Community & Business
15 November, 2024
Discarded needles on the increase at parkland
CONCERNED dog walkers have warned Mareeba locals to be aware of an increasing number of used needles and other discarded drug paraphernalia when visiting the Bicentennial Lakes area.
“We walk our dogs every day through the Bicentennial Lakes area. Over the last two months we have seen a marked increase in the number of needle packs, swabs wrappings, sharps containers, and this week, uncapped needles, left lying around,” they wrote on a Mareeba social media forum.
Another writer, a regular shopper to Mareeba, had also noted an increase and suggested secure needle bins be made available.
The comments follow a report last week that a recent spate of vandalism in Mareeba and Malanda was costly to repair, a waste of ratepayer funds, and was impacting the morale of council staff who cleaned up after it.
Another correspondent on the forum recommended council rangers or security officers drive through the park area after hours as a preventative measure, “before an innocent child becomes a victim of a needle stick injury”.
The debate also drew suggestions about people being more proactive and removing rubbish when they saw it or forming clean-up groups.
Mayor Angela Toppin, when approached about the concerns, said it was disappointing to receive reports of vandalism and rubbish being left behind.
“One of our key priorities at Mareeba Shire Council is to create and maintain open spaces for the community to enjoy. The playground at Mason St Bicentennial Lakes was a significant project delivered this year,” she said.
“We have installed bins throughout the park so there is no excuse for litter. The rubbish from the park can wash into the Lakes which feed into creeks that eventually flow out to the reef in the wet season.,” she continued.
“It is likely only a small group of people are
littering and causing damage to the playground, but they are ruining the facility for everyone else who takes pride in it.”
She said council staff were on site every morning to maintain the toilet block and clean rubbish from the park.
“If the community notices people vandalising the playground, we encourage them to please contact the police and report it. If you notice a dangerous hazard in a playground or park, such as broken glass or needles, please contact council immediately on 1300 308 461 so we can address it promptly,” Mayor Toppin said.
