LDR logo - Upset about dripping shower in park

A public shower with a steady drip has drawn the ire of a Gisborne resident who says the district council has double standards around water conservation.

Four summers ago, Denis Callinicos claims he visited Gisborne District Council to inform them a public shower next to the Anzac Park boat ramp needed repairs.

But nothing has been done to fix it, and the constant drip — which is almost a trickle — has been coming out ever since.

Callinicos has taken exception to the lack of maintenance, saying it's unfair the council pushes for water conservation from residents while failing to address its own wastage.

“They keep telling us to save water. Little old ladies that are trying to water their little garden, that have worked their whole life, paid all their taxes, get told in the middle of summer that ‘you can't water',” Callinicos said.

“They have the audacity to have signs up around Gisborne telling everyone to conserve water.”

On the day Local Democracy Reporting visited the shower, 250ml of water was coming out every five minutes.

Over the course of one year, that equates to 26,000 litres — more than some Fonterra tankers can hold.

It is more than 100,000 cups worth.

Callinicos' message to council is clear: stop the drip.

“Just hurry up and fix it, would be good! I don't want to be standing here in another 12 months.”

Council liveable communities director Michele Frey says the council relies on the community as the eyes and ears of the district.

“We are checking this out immediately having been notified by the paper,” Ms Frey said.

“However, if something is broken or not working we ask our community to please file a request for service. This way the issue can be tracked and we can monitor it to ensure it gets done in a timely manner.

“We have never received a request for service about this shower at Anzac Park and thank the resident for letting us know.”

Please report any damage by filing a request for service by using the GDC FIX app on any smartphone, calling us on 0800 653 800, email service@gdc.govt.nz or via the eFix service on Council’s website.