The long-awaited upgrade of the Lane Cove Market Square toilets is finally underway.
The centre managers, Knight Frank, closed all the toilets simultaneously and directed customers and employees to use the toilets at The Canopy.
New South Wales Workplace Health and Safety legislation requires employers to ensure that employees have access to the following:
- Adequate toilet facilities
- They are clean, safe and available when needed
- And reasonably accessible throughout a shift
Toilet access is considered a basic workplace health requirement, not a convenience.
If on-site toilets are closed for renovation, employers can direct staff to facilities located outside the centre if:
- The toilets are close by and safe to reach
- Access doesn’t involve unreasonable walking time or unsafe routes
- The arrangement works for all staff, including those with mobility or medical needs
- The solution is short-term, not indefinite
Are the Canopy Toilets Close and Accessible?
The Canopy has a policy of fully closing the toilets during cleaning, so they are not always available. The toilets near the stage are locked from 3 pm due to vandalism issues.
The Lane Cove Library has a few toilets, but they are in high demand. The library does not open until 9.30 am and closes at 5.00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 2.00 pm on Sunday. This means they are not always available when the business at Lane Cove Market Square is open.
The following questions need to be asked:
Why did the centre manager decide to close all the toilets at the same time?
Why did they not close one set of toilets and then make the other toilets unisex for the duration of the works?
Alternatively, could some temporary toilets be installed in the car park?
As upgrades continue at Market Square, the test is simple: can staff access a toilet quickly, safely and without hassle?
If the answer is no, are the centre managers placing their tenants (as employers) in breach of the Workplace Health and Safety legislation?
Air Conditioning Issues
Another issue affecting tenants is the lack of air conditioning. Apparently, the air conditioning is scheduled for replacement this year, and some tenants have been provided with portable air conditioners.
These air conditioners have water tanks that must be emptied. Are the water tanks too heavy for employees to lift, and where are they emptied if there is no access to toilets?
Has the Region Group and Knight Frank Waived the White Flag?
We asked both the Region Group and Knight Frank to provide comments on the above issues:
The following statement was provided by a Knight Frank spokesperson:
“The Lane Cove Market Square amenities upgrade has been planned in consultation with Lane Cove Council, to improve the quality, accessibility, and functionality of these facilities for the long term.
The project is on track for February completion, and we look forward to delivering therefreshed amenities.
The air conditioning upgrade works are also currently in progress and are scheduled for completion during February. These improvements are another important step in enhancing comfort for customers, retailers and staff.
We thank our retailers and customers for their patience and understanding while
these important upgrades are delivered. Together, these works represent a commitment to improving customer amenities and ensuring Lane Cove Market Square is a welcoming and comfortable shopping destination for our community.”
The Lifts and Travellators Saga
The issue of lifts and travellators not working properly, and the closure of the toilets, has prompted Lane Cove Locals to shop elsewhere.
Below are some comments on Lane Cove Chat by ITC.
Lane Cove Market Square No Longer a Big Gun in the Shopping Centre News Mini Guns Report
In 2020 In the Cove reported the following:
“According to an article in today’s Australian Financial Review, Neighbourhood and sub-regional malls anchored by supermarkets and discount department stores have demonstrated their renowned resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual Shopping Centre news survey, which ranks the retail sales performance of shopping centres with between 6000 and 20,000 square metres of lettable retail space, shows that over the 12 months to July, about half reported improved performance on the prior year.
Lane Cove Market Square is second on the list – it will be interesting to see how the figures change with the opening of The Canopy.”
The Shopping Centre News released its 2025 Mini Guns report, and Lane Cove Market Square is now 16th on the list. Will it slip further?
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