Especially at major events, we secretly wonder why we still see women patiently queuing up outside of women’s toilets, yet men seem to zip in and out relatively quickly when using theirs. Equality of the sexes is one thing, but why should we be putting up with what is effectively an inequality of treatment in practice.

Under a proposal by Parramatta’s Deputy Lord Mayor Clr Chiang Lim to review the current Building Code of Australia’s rules, Parramatta City Council intends to rebalance this inequality by potentially increasing the minimum total size of future women’s toilets in 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.

“It does seem odd that this has not been seriously reviewed before. This 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 relative to their male partners,” said Clr Lim.

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

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