mike Kerr said he was "surprised'' the problem persisted after the hall toilets were opened.
"They are close by and very well signposted so I can't imagine why that would be.''
The public use of the hall toilets was always meant to be temporary, he said.
The hall had reasonable usage but the exact number would not be known until counters council placed inside were checked, he said.
"When we check the numbers, it'll help us when thinking about a future solution.''
The council would continue to talk with local businesses and the Tarras Community Trust about long-term solutions.
Previously, the Tarras Country Cafe toilets were open to the public, but more than 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.
