Syringe bin trial continues

Gosford Council has decided to extend the Pelican Park syringe disposal bin trial by a further six months.

The bin will be moved to the side of the toilet block after Cr Debra Wales asked if it was necessary to have the bin "shoved in our faces".

She said she would prefer to have the bin relocated to the side of the toilet block.

Cr Craig Doyle said Council had spent a great deal of money on Pelican Park on the Woy Woy waterfront "and the only piece of grass has this bin on it".

"However, if the new position doesn't work, we should move it back," he said.

Cr Lynne Bockholt agreed to move it back if the new position did not work.

"I'd prefer to go to the park and not see the bin, but we need it," she said.

Cr Doyle said it was up to the community at large to put needles in the bin because he did not think users used the bin.

"I don't think the drug users care," he said.

Council's director of works, Mr Stephen Glen, said over the course of the first six months 92 syringes were placed in the bin of which 35 were picked up by Council staff.

The bin was installed as part of the Pelican Park improvements because Council staff had regularly found syringes before the improvements.

Mr Glen said the Pelican Park improvements including children's play equipment, paving, picnic tables and shelters had been favourably received by the community and local business.

The toilet block had already contained a disposal bin and the external disposal bin was originally at the side of the toilet block but was relocated to its present position because of lack of use.

The relocation was undertaken after consultation with the NSW Police Service, Central Coast Area Health Service, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Council, Peninsula Plaza Centre management and Deepwater Plaza Centre management.

The parties agreed to the "high profile location" of the present bin site after the success of similar bins in Wyong Shire.

Wyong has 20 similar bins.

The Woy Woy bin was originally placed between the toilet block and the playground equipment for a three month trial.

Mr Glen said Council had received telephone complaints regarding the location of the bin.

Carl Spears, September 12