The Boon Street bus station and public toilets are getting a major upgrade, with the existing facility being demolished and replaced with new public and dedicated bus driver toilets, along with improvements to passenger waiting areas and the surrounding public space.

Built in 1962, the existing facility has reached the end of its life and has only had minor upgrades over the years. The deteriorating condition of the building has contributed to the need for its replacement.

The project will also improve facilities for bus drivers using this key public transport location, with $637,500 of the project cost covered through Crown funding administered by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. This funding supports improvements to bus driver safety and working environments, including better on-network driver facilities, through the Bus Driver Safety and Work Environment Fund.

The new facility will include separate male and female toilets, two unisex accessible toilets and a dedicated amenities area for bus drivers. Improvements to the surrounding area will include covered bus stands, seating, lighting and paving.

The upgrade also responds to Whakatāne District Council’s Residents Survey results, which show satisfaction with public toilets has declined in recent years. Satisfaction has fallen from 74 percent in 2019 to 49 percent in 2026, below the national benchmark of 58 percent. In the 2025/26 Residents Survey, more than a third of residents surveyed (37 percent) said they would like the council to spend more on public toilets.

Kaihautū Māori partnerships and general manager commercial Hone Patrick said the upgrade was an important investment that would be well used now and into the future.

“We know the current Boon Street facilities are no longer meeting the standard our community expects. Crown co-funding gives us a great opportunity to replace an ageing building with a safer, more welcoming and accessible facility, while also improving the surrounding space to better serve residents, visitors, passengers and bus drivers,” he said.

The Crown co-funding follows the successful application by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional council to NZTA to improve bus driver safety and working environments in the Eastern Bay.

The project will shortly go out for tender, with demolition expected to begin before the end of the year, and construction completed by May 2027.

The council is working with the Citizens Advice Bureau, which operates from the Boon Street building, on a plan for relocation to ensure this important community service remains open.