Mum’s sharp discovery

A Secret Harbour mum got a nasty surprise last week when she discovered a used syringe on the road outside her home.

Amanda Bolan said it was not the first time needles and other unsanitary objects had been spotted in and around bushland directly opposite her home in Gantheaume Parade.

She said she worried about the safety of 19-month-old daughter Grace and other children in the neighbourhood.

“None of the neighbours let their children out to play because it’s not safe — a child could easily pick up one of these needles,” she said.

“This one is small and slim, just like a pen.”

Mrs Bolan said she had contacted the City of Rockingham on a number of occasions about illegal dumping in the bush, but nobody seemed to want to take responsibility for the problem.

She said neighbour Daniel Johns regularly cut back grass at the disused site and had found syringes before.

“Daniel has found needles before — maybe every couple of months — but this is the first time we have found one on the road,” she said.

“Illegal dumping here has got worse since we moved here two years ago.”

Father-of-two Mr Johns said he regularly cleared litter and cut grass at the dense bush site, which he believed was earmarked for a neighbourhood park that had not eventuated.

He said he was concerned about the lack of maintenance and worried about its proximity to homes, particularly during bushfire season.

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the land was a privately owned block, but the City would remove items which were dumped at the site.

Cr Sammels said the City would consider erecting “No Dumping” signs at the location.

“Illegal dumping is becoming an increasing problem throughout the city,” he said.

“The City is aware of dumping hotspots and is actively monitoring these with a view to catching the culprits.”