'I felt sick to the stomach': Hidden danger at popular swimming spot
A mum has made a disturbing discovery at a popular swimming spot in Cairns.
On Mother’s Day after visiting Ross and Locke Reserve, a swimming spot on the Mulgrave River south of Cairns, Emma Massey posted a picture on Facebook showing a syringe sitting dangerously at the water’s edge.
Despite the syringe since being removed, the Queensland mum is warning others who visit the popular swimming spot to be on alert.
“I was there with my boyfriend, my dog and nine-month-old son, my partner found it at 11.30am,” Ms Massey told Yahoo News Australia.
“It was about half a metre away from where my son was sitting and playing in the water, we were all barefoot.
“We were both shocked at finding it and felt sick to the stomach when we realised what a close call it could have been.”
Ms Massey and her partner disposed of the syringe by placing it in an empty water bottle.
“We had a quick look around for any more then left as we didn’t feel very comfortable being there after that,” she said.
A number of people shared the mum’s shock and were outraged at how the syringe had been disposed of.
“If people need to use hypodermic needles whether you’re a diabetic, or whatever, they need to have respect for other humans,” one commented.
“What if a child stands on that – besides the risk of the blood-borne viruses, that would be very painful.”
Another said it was “disgusting behaviour”.
Penalties for failing to dispose of syringes
In Queensland anybody who carelessly discards of a syringe can face a failure to dispose charge.
According to Queensland’s Drugs Misuse Act 1986, a person who fails to use all reasonable care and take reasonable precautions to avoid putting somebody’s life, safety or health in danger can face a maximum two years imprisonment.
A spokesperson from Cairns Regional Council said in a statement residents should take care if they come across a syringe.
“Residents are warned to never touch syringes found in public places but rather report these directly to council so crew can dispose on the item safely,” the spokesperson said.
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