Cr Kevin Erwin with Great Western Progress Association President Peter Bullock (holding his toilet roll speech) at the official opening of the new toilet block.
GREAT WESTERN - A new public toilet block has been officially opened at Great Western.
The head of the town's progress association kept with the theme by reading his speech from notes written on a roll of toilet paper.
Northern Grampians Shire Councillor Paul Russell said the new toilet was funded by a $99,000 grant from the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Flood Recovery for Community Infrastructure Fund.
The building was officially opened at a community event that included the town's Christmas get together that attracted around 50 people.
Cr Russell said the previous toilet block was damaged during the January 2011 floods, when the town was inundated with a large amount of flood water.
The old building was demolished and replaced with the new facility.
"Great Western is a popular tourist destination based around its wine village theme so it is important that we provide quality facilities for the travelling public," he said.
"The new toilet block is compliant with access for all abilities regulations, is easy to clean, well lit and looks great too.
"It will also be a much more resilient facility that will continue to provide an important public service during future times of flooding."
Great Western Progress Association President Peter Bullock said the association was really happy the public toilet block had been replaced.
"We have been looking forward to having a new public toilet block in Great Western for some time so it's really great to see it come to fruition," he said.
"We really appreciate the help of the Council's Flood Recovery Team, which sourced the funding to build the new toilet block."
Cr Russell said the Great Western Memorial Park where the toilet block is located, is a great place for travellers to stop as it has an electric barbecue, rotunda and plenty of space to stroll or walk the dog.
The toilets, located next to the town's tennis courts, also service the tennis club and features a masonry block 'hit up' wall for players to practise against.
"The building is connected to a 27,000 litre rainwater tank that uses the water in the toilet cisterns," Cr Russell said.
"The Great Western Community Plan 2009-2013 recognises that quality public toilets provide visitors with a positive first impression of the town, and included improved facilities as one of its eight priorities."
The toilets were built by contractors who used local tradesmen from Stawell including IB & SG Barham Electrical Contractors, Daniel Thomas Plumbing, JBI Constructions, Stawell Excavations, Gavin Cox Bricklaying and Advance Brick and Pavers.