1901–1925: Renewal
Old wharves at Millers Point, by Lionel Lindsay (NLA).
After two men from Ferry Lane in Millers Point died of bubonic fever in 1900, the state Government proclaimed a rat plague across the entire headland. Public health and safety crews were formed to catch rats for per-corpse payments and wash the streets and buildings.
The government announced plans to acquire all the area’s privately owned properties and the Sydney Harbour Trust began planning a major ‘rat-proof’ renewal of all the wharves around Darling Harbour (from Millers Point to Balmain Point).