Photo: LDR
The Central Otago District Council will start closing several public toilets overnight after vandals caused more than $37,000 worth of damage.
There were 59 cases of vandalism in the past year.
The Pioneer Park toilets in Alexandra were the most frequently targeted, with 17 cases of vandalism.
Mayor Tim Cadogan said it "beggars belief that people think it is OK to damage public facilities".
"Regrettably, the actions of a very few are causing significant cost in repairs and impact on convenience in partial closure of facilities for everyone else".
Only the damage from one incident, at the Lode Lane toilets in Cromwell, was able to be repaired through an insurance claim.
Repair costs for the toilets had exceeded the council's repairs and maintenance budget by $10,621.
CCTV cameras were installed at Pioneer Park in March and police had been able to identify the suspects from a subsequent break-in.
Officers were "working with those concerned", the council said in a statement.
Property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said some toilets would be closed overnight to reduce the frequency of the vandalism.
They were:
- Alexandra BMX toilets
- Molyneux Playground toilets
- Golden Block toilets
- Molyneux Scoreboard toilets
- Tarbert Street toilets
They would be closed from 8pm in wintertime and 10pm during daylight saving time, reopening by 7.30am.
