The mayor of the Derwent Valley has issued an unusual public health warning after apparent bite marks were discovered on a public toilet seat.
Mayor Michelle Dracoulis has taken to social media asking people not to eat toilet seats.
The bizarre request came after the mayor personally discovered what appeared to be bite marks on a public toilet seat while using council facilities last week.
“It appeared as though someone had taken a few bites out of a toilet seat,” Dracoulis wrote.
“I’ll say it plainly: Please don’t eat toilet seats.”
The mayor also highlighted recent vandalism at the Westerway public toilets, which were reportedly “trashed” shortly after being cleaned.
“Cigarette butts on the floor, paper everywhere, bins tipped over and someone had flogged a door handle,” the post detailed.
She said public toilets in the municipality are cleaned daily by council workers and vandalism creates unnecessary difficulties for both cleaners and other users.
“If messing up toilets is your idea of fun, please do it at home. Public toilets are for everyone, and trashing them just makes life harder for the next person,” Dracoulis said.
She encouraged people to report problems with public facilities through the Snap Send Solve app, which forwards photos directly to the council or other relevant authorities.
“Let’s work together to look after shared spaces and keep toilet seats for sitting, not snacking,” she said.
