The Clutha District Council said yesterday it could not confirm when its new destination toilets in Milton and Balclutha would open to the public, due to delays in underground work.
Originally announced in 2018, the toilets were expected to open before Christmas.
Each project is budgeted at $550,000 and includes significant landscaping work in the hope of attracting travellers to stop and visit retailers.
Council chief executive Steve Hill said, although the Milton toilets were close to completion, he could not provide a precise timeframe for their opening.
"There have been some delays with commissioning of the underground infrastructure.
"Landscaping is the final piece of work to be completed before the toilets can open. We are working to open the toilets as soon as possible, but do not yet have a timeframe because of the work with the commissioning."
The toilets will form one element of a series of pending enhancements to Milton.
These include a $5 million upgrade of the main street and a new, $14 million swimming pool and service centre/library complex for the town.
The first stage of the street upgrade had also been delayed, due to an unsuccessful initial round of tendering, Mr Hill said.
The first stage would move overhead powerlines in the town centre underground.
"The underground services tender closed last year. This contract was significantly over the approved budget, and is currently being re-tendered.
"Once this tender is awarded, we will be able to inform the community about timeframes and what to expect when this work is undertaken," he said.
In more positive news for residents, a controversial draft streetscape design was nearing completion, Mr Hill said.
During the design process, several Milton businesspeople and residents have expressed repeated concerns about the placement of trees and pedestrian safety.
Mr Hill said a final design would be presented for councillors’ consideration at their first meeting of this year on February 16.
