Sydney's City of Ryde erects signage urging green space users not to defecate in park

The City of Ryde of Sydney’s north has resorted to installing signs urging park users not to defecate in the green space at Outlook Park in the suburb of Eastwood.

The sign, asking visitors to "please respect our neighbours, don't defecate in the park," follows several occurrences during the early part of the year.

Explaining the move, a City of Ryde spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia "council put up the signs as a temporary measure after being made aware of several instances of defecation and toilet paper being left around Outlook Park."

The council confirmed there are public toilets located "in two other nearby parks within about 10 minutes’ walk". However, there are no bathrooms available in Outlook Park, a natural area.

The area contains Blue Gum High Forest, a critically endangered ecological community.

Media reports have covered a number of incident of people defecating in public places in recent times.

Last year, a runner was caught on video in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs while another was dubbed the ‘poo jogger’ after being caught in a park In Melbourne.

In NSW, defecating in the street comes under offensive conduct legislation and carries a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment and/or $660 fine if it is dealt with by a magistrate in the Local Court.

Images: The City of Ryde was forced to erect a sign after getting 'several' reports of human excrement being found at Outlook Park in the suburb of Eastwood. Credit: Instagram/Google Images.