City of Sydney
- GPO Box 1591Sydney 2001
- 02 9265 9333
- [email protected]
New automatic public toilets
In progress
- Development applications for the new toilets have been approved.
- Some toilets are now open.
Artist’s impression of the planned automated public toilet at Hyde Park to replace the existing public toilet.
Why we’re doing this
We worked with the community to develop our public toilet strategy, which identified the need for more public toilets across the City of Sydney local area.
A lack of public toilets can greatly impact people with high needs such as families with children, older people, people with disability or people with medical conditions. Some may avoid, or be reluctant to travel or take part in social activities where public facilities are lacking. The city’s public toilets are well used by people walking and riding, workers, commuters and visitors to our parks and outdoor recreation facilities.
Public toilets in Central Sydney and at entertainment precincts are especially in demand during the evenings when most other alternative toilets, such as toilets in shopping centres, are closed.
To meet this need and demand, we aim to provide public toilets within 400m of any point within Central Sydney, village centres, and at major neighbourhood parks that have large playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities.
About the new toilets
The planned automated public toilets are inclusive (all gender wheelchair accessible) and some will have an additional ambulant-accessible cubicle in areas of high demand. To improve amenity and enhance the city with greenery, some facilities will have green roofs.
The toilets feature state of the art safety and hygiene features, including automated self-cleaning mechanisms, automated door opening and closing, and emergency security provisions. Maintenance staff will conduct extra cleaning and servicing of the facilities twice daily to ensure they’re in good condition and fit for use at all times.
To prevent loitering within the cubicle and deter antisocial issues, using the cubicle will be restricted to 10 to 15 minutes. After this time, an alarm will sound before the doors open automatically.
Signs and operating instructions will include audible messages, including tactile and Braille elements.
New automatic toilets now open
| Suburb | Address | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| City centre | Hickson Road and Lower Fort Street | Anytime, any day |
| Darlinghurst | Forbes Street at Bourke Street (Taylor Square) | Anytime, any day |
| Paddington | Oxford Street at William Street | Anytime, any day |
| Rosebery | Crewe Place opposite Primrose Avenue (Butterscotch Park) | 6am to 9pm |
| Surry Hills | Marlborough Street at Devonshire Street (Ward Park) | 7am to 9pm |
| Dowling Street and Stephen Street (Sydney Place) | 7am to 7pm |
Interior of the new automated public toilets showing wheelchair circulation space and transfer rails, wheelchair accessible sink with sensor operated taps and fold-up baby change table.
Interior of the new automated public toilets showing wheelchair circulation space and transfer rails, wheelchair accessible sink with sensor operated taps and fold-up baby change table.
Proposed locations
Locations were identified in the public toilet strategy or have been included in response to community requests, in areas of high demand.
These proposed facilities are located in popular neighbourhood parks, in streetscapes at dining and entertainment precincts. Many will provide important utility to visitors in Central Sydney and entertainment precincts at night when most other alternative toilets are closed.
All locations
| Suburb | Address | Opening times | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chippendale | City Road opposite Myrtle Street (Victoria Park) | 6am to 9pm | Planned |
| City centre | Castlereagh Street and Park Street | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | College Street after William Street (Hyde Park) | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | Elizabeth Street at Park Street (Hyde Park) | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | Elizabeth Street before Market Street (Hyde Park) | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | Hay Street after Castlereagh Street (Belmore Park) | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | Hickson Road and Lower Fort Street | Anytime, any day | Open now |
| City centre | Quay Street at George Street | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | St James Road after Macquarie Street (Hyde Park) | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | York Street after Grosvener Street (Lang Park) | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| City centre | York Street before Erskine Street | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| Darlinghurst | Forbes Street at Bourke Street (Taylor Square) | Anytime, any day | Open now |
| Erskineville | Erskineville Road and Charles Street (Ellen Lawman Rest Area) | 7am to midnight | Planned |
| Paddington | Oxford Street at William Street | Anytime, any day | Open now |
| Rosebery | Crewe Place opposite Primrose Avenue (Butterscotch Park) | 6am to 9pm | Open now |
| Surry Hills | Marlborough Street at Devonshire Street (Ward Park) | 7am to 9pm | Open now |
| Ultimo | Wattle Street and Quarry Street (Wentworth Park) | 6am to 9pm | Planned |
| Woolloomooloo | Cowper Wharf Road near Brougham Street | Anytime, any day | Planned |
| Dowling Street and Stephen Street (Sydney Place) | 7am to 7pm | Open now |
