Canberra mothers have shared harrowing stories about their experiences in parents rooms at local shopping centres, highlighting issues of drug use, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate facilities. The accounts, collected by a local parenting group, reveal a pattern of neglect that has left many families feeling unsafe and unwelcome.
Drug use and unsafe conditions
One mother reported finding a used syringe in a parents room at a major shopping centre in Belconnen. 'I walked in with my toddler and saw a needle on the change table. It was terrifying,' she said. Another parent described a strong smell of marijuana in a parents room at a Tuggeranong centre, with groups of teenagers loitering inside. 'It's supposed to be a safe space for families, but it feels like anything but,' she added.
Lack of cleanliness and maintenance
Multiple mothers complained about dirty facilities, including overflowing nappy bins, broken locks on doors, and a lack of basic supplies like soap and paper towels. 'I've been to parents rooms where the bin hasn't been emptied in days. The smell is unbearable,' one mother said. Another noted that changing tables were often sticky or stained, forcing parents to use their own mats or avoid the room altogether.
Impact on families
The poor state of parents rooms has led some mothers to avoid certain shopping centres entirely. 'I now plan my trips around which centres have decent parents rooms. It's exhausting,' a mother of two said. The issue is particularly acute for parents with multiple children or those with disabilities, who rely on these facilities for feeding, changing, and calming their children.
Calls for improvement
Parenting groups are urging shopping centre management to invest in better maintenance and security. 'We need regular cleaning, working locks, and perhaps even security patrols to deter anti-social behaviour,' said a spokesperson for the Canberra Mums Network. Some centres have responded by increasing cleaning schedules, but parents say more needs to be done.
Broader implications
The complaints reflect a wider issue in Australian shopping centres, where parents rooms are often an afterthought. A 2023 survey by the Australian Parents Council found that 68% of parents rated public parenting facilities as poor or very poor. 'These rooms are essential for families. They should be a priority, not an afterthought,' the spokesperson added.
