Addressing the year’s final meeting of the Central Otago District Council yesterday, Mayor Tim Cadogan said in the morning he had been advised of an "absolute upswing in vandalism" in some of region’s public toilets.
The damage, which involved hand driers pulled off cubicle walls and smashed in to tile floors, amounted to "extreme vandalism", Mr Cadogan said.
"The mentality of people to do that is bit beyond me."
Toilets in both Alexandra and Cromwell were vandalised and it was unknown if it was the work of the same person or unrelated incidents, he said.
"It’s happening in Alexandra and Cromwell, so I can’t say one person is doing this — or if it is, they’re going to extreme lengths to, [which] is a great disappointment in this community."
If the damage continued, the council might need to consider closing the toilets at night, which could cause discomfort for those who travelled or worked through the night.
"I just hope it stops ... [it’s] really, really disappointing that we provide an absolutely essential community service and [this is] happening.
"The police have been notified but obviously they can’t be at everywhere at all times," he said.
