Take a leaf out of Bondi’s book and ban smoking on this ‘filthy’ street, says Maroubra resident,
by Rebecca Franks- 7th June 2017

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Local resident Greg Tingle wants Randwick Council to take a leaf out of Waverley’s book and ban cigarette smoking along Anzac Pde at Maroubra Junction. Picture: Craig Wilson

A MAROUBRA resident has called on Randwick Council to consider implementing a smoking ban along Anzac Pde similar to bans instigated by other councils in the east.

Greg Tingle said the popular strip was “filthy” but would benefit from a smoking ban similar to the one Waverley Council implemented in Hall St, Bondi Junction, in March.

It comes as Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza said street drinking and smoking at Maroubra Junction would become the subject of an education campaign around anti-social behaviour.

Mr Tingle said office workers, commuters and locals stood on the street outside real estate agents, near shops, takeaways, cafes and bus stops smoking cigarettes.

“I was going to eat breakfast at one of the cafes on Anzac Pde recently but changed my mind due to all of the smoke coming in from people sitting on seats including bus-stop seats,” he said.

“The smoke just pours in to the cafes so I decided to vote with my wallet and I ate elsewhere."

Smoking is already banned at bus stops and within 4m of cafes and the entrance to a public place, but the Southern Courier witnessed several people lighting up outside shopfronts and while waiting for a bus despite clear signs stating the practice was illegal.

Mr Tingle said he had lived and worked around the area for 15 years.

“Some of the guards actually turn a blind eye to the smoking problem,” he said.

It’s so gross if you are not a smoker when people are loitering around having a cigarette.

“Sometimes, it’s like a wall of smoke. Maroubra Junction is starting to smell like a dump.”

Cr D’Souza said he would extend the Don’t Be a Tosser education campaign, which has been funded, to remind the public not to smoke or drink on the street.

“Having a (cigarette) ban is one thing but enforcing it is another,” he said. “We cannot have rangers walking around everywhere. It’s a good sentiment but there needs to be cultural change.

“The big steps and small steps that each of us take make a difference.”

The owner of an Anzac Pde takeaway said people constantly smoked outside her shop. One woman sat outside on a milk crate.

“She has been doing that for 25 years,” the owner said.

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(Southern Courier)