New public toilet at Eglinton Reserve

We’re installing a public toilet at Eglinton Reserve in Kew.

We chose this park based on community feedback from the Public Toilet Strategy consultation and Boroondara Community Plan consultation. 

Eglinton Reserve has been prioritised because:

• the area is popular with families, children, people riding bikes, dog walkers and visitors.
• toilets would support longer visits to playgrounds, BBQs and events.
• it would improve access for older people and those with special needs
• the nearest toilet is about a 5 minute walk away.

Status

Construction is expected to commence on 31 August and be completed in early 2027, weather permitting. 

During construction

• You may hear construction noise on weekdays between 7 am and 5 pm (excluding public holidays). We may also need to work some Saturdays between 9 am and 5 pm.
• Builder vehicles will use some parking spaces on Eglinton Street for the duration of the works. A works zone will also be set up on Disraeli Street and used for deliveries only via the double gates.
• Some grassed areas in the park will be temporarily closed during works to connect services to the toilet. We will restore and replant any affected grass once works are complete.
• You will still be able to access the playgrounds, path and picnic shelter during the works.

BBQ relocation

We are completing already planned works to relocate the BBQ before the toilet construction begins.

The BBQ will move next to the picnic shelter so it can be more conveniently used by people at the picnic shelter. The BBQ will be available for use during the toilet construction works at this new location so it can still be used through the spring and summer season.

Works to install the new BBQ will occur in late August, weather permitting. This will involve adding a new cement base and installing the BBQ. The park, playground and picnic shelter will remain open during these works.

The current BBQ site will remain for now until the electrical switchboard is relocated at a later date. Once the switchboard is relocated, the current BBQ site and cement flooring will be removed. The current BBQ will be inside the toilet works construction area.

Community consultation

Between September and November 2025, we asked residents and park users to share their views on a proposal to install a public toilet at Eglinton Reserve.

We heard from 93 community members during the consultation. The majority of people (79 people or 85%) who had their say were in favour of installing a new toilet at the park. 

In February 2026, as construction was about to begin, local community members raised further issues about the toilet’s location with us. These included the location being too close and directly visible to nearby homes.

As a result, we carried out further site investigations, to identify a more central location for the public toilet within the park. From May to June 2026, we consulted the community about the proposed new location for the toilet to be built in the park.

When we asked, “Would you like to see Council provide a public toilet at this location in Eglinton Reserve?”, the most frequent response was in support (50% or 32 people). 12.5% of respondents were also supportive of a toilet in the park, with comments or questions about this particular location. 37.5% of respondents weren’t supportive.

Find out how the community’s feedback guided our decision by visiting our Eglinton Reserve public toilet page on Your Say Boroondara.

About the design

When we consulted on the Public Toilet Strategy, the community told us they want something that feels more welcoming, safer​ and better suited to local parks.

The new toilet will be locally designed to match the character of each park and the needs of the people who use them.

Artist impression

Features of the public toilet

Design

The public toilet will have:

• one accessible cubicle
• cream and green colours to blend into the natural surroundings
• accessible fixtures and sizing to fit prams and wheelchairs, including wider doors
• baby change facilities
• grab rails to support older people and people with a disability
• gender-inclusive facilities
• a privacy screen
• an outdoor sink
• sharps container
• sanitary bin for sanitary products, incontinence products and nappies
• a bike rack
• hooks and shelves to hold bags and coats
• a soap dispenser and air dryer.

Opening hours

The toilet will be open from:

• 6 am to 7 pm – 1 April to 31 October
• 6 am to 9 pm – 1 November to 31 March.

It will automatically lock at all other times.

Cleaning and maintenance

The toilet will be:

• cleaned at least once a day, including checks for toilet paper and general upkeep
• deep cleaned once a week.

Any issues (for example blocked toilets, broken fixtures) will be reported immediately by our contractors.

Lighting and safety

There will be lighting inside and outside the toilet during operating hours.

The toilet has been designed following Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, making sure it's:

• visible from surrounding areas
• faces busy paths
• surroundings kept open with no hiding spots or obstructions.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact our Capital Projects team on (03) 9278 4444 or [email protected]