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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Trash-filled laneway gets a makeover

sydney building

THE laneways in the historic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings will be reclaimed from bin-dominated waste collection areas into public spaces over the next few months, according to City Renewal Authority. 

Development approval was received last week for two architect-designed waste enclosures in each laneway, which will reduce the number of bins from more than 80 to about 12 and place them out of sight.

City Renewal Authority chief executive officer Malcolm Snow says fixing the buildings’ waste problems will assist in making great spaces that can be used for public events, festivals, celebrations and for outdoor dining and entertainment.

“These revitalised laneways will provide new, unique places for Canberrans to enjoy within the city centre,” Mr Snow says. 

“I am excited to see how the improvement to these spaces change the way they are used by the businesses around them as well as by the Canberra community.”

A request for tender to construct the new enclosures will be issued this month, with work expected to start in April and be completed early in the new financial year.  

“The use of these laneways as waste collection yards has stopped them from being used for much else but the completion of these enclosures will be a game changer for these historic buildings,” Mr Snow says. 

“The City Renewal Authority wants to see these iconic buildings return to their intended role as premium destinations in the heart of the city.

“Opening up the laneways for greater activity is just the first step. The authority will continue to work with the buildings’ numerous owners to bring these important landmarks back to the standard that Canberrans expect.”

Each waste enclosure will house communal waste and recycling bins for the building’s tenants to utilise. A new waste collection contract that covers both buildings will be paid for by the businesses and initially managed by the ACT government. Management of the waste contracts will be handed back to the building owners after an establishment period.

The waste enclosures are being funded from the City Centre Marketing and Improvement Levy, which is paid by commercial property owners in the city centre and Braddon.

For updates and more information visit cityrenewalcanberra.com.au 

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