At the next Eurobodalla Council meeting on Tuesday Oct 22nd, 2019 Councillor Patrick McGinlay will seeking the support of his fellow councillors that Eurobodalla Council commence a trial installation of sanitary bins in 15 of the most popular accessible (unisex) toilets across the Shire at an approximate annual cost of $3,150, with the trial period lasting from implementation to 30 April 2020.
If adopted he suggest that the Councillors receive a briefing in May 2020 to allow consideration of the impact of the trial and an appropriate budget allocation in forward budgets for any adjustment to the public toilet services across Eurobodalla.
The installation of sanitary bins was discussed by Councillors at the briefing session held 17 September 2019, in response to a request for ‘bins for blokes’.
Councillor McGinlay told his fellow Councillors that the provision of sanitary bins to serve all members of the community who suffer from incontinence, which affects both men and women, has a larger impact within an elderly demographic.
Inspired by a chance meeting with an advocate for this provision of service Councillor McGinlay is recommending Council trials the installation of the sanitary bins saying "The accessible toilets offer additional room and greater privacy, as well as allowing both males and females to receive the benefit of the new service. The outcomes from this trial should then be brought back to Councillors at a briefing prior to adopting the 2020-21 Operational Plan to allow consideration, including of the budget implications of this new service to the community."
Responding to the suggestion the Council's General Manager, Catherine Dale has said that the implementation of a trial across the 15 popular accessible toilets is supported.
It is hoped that the trial can be implemented prior to the end of 2019.
