Toilet demolition postponed

The demolition of the toilets at the Rimutaka Summit, scheduled to take place today, has been postponed to protect the contracted demolition company staff from protestors.

"The toilets and the café buildings were scheduled to be removed from the summit later this month. However, when the café burnt down last week we brought the date forward in order to tidy up the site as quickly as possible," says Greater Wellington's Murray Kennedy, Divisional Manager of Parks, Forests and Utilities.

Murray says the site has been plagued with problems for many years. "The site relied on a generator for electricity and the toilets were plagued with vandalism due to their isolation. The site has also seen many café operators over the years, some who only stayed for a short period."

Murray says the toilets have in fact been unavailable for long periods and were closed for most of 2008. "The toilets were run by the café operators and relied on the café's electricity supply. The café was closed for extended periods of time, which happened frequently given the turnover of businesses. This meant that the toilets were closed as well."

"Fortunately we've seen improvements to the road between Upper Hutt and Featherston over the years, greatly reducing travel times. There are also adequate toilet facilities within ten minutes of the hill on both sides."

Greater Wellington's Landcare Committee first made the decision not to renew the café operator's licence and close the toilets in September 2005. All concerned parties were notified of the decision. Since then, Greater Wellington has been waiting for the licence to expire. There have also been proposals for the site but problems associated with the site have proven difficult and expensive to overcome.

The decision to clear the site of the toilets and not renew the café licence was reconfirmed at a full Council meeting in November last year.