Decision details

Moved by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Maxwell, seconded by Councillor Arkins –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)           the City of Sydney aims to foster a vibrant 24/7 city and strengthen its nighttime economy, requiring appropriate infrastructure to support this vision;

(ii)         expanding public toilet infrastructure is essential to ensuring that nighttime visitors have adequate amenities and are not solely reliant on private venues;

(iii)        a lack of sufficient public restroom facilities in entertainment precincts may contribute to public hygiene issues, increased public disturbances, and inconvenience for local residents;

(iv)        the Council’s 2014 Public Toilet Strategy identified limited availability of nighttime public toilets, leaving many high-traffic areas without accessible facilities;

(v)         currently, there are no public toilets available within a 5-minute walk along King Street, Newtown, at night, leaving visitors reliant on private venues or informal alternatives; and

(vi)        the City of Sydney has a responsibility to ensure that residents, visitors, and local businesses are supported by appropriate public amenities;

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)           provide an updated report on the current locations of 24/7 public toilets across the Local Government Area;

(ii)         identify Council-owned land within a 5-minute walk of the proposed Special Entertainment Precincts that may be suitable for additional public toilet facilities;

(iii)        assess potential sites for new 24/7 public toilets in areas of high demand, considering factors such as feasibility, community needs, and accessibility. This should include the route between the Entertainment Quarter and Central Station;

(iv)        investigate opportunities to enhance access to existing public toilets, including extending operating hours where appropriate;

(v)         provide an update on the status of the 9 new public toilets in key village centres as outlined in the 2014 Public Toilet Strategy;

(vi)        review and recommend potential updates to the Public Toilet Strategy to prioritise expanded 24/7 access, particularly in key locations such as Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, King Street, Newtown, Darling Harbour, and near late-night public transport hubs; and

(vii)      report back to Council on findings and proposed next steps via the CEO Update.

Carried unanimously.

X113762