Stink over loss of loos at Stewarts Bay

A community swimming group’s quest to improve the toilets at Stewarts Bay has instead resulted in the closure of the facility.

The toilets are run by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) and are close to the beach at Stewarts Bay.

“The Stewarts Bay toilet will be closed on 30 November for safety reasons after an engineering assessment found system failure and environmental risks,” a PWS spokesperson said.

“Alternative public facilities can be found at the Port Arthur Historic Site, Remarkable Cave, Stormlea, Surfies Carpark at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman Arch-Devils Kitchen and Fortescue Bay campground.

“Signage has been added to the Stewarts Bay toilet to let visitors know of alternate toilets in the area.”

Tasman Ocean Group Swimmers (TOGS) member Marje Turner said the toilet closure was disgusting.

“Two of our swimmers slipped on the access to the toilet in winter 2024,” Ms Turner said.

“I contacted the PWS and nothing was done.

“I just happened to go to a meeting at the RSL at Nubeena and the Parks Minister, Nick Duigan, was there.

“I spoke to him and told him the story and he asked me to send him an email, which I did, and they passed it on to the PWS.”

Ms Turner said that after another extended period of not hearing anything from the PWS, they informed her that the Stewarts Bay toilets were going to close.

“All we asked for was safe access up to the toilet block.

“I think they decided that it’s too big an issue to try and fix.”

Fellow TOGS member Colin Lowe said the nearby alternative toilet options were not appropriate for the club or the public.

“We use that area three times a week, and we don’t want to see people going in behind the bushes, doing their business and leaving.”

Mr Lowe said the toilet closure demonstrated the PWS's lack of consideration for the community.

“We now haven’t got an area to get changed.

“There are people who use the beach in the summer and what are they going to do?

“There has been no thought put into this.”