Well, this isn't the kind of rubbish discovery anyone wants to make. New South Wales police are appealing for information after the body of a newborn baby boy was found in a rubbish bin in Auburn, Sydney's south-west, on Monday morning. Because nothing says 'pleasant Monday' like finding a baby in a bin while taking out the trash.

Emergency services were called to a unit block on Harrow Road at 11.20am, where officers from the Auburn police area command found the body of a newborn boy. Acting Superintendent Darren Sly reported that the baby was discovered by a local resident putting out the rubbish. The baby was unclothed and wrapped in a plastic rubbish bag - because apparently, that's how you treat a newborn.

"It's a sad set of circumstances," Sly said, understating the situation with the grace of a man who's seen too much. "Our number one priority and our number one concern is that of the mother." Indeed, police hold 'serious concerns' for the mother's welfare, and have urged her to attend the nearest hospital for urgent care. Because even in the most tragic of circumstances, health comes first.

A crime scene has been established, and detectives are investigating. Sly told 2GB radio that the baby is believed to have been born within the past 36 hours, though a thorough examination is still needed. So if you were in the Auburn area and have dashcam or mobile footage, or if you know anything, police want to hear from you. They're door-knocking and checking CCTV, hoping to piece together the puzzle.

"All the small bits of information can obviously piece together to hopefully track down this mother," Sly said. "I appeal to the mother to come forward, to go immediately to your closest hospital and seek treatment." Because while the circumstances are devastating, the priority is ensuring the mother gets the help she needs. Anyone with information should contact Auburn police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Let's hope this story gets a somewhat less tragic ending.