Complaints are being lodged with City of Sydney Council about the number of people sleeping rough outside the QVB.

Sofas, mattresses and blankets have been positioned below the windows of high-end boutiques and store operators say they’re concerned it’ll be a repeat of the Martin Place tent city.

Psychiatrist and researcher at the Centre for Independent Studies Doctor Carlos d’Abrera tells John Stanely we need to be proactive in tackling the problem.

“Many of these people who are at the QVB sleeping rough have mental health and drug and alcohol addictions.

“I don’t think we’re addressing those problems as assertively as we could be.”

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Social Housing Minister Pru Goward tells Ben Fordham the furniture items have since been removed.

“This is a hot time of year. People who don’t have a lot to lose don’t mind sleeping out, but I think we, as a community, need to make it pretty clear that it’s not acceptable.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview