Locals’ claim that the view from the Kydd Parke Reserve at Jindivick is by far the best in Baw Baw Shire, and for that matter Gippsland, would be difficult to argue against.
Add to that a nice pavilion with a verandah overlooking the well-manicured cricket ground and a comfortable picnic shelter with two barbeques and four tables and it is easy to see why people travel from far and wide for get-togethers or a quiet, relaxing outing.
But, the two unisex/disabled public toilets are another story.
A group of local residents, several of whom have lodged regular complaints with Baw Baw Shire council, were at the reserve last week to vent their frustrations that the toilets were rarely cleaned by the shire.
Amanda Allan said that pre-COVID a council contractor would clean the toilets once a week.
This year, however, they weren’t cleaned between March and August and only about once since.
However, a shire spokesman has denied that.
Community infrastructure director Cohen Van der Velde said there had been no change in service between March and August.
“The toilets at Kydd Parke Reserve and Jindivick Public Hall are cleaned by council’s nominated contractor twice a week and are scheduled for cleaning on a Tuesday and Friday, with the barbecue facility at Kydd Parke Reserve cleaned once per week,” he said
“The cleaning schedule in Jindivick is the same service level as comparable facilities in Erica, Rawson, Thorpdale and Noojee.”
A council inspection of the contractor’s cleansing quality was undertaken on November 4, with the report provided to the contractor that overall maintenance was satisfactory with only minor defects requiring attention.
As well as an attraction for people to visit the area the reserve is used regularly by locals including the nearby Jindivick primary school, a Jindivick singing group and, on December 18 Christmas carols from 11.30am to 2pm for which Ms Allan expects a large crowd to enjoy with their picnic lunches.
On Saturday afternoons during the cricket season visitors also may be able to watch the local cricket club in action.
Ms Allan said it was not just the dirty and unhygienic state of the toilets but there are times when they can’t function because they are blocked, often by disposable nappies.
For much of this year there hasn’t been any handwashing detergent provided, either, she added.
Nicole Harman, who visits the toilets most days on her way home from milking at a nearby dairy farm, simply screwed her face to provide an answer when asked how she generally found the conditions in the toilets.
Ms Allan said local people want to know council’s intentions about cleaning.
Maybe they could provide the equipment and cleaning materials and pay a resident to clean them each week or as required, she added.
Whatever, the current situation can’t continue, Ms Allan said.
The Kydd Parke Reserve and cricket ground was established in the early 1970s on land gifted by local landowners to the then Buln Buln Shire council.
Much of the early development was done by volunteers, especially from the Jindivick Cricket Club.