Town left short changed over lack of accessible and outdated facillities
By Sonia Isaacs
USERS of a much-loved park in Mapleton are urging the council to replace toilet facilities after the collapse and closure of an outdated public and non-accessible compliant bathrooms more than five months ago.
Community members said the issue at Lilypond Park had drawn attention to pressing concerns about accessibility, public safety, and the state of community infrastructure in the hinterland town.
“We believe Mapleton is being short-changed,” said Mr Standage. MADCA is calling for council to reconsider its priorities and deliver infrastructure that matches the park’s importance to the local community.
Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) President Max Standage said that the “catastrophic failure” of the long drop toilets meant immediate action was critical.
“MADCA has been advocating for some time for the toilets at the Lilyponds Park to be upgraded.
The Park is a focal point for our community, hosting events, a dog park, and soon a half-court basketball area,” he said.
It is understood that the council had planned to replace the long-drop system. But Mr Standage argued this was unacceptable as it would not allow for disability access.
Council confirmed that the current sewage system was beyond repair and could not be connected to town mains.
Yet no project timeline has been established. For parents and other community members, this delay is unacceptable, Mr Standage stated. He said this left users feeling unsafe and this in turn deterred visitors.
In correspondence with MADCA earlier this year, the council indicated that upgrades to the park’s amenities will be included in a broader 10-year works program for consideration later this financial year.
However, residents argue that this timeline is insufficient to address the immediate need for safe and functional facilities.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson confirmed there were no immediate plans to install disability accessible public amenities at Lilyponds, leaving the nearest compliant facilities eight kilometres away in Montville.
Despite acknowledging the importance of accessible infrastructure, the council cited funding, usage patterns, and condition assessments as key factors in prioritising upgrades.
“Council understands the importance of having disability-accessible facilities and strives to ensure they are available where possible,” the spokesperson said, adding that the needs of the community will continue to be assessed, though no upgrades are currently scheduled for the popular Mapleton site.
sonia@gcnews.com.a