An Exeloo site next to Invercargill Public Library has been put forward as a possible new location for a city shower. PHOTO: MATTHEW ROSENBERG

Accessibility concerns may have stymied the latest plan to replace an Invercargill shower used by homeless people.

The Invercargill City Council has been working on a replacement for its Wachner Pl public toilet and shower since May last year, when councillors voted to close it on the condition a new location was explored.

The site has remained open and is now operating under reduced hours as the council inches towards a solution.

Council manager Chris Bowen presented a paper to councillors on Tuesday which aimed to solve the quandary by recommending the addition of a shower to an Exeloo public toilet located next to the city library, about 50m away.

The project was expected to cost up to $25,000 and would replace the infrequently used Wachner Pl facility, which had cost the council $270 per use prior to a reduction in hours.

But Mr Bowen noted in his report that while a compact shower and toilet facility could fit into the planned space, it would not be fully accessible, which prompted Cr Andre de Vries to ask if it needed to be reconsidered.

Cr de Vries was backed by Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell, who raised several questions.

‘‘I would rather encourage staff to bring back a more fully formed paper.

‘‘Can the shower fit into that space?

‘‘How big would it be? Can it be accessible?’’ Mr Campbell said.

He said there was strong feeling in the community for providing showers and he supported a potential partnership model.

With the existing set-up allowed to operate for a further 12 months, a decision could wait six months, Mr Bowen said.

He said the Wachner Pl facility was primarily focused on those displaced from housing, and a redesign and rescoping were needed for accessible options at the proposed new site.

Councillors ultimately requested further information on an accessible Exeloo upgrade and more work be undertaken on a partnership option.

A December report said the cost of operating and maintaining the existing facility was $194,294 a year.

Operating hours were recently reduced to four hours a day.

The staffed toilet facility opened in 1988 and contains a shower, which can be used for $4.10.

• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.