Public toilets are essential infrastructure for everyone who spends time in public spaces, making them the only universally needed and used facility by all community members.

Modern public toilets were introduced to make cities more sanitary, reduce indecency and cater to the needs of working men in city centres. Melbourne’s first public toilet was installed in 1859 for men and 43 years later for women, and eight of the original cast iron urinals still exist in Melbourne CBD, alongside automated toilets.

Now, over 17,000 toilets are listed on Australia’s National Public Toilet Map. They cater to all people, including residents, workers, visitors, and people experiencing homelessness. They can improve the use of open spaces and promote accessibility and inclusion. As enshrined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals as essential to a prosperous society, toilets even now have a World Toilet Day.

For essential infrastructure, public toilets often fall short of meeting the most basic of human needs. They often can’t be found, are sometimes unsanitary or inaccessible or may be perceived as unsafe or unesthetic. Public toilets are disappearing in major US, UK, and Australian capital cities as local authorities cope with increasingly constrained budgets. Public toilets provided by local government in the UK fell 19 per cent from 2015 to 2021, and the British Toilet Association estimates the total reduction of public conveniences over the last 10 years to be 50 per cent. A 2021 survey confirmed that the overwhelming majority (91 per cent) of Londoners do not feel that the existing provision meets their needs.

The City of Sydney’s 2014 Public Toilet Strategy recognised that some key locations still lacked public toilets and that public urination was an issue in entertainment precincts. Today, in many Australian capital cities—especially at night—people often resort to buying a drink at a bar or café just to use the restroom.

Flush with benefits

Today, how toilets are provided in many urban areas reveals how planners and policymakers often see them as an afterthought. Yet, access to public toilets is essential for anyone in public spaces. More than just a necessity, they play a vital role in addressing complex challenges and supporting various council strategies and objectives, including:

• Use of public open space: Toilets make parks and public spaces more inviting, encouraging recreation and social interaction. The NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play guide, used widely beyond NSW, highlights toilets as essential for ensuring people can get there, play, and stay.
• Walkability: Public toilets support walkability but are often overlooked in metrics like WalkScore. They should be included in end-of-trip facilities and along key routes, making walking and cycling more viable.
• Accessibility and inclusion: Public toilets ensure everyone can participate in public life. Lack of facilities disproportionately affects the elderly, people with disabilities or illnesses, parents, carers, and gender-diverse individuals. For 1 in 4 Australians with incontinence or the 80,000+ with inflammatory bowel disease, access determines mobility. Gender-neutral, universally designed toilets improve inclusion while Changing Places and Marveloo facilities support those with severe disabilities.
• Homelessness support: 24-hour public toilets are essential for people experiencing homelessness. Limited access forces them to spend time searching for facilities or resorting to unsafe alternatives. Providing showers can also help with workforce participation and social inclusion.
• Tourism and economic development: Public toilets support tourism and the night-time economy. Travellers often choose stopovers based on toilet availability, boosting local businesses. One regional town saw increased visitor centre traffic and sales after a $3,000 toilet upgrade. In cities like Melbourne, vibrant nightlife and events rely on accessible after-dark facilities.

In addition to the above benefits, a great public toilet network can contribute to the environmental sustainability, safety, and smart city objectives of the communities it serves.

Who plans for public toilets?

While Australian local governments aren’t legally required to provide public toilets beyond certain buildings, most take on this responsibility to support community health and wellbeing. The Federal Government maintains the National Public Toilet Map, but state governments largely overlook toilet infrastructure (Victoria’s 300-page Infrastructure Strategy 2021-2051 mentions toilets just once).

Councils typically plan for facilities like libraries, recreation centres, and health services, yet public toilets often make up the largest share of their built assets. Unlike other social infrastructure, toilets don’t attract people independently; they serve as essential support for public spaces, yet there are no population-based standards for their provision.

Overcoming barriers to provision

Funding is the most significant barrier to public toilet provision, but innovative solutions can help.

One approach is a Community Toilet Scheme (CTS), where businesses allow non-customers to use their toilets in exchange for council support, such as cleaning services, supplies, or financial incentives. This model has proven cost-effective in Germany.

Another strategy is advertising partnerships, where public toilets and street furniture generate revenue through static or digital ads. Companies like JCDecaux have funded entire city networks this way, though such deals can bring challenges. A balanced approach is for councils to rent ad space while maintaining public ownership.

User-pays systems charge a small fee (typically under $1) for premium toilet access, ensuring cleanliness and attendants. However, since fees may limit access, this model is best used alongside free alternatives.

Advocacy is key. Local governments should push for state and regional authorities to include toilets in infrastructure like parks, transport hubs, and public buildings while engaging communities to support investment in accessible, high-quality facilities.

Despite their vital role in community wellbeing and economic activity, only a few cities, such as Greater Shepparton, City of Hobart, and Flintshire County, have a dedicated public toilet strategy. Without one, provision is often reactive—addressing immediate gaps rather than long-term needs—leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for better access and cost-effectiveness. A strategy would improve planning, upgrade standards, and optimise distribution, ensuring investment aligns with community needs. It also provides a framework to tackle key barriers, particularly funding, and explore innovative solutions.

Advocating for better public toilets in NSW

SGS recently submitted to the NSW Government’s inquiry into public toilets, advocating for stronger state leadership in ensuring communities have access to safe, accessible, and clean facilities.

Our submission recommended:

• Provision standards to guide where and how many toilets should be available, with walkable catchments informed by stakeholder input.
• Design guidelines incorporating universal design, crime prevention, and sustainable features.
• Innovative funding models, including advertising, user-pays systems, and community toilet schemes.
• Dedicated state funding to support local governments in maintaining public toilets.

The original LGiU Australia briefing “Public toilet planning: an inconvenience imperative for local governments” can be found here.