Cracks appear in Dubbo's $300k 3D-printed toilet block

A ground-breaking toilet block built entirely with a 3D printer is beginning to crack, according to locals in a regional NSW city.

Dubbo Regional Council became the first in Australia to use the innovative technology to build a structure.

The toilet block opened to the public in July and came at an estimated cost of $300,000.

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But locals have been writing into 2GB's Ben Fordham reporting the structure is already riddled with cracks.

Former Dubbo mayor and Member of the NSW Legislative Council, Stephen Lawrence, told Fordham both the design of the block and the construction method used were unusual.

"They chose to build this loo firstly in the old style but more controversially, perhaps, 3D printing," Lawrence said.

"They've used this new technology that seems to have caused some problems.

"There are very visible large cracks on various parts of the structure."

The toilet block has since undergone a patch-up to cover a top-to-bottom rupture and smaller hairline cracks.

But Lawrence queried why the council opted for an older-style toilet block in the first place.

"The modern style, which is a single-use cubicle, is accessible from public space, they're safe, they're disability accessible and they meet the needs of the community," he said.

"But it looks like in a head-long rush, to do something that no other council has done, and use this 3D printing, they've gone back to the old style.

"And unfortunately, the 3D technology might not quite be there in terms of community expectations in relation to cracks and so forth."

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Lawrence estimated a modern-style toilet block consisting of three or four single-use cubicles would cost well under $200,000.

"I do have some concerns there's going to be some unforeseen circumstances as a result of this method," he said.

"They've developed very quickly, they've tried to patch them, but the cracks are still there."