A concept illustration of the new Lyric Theatre. The message is clear about toilet facilities. Image: Architectus.
Canberra’s new Lyric Theatre’s bathroom facilities will exceed the requirements in the current National Construction Code (NCC) and include more female toilets than male toilets.
Women who often face long queues at theatres and auditoriums will welcome the news, as highlighted by Region writer Hayley Nicholls in her recent opinion piece Before we welcome our new theatre, it’s time for a wee chat about toilets, which resonated with readers.
A government spokesperson said Infrastructure Canberra was working closely with the Canberra Theatre Centre, contractor Multiplex and a team of theatre consultants to design and plan a new Lyric Theatre that delivered a great visitor experience, including adequate and well-designed bathroom facilities.
“Through extensive community and stakeholder consultation, we’ve heard a clear message: people want more toilet facilities,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes increased capacity for women’s bathrooms, all-gender options, accessible bathrooms, and changing places facilities.”
[Changing places facilities are specifically designed, larger accessible toilets equipped with specialised features for those who cannot use standard accessible toilets.]
The new Lyric Theatre’s design would incorporate these features, including a greater number of female toilets than male toilets, the spokesperson said.
“While final details are still being developed, we remain committed to address the needs of the theatre’s future visitors,” the spokesperson said.
The problem of adequate women’s toilets in certain buildings has been recognised. Just this week, submissions closed to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) on its proposed changes to the NCC so buildings provided ‘adequate and equitable’ female toilet facilities.
These changes, based on community feedback and research, included an increase in the number of female toilets (closet pans) in single auditorium theatres and cinemas (Class 9b buildings), from the current male to female average of 1:1.25 to 1:1.8, and requiring dispensers for sanitary products in female toilet facilities in commercial buildings.
ABCB said the research found NCC-compliant single auditorium theatres and cinemas had queuing times for females of up to 14 minutes at peak periods and females accessed a toilet facility 1.3 times more often and spent 1.6 times longer using it compared with males.
It found an average ratio of 1:1.8 for 100 to 2000 occupants produced more equitable queuing times.
Existing washbasin numbers were still adequate because the time taken to wash hands was far less than the time taken to use a toilet.
The ACT Government spokesperson said the government had ongoing engagement with the ABCB through the development of the new NCC.
“We remain committed to providing the regulatory and operational settings that deliver sustainable, high-quality and lasting infrastructure that improves the wellbeing of Canberrans and visitors to our city,” the spokesperson said.
Construction of the new Lyric Theatre is expected to start by the end of 2025.
Any changes to the NCC will also affect the proposed Convention and Entertainment Precinct to be built on the Civic pool site.
Property Council of Australia’s ACT and Capital Region executive director, Ashlee Berry, said the appropriate number of bathrooms was fundamental to the functionality and enjoyment of any public amenity – particularly high-traffic venues such as theatres.
“The Property Council supports a practical and evidence-based approach to offering adequate amenities for all patrons,” she said.
“We note that Infrastructure Canberra’s commitment to its Culture in Construction Standard will likely see the new Lyric Theatre include facilities that exceed the minimum National Construction Code requirements, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive experience for all visitors.”
