"This is discriminatory, there is no two ways about it."
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That is how former Griffith local Alan Dufty has described the need to buy a key for $20.50 to access the disabled bathrooms in Memorial and CWA Parks, slamming a decision to keep the toilets locked 24 hours a day.
Mr Dufty spent 26 years in Griffith before moving to Queensland and returned for a school reunion but was unable to access the disabled bathrooms along Banna Avenue.
"2000 kilometres [to get] down there and I'm treated like a second class citizen," Mr Dufty said.
"They [the bathrooms] are supplied by ratepayers to the public and I am part of the public."
Council's infrastructure and operations director Phil King said the reason the bathrooms are locked is because of a risk of vandalism.
"Council has identified that we experience significant risk of vandalism and damage to disabled toilets," Mr King said.
"When the toilets were damaged they were out of order until they could be repaired. As soon as we locked them 24/7 that damage ceased."
Mr Dufty said he questioned council about why those who are disabled need to purchase a key to access the bathrooms while the rest of the population can freely access the public bathrooms but was told the system would not be changing.
The disabled bathrooms along Banna Avenue are operated through the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system, an initiative put forward by the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia which has been adopted in several cities across the state, including Wagga Wagga and Albury.
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The MLAK system website states decision to implement the system is one made by councils but states "the system is designed to improve access, and not to restrict use, for people with disability" and the system is designed to reduced the difficulty faced by those with disabilities from finding an accessible toilet which is open after traditional hours.
"MLAK-enabled facilities (excluding Changing Places facilities) should remain unlocked during daylight hours, or when co-located with unlocked general public toilets," the website reads.
A key for the bathrooms can be purchased at the Visitors Information Centre after a form is completed by those looking to use the bathroom and verified by council staff.
A statement from council said the public toilets in the CBD are locked at dusk by J&J Security and reopen at 6am, with some of the bathrooms having toilets suitable for "ambulant and disability access."
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