Fear Sydney’s famed Royal Easter Show could be ruined by rats as residents and business owners warn of infestation in area
- Rat infestation threatens Sydney event
- It may affect Royal Easter Show
- Rodents that affect local eateries
A rat infestation could ruin one of Sydney’s iconic annual events as surrounding business owners and residents warn of an infestation in the area.
The Royal Easter Show in Sydney attracts an average of 828,000 people each year to the Olympic Park Showground in Homebush.
This year’s event kicks off in three weeks on April 6.
But a local businessman said the growing number of rats in the area is a bad sight likely to affect the annual event.
The owner of the pizzeria, Ahmed Chandab, said the rodents are a growing problem for his shop, so he took the matter to the building managers and Parramatta Municipality.
The owner of the pizzeria, Ahmed Chandab, said the rodents (pictured) are a growing problem for his shop, so he took the matter to the building managers and Parramatta Council
Local business owners in Sydney’s Olympic Park have said the growing number of rats in the area is a bad sight for the Royal Easter Show (pictured)
Mr Chandab filmed the rats (pictured) hunting at night in the surrounding areas of Sydney Showground
But he claims they haven’t done enough to eradicate the pests.
He filmed the rats hunting at night in the surrounding areas of Sydney Showground.
The shocking footage showed large rats running around roller doors, roads and parking lots with a pack under cars.
Mr Chandab said the rodents will leave a bad impression on visitors attending the Easter show in the area.
“It should be the hub of Australia’s event and entertainment industry.” he told ABC.
‘[It’s a] negative image of Olympic Park … we do nothing with that.’
Mr Chandab told Daily Mail Australia that the rodents have caused his business to lose many customers.
“I’ve undoubtedly lost a lot of business due to them being around,” he said.
“Fortunately no one came into the store, but that’s because I now have to keep my doors closed after 6pm.”
He said the problem has put a strain on his business amid the rising cost of living, food supply costs, rent and wages.
Sydney’s Royal Easter Show (pictured), which attracts an average of 828,000 people a year, kicks off April 6 at the Olympic Park Showground, Homebush
“We’re already struggling as it is… the last thing I need is a problem like this,” said the entrepreneur.
“I have contacted many legal entities in the area and there is no urgency to resolve the matter.
“Politicians go on helping small businesses, but in reality nobody cares.
“You call one department and they transfer you to another and this goes around in circles until you just give up.”
Jasmine Ho, who lives in Olympic Park, said she saw several rat corpses while walking her dog.
‘I’ll just have to choose [the dog] up and avoid all those areas,” she said.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Royal Agricultural Society told Daily Mail Australia that the show ground it leases has no rat problem.
The Parramatta Council and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority have been approached by Daily Mail Australia for comment.