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Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW Excellence in Environment Awards 2008-2009

- Recognising outstanding achievements by Local Government in managing and protecting the environment

The 2008-2009 Awards were presented at L'Aqua Function Centre, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney, on Tuesday 1 December 2009.

Community Sharps Management Award Category

An award for councils who have put in place ongoing and/or trial collection systems and community education programs (including programs in partnership with State agencies, pharmacies, community groups and other stakeholders) for community sharps waste generated in households and public places.

Winner C Division & Overall Category Winner:
Tamworth Regional Council (on behalf of nine Northern Inland Regional Waste member councils) - Armidale Dumaresq Council, Gunnedah Shire Council, Gwydir Shire Council, Inverell Shire Council, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Moree Plains Shire Council, Narrabri Shire Council, Uralla Shire Council: Northern Inland Regional Waste - A Sharp Smart Region.

Highly Commended C Division:
Port Stephens Council (on behalf of 5 lower Hunter/mid North Coast councils) - Port Stephens Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Maitland City Council, Cessnock City Council and Great Lakes Council): Hunter Community Sharps Project.

For details of these projects and previous Community Sharps Management Award winners click here.

NSW Health community sharps management grants

The latest councils to receive grants under this program are Greater Taree City Council ($10,000) for a Sharps Disposal Enhancement Program, Nambucca Shire Council ($28,000) in partnership with Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Bellingen Shire Council and Kempsey Shire Council for a regional community sharps project and Muswellbrook Shire Council ($7,000) for a Sharps Management and Procedures Project. Some common elements of these projects include supply and installation of community sharps disposal infrastructure (bins), safe disposal promotion, and training council employees in the safe handling and disposal of community sharps. For information on the grants program click here.

TAFE safe handling course

TAFE NSW will offer a TAFE Statement in Safe Collection and Disposal of Community Sharps course in 2010. The course will be delivered as a 3 hour skill-based training session either at TAFE campuses, or at council facilities if numbers are sufficient. It has been developed to meet the needs of local government employees that may be exposed to sharps in the workplace, and is designed to assist councils to meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 by providing safe systems of work for their employees. The course will cover identification of sharps hazards, assessment and control of risks, information about the potential for disease transmission, and procedures and practices for the safe collection and disposal of sharps. To view an example of an Occupational Health and Safety Operating Procedure and Safe Work Method Statement for sharps management click here.

New information resources

Information about a new NSW Health brochure on the safe handling of community sharps is now available on this website. Go to Safe disposal brochure and follow the link under the NSW Health brochure heading.

Two new disposal stickers for community sharps bins are now available. Developed by NSW Health and Diabetes Australia NSW to be more user-friendly and provide clearer information on disposal bins, the new stickers are available in A4 & A5 format, with and without the NSW Needle Clean Up Hotline Number. Click here and here to view the stickers, which can be ordered by contacting david.baker@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.

Information on how the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority manage community sharps in roadside rest stops is also now available. Go to Disposal options and follow the link under the OTHER STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES heading.

City of Sydney Syringe Management Plan 2005-2010

The City of Sydney's inaugural Syringe Management Plan was published in May 2005 and documents key strategies to address the inappropriate disposal of community sharps. The plan demonstrates the City's commitment to public health, harm reduction, and improved safety and cleanliness for its community.

The plan is the result of extensive consultation with City of Sydney staff and contractors and a wide range of community stakeholders, and provides an effective management tool to assist the City in meeting its obligations to provide safe workplaces and public areas. An important initiative is the inclusion of assessment criteria for installing new community sharps bins, or the removal of existing bins that are no longer required at specific locations.

Click here to view the City of Sydney Syringe Management Plan 2005-2010

For more information contact the Project Coordinator, Safe City on (02) 9265 9477

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FULL COPY OF "THE COMMUNITY SHARPS MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR NSW COUNCILS"