Business Sydney

BUSINESS SYDNEY CALLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN TO RESOLVE SYDNEY GARBAGE COLLECTION DISPUTE TO STOP CITY’S REPUTATION BEING TRASHED

15 February 2023

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said today central Sydney’s long running garbage collection dispute must be resolved to avoid the city’s reputation being trashed as it prepares to welcome thousands of overseas visitors. 

Mr Nicolaou called on the NSW Government to step in as a matter of urgency to bring the dispute to an end as quickly as possible. 

“Achieving a resolution of the dispute involving its garbage collectors has defied all of the efforts of the Council of the City of Sydney and we continue to see thousands of tonnes of garbage piling up uncollected,” Mr Nicolaou said. 

“It is a health hazard with residents reporting rats in and around the rubbish but it is also an acute embarrassment for Sydney as we prepare to welcome visitors to the Sydney WorldPride 2023 celebration. 

“It is the first time this event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere and it is imperative that Sydney looks its best as visitors discover the city, many for the first time. 

“As things stand, this garbage collection dispute risks trashing our city and its reputation as a world city. It must be fixed.”

Mr Nicolaou said it was essential for the NSW Government to bring the Council of the City of Sydney, the Transport Workers Union and the company, Cleanaway, together to solve the problem. 

He said the last thing Sydney needed was to have a garbage dispute that marred its customary beautiful appearance that was so attractive to visitors and locals alike.