Mackenzie District Council has approved a new user-pays strategy for toilet facilities, effective from Waitangi weekend next year. Visitors will be required to pay for toilet use at designated sites across the district. The decision follows a review of maintenance costs and visitor usage patterns.
The fee is set at $2 per visit, with a maximum of two visits per day. Payments will be collected via a mobile app or cash at designated kiosks. The council claims the change will help fund ongoing maintenance and improvements to the facilities.
The move comes after years of debate over the sustainability of free public toilets. Councilors cited rising operational costs and a need for long-term funding. The strategy applies to all public toilets in the district, including those at popular tourist spots. The fee is expected to generate around $50,000 annually.
The user-pays model is part of broader efforts to manage public infrastructure in the region. Similar approaches have been tested in other areas of New Zealand. The council has emphasized that the fee is optional and will not affect local residents. The policy is set to be reviewed after the first year of implementation.
