A pair of Bellambi housemates who discovered a slew of used needles dumped on a popular walking track frequented by children have slammed the careless actions of those responsible for dropping the dangerous paraphernalia.
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Whitby Mews residents Emma Belgrove and Wayne Morris claim illicit drug use is rife in the area and it is not uncommon to find drug-related equipment on their street.
However, the pair said their discovery on Christmas Eve of up to 60 uncapped needles, syringes and opened pill packets on the beachside walkway shocked even them.
“It’s disgusting, it makes you shudder,” Ms Belgrove said.
The pair said they felt compelled to collect the drug paraphernalia, some of which contained traces of blood, after calls to the police proved unfruitful.
“We rang the cops and all they could say was ‘don't know if council is working today’,” said Ms Belgrove, who confirmed she didn’t go on to report the incident to the council.
“We ended up picking it all up as there are a lot of kids around here and young children being inquisitive are likely to pick the needles and syringes up.”
Ms Belgrove said she wasn’t sure when the items were dumped, but said another family she spoke to said they had been there for at least 24 hours.
Meantime, Mr Morris, who is also a grandparent, described the dumping as a “low act”.
“It’s not something you should leave laying around for kids to play with; its not the right thing to do that’s for sure,” he said.
“There’s a needle drop-off container at the [Bellambi] neighbourhood centre...they could have just returned them there; there’s no need to thrown them around and risk other people’s safety.”
A Wollongong Council spokeswoman said anyone with a council-related emergency over the Christmas closure period could call the organisation’s after-hours service on 4227 7111.
”We encourage all community members to use this number to report found syringes or other community sharps so they may be collected as soon as possible. We do have council crews working over the break to respond to such matters,” the spokeswoman said.
Alternatively, residents can also contact the Needles Clean Up Hotline on 1800 633 353 if they discover a syringe or needle in a public place.
