MEDIA RELEASE - 24 MARCH 2010

Especially at major events where there are crowds, we secretly wonder why we still see women patiently queuing up outside of women’s toilets while men seem to zip in and out relatively quickly when using theirs. And even though the men’s and women’s toilets are usually of the same size, why should we be putting up with what is effectively an inequality of the sexes in practice.

On Monday night, 22 March 2010, Parramatta’s Deputy Lord Mayor Clr Chiang Lim won unanimous support to review the current Building Code of Australia’s rules.

Parramatta City Council will now begin to rebalance this inequality by potentially increasing the minimum total size of future women’s toilets in existing and future public buildings. The targeted public buildings being major department stores, shopping centres, theatres and cinemas, auditoria, sports venues, theatres, art galleries, public halls, function rooms.

“I cannot understand why this has not been attempted before. It is not only the right thing to do for women, but it also extends a greater appreciation for their larger responsibility of taking their children with them compared to men,” said Clr Lim.

A future report from Parramatta City Council is now expected to recommend options to change the minimum standards required of future women’s toilets and parents amenities in public buildings within the Parramatta local government area.

“Ideally, it is my hope that the Building Code of Australia will also take heed of our actions, and make the new standards mandatory across the rest of Australia,” said Clr Lim.

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Click here for minutes of Council meeting on 22 March 2010 

For any further information, please contact Deputy Lord Mayor Clr Chiang Lim,
Parramatta City Council on 0427 277 299 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.chianglim.com.au/mediareleases