By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay council has released a draft strategy for its provision of public toilets over the next 10 years, which included a recommendation to investigate removing gender-based signage from its public toilets.
At its meeting on Tuesday, December 13, Hobsons Bay council passed a motion to approve the draft Hobsons Bay Public Toilet Strategy for 2022-2032.
Recommendations detailed within the draft strategy included continuing to progressively replace or upgrade older and substandard toilets, investigating a new approach to signage which would show the fittings and equipment within facilities and cubicles, rather than indicating the expected gender of users and allocating a consistent annual budget to ensure completion of recommended works within the 10-year strategy.
Councillor Jonathon Marsden said the strategy was an important step towards creating the best possible toilet facilities for the community.
“Toilets should be clean…they should be safe, they should be accessible and they should be in places where people can rely on them,” he said.
Cr Daria Kellander said further engagement with a diverse collection of people should be conducted as part of the consultation.
“Broad consultation is important,” she said.
“I’d be keen for that to happen and to hear specific feedback from those groups, including women, families, our growing Islamic community and our interfaith network as well.”
The first stage of community consultation ran from April 27 to May 29, with feedback concerning maintenance and hygiene standards, lack of facilities or specific fixtures required and safety concerns.
Cr Kellander said she believed the final strategy should include more analysis and information on the lack of hygiene and what makes for the best public toilet experience.
“Most women I know, myself included, find public toilets pretty disgusting,” she said.
“They are necessary and I think keeping them clean is obviously a priority.”
Feedback would close on Friday, February 10, 2023.
Details: participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/toilets
