Inner West Council to provide free feminine hygiene products at aquatic and community centres

Inner West Council has announced that it will continue a trial of providing free sanitary pads and tampons at its libraries, aquatic facilities and community centres.

Having become the first local government authority in NSW to provide free period products in public toilets as of last year, the Council undertook a trial provision of necessary menstrual products at its other facilities from January 2023 to December 2023.

Advising that the trial “has been hugely successful at normalising periods and achieving equality for women and girls in modern society”, the Council explained that its “program is vital to combating period poverty, a pressing issue affecting people who struggle to afford essential menstrual hygiene products.”

During the trial, the following 10 sites were equipped with dispensing machines for menstrual products:

• Addison Road Community Centre

• Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre

• Ashfield Library

• Ashfield Aquatic Centre

• Balmain Library

• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre

• Marrickville Library

• Marrickville Youth Resource Centre

• Newtown Neighbourhood Centre

• Summer Hill Neighbourhood Centre

The Council also advised that data over the year revealed high demand at five key sites: Addison Road Community Centre, Ashfield Aquatic Centre, Ashfield Library, Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre and Marrickville Library.

Visitors at these sites consistently utilised a majority of the provided products, demonstrating the community's enthusiastic uptake of accessible menstrual hygiene products, whether for cost of living or convenience purposes.

Based on the success of the initial trial, Inner West Council has decided to continue the program for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Council will also add service at the Newtown Pride Centre (managed by Twenty10 - a popular youth LGBTIQA+ service), St Peters Library, Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre and the Dawn Fraser Baths, providing complete coverage at Inner West aquatic centres.

Councillor Philippa Scott, who moved the initial motion to commence the trial, advised "the Inner West community has always been at the forefront of movements towards equality and providing free period products is one more step in the long journey towards total equality for women.

"By continuing this program, we are taking significant steps towards ending period poverty and ensuring that everyone has access to essential hygiene products that are no more a luxury item than running water, soap and toilet paper."

The Council references research from Plan International Australia and Share the Dignity which shows that when people cannot afford necessary menstrual products, it affects their school and work attendance, sports participation and social engagement.

Image: The Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre.