Sharps disposal in Kiama Municipality

Published on 31 January 2025

NSW Health provide free sharps disposal units at public hospitals. However, as there are no hospitals within the Kiama Municipality, this service from the NSW Government is not provided in our area.

Kiama Municipal Council in 2024 ceased subsidising a free sharps disposal service for commercial businesses, such as pharmacies, bringing Kiama in line with Wollongong and Shellharbour.

The change, part of our ongoing financial reforms and budgetary measures, is expected to save our ratepayers $60,000 over the next five years.

Various local pharmacies have their own commercial arrangements for the collection and disposal of sharps and the 5 local pharmacies using the free service were consulted about ending the ratepayer-funded subsidy at the time. 

Council has a responsibility to manage risks associated with community sharps given that our employees might encounter these hazards. This may include people working in cleaning, waste management, park maintenance, community centres and libraries. As part of this responsibility, many of Council’s public assets, such as public toilets, contain small sharps disposal units.

In October 2024, Kiama Council wrote to NSW Health to request a Community Sharps Disposal Service be provided in the Kiama Municipality and this request has recently been followed up. Council has received no response to date.

Council is also supportive of our local MP Gareth Ward bringing this matter to the attention of NSW Health.

At this stage, Kiama Council does not have plans for any additional campaigns on sharps disposal.

General information on sharps disposals and community programs can be found via NSW Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/community-sharps/Pages/default.aspx