Coffs Harbour drug problem shown in shocking photos from public toilets

A Coffs business owner has taken some shocking photos of the remnants of drug use in public toilets in the heart of town near shops and a children’s park.

Coffs Harbour business operator Nikki Williams shared these disturbing photos of discarded needles in a public toilet in the CBD.

Coffs Harbour business owner Nikki Williams has “had a gutful” of the drug problem in town and says she’s not the only one.

Ms Williams operates The Salon by Nikki Williams, at 88 Harbour Drive, and recently shared some shocking photos showing discarded needles and other drug paraphernalia in public toilets.

One was taken at Brelsford Park which, she points out is “smack bang between a kids’ park and the skate park used by children and teens”.

The second is from her personal store bathroom behind Domino’s which her children and clients use along with customers from several nearby restaurants.

She says she is not a heartless person and understands drug use is a complicated problem.

“I know there is a far bigger issue at play for many of these people, however we as businesses deserve to trade in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment also,” Ms Williams said.

“I’m sick of having my stuff stolen, my staff harassed and my clients avoid the area and I’m not alone. Frankly many of us have had a gutful.”

Nikki Williams with daughter Harlow (one of identical triplets) and her mother Pam Williams who owns Nik and She in the city centre which was broken into recently.

Her mother Pam Williams owns Nik and She clothes store, also on Harbour Drive in the heart of town, and was broken into just last week with thieves stealing several wallets.

More and more CBD shopfronts have become vacant in recent times and Coffs Harbour City Council has undertaken a number of initiatives in an attempt to revitalise the area.

Several Coffs Harbour CBD shops sit empty.

But their redevelopment of the City Square, which includes night-time lighting and new paved areas, has met with a mixed response. A member of the City Centre Masterplan Committee has even spoken out against the plans saying Council did not listen to their recommendations.

“I’m sick of rate payers’ money being wasted on shiny fixer-uppers when these problems are staring us in the face.

“I’m sick of the buck being passed from Council to Police to the State Government.”

She is calling on all levels of government and the relevant authorities to address the drug problem.

“It needs to be addressed for our future generations. I’m sick of being told ‘well it’s the Ice epidemic there’s nothing we can do’.

“Public toilets need more preventive measures so our children and the Council cleaners don’t have to continue to be exposed to this.”

Coffs Harbour City Square with new pavers and seating.

The frustrated business owner says the first step is to recognise the seriousness of the problem.

“And as I said, I am not heartless, I want to help and not just point the finger; but unless the powers that be recognise the problem, how do we even begin to tackle it?”

She has challenged any candidates in the upcoming Council elections in September to make the issue a priority.

The elections were meant to be held in September last year but have been postponed to September this year due to COVID-19.