THIS is what a $20 million upgrade offers local bus drivers: a portaloo on Sheridan St with one roll of toilet paper and no handtowels.

And it will be used by up to 80 men and women each day.

“Let’s get the 80 parliamentarians down here queuing to use one portaloo all day and see how they like it,” Transport Workers Union representative Russell Vieritz said.

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“This can’t go on for six weeks; what will the conditions be like in midday temperatures?

“We’re calling on (Cairns MP) Gavin King to fix this now.

“He likes announcing new services but he’s not doing a thing about basic facilities and the dignity of drivers.”

Yesterday marked the start of an extra 113 Sunbus services, but union requests to meet with Mr King about the lack of facilities for drivers have gone unanswered.

Asked if he would be happy using the portaloo, Mr King said the issue was a matter for Cairns Regional Council.

media_camera BUS-TING: Bus drivers have been left using a portaloo beside the highway on the corner of Sheridan and Florence St. Cairns TWU rep Russell Vieritz at the toilet, which had 1 roll of toilet paper, no hand towels and was expected to be used by up to 80 bus drivers a day.

“This is a temporary arrangement until construction of the permanent facility is completed by the end of this month,” he said.

Mayor Bob Manning was concerned about the lack of toilets.

“Why wasn’t it (the Civic Centre toilet block) completed last Friday with everything else?” he said.

“We finished a $20 million job six weeks early, so I’m going to be asking (our team) why are we dragging the chain on the toilets?”

CBD Councillor Richie Bates said he’d received plenty of positive comments about the new Lake St Bus Station, but the State Government was overlooking an obvious amenities solution.

“The Pier is already purpose built and with the added bonus of having the potential as a bus stop as well as a layover,” he said.

“The State have been very inflexible in their directives on where stops and layovers may be located.

media_camera BUS-TING: Bus drivers have been left using a portaloo beside the highway on the corner of Sheridan and Florence St. Cairns TWU rep Russell Vieritz at the toilet, which had 1 roll of toilet paper, no hand towels and was expected to be used by up to 80 bus drivers a day.

“With layovers now positioned near the civic theatre (as directed by the State) council is obligated to provide amenities there for drivers at council’s expense.

“This is neither cost-effective nor efficient.”

Cr Manning said he was open to the suggestion.

But he also stressed that it depended on the State ­Government.

“When we propose changes to their bus routes, they come back to us with a figure and expect us to cover the difference in cost,” he said.

Mr King said the council was responsible for the Pier toilet. “The Pier toilet facility you’re referring to is owned and operated by Cairns ­Regional Council, so you’ll have to ask them about its use,” he said.

CBD Taskforce spokesperson Chris Van Dorssen spoke with the mayor at Saturday’s Lake St opening celebrations.

“We would like to see the stop at the Pier used and Bob said they’ll work with the State Government on that. It’s a good start,” he said.

A toilet block under construction alongside the Civic Theatre is due to be operational on Friday, September 19.

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