This parliamentary inquiry found public toilets are essential urban infrastructure that support public health and community participation. The report calls for legislative reform and improved frameworks to ensure accessibility, inclusivity and design standards. It outlines 22 recommendations to guide best practice, effective regulation and funding that meets the diverse needs of all Australians.
Evidence was provided by people and community organisations across regional and metropolitan New South Wales, including state and local government, unions, experts in toilet design, and disability, human rights and gender equity organisations. The inquiry revealed that the current regulatory framework for public toilets is not fit for purpose.
People from all walks of life across the state informed the committee how inadequate access to public toilets impacts their well-being. The inquiry found that certain groups are disproportionately impacted, including those with impaired mobility, people living with low vision or blindness, people with neurological, cognitive and psychosocial disabilities, people who experience incontinence, people who menstruate, LGBTQIA+ communities, people experiencing homelessness, First Nations people and those who live in rural and remote communities.
Key recommendations
- Amend the Public Health Act 2010 to require the provision of inclusive and accessible public toilets in NSW as a matter of public health.
- The Minister for Health and NSW Health should oversee and manage the implementation of public toilet legislation, regulations and strategies.
- Mandate minimum standards for the design, delivery, safety, maintenance, accessibility and sustainability of public toilets.
- Advocate for a review of the public toilet provisions in the National Construction Code.
- Conduct audits of all existing facilities to inform the development of local public toilet strategies.
- Improve the data quality of the National Public Toilet Map.
- Develop a funding model that supports local government and allocates funding according to community need.
- Set minimum standards with respect to the cleaning and maintenance of public toilets.
