![Virus prompts big boost for city toilet blocks Virus prompts big boost for city toilet blocks](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/5a0c1646-8746-42c2-ab98-523cba97852b.jpg/r0_256_4920_3024_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
THREE toilet blocks will be replaced and a new one built by Albury Council as part of its coronavirus response.
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The toilet works had been earmarked for future years but the city wants to use $883,000 in federal government funding to bankroll the upgrades before June 30 next year.
Existing blocks at Hovell Tree Park, National Foresters Grove and Lake Hume will be replaced and toilets constructed along a bike track on Thurgoona Drive.
Past mayor Alice Glachan hailed the action.
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"We as a council have discussed on a number of occasions public toilet strategies and I think this is a good outcome," Cr Glachan said.
"It enables us to do something more quickly than we would otherwise be able to achieve.
"Very significantly it will enable a number of businesses and contractors within our community to benefit from the work being undertaken."
The council will now formally submit plans to the government for the toilets work which total $735,000 and it plans to spend the remainder of its allocation on footpath works at the Lavington Sportsground.
![Makeover coming: Diners at a business awards celebration held at the Albury Convention Centre, which has been earmarked for an upgrade. Makeover coming: Diners at a business awards celebration held at the Albury Convention Centre, which has been earmarked for an upgrade.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/ecded321-e738-4e6e-bead-9d47950067c1.jpg/r0_72_2480_1472_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Around $152,000 in council money will go towards the footpath work which totals $300,000.
The final budget has a rate rise of 2.6 per cent and a $40 per property drop in the domestic waste charge, meaning overall most households will save an average of $11 per year compared to 2019.
The council has also agreed to scrap some charges in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
They involve the $97 fee for using A frame advertising signs, $98 fee for street vending rental and 0.45 per cent surcharge on credit card transactions at council registers.
The sum forgone by the council due to these steps is estimated to be $25,500.
Meanwhile, the council also on Monday night, awarded a tender to Melbourne firm Peddle Thorp to produce concept plans for the redevelopment of the convention wing of the Albury Entertainment Centre.
The same company has done work for the council on the Uiver museum mooted for QEII Square.
The latest $389,000 tender work will see Peddle Thorp devise a blueprint for the new building which can then be touted for government funding.
It is hoped work on the makeover of the convention wing, which was built in 1972, will be ready to proceed from late 2022.