One of several containers full of syringes Steph Fahy has cleaned up from a residential street in Woonona. Photo: Steph Fahy.
Woonona’s Steph Fahy has cleaned dozens of syringes off the footpath on her street over the past couple of weeks, and she’s fed up.
She says illegally dumped rubbish has been a problem on her street for as long as she’s lived there, but the syringes are a new issue.
She worries for kids, pets and adults who regularly walk past on their way to the beach, but hasn’t been able to get any official agencies to sit up and take notice of the problem.
“Someone’s obviously using, not disposing of the needles straight away and coming out to dump them,” she said.
“I’ve picked up enough to fill a sharps container, water bottles and then I’ll find another lot.
“This week I found one on my front lawn.
“I don’t judge people who use drugs, but I feel really angry about this.
“There are programs available to help people dispose of needles; this is just careless.
“We are right near the beach and of an afternoon it’s full of barefoot kids, adults and dogs.
“It’s really disheartening.”
The rubbish pile where most of the needles have been found is in front of a Homes NSW complex on the corner of Lawrence and Carrington streets.
Steph said she notified Homes NSW of the issue, and although they’d made an effort to get on top of the garbage pile nothing had been done about the syringes.
“Initially they were shocked about the amount of needles I found,” she said.
“A rubbish collection was booked, but that doesn’t stop the needles.
“They need to do something to stop the dumping in the first place.”
Region Illawarra contacted the Department of Communities and Justice, which administers Homes NSW, for comment.
The department did not provide a response.
A spokesperson for Wollongong City Council said the council was aware of the illegal dumping but said syringes “were not commonly found”.
“The council’s RID program officer inspected the location on Tuesday and discovered illegal dumping and household waste on the footpath,” a Wollongong City Council spokesperson said.
“Investigations are ongoing. The council liaises with Homes NSW to ensure removal of waste when enquiries identify its tenants as being responsible for the dumped materials or household waste.
“While syringes aren’t commonly found, we strongly advise community members not to touch or search through dumped waste and to report it to the council immediately.
“While we continue to be proactive in addressing the issue, we rely on the assistance of community members to report instances to us, noting we are best able to act on reports that include information such as photo or video evidence, vehicle registration details, and formal witness statements.”
Steph isn’t worried about who takes responsibility, she just wants action before someone gets hurt.
She’s created a petition in the hopes that it spurs a stronger response.
“The rubbish is dumped up against my neighbour’s fence; it’s their home,” she said.
“It’s a risk to people’s health, wildlife, pets, and I feel like I’m one tiny voice.
“If you are using, call First Step, they’ll come and pick up your dirty needles.”
To sign Steph’s petition follow this link.
