Bland Shire Council Joins BINS 4 Blokes Program to Improve Male Public Toilets
Bland Shire Council has committed to improving inclusivity and accessibility across the Shire by joining the national BINS4Blokes initiative.
At its June meeting, Council unanimously resolved to install incontinence product disposal bins in male public toilets at 20 sites across the Shire, with installation scheduled in the coming weeks. The service will cost approximately $7,000 per year and demonstrates Council's ongoing commitment to community wellbeing.
While sanitary bins in female public toilets are widely available, male facilities have traditionally lacked the same provision. Yet, more than 1.34 million boys and men in Australia experience incontinence, and without proper disposal options many avoid participating fully in community life.
By installing disposal bins, Council aims to give men and boys a safe and hygienic way to manage incontinence products, supporting their dignity, health, and confidence to remain active in the community.
Mayor Brian Monaghan welcomed the move, saying:
"This is a welcome step towards ensuring our public facilities are inclusive and accessible for all members of the community, irrespective of age or gender."
Bland Shire joins other forward-thinking councils, including Wagga Wagga City, Snowy Valleys and Randwick City Councils, in rolling out this important initiative.
The BINS4Blokes campaign is led by the Continence Foundation of Australia and supported by leading men's health organisations. Its goals are to:
1. Increase the number of incontinence disposal bins in male public toilets across Australia
2. Encourage men and boys experiencing incontinence to seek help
3. Raise awareness of how common incontinence is, and the impact it can have on daily life
Locally, the rollout was supported by a request from the Ungarie Branch of the Country Women's Association (CWA), which has been campaigning for the program to be introduced across NSW.
Local sites receiving bins include:
• West Wyalong Sports Stadium
• Children's Services Unit
• Ron Crowe Oval
• Apex Park, West Wyalong
• Bland Shire Council Offices
• McCann Park
• Wyalong Hall
• Lions Park
• Bing Wallder Park, Ungarie
• Cooinda Park, Wyalong
• IGA Carpark Toilets
• Bland Shire Library
• Youth Centre
• Herridge Park, Wyalong
• McAlister Oval
• Barnado Park
• Queen Street Park, Barmedman
To help residents and visitors locate the nearest disposal facility, all Bland Shire Council BINS4Blokes sites will be listed on the National Public Toilet Map at www.toiletmap.gov.au in the near future.
Council is proud to support this initiative, ensuring public amenities meet the needs of all members of the community and helping reduce the stigma around incontinence.
