A campaign has been launched for improvements to Morpeth with locals calling on council for more parking, road repairs and the establishment of new public toilets, a provision they say would complete the town’s royal infrastructure flush.
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Morpeth resident and business stalwart Trevor Richards vented his frustration this week, describing Morpeth as Maitland’s poor relation and forgotten suburb.
Mr Richards said the saga has turned into a real life game of thrones with countless calls made to council over the decades to replace or extend the town’s main street toilet block established in 1953.
The 63-year-old toilet block, aptly located in a park next to Morpeth Museum, comprises two cubicles for women and one for men.
“There has been no toilet upgrade since 1953 and no additional toilets provided,” Mr Richards said.
“I provide six cubicles for women and two for men at my business, even though I am not required to. There are also another two toilets for our team members and a disabled toilet.
“Council is allowing private enterprise to take up the slack so they don’t deem it necessary to carry out work themselves. A study in 2012 on toilets across the Maitland Local Government Area found no need to demolish the Morpeth toilet block and we are very grateful for that,” Mr Richards said.
Inadequate toilets are not the only infrastructure issue in the tourist hot spot, Mr Richards said.
He said he does not care how many millions council is throwing into Maitland’s Levee project as long as there are still funds for satellite suburbs.
“Last year Mayor Peter Blackmore was on the radio boasting about the millions they were spending on The Levee, No. 1 Sports Ground and the town hall and I spoke to him and said that’s great news but when is Morpeth going to get something and he said in 2016.
“In February he was again on radio spruiking on money spent on the sports ground and the new heated pool so I reminded him again of our conversation and him promising more infrastructure for Morpeth and I got a letter back saying money will be channeled into McFarlane’s Lane and Hinton Road which aren’t even in Morpeth.
“We need more toilets, we need off street parking. Tourism has increased significantly in Morpeth since 1953.”
A council spokesperson said in 2016/17 council will deliver a range of capital projects in the Morpeth area including more than $900,000 to reseal and rehabilitate roads and works will continue on the Morpeth Museum and refurbishment of the grandstand at Morpeth Oval.
In relation to public amenities, the issue was considered as part of council’s Community Facilities and Services Strategy in 2012 with an audit of 22 public toilet facilities across Maitland including those in Morpeth at Swan, Queen and Edwards streets.
Over the years efforts have also been made to increase the availability of on street parking and council will continue to explore options for additional spaces that consider safety and historical values.
“We have an active business association here but they feel as though they are bashing their heads against a brick wall,” Mr Richards said.
