The syringe disposal service operated out of a Queanbeyan pharmacy for more than two decades with support from the local council. Photo: Simon Blacker.
A “longstanding arrangement” for a syringe disposal service is set to end after a vote by Queanbeyan Council.
Queanbeyan Pharmacy has hosted a needle and syringe disposal service, funded by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC), for more than two decades.
In mid-2025, councillors voted to defer a decision on the service’s future so more information could be gathered on the scheme.
Now, six months later, they have voted to scrap it.
Meeting documents state a service agreement with Cleanaway Daniels expired in 2019, but had “continued automatically on a month-by-month basis”.
It costs $6000 a year to run, with waste management company Cleanaway Daniels collecting the deposited sharps. The service is being funded through the council’s domestic waste fund.
Councillor Katrina Willis said it was “well past that time” the agreement ended in 2019 and that the money could be better spent elsewhere.
She also pointed to alternative services in the area.
“If this were the only place where people could take their shops, then I’d say, ‘Yes, we should continue the arrangement, although put it on a proper financial footing through the right funding source. But it isn’t.”
Council documents state NSW Health and QPRC fund more than 100 other disposal sites across the local government area at public toilets, other pharmacies and in healthcare settings.
According to the documents, it came about when there were limited services in the region.
“Investigations conducted found that the former Queanbeyan City Council (QCC) commenced funding the service as an environmental and public health initiative, when there were not any available disposal opportunities in the Local Government Area (LGA).
“While the statutory requirements, awareness and services available for sharps disposal have improved considerably over that period, the arrangement with Queanbeyan Pharmacy has not been reviewed.”
Cr Bryce Wilson called for it to remain, saying it was worth supporting.
“There are other sharps disposals available, but I just go back to first principles,” he said.
“This is a service we’re providing the community. We can afford it.”
He, along with Cr John Preston, voted against the proposal.
Council papers state that following the meeting, QPRC will give 30 days’ written notice to both Cleanaway Daniels and Queanbeyan Pharmacy that it is pulling the funding.
QPRC will also work with Queanbeyan Pharmacy to ensure customers know of the change and will direct them to alternative facilities.
Queanbeyan Pharmacy managing director Simon Blacker said the decision resolved the long-running uncertainty around the service’s future.
“I understand – certainly as a business owner – that the council needs to get best value out of its funds and everyone wants the best value for their rates,” he told Region after the meeting,
“If this is viewed as a service that’s a bit expensive or [they believe there’s] a more cost effective alternative, we’re happy to work with them on that.”
Mr Blacker also called on QPRC to make sure people were aware of alternative drop-off points, such as through a sign.
“As long as there’s a plan in place and we know how to either provide information or refer [people], then hopefully it’ll go smoothly.
“If that’s what’s best for the council’s value for money and if it works well for patients, then hopefully it’ll be a good outcome.”
He also said the pharmacy had started notifying customers over the past few months that the service might close, but faced no “anger or resentment”.
