Mount Evelyn
2 Tuesday, 3 April, 2018
Safety plea
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An aerial shot of the new Lilydale Lake Playspace, near where more than 30 needles were located. 167030
Picture: YARRA RANGES COUNCIL
Syringes dumped 12383846-ACM15-18
Yarra Ranges Council has maintained syringedumping remains an "unusual occurrence" an Lilydale Lake, despite as many as 30 discarded needles recently located at the popular destination. After becoming concerned over finding so many needles near where children often play at the site, Matt Newton and a group of good Samaritans took to social media to create awareness for the community. On Wednesday 28 March, Mr Newton posted on the Yarra Valley Noticeboard an image of himself collecting about 30 needles that had been found dumped at Lilydale Lake. The post read; "don't care what your reason
is, why you have them or what you use them for, dumping 30 odd needles including used ones around Lillydale Lake is not on." "Could have been a kid or someone's dogs that got to them first," he continued. Mr Newton said he correctly disposed of the syringes after collecting them. Lillydale Lake is a popular choice for families with young children, with many often enjoying a picnic right near where the needs were found. Matt's post has attracted more than 1500 likes, while residents took to the comments section to express their disgust and concern about the find. Many also thanked Matt for disposing of them correctly.
"As a result, I think I'll have to stay away from the lake, if this is a now common occurrence, it seems the the lake is undergoing negative change at the moment," Brandon Pytellek commented. "It is supposed to be a place enjoyed by everyone ... how can you when you have to worry about that," Yvonne Burbury commented "Good on you Matt for doing what you did." Yarra Ranges Council has responded to the dumping of syringes noting that this is a 'very unusual occurrence' for Lillydale Lake. "We received reports of syringes dumped at Lillydale Lake overnight between Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 March," Director of Environment and Engineering, Mark Varmalis, said.
"This is a very unusual occurrence at the lake, as syringe disposal bins are located in each toilet ... the syringes have since been removed from the area." Mr Varmalis said that Council has a maintenance crew based at the lake, which monitors activity at the park - which includes rubbish dumping. Yarra Ranges Council also offers a syringe disposal service from each of the Community Links. In response to resident enquiries about the syringes, Mr Varmalis said; "we have lodged a request for an investigation into syringe disposal bins at the lake". Residents can report syringes to Council on 1300 368 333.
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By Derek Schlennstedt