Circular Quay still on the nose

BY MICK ROBERTS

The repulsive smell of rotting food continues to waft from a garbage pen in the middle of one of Sydney’s most popular tourist destinations despite complaints from residents and businesses.
The refuse store at east Circular Quay ‘ surrounded by fencing spruiking Sydney’s tourist attractions ‘ harbours rubbish generated from local businesses.
The open garbage room is located opposite ferry wharfs 2 and 3, next to the public toilets, and less than 5 metre from an ice cream store whose customers get the full force of the smells.
Local businesses have told The City News that the area has been a problem for some time.
One businessman, who did not want to be named, said large groups of people often gathered there late at night drinking alcohol and discarding their empty bottles and cans into the refuse pen.
The City News reported on May 24 that Council’s waste manager had reported an ongoing problem with businesses dumping rubbish in the refuse pen ‘ a report Council denies.
“The City of Sydney’s waste manager has not reported an ongoing problem with businesses dumping loose sacks of rubbish in the pen,’ the spokesman said.
‘And City of Sydney rangers have not been patrolling the area to discover the main culprits, as the story suggested.’
The spokesman said the area is the responsibility of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and is patrolled and enforced by SHFA rangers.
But the information obtained by The City News was based on an email from a SHFA senior health surveyor to a concerned resident.
The email said the SHFA had spoken to Council’s waste management officer about the refuse store at Circular Quay.
‘He (Council’s waste management officer) has advised that there is an ongoing problem here with local businesses dumping loose sacks of rubbish in the pen rather than placing them into the wheelie bin,’ the email stated.
The email went on to say the sacks, although collected regularly throughout the week are likely to be causing the offensive odours, “…and as such City Rangers are patrolling this area to try to ascertain who the main culprits are.’
The Council spokesperson said an investigation into the complaint was underway. Inquiries made by the Council found that the SHFA and the Roads and Traffic Authority are working together to find a solution to the issue.
A spokesperson from the SHFA said they are working with businesses to effectively manage the waste facility at Circular Quay.