The Clutha District Council began planning for the new facilities in 2018, and expects to finalise designs and funding at its first meeting of 2021 next month.
Balclutha’s toilets will have a theme paying homage to the town’s river setting and former paddle steamer, and Milton’s will centre on a "river of light" theme, depicting a cultural journey through history.
Clutha District Council service delivery group manager Jules Witt said both designs were in their final stages, and remained to be approved by the council and other stakeholders, including neighbouring property owners.
Both projects were budgeted at $550,000, although this did not include landscaping.
Mr Witt said the council hoped the Balclutha facility would "capture the attention".
"The intention is that the entire site will be attractive to locals and visitors alike, and the toilets will be high quality within a useful and functional space.
"The purpose is to provide a suitable public toilet facility, and create a ‘notable point of interest’ to capture the attention of passing visitors and locals to stop, take time and enjoy."
The master plan for the Balclutha facility would include "extensive" landscaping, reflecting the Catlins rainforest.
"The proposed master plan [aims] to highlight the physical and historic qualities that make up the town and its history. This is depicted through elements illustrating the movement and flow of the Clutha River through the town, the lush and dense nature of the Catlins Forest and the paddle steamer that once navigated the river.
"These combine to tell a story of the town and region’s past, present and future."
He said landscaping costs would be considered later, as a further stage of the Balclutha Streetscape Project.
Those wishing to spend a penny before June would be relieved by plans for temporary toilets at the site.
"We’re intending to have temporary toilets installed in this area during February, and aiming for the main toilet construction to be completed by the end of June, for both towns."
