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Arapiles Bore Dry - see here for updates.


Capt_mulch

30-Oct-2008
3:35:52 PM

Agreed! Keep on drilling boys!!! Hmmm, I'm starting to sound like Sarah Palin now "drill baby drill!". I just love a good bore (without wanting to sound like one :-). The one I had on the north coast used to deliver the most sweetest water you've ever tasted - and I used it to grow plants (though very economically and efficiently)! I should have ditched the plants, and bottled the water and sold it to tourists in Byron Bay and gone surfing at The Pass every day.

kieranl

12-Nov-2008
9:33:17 PM

Latest update from Arapiles Advisory committee is that business is far from usual but people are behaving as though it is.

Two drilling attempts have been unsuccessful. There are going to be a couple more attempts over the next few weeks.
If these are unsuccessful there is currently no indication of how long water carting will continue. At present water use is about a tanker per week at a cost of $200 per tanker.
It was really disappointing over the Cup weekend to see people squandering water - leaving unattended taps running and washing their hair among other things.
Please use the water carefully, it's being trucked in to make your stay possible.
GWM Water have been approached by Parks about the possibility of connecting to the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline. GWM Water are receptive to the idea but have emphasised that their priority is to supply existing customers. If there is water available once all of those needs are met then Arapiles might get a look-in. A cynic might say that the sandmines will get in before Arapiles but that's another story. Even if a pipeline connection gets up it is still a long time off.
Complaints have been made about males using the female toilets causing women using them to feel threatened. The sign says Female and invading that space if you're not female or a young child is illegal. It just isn't funny when people start feeling threatened.


hangdog

12-Nov-2008
9:38:33 PM

why would a women feel threatened by a man taking a piss in the womens loo.
fear of seeing the toilet seat up!!
can you let me know under which law it is illegal to use the womens loo?? i can't seem to find that one.

kieranl

12-Nov-2008
9:44:49 PM

On 12/11/2008 hangdog wrote:
>why would a women feel threatened by a man taking a piss in the womens
>loo.
>fear of seeing the toilet seat up!!
I think it's the invasion of privacy. I would have thought that it's a no-brainer. It's one thing to drop into the women's loo when the campground is deserted but quite another when it's busy.

> can you let me know under which law it is illegal to use the womens loo??
>i can't seem to find that one.
I thought it was but happy to be corrected. Maybe some council bylaws that I have come across in the past.

stuart

12-Nov-2008
9:54:44 PM

Unisex toilets area common enough occurrence, it's just the surprise aspect that's a bother. If you changed the indicator on the door - in an official looking way, mind you, not just with a marker - I guarantee this problem would go away.

kieranl

12-Nov-2008
10:09:54 PM

These toilets aren't set up as unisex toilets. I can understand some women wouldn't be hassled by men going in there but I can also see why other women would. I think it would require more than a sign change to make these toilets acceptable as unisex.
Why do I not find it strange that men are engaging in denial that this is a real issue?
Why are men insisting on it?

jgoding

13-Nov-2008
7:19:32 AM

Hi Kieran,

Thanks for the update on the water situation. I haven't been up to Arapiles in a while now so my question might sound naive, but are there public signs clearly saying that there is a huge water issue going on at the moment, saying BYO water, keep usage to a minimum etc? If not perhaps something could be erected where water is available to try and help stop excessive use.

Is there a possibility (this might be setup already so if so please forgive me) of setting up a big water tank to use any rain water coming off the big shelter between the main road and toilet bocks? I know there is not that much rain water but perhaps this could be some kind of medium-longer term step towards a solution?

It's very sad to see some guys are violating the privacy of the womens toilets. What's the problem dudes? There are 2 other services available for you - USE THEM (and consider what impact you being in denial about the invasion of privacy has on those who's privacy you're invading can have). It's just really insensitive and a no-brainier.


Cookie

13-Nov-2008
9:16:36 AM

>Complaints have been made about males using the female toilets causing
>women using them to feel threatened. The sign says Female and invading
>that space if you're not female or a young child is illegal. It just isn't
>funny when people start feeling threatened.

not ever having been up to Araps, i'm not sure about the facilities there... but what is so wrong with the mens loos that they have to use the womens?
I personally can't stand unisex toilets, and feel very affronted and threatened if men are in the same toilets as me, its a massive invasion of privacy and a bit of a safety issue.

To answer the question of why? i think that because you are at your most vulnerable with your pants around your ankles (and face it, us chicks cant just unzip and let rip), if you have to put up with a public toilet, at least you want to feel safe doing so.

that being said, i wouldnt think twice about bullying a man out of the womens loos.

simey

13-Nov-2008
9:23:18 AM

On 12/11/2008 stuart wrote:
>Unisex toilets area common enough occurrence, it's just the surprise aspect that's a bother. If you changed the indicator on the door - in an official looking way, mind you, not just with a marker - I guarantee this problem would go away.

I reckon there should be a horn or siren installed to give prior warning of males entering.


ajfclark

13-Nov-2008
9:44:58 AM

On 13/11/2008 Cookie wrote:
>not ever having been up to Araps, i'm not sure about the facilities there... but what is so wrong with the mens loos that they have to use the womens?

The men's in the same block is locked up. I gather walking further is the problem. What I'm unclear on is why the women's loos weren't locked too. It seems strange that the composting loos are good enough for men but not women or is it to lessen the load on the composting loos.

Regarding men in the women's loos, on cup weekend I never saw a guy coming out of the women's loos though I did see many use the disabled toilet. Not that I spent heaps of time watching the loos but we were camped towards the bottom of the campground so you do notice the traffic walking past.


IdratherbeclimbingM9

13-Nov-2008
9:52:25 AM

I echo jgoding with thanks to kieranl for the water situation update.

kieranl wrote;
>GWM Water have been approached by Parks about the possibility of connecting to the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline. GWM Water are receptive to the idea but have emphasised that their priority is to supply existing customers. If there is water available once all of those needs are met then Arapiles might get a look-in. A cynic might say that the sandmines will get in before Arapiles but that's another story. Even if a pipeline connection gets up it is still a long time off.

... unless it is authorised by Premier John Brumby and the pipeline is to (allegedly?) supply water to Melbourne!

Access T CliffCare

13-Nov-2008
10:11:50 AM

On 13/11/2008 jgoding wrote:
>Hi Kieran,
>
>Thanks for the update on the water situation. I haven't been up to Arapiles
>in a while now so my question might sound naive, but are there public signs
>clearly saying that there is a huge water issue going on at the moment,
>saying BYO water, keep usage to a minimum etc? If not perhaps something
>could be erected where water is available to try and help stop excessive
>use.
>
>Is there a possibility (this might be setup already so if so please forgive
>me) of setting up a big water tank to use any rain water coming off the
>big shelter between the main road and toilet bocks? I know there is not
>that much rain water but perhaps this could be some kind of medium-longer
>term step towards a solution?

Hi Joe,

There are, and have been for quite a while, a number of signs that explain water shortage and careful usage, bring your own etc. Unfortunately when its offered on tap, it just gets used, and by some, abused. People also have their own perspectives on what is necessary usage and what is not.

ajfclark wrote:
>The men's in the same block is locked up. I gather walking further is the problem. What I'm unclear on is why the women's loos weren't locked too. It seems strange that the composting loos are good enough for men but not women or is it to lessen the load on the composting loos>

I know it may appear to be sexist but I don't think it is quite so focussed as that. I didn't actually ask Peter the reason for this(just talked about what Kieran has noted) but knowing the problems he deals with for overuse, I would imagine this was a workable solution for the current situation.The composting block realistically couldn't handle the whole of Arapiles campers. A number of reasons for womens to remain open over the mens a) women urinating behind a tree etc.(as many of the guys do) is a little more involved and dare I say exposed (especially at Araps) b) women often have small children that they have to deal with toileting and this can sometimes be a tricky,time consuming and involved business(all parents will know what I'm talking about) c) other hygeine activities which in certain situations could be more uncomfortable dealing with with the very limited facilities.
So, if you are having to make a choice about which one of the toilets to leave open to help handle the load(so to speak)......


Eduardo Slabofvic

13-Nov-2008
10:26:38 AM

Go piss behind a tree. and go dump in the composting loo. Don't wash (where do you thing the term
"filthy lousy stinking goat" came from). If you need a wash, go into Horsham (the Aquatic Centre would
do). Bring your water to drink (if you have a car) 5 lires a day each should be enough. It would be nice if
you used a reuseable container, as there was a big pile empy containers there a little while ago.

Its not hard. You can look for the reasons why it can't work, or you can look for the reasons why it can.
Step up to the plate.


Sabu

13-Nov-2008
10:32:34 AM

Yea i don't know what the problem is with the guys toilet being closed. its so easy to go
behind a tree or go for a wonder up to the composting blocks.
Anyway thanks for the update Kieran, heading up there next week so will give any
people washing their hair an earful!


IdratherbeclimbingM9

13-Nov-2008
10:45:47 AM

ES wrote;
>Bring your water to drink (if you have a car) 5 lires a day each should be enough.

Even if you don't have a car it is still possible.

I carried water for a long weekend (5 days; included a day coming and going) on a m/bike. The weather was cooler at the time and I only allowed 3 litres per day, but still had some left over which I gave to a long term camper there.

They were drilling the first 'new' bore at the time.
It is disappointing to hear that it, and subsequent attempts, have not been productive.

widewetandslippery

13-Nov-2008
11:57:58 AM

On 24/09/2008 wallwombat wrote:
>Next time I am at Arapiles, as my not contributing to the water problem,
>I will only drink beer and goon and will not wash.
>
>
>
>
>
>Just like last time.

The wombats on the money. Although as I am way light I have drank water while at araps before. M9 put me on the trick of collecting water off my tarp when it rains. It worked really well. And it generally rains down there at least 4 days a year so it a perfect way to gain your water needs.


westie

13-Nov-2008
12:54:42 PM

On 13/11/2008 simey wrote:

>I reckon there should be a horn or siren installed to give prior warning
>of males entering.

Don't angels herald your arrival in the presence of women Simey?

'twould be a site - strategic fig leaf, a roll of Sorbent on his index finger, golden hair flapping in the sunbeams from behind two clouds


nmonteith

13-Nov-2008
1:08:40 PM

Unisex toilets are very common in European campsites. But I guess they are a bit more nudist friendly as well compared to oz.

simey

13-Nov-2008
1:39:20 PM

On 13/11/2008 nmonteith wrote:
>Unisex toilets are very common in European campsites. But I guess they are a bit more nudist friendly as well compared to oz.

Maybe we should introduce nudist unisex toilets at Arapiles.


nmonteith

13-Nov-2008
1:46:21 PM

On 13/11/2008 simey wrote:
>Maybe we should introduce nudist unisex toilets at Arapiles.

At least the average climber is a darn side better looking and in better shape than the average suburban Australian.

There are 121 messages in this topic.