The battle by locals to save a small toilet block in a small suburban park in Gwynneville appears to be over.

Using a combination of mobile phone data technology and toilet paper use, Wollongong Council has decided the toilets must go.

Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown has taken a keen personal interest in the battle over Robinson Park's toilets.

She told The Illawarra Flame she initially met with a group of locals and others, including the police. Those talks, and a supporting safety audit, determined that the toilets should be demolished.

When that news got out, another group of locals began a campaign to save the toilets. They claimed the toilets were well used, a valuable community asset, and Council had made its decision to demolish without proper consultation.

One resident said the toilets were included on the National Public Toilet Map as part of the National Continence Program. 

Those opposing the removal of the loos said the Council was being short-sighted, and as the character of Gwynneville changed with more young families moving in, the toilets would be needed more than ever.

Having listened to both sides, and reviewing the use of the toilets, the Lord Mayor said Council had decided the toilets must go.

"It appears no-one is using them," Cr Brown said.

She said a collection of mobile phone data in the area had revealed "the only people using it are anti-social at night". In addition the Lord Mayor said cleaners had revealed toilet paper was not being used.

"The nearby mosque has assured me they have ample facilities and they don't need it."

Cr Brown explained to the executive of Neighbourhood Forum 5 that Council couldn't justify retaining and paying for the ongoing maintenance of the toilets. The Illawarra Flame understands the annual cost is about $20,000.

"The toilet block was originally built when netball courts were there, but they're long gone," Cr Brown said.

Kim Johnson, who strongly opposed the demolition order, said she was "disappointed" by Council's decision and that the toilets would be missed by many in the community who regularly use them.

Kim said a group of soccer players who regularly used the park said they would be happy to assist Council with maintenance of the toilets to reduce costs.

Having lost the battle for the toilet block, Kim is hoping Council will install a bubbler or tap and a bin in the park.

"I'm worried too that they'll succumb to temptation and see the park as surplus to requirements and one day sell it off for new housing."

The Lord Mayor said Robinson Park was a designated park "and so it's staying as a park". Cr Brown said she wasn't aware of the cost to demolish the toilets. Work is expected to begin within weeks.