The practice of barbecue coals and ash being dumped indiscriminately around parks is becoming a growing problem in Sutherland Shire, councillors say.
Picnickers were leaving the waste under taps and on concrete paths and grass, this week’s council meeting heard.
Often, the coals were still hot and they destroyed grass areas and were potentially dangerous to children.
Councillors requested staff prepare a report on the problem including signage, enforcement options and education measures.
Cr Michael Forshaw, who raised the matter, recalled the times when a barbecue in the park was a simple affair, “with the kids going off to collect firewood, cooking some sausages and having a great day”.
“Today our parks are provided with gas barbecues, which are well utilised,” he said.
“But a growing number of park users are bringing their own barbecues, which in some cases are large, and cooking food with coals.
“The problem of the disposal of coals and ash has been around for a few years, but it is becoming more and more unsatisfactory.”
Cr Forshaw said, with no receptacles for coals and ash available in shire parks, the waste was being dumped anywhere.
”If you go to use a tap, it can be very hard to get near it because it’s surrounded by a large ring of ash,” he said.
Cr Forshaw and Cr Carol Provan illustrated the problem by showing photos they took on separate occasions at Shelly Beach.
Cr Provan said she had seen coals left on footpaths and other concrete areas near the dressing sheds and toilets and children’s playground.
“There have been complaints from some residents in this area that children can potentially burn themselves,” she said.
The problem is not new in St George.
Following complaints from nearby residents, Rockdale Council installed charcoal bins several years ago along the beachfront between Brighton-Le-Sands and Dolls Point, but not everyone uses them.
