In Dubbo, New South Wales, local businessman Craig Rose reports a troubling trend: his company, Dubbo Yard Maintenance, collects between 5,000 and 10,000 discarded syringes annually. This alarming statistic reflects a growing health concern that has reached critical levels in the community.
Rose launched his business in 2023, intending to focus on property and yard care. However, he quickly discovered the pervasive presence of syringes in various locations, including schools and playgrounds. His personal motivation stems from a family member’s traumatic experience that involved multiple blood tests after being pricked by a syringe at a Newcastle beach. Rose now advocates for immediate measures to address the issue.
Health Risks and Community Impact
During a recent job preparing a burnt-out house for redevelopment, Rose’s team uncovered over 150 needles, some lacking their protective caps. “It’s confronting mentally,” he stated, explaining that new employees are warned to be vigilant for needles during their work. “You’ll find them among children’s toys and bedrooms.” In one instance, his team discovered hundreds of needles within a mere 25 square meters.
Rose emphasizes the added hazards that discarded syringes create for his business. Tasks that should be straightforward, such as weeding a garden, are complicated by the need for personal protective equipment, increasing costs and risks for his team. “I didn’t get into the business to deal with needles,” he lamented.
Reports from local media, including The Daily Liberal, highlight that syringes have been found in various public areas, such as Victoria Park and Redbank Reserve, throughout February 2026. Rose has called for solutions to prevent the careless disposal of needles, proposing a system that incorporates barcodes or serial numbers on syringe containers to track usage and accountability.
Government Response and Public Health Initiatives
The Dubbo Regional Council acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, noting they received four reports of syringes between January 1 and March 1, 2026, compared to five reports during the same period in 2025. Council staff and contractors are deployed to remove syringes from public land, especially in high-risk areas like the riverbank, which the council identifies as a priority.
Craig Arms, the council director, stated, “Disposed sharps are a constant issue in some locations,” reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities. The council has installed and maintains sharps disposal bins in key public areas, including parks and public toilets.
In addition, the Western NSW Local Health District emphasizes that reducing the risk of sharps in the community is a shared responsibility. The NSW Needle and Syringe Program aims to prevent the transmission of bloodborne viruses through the provision of sterile injecting equipment and education on safe disposal practices. Local health facilities, including Dubbo Hospital and Dubbo Sexual Health, play essential roles in this initiative.
Community members encountering syringes are advised to contact the NSW Needle Clean-Up Hotline at 1800 633 353 for swift clean-up coordination. As the situation escalates, the collaboration between local businesses, health authorities, and the community is critical in addressing this pressing public health issue.
