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Work to install the long-awaited Baldwin St toilet in North Rd late last year pushed the price of the facility $77,300 over budget.
Dunedin City Council recreation planning and facilities general manager Jendi Paterson said yesterday the "Portland loo" had required kerbing and channelling work that pushed it over the budget of $100,000 to $177,300.
The toilet was developed in United States city Portland but built in Dunedin, There was considerable road work around the site during its installation in November last year.
The budget was raised this week during an infrastructure services and networks committee meeting.
Ms Paterson said yesterday the toilet itself cost $98,000.
The council was looking at different types of toilets for Dunedin, and would be going through a procurement process to find preferred suppliers.
There were some around the country that were "pretty cost-effective".
The Portland loo was lauded when it was proposed as being easy to maintain with no tiles or electronic doors and few moving parts. They were favoured by police overseas, as "nefarious" activities were less easy to undertake than in fully enclosed toilets.
Ms Paterson said she would not rule out using them again, but it would depend on the environment and the infrastructure available.
"It was absolutely perfect for Baldwin St and the services that were there."
The council was not looking at new sites for toilets. Any that were needed were mostly to replace older ones.