The 240 litre sharps disposal bin’s metal enclosure was smashed open and the wheelie bin removed while the sharps and black boxes (fitpacks) were strewn about the footpath and river reserve with no care of the danger to the public or the people who have to clean up the mess.

Mayor Katrina Humphries is appalled by this low act.

“It is with total disgust that we have to witness such vandalism,” she said. 

“I have to ask what goes through the minds of people to put the community at risk, not to mention themselves.

“Moree Plains Shire Council has gone to considerable expense to assist in the disposal of syringes with bins installed in areas that are easily accessible and in places frequented by residents, travellers, and those required to medically self-inject.”

Sadly the ongoing wilful destruction of community sharp bins through vandalism and reckless disregard for the contents has meant council has had to relocate some bins and remove others.

While the risk of acquiring a serious infection as a result of an accidental injury from a community sharp is extremely low, the anxiety resulting from such an injury can be significant.

It is important that community sharps are always kept secure and separate from general waste, placed in a sharps container and disposed in the designated community sharps disposal bins.

“We want to keep everyone in our community safe from accidental injury, so place community sharps in approved containers and use the specially marked sharps disposal bins,” Cr Humpries said.

“Never put community sharps in public litter bins, in household waste or recycling or flush them down the toilet or drains.”

If you find a syringe in a public place help protect the Moree Plains community by calling the Needle Clean-Up Hotline on 1800 633 353 or contact Moree Plains Shire Council on (02) 6757 3222.