Sam Madsen with her sons Toby, 5, and Louis, 2, in front of the public toilets at Gregory Park in Milton, Mrs Madsen is concerned that Brisbane City Council do not provide soap in their park-based public toilets. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

BRISBANE City Council has admitted to skimping on handwash in public parks despite health warnings the rate of influenza is the worst the country has ever seen.

Council revealed in more than 2000 parks across Brisbane, due to the vandalism of dispensers in public places and daily maintenance requirements, it does not provide handwash in bathrooms in parks.

Brisbane City Councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson ward) said she was “shocked” to hear Council did not provide handwash in park toilets.

“There are so few public toilets for our community and they are in huge demand,” Ms Johnston said.

“From a hygiene and safety point of view, soap is essential.”

With school holidays underway and influenza spreading rapidly, Queensland Health has reported

44,727 cases of influenza this year.

There have been 31,392 cases of influenza A reported, and 13,335 were influenza B.

So far this year, there have been 4759 public hospital admissions across the state for influenza, and 548 of those required intensive care.

Ms Johnston said it was a huge problem Council had not invested the necessary funds to properly maintain toilet infrastructure.

The disclosure has outraged parents who say they pay a premium to live in suburbs close to parks and continue to see rates rise.

Sam Madsen with her sons Toby, 5, and Louis, 2, at Gregory Park in Milton. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Paddington mother-of-two Sam Madsen lives within walking distance to Gregory Park at Milton and tries to avoid using the public toilets.

Mrs Madsen said it was odd Council could provide syringe boxes in some park bathrooms but not handwash for her family who frequent parks.

“I think it’s terrible,” Mrs Madsen said.

“This park (Milton) is used by so many, the school is right next door. It’s so unhygienic.

“Our rates keep going up and the health of the public is at risk.”

Brisbane City Council public toilets in Gregory Park in Milton where no handwash is provided. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Brisbane City Council public toilets in Gregory Park in Milton. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Brisbane City Council public toilets in Gregory Park in Milton. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Mrs Madsen said she carried hand sanitiser however Council should take responsibility and rectify the issue.

“When we go to the City Botanic Gardens, there’s no handwash there either. How do you encourage safe hygiene practice if there’s no handwash in these public spaces?” she said.

Sinnamon Park mother-of-three Emelia Chalker said Rocks Riverside Park at Sinnamon Park, where she spends a lot of time with her children, also had no handwash.

“It’s such a big park, I can’t understand why there is no soap,” she said.

“We pay rates and don’t get good facilities, it makes me angry.

“This is how the flu can spread easily.”

A Queensland Health spokesman said diseases including influenza and gastrointestinal infections could be spread through contact with people and contaminated surfaces, particularly in populated public areas.

“Regular and thorough handwashing is the most effective way of removing potentially harmful germs and protecting yourself against illnesses, especially after using the bathroom, changing nappies or helping a child go to the toilet and before eating,” the spokesman said.

Ms Johnston said she would raise the issue further to ensure handwash was back in public toilets.

A Brisbane City Council spokesman said: “Council maintains more than 2,000 parks as part of our commitment to keeping Brisbane clean, green and sustainable.

Due to the vandalism of dispensers in public places and daily maintenance requirements, Council does not provide hand wash in bathrooms in parks”.

CASES OF INFLUENZA – 2017

Influenza A: 31,392

Influenza B: 13,335

Hospital ICU admissions: 548

Source: Queensland Health