PORT Stephens Council will take action to address the lack of accessible sanitary hygiene facilities throughout the local government area.

In a notice of motion raised by Councillor Leah Anderson, Port Stephens Council was held accountable to the lack of sanitary disposal facilities in the Port Stephens region, raising awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation and period-friendly sanitation facilities.

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“Brand new sportsgrounds and amenities recently opened in Nelson Bay, however, not one sanitary bin has been installed.

“The nearby Nelson Bay Netball Courts are littered with girls and women and yet again, not one sanitary bin,” Cr Anderson said.

Cr Anderson said that the lack of these sanitary bins are a problem that no one wants to talk about, and affect both men and women.

“A lack of sanitary bins for men is a problem that nobody wants to talk about.

“In fact, The Continence Foundation estimates about one in four Australians suffer incontinence and, if you add in the fact that about one in six men develop prostate cancer, that means you have a good chance of needing to seek out a sanitary bin if you’re a bloke,” Cr Anderson said.

Dr Michelle O’Shea, who has a PhD in organisation studies (gender equity), addressed her concerns during public access at the recent Council meeting.

“As someone who has done a lot of research into women’s health, it is of great concern to me that Port Stephens Council does not provide sanitary bins in the majority of its public toilets and in its high traffic areas.

“I am disappointed that there are very few of these bins, not only for women and girls but also men with prostate and incontinence issues, across the Port’s public toilets.

“There are no other dignified ways to remove such products and this needs to change,” Dr O’Shea said.

Following the unanimous support for the motion, the General Manager will provide a report to Council to advise how many sanitary bins for both men and women are in Council’s public toilets and what toilet locations have them.

The report will also investigate proactive councils which are taking efficient action in sanitary hygiene and investigate the cost of placing sanitary bins for both men and women in Council’s public toilets across the local government area.

By Tara CAMPBELL