AS SOON as the planners and builders do their work, there will be toilets at Hurstville's bus interchange.
The money is there, thanks to Oatley MP Mark Coure, who honoured his promise to provide up to $40,000 for the amenities.
The state government will chip in $39,000 to Hurstville Council, which will provide the shortfall and do the work.
The council has earmarked the most convenient site — behind the orange fence — and tenders will be sought early next year.
Ever since the bus interchange opened in 2011, the lack of public toilets has been a point of argument between various Hurstville councillors and Mr Coure.
It has also been a big problem for commuters caught short and having to make desperate dashes to far away public toilets.
Even Hurstville Chamber of Commerce has fielded complaints from shoppers.
Chamber president Lou Konjarski said he was very happy toilets would finally be provided.
"We have had many complaints from commuters, some of whom have had to ask local businesses for the use of their facilities as the nearest toilets are at Westfield and the train station," Mr Konjarski said.
Most agree toilets should have been built at the same time as the interchange, but the state government development provided amenities only for bus drivers.
Various councillors and Mr Coure had worked towards a 50/50 funding agreement.
"The interchange should never have been built without toilets, but the previous Labor government failed to think about that," Mr Coure said.
"We're getting on with the job.
"We're building important infrastructure for local communities.
"We're keeping our promises.
"And we're working with the local council to make people's lives easier."
Is it a pressing need to build the toilets at Hurstville Interchange?
