Garbage and refuse cleansing

Unique IDFN-0003Description*** This function applies to all Councils ***
For Councils other than Sydney City Council, absorbed by the City by 1949, see function FUN 29 for details.

This function consists of two strands: removal of garbage from streets, public places and premises, and removal of nightsoil from premises. The latter strand in particular overlaps in many respects with the public health function (CF 12), and was in the course of time rendered obsolete by the universal extension of the sewerage system (see CF 15).

Responsibility for keeping streets (and later premises) cleansed of garbage and waste was initially a responsibility of the City Surveyor, but responsibilities were also exercised by the Inspector of Nuisances whose primary role was in public health supervision. The 1879 legislation made this officer responsible for removal of waste from cesspits. From the beginning of the present century the cleansing function has been exercised by a specialist branch within the City Surveyor's Department (or its successor), or by an administrative agency created specifically for the purpose.

The actual work of removing garbage from premises and for cleansing streets has at different times been carried out by Council employees, day-labour arrangements, or by contractors.

In exercising this function Council has also built and operated garbage destructor plants (incinerators) at Moore Park (1902-1934) and Pyrmont (1910-c1945). A second Pyrmont incinerator (the buildings for which were designed by Marion Mahony & Walter Burley Griffen) was commissioned in 1937, decommissioned in 1971 and demolished in 1992. Disposal of waste was also accomplished by dumping at Council's tip at Moore Park and at Drummoyne and the St Peter's brick pits, and by punting refuse to sea for tipping (until 1932). Since the 1980s the Council has made use of the Waterloo incinerator operated by Waverley and Woollahra Municipal Councils.

Shirley Fitzgerald: Sydney 1842-1992 (Sydney, Hale & Iremonger, 1992) esp chapter 10 pp261-273.CreationSydney Corporation Act 1842 s81: Surveyors appointed by the Council were to have the powers and privileges established by the Police Act 1833 for regulating removing and preventing nuisances and obstructions.

Sydney Corporation Act 1879 s166 etc.: Council to cause all streets to be cleansed, refuse to be collected from premises, and cesspits emptied.

Local Government Act 1919 (as amended) Part X (applicable to Sydney City Council from 1949) empowered Municipal Councils to undertake this function.

Local Government Act 1993 chapter 6 part 1: Empowers local governments to carry out activities appropriate to current and future community needs, including waste removal treatment and disposal services.

Activity

Management of contracts with private service providers

Statutory reporting

Depots management

Architectural and engineering design and drafting

Ordinance and by-law enforcement, abatement of nuisances

Drafting of By laws

Prevention of unauthorised waste disposal

Disposal of waste by punting, tipping or destruction

Removal of waste from streets, public places and premises

Construction and maintenance of buildings and structures

Description

Start date1st November 1842

Identification

Source system ID3

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Garbage and refuse cleansing