Monday, 10 July 2000

Media Release

CHILDREN: WE ARE SCARED

Students from Cabramatta West Primary have sent a desperate, heart-wrenching plea for help to UNITY Councillor Thang Ngo.

The year six students were concerned about their local playground, Hughes Street Park.

The students felt their local playground was no longer safe because of used syringes and blatant drug activities.

Cr Ngo was saddened and angry when he read...

"It (the playground) is not a safe place because of the number of syringes lying around the playground.  Also we have been approached by addicts and have seen them lying in the yards of our units.  Some of us have also seen addicts with knives and we are scared.  We have come across people lying on the ground with their lips turning purple and stuff coming out of their mouths" - extract of letter. (full transcript)

Cr Ngo was already aware of the park and had already reported it to Cabramatta police and raised it in Council just days before receiving this letter. (recent letter to police)

"I have asked Council to urgently investigate how we can regularly clean up this park and prepare a report on options for a long term solution" said a clearly concerned Cr Ngo.

He has asked for a response by Monday, 17 July.

"Fairfield must be a clean, green and SAFE city for everyone, especially our innocent children - I can't let these innocent children down" concluded Cr Ngo.

ENDS

UNITY COUNCILLOR THANG NGO - 0407 66 00 58 (M)