Murwillumbah Railway Station public toilets

Council is set to install two new flood-resilient and accessible public toilets at Murwillumbah Railway Station, replacing the outdated facility at Buckley Park.

The decision to demolish the Buckley Park toilet block comes after careful consideration. Built in the 1970s, the facility no longer meets modern safety and accessibility standards and cannot be upgraded to comply. Additionally, the toilets were severely damaged in the 2017 and 2022 floods and have reached the end of their useful life.

The new accessible toilets will be conveniently located just 50 metres away at Murwillumbah Railway Station. To further improve safety, Council will also install a new pedestrian refuge, providing direct access to the Rail Trail. The removal of the old toilet block offers an exciting opportunity to revitalise Buckley Park. Future plans for the area include transforming it into a vibrant local park, complete with new pathways, picnic tables, shelters, and seating.

Project Schedule

Planning: Late 2024
Construction works at Murwillumbah Railway Station: Early to Mid 2025
Demolition of Buckley Park toilets: Mid 2025

What’s involved

Demolition of Buckley Park public toilet
New pedestrian refuge and line marking across Tweed Valley Way
Construction of 2 new flood resilient and accessible public toilets at Murwillumbah Railway Station, including baby changing tables
Installation of an accessible parking bay and a 10-minute car parking space
New southern entrance to the Rail Trail
Connecting pathways
Bike racks
Sandstone block seats
Minor landscaping
Car park construction (currently unfunded & identified as a future stage)

Why it's happening

Following the damage caused by the 2017 and 2022 floods, Council has made the decision to demolish the existing public toilet at Buckley Park. This presents an opportunity to create modern, resilient infrastructure in a more convenient location, better equipped to withstand future weather events.

The current toilet block, built in 1970, has significant safety and accessibility issues and has reached the end of its useful life. It was damaged in both the 2017 and 2022 floods and no longer meets current safety and accessibility standards. The facility cannot be upgraded to comply with these requirements.

In response, new public toilets will be constructed at Murwillumbah Railway Station, adhering to the latest accessibility standards, including the addition of baby changing tables. The existing toilets on the platform are not accessible and cannot be modified due to building and heritage constraints. The new accessible facilities will be conveniently located at the trailhead of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, offering easy access for all visitors.