Media releases

New connections for growing bike numbers

Date published: 15 May 2013

Eight new and five upgraded shared paths will provide critical new links across Sydney’s growing bike network.

The work to help less confident cyclists ride safely alongside busy roads was approved at last night’s Council meeting.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the project would help create a safer and better connected bike network for new riders, older people and parents with kids.

“We’ve worked closely with residents and local businesses on these plans – and, as requested by the community, we’re installing an on-road cycleway on Greens Road instead of a shared path,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The number of riders travelling to and from the inner city keeps climbing – especially from the eastern suburbs. This work will provide important links for riders between existing separated cycleways, such as Bourke Street.”

Shared paths are used extensively through Australia, the UK, USA and many other countries – and there are around 50 kilometres of shared paths within the City of Sydney LGA, which have been around since the mid-1990s or earlier.

The current work includes upgraded footpaths, new street furniture, trees, grass, pram ramps and shared path ‘Give Way’ and ‘Ride Slowly’ signs on the ground and at eye level.

“Many of the riders using our bike network come from outside the City of Sydney area, which is why it is so important that there is a consistent, metropolitan-wide approach to signs and speed limits on shared paths,” the Lord Mayor said.

“While there are currently no specific State Government speed limits on shared paths, I have asked City of Sydney staff to install advisory speed limit signs on our shared paths.”

“The City already has 100 new permanent signs reminding riders and pedestrians of their rights and responsibilities in production and due for installation on shared paths in coming weeks.”

“While only the Police can enforce road rules, we work closely with them on education and enforcement operations. We also have a dedicated Share the Path team who are on-site four times a week to provide safety advice and help improve the behaviour of bike riders, especially around pedestrians.”

The shared path upgrades include:

• the western side of Flinders Street, between Taylor Square and Moore Park Road
• the western side of South Dowling Street, between Flinders Street and Fitzroy Street
• the southern side of Moore Park Road between South Dowling Street and Greens Road
• the southern side of Short Street between Flinders Street and Bourke Street
• the northern side of Albion Street, between Flinders Street and Bourke Street
• the southern side of Oxford Street, between Greens Road and Oatley Road
• the eastern side of Macquarie Street, between Cahill Expressway and Shakespeare Place
• both sides of William Street, between Bourke Street and Palmer Street
• St Marys Road, connecting the College Street cycleway with Cathedral Street
• upgrading existing shared paths on Arthur, Parkham, Charles and Fitzroy Streets.

Sydney’s 200-kilometre bike network is made up of different types of bike paths, including 55 kilometres of separated cycleway. So far 10 kilometres of separated cycleways (including three kilometres in the city centre) have been built with almost four kilometres in design or consultation phases.

The City’s Share the Path team will visit each site to ensure bike riders know pedestrians always have the right of way on a shared path and that they must slow down and pass at a safe distance.

For more riding tips and information on Sydney’s bike network, visit sydneycycleways.net or ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Bridges, phone 0434 320 768 or email lbridges@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin 0477 310 149 jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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City’s $1.9 billion dollar infrastructure program

Date published: 14 May 2013

The City of Sydney is set to embark on a record $1.9 billion building and construction program over the next 10 years – the council’s largest-ever capital spending program.

As well as the capital works program, the draft 2013/14 budget and 10-year corporate plan also includes a $100 million annual operational surplus. The result highlights the council’s strong financial position and confirms the recent NSW Treasury Corporation assessment of its financial sustainability as strong with a positive outlook, the only council in NSW to achieve this result.

“With careful planning, broad consultation and prudent investment over a number of years we’ve built a healthy bottom line for our global city and villages. Now we want to invest those funds to strengthen Sydney’s international reputation as a leading global city – renowned for its lifestyle, economy, tourism, sustainability, open space and cultural life,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Major commitments in the City’s Corporate Plan include:

• $400 million for Green Square which includes      new roads, parks and open space, a new town centre, library and      recreational facility and affordable housing;
• $220 million to transform George Street and      connecting laneways as part of the light rail project;
• $180 million for new and upgraded footpaths, roadways and paving;
• $100 million to upgrade the City’s parks and green spaces;
• $55 million for six new childcare centres; and
• $37 million to integrate the Barangaroo  development with Millers Point.

The City will invest $200 million between now and June 2014 on projects that include:

The $12.5 million stormwater harvesting  project at Sydney Park, in conjunction with the Federal Government;

• $7 million for public art and the revitalisation of six city laneways including Abercrombie Lane and Hosking Place in the city centre and Argyle Street in Millers Point;
• More than $17 million for critical new links for our bike network, including stage 2 of the Kent Street cycleway and new cycle connections at Broadway; and
• More than $10 million on projects to improve streetscapes and access for pedestrians, including Darlington Village in Redfern , Foley St in Darlinghurst, and Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross.
• The $10 million refurbishment of Heffron Hall and Albert Sloss Park in East Sydney;

“Putting the City’s strong financial position and long term capital works program at risk by manipulating boundaries as the recent Sansom report recommends, is dangerous and incredibly reckless,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Evidence from other cities shows that the costs of mega amalgamations far outweigh any benefits – Queensland councils say the cost of their forced mergers was $185 million and reports say Auckland spent around $100 million just merging eight councils together.

“Rather than wasting money on boundaries, the City should continue our investment in long term infrastructure, beautiful parks and open space, affordable housing and high quality services for residents, businesses and visitors.”

The City’s draft 2013/14 Budget and Corporate Plan will be on public exhibition until 12 June.

For more information visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For media enquiries, contact City of Sydney Media Specialist Matthew Moore on 0431 050 963 or email mmoore@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Shehana Teixeira on 0418 238 373 or email steixeira@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Dive into Prince Alfred Park Pool

Date published: 13 May 2013

Prince Alfred Park Pool, the City of Sydney’s new all-year round heated outdoor 50-metre pool, opened for swimming today – with free entry for six months.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the entire community could be proud of the beautiful new pool.

“Residents, visitors and workers have been incredibly patient as issues including, unusually high rainfall and soil contamination, delayed the new pool,” the Lord Mayor said.

“To say thanks to the community, this fully-accessible pool will have free entry for six months.

“The pool will be open all-year round, providing fantastic views of the city skyline while swimmers do their laps in well-heated water.

“It’s quite simply and architectural masterpiece.”

The pool upgrade is the first major public building designed by Potts Point-based practice Neeson Murcutt Architects.

Established by Rachel Neeson and her late partner Nicholas Murcutt in 2004, the practice has since exhibited their work at the Venice Biennale (in 2006 and 2008) and received numerous awards from the Australian Institute of Architects.

Nicholas tragically died in 2011 as the project was gearing up for construction and a small tribute to him has been installed within the pool surroundings.

“It is an irreconcilable disappointment that Nick will never see the project complete – although he knew exactly how it would be, how it would delight,” Ms Neeson said.

“Nick’s zestful enthusiasm and dogged dedication will be remembered by all and his memory cast as a ghostly grey shadow on the smallest skylight, visible against the sky from the Chalmers Street entrance. These wonderfully over-scaled elements are pure Nick.”

The pool has a new café with direct access to the park, sky-lit change rooms and tiles that gently reflect water and natural light, tiered seating built into a mound within the park and bright-yellow shade umbrellas that dot the landscape like wildflowers.

The building has the biggest green roof of its kind in Sydney, topped with indigenous flowers and meadow grasses that fold over the café and change rooms.

It uses best practice filtration and monitoring, stormwater harvesting, water-saving fixtures, energy-efficient lighting and heating.

With construction, design and staff costs to finish the project, and liquidated damages due to late completion, the expected final total is $20.5 million – a six per cent variation on the estimated $19.3 million original tender in 2010.

Local artist Sonia van de Haar from art and architecture company, Lymesmith, worked closely with Neeson Murcutt Architects, the City and engineers to design a public art project on the site. Shades of Green features a collection of chimneys dipped in colour to blend into the sky and surrounding park.

The Lord Mayor will officially open the Prince Alfred Park Pool at a celebration event later this year.

The redevelopment of the 7.5-hectare park also includes:

• An underground stormwater reuse system which will supply 95 per cent of the park’s water needs;
• Five new international competition standard tennis courts with the same Plexicushion surface used in Flinders Park, the home of the Australian Open;
• A new exercise circuit with three fitness stations linked by a one-kilometre loop of accessible path for joggers, pedestrians, bikes, prams and wheelchairs;
• Two new basketball courts and an additional half-court with city skyline views;
• New barbecues and family picnic areas with custom-designed tables and seating;
• Hundreds of new trees and plants including rainforest species and succulents including passionfruit vines, climbing frangipanis and citrus trees; and
• Custom-designed energy-efficient lights throughout the park.

• Two children’s playgrounds with seesaws, swings and custom-made play equipment;

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/swimming-pools/prince-alfred-park-pool

For media inquiries, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Fast facts: Prince Alfred Park Pool

Date published: 13 May 2013

• The pool will be open daily from 6am-7pm and 6am-8pm (during daylight saving hours) and 7am-7pm  on public holidays. It only closes on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
• The pool and café will be operated by Belgravia Leisure, who also won the tender in 2011 to manage and operate the Victoria Park Pool at Camperdown and the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool at The Domain.
• It is the City’s first fully accessible heated outdoor pool, with a ramp into the water ensuring everyone can use it.
• The pool holds 1,850,000 litres of water.
• The pool uses state of the art technology for filtration and monitoring and the best in sustainable practices, including:
  • Stormwater harvesting, with the water used for irrigation and toilet flushing;
  • Water-saving fixtures, such as three-star rated showerheads, waterless urinals, four-star low-flow taps with automatic shut off and pool covers to prevent water loss through evaporation;
  • Natural ventilation and lighting through skylights and high level openings, while white tiles reflect sunlight into internal spaces;
  • Thermally efficient below-ground amenities and offices to regulate internal temperature and reduce the need for air-conditioning;
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting and gas hot water heating, which will be used until the trigeneration plant is installed;
  • Light zoning to allow lights to be turned off or dimmed when daylight is sufficient;
  • An Ultra Fine Filtration system, which saves 80 per cent more pool water compared to a sand filter-style; and
  • The pool facility houses all essential uses including administration offices, kiosk, plant and changes rooms, resulting in the smallest possible footprint.

• Prince Alfred Park Pool has the biggest green roof of its kind in Sydney, topped with 35,917 plants, completely concealing the facility from the street.
• The meadow planting on the roof is made up of six varieties of indigenous wildflowers and grasses, including kidney weed (dichondra repens), short hair plume grass (dichelachne micrantha), lavender grass (eragrostis elongata),      common tussock grass (poa labillardieri), tufted bluebells (wahlenbergia communis) and tall bluebells (wahlenbergia stricta).
• The Prince Alfred Park Pool upgrade is the first major public building designed by Potts Point-based practice Neeson Murcutt Architects.
• Established by Rachel Neeson and her late partner Nicholas Murcutt  in 2004, the practice has since exhibited their work at the Venice Biennale (in 2006 and 2008) and received numerous awards from the Australian Institute of Architects.
• A small tribute to the late Nicholas Murcutt has been installed in the pool’s smallest skylight, visible against the sky from the Chalmers Street entrance.
• Artist Sonia van de Haar from Lymesmith in Castlecrag, in Sydney’s northern suburbs, worked closely with Neeson Murcutt Architects, the City of Sydney and engineers to design a public art project on the site.
• Shades of Green features a collection of ventilation ducts dipped in colour to blend into the sky and surrounding park. They work both as a public art installation and a functional necessity for the boilers that heat the pool.
• Ms van de Haar was inspired by the design of the existing lamp posts, seats and fences when creating the work, which she describes as “something curiously playful but obviously functional”.
• The pool completes the end of the most extensive upgrade to Prince Alfred Park in 50 years, which includes new tennis and basketball courts, play areas, landscaping and space for the City’s first trigeneration plant for self-powering the park and pool.
• Prince Alfred Park was originally bushland crossed by a tributary of Blackwattle Creek.  It was a camping place for local Gadigal people until the 1850s.
• The original vegetation was cleared in the early 19th century to create a Government Paddock, sometimes known as the Cleveland Paddocks, for grazing livestock. This pastoral activity ended when part of the paddock became a public park in 1865 and later the site of The NSW Agricultural Society’s Intercolonial Exhibition, celebrating farming and other primary industries until the early twentieth century.
• Cleveland Paddocks takes its name from the nearby Cleveland House, built in the 1820s and still standing at the corner of Bedford and Buckingham Streets.
• A meadow of seasonal and flowering native grasses was planted in 2012 as part of the upgrade to Prince Alfred Park Pool. As the native grasses mature and thicken, they will provide important habitat for urban wildlife including lizards, small birds and insects.
• The City’s operates four other pools, including the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and Victoria Park Pool.

For more information visit: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/swimming-pools

Prince Alfred Park Pool

Chalmers Street (corner of Cleveland Street)

Surry Hills NSW 2010

For media enquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Media alert today: Opening of Prince Alfred Park Pool

Date published: 13 May 2013

TODAY: Opening of Prince Alfred Park Pool.

WHAT: Lord Mayor Clover Moore will open Prince Alfred Park Pool, joined by school students.

WHEN: TODAY, midday, Monday 13 May 2013.

WHERE: Prince Alfred Park Pool, corner of Cleveland and Chalmers streets, Surry Hills.

WHO: Lord Mayor Clover Moore and students from the nearby Redfern Jarjum College.

Prince Alfred Park Pool is the City of Sydney’s new heated outdoor 50-metre pool. Open all-year round it will provide fantastic views of the city skyline.

This beautiful new facility will have free entry for the first six months to thank the public for their patience during construction.

The pool is the City’s first fully accessible, heated outdoor pool, with a ramp into the water ensuring everyone can use it.

The pool upgrade is the first major public building designed by Potts Point-based practice Neeson Murcutt Architects.

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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City’s $55 million childcare commitment

Date published: 10 May 2013

The City of Sydney has brought forward $55 million to fast track the construction of six new childcare centres.

“Demand for childcare in the inner city continues to grow. More families are moving into our community, with an estimated 45 per cent increase by 2031,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Next Monday, Council will vote on pre-design feasibility studies for new childcare centres. Potential sites are being tested to ensure they meet planning regulations, community needs, operational capacity and current and future childcare strategies.

The Lord Mayor said plans had already been drawn-up for the first centre, a 60-place facility in Darlinghurst, with almost half its places allocated to babies up to two-years.

“The City is making a serious investment in much needed childcare places for parents living and working in our community,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Through innovative planning controls and the expansion of our own childcare services, we contributed 1,041 extra childcare spaces, a 32 per cent increase, between 2005 and 2012.

“Currently the NSW and Commonwealth governments’ funding to address childcare is through subsidies to parents and to pre-schools, which has left investing in new childcare centres and infrastructure up to local councils and the market.

“We need an integrated approach across all levels of government to effectively respond to the demand in childcare services and invest in new childcare centres.”

A detailed 2005 study into childcare in Sydney found an undersupply of places of children aged zero to five years, high demand for under-twos and waiting times of up to two years.

The City has responded to this need by:

• Providing a purpose-built childcare centre in the Surry Hills Library and Community Centre with space for 26 children;
• Expanding centres in Redfern and Alexandria to increase places for under-twos by 18; and
• Refurbishing the Chippendale centre to provide a combination of work and community-based spaces for 36 children each day.

The City provides about 23 per cent of all childcare places within the local government area, directly or through subsidised leases to not-for-profit groups. The City operates four early childhood education and care centres, which provide 160 places for under school-aged children:

• Alexandria Childcare Centre: 66 spaces;
• Broughton Street Extended Hours Kindergarten: 18 places;
• Hilda Booler Extended Hours Kindergarten: 40 places; and
• Redfern Occasional Childcare: 36 places.

The City leases a further 16 preschool or long day-care centres across Sydney to not-for-profit childcare providers, as well as three out of school hours care centres and two early childhood health centres.

The City subsides the fees that parents pay at all its childcare centres and ensures fees are in line with other low- to medium-priced centres. The City also provides further reduced rates to eligible families.

For more information: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services/children/child-care

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Food trucks satisfying Sydney’s late night cravings

Date published: 09 May 2013

Food trucks have hit the spot with Sydneysiders, scoring overwhelming support, generating new business across the city and stimulating spaces at night.

As part of the Food Truck trial independent consultants interviewed more than 400 people and conducted observational studies at food truck locations.

Customers interviewed said the trucks made the city feel safer and more welcoming at night and the most common request was to activate even more of them.

The City of Sydney’s food trucks introduced Sydney to the food sensation taking off around the world with a 12-month trial of quality food in designated streets, parks and plazas.

The research found:

• 98 per cent of people support the food trucks initiative;
• More than one third of customers would have otherwise eaten at home, meaning food trucks are generating new business in the city;
• Peak trading times are between 9pm and midnight when there are fewer available food alternatives;
• 72 per cent of customers said food trucks made an area feel safer, and 92 per cent said they made it more welcoming;
• The trucks have a dedicated following, with 44 per cent of customers coming to the area specifically to eat there;
• 18 per cent of customers eat at a truck at least once a week and some are travelling up to two kilometres to get there, and;
• The City’s food truck app and web site are the most popular sources of information about food trucks

“This research shows people have taken food trucks to heart and they’re now an acclaimed part of our night-time city,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“In less than a year, these small businesses have gone from scratch to become a popular addition to the city’s food scene. They’ve created their own community and brought new life and new business to the city.

“Food trucks were an idea people came up with when we consulted Sydneysiders about what they wanted for their city at night. This research shows the initiative is delivering diverse options and enticing more people to spend time in the City.

“The trucks are not allowed to operate within 50 metres of a comparable food business, so they take food to places that aren’t already well serviced.”

Trucks started rolling out under the City’s trial in May 2012, and all nine trucks were operating by early this year. They have become a feature at festivals and community events as well as servicing dedicated locations around the city.

The City plans to extend the trial until March 2014 to give all of the participating trucks a full year of operation, so the program and feedback from the community can be fully evaluated.

Suzie Matthews, the City’s Manager, Business Precincts, Late Night Economy and Safe City, said the customer research indicated the food trucks were a positive addition to Sydney.

“More than a third of people using food trucks are eating out when they would otherwise have been eating at home and the benefits from that flow on to other business, like shops and small bars,” Ms Matthews said.

“This is about generating new activity in the city, not taking away from existing food businesses. The food truck operators have invested large amounts to get their businesses rolling and they pay fixed costs like wages and rent for a place to store and prepare food just like any other food business.

“There are some areas of the city where food trucks are not a viable option, such as Kings Cross. But where they have been operating they have brought more options to more people, and proved hugely popular.”

The full research report can be viewed here.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Rohan Sullivan, phone 02 9246 7298 or 0414 617 086, or email rsullivan@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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People first for changing Chinatown

Date published: 09 May 2013

Chinatown residents, workers and visitors are invited to have their say on the City of Sydney’s plans to transform Thomas Street into a pedestrian plaza, complete with new public artworks, trees and street furniture.

The works are part of the Chinatown Public Domain Plan, the City’s long-term vision for making Chinatown an even more enjoyable place to live, work and visit.

The plans include a new public space on Thomas Street between Ultimo Road and Thomas Lane, designed by award-winning contemporary Chinese-Australian artist Lindy Lee and inspired by principles from Taoist and Buddhist philosophy.

Widened footpaths, more street trees, new public artworks, street furniture and lighting will also be installed to improve the look and feel of the area.

“Chinatown is one of Sydney’s jewels. It is a big part of our city’s cultural life and our plans for Thomas Street will make the area even better for the thousands of people in the area each day,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The new public plaza on Thomas Street will give people a reason to stop, take a moment out of their busy day and enjoy the unique character of the area. I encourage everyone to take a look at our plans for Thomas Street and share their ideas with us.”

The proposed works will be accompanied by traffic changes in the area to give pedestrians priority, including making Thomas Street between Ultimo Road and Thomas Lane a 10km/h shared zone with timed closures.

The Chinatown Public Domain Plan was launched in 2010 following an extensive consultation process with the local community. It proposes a suite of improvements to support the rich local program of events, cultural experiences and public life on Chinatown’s streets.

The first stage of works, completed in early 2012, included a $5 million makeover of three laneways in the heart of Haymarket – Little Hay Street, Factory Street and Kimber Lane.

The facelift included widened footpaths, custom-made street furniture and new trees, lighting and paving, and local Chinese-Aboriginal artist Jason Wing’s stunning artwork In Between Two Worlds in Kimber Lane.

The first stage of works also transformed a disused pagoda at the northern end of Dixon Street Mall into a new information kiosk, which glows bright red at night and serves hundreds of visitors each day.

The kiosk, which features energy-efficient lighting, access for people living with mobility and hearing impairments, and a striking Chinese-inspired artwork, was awarded a prestigious prize in last year’s Australian Institute of Architects NSW awards.

The City’s plans for Thomas Street are on public exhibition until 3 June.
For more information and to have your say, visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin.
Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin.
Phone 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Sydney dining out as Australia’s No.1 night-time city

Date published: 08 May 2013

New restaurants and cafés are leading the growth of after-dark businesses in Sydney, according to new research that confirms the city as Australia’s dining capital and the largest contributor to a national night-time economy worth $92 billion a year.

The first city comparison of Australia’s night-time economy shows the City of Sydney had almost 4,400 businesses in the core food, drink and entertainment sectors in 2011, employing nearly 17,000 people and generating $2.76 billion in sales revenue.

All three sectors expanded in 2009-11, despite tough economic times, with food leading the charge with 12 per cent growth in the number of firms, says the report, prepared for the National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee.

The research comes after the City’s launch in February of its blueprint to develop Sydney’s night-time economy by 2030, “OPEN Sydney: Future directions for Sydney at night.”

“Open Sydney is the culmination of almost two years of ground-breaking work by the City, and this research reinforces just how important and timely it is,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“What happens in our city after dark is vital to the strength of the broader economy of the city, the state and the country, as well as having an impact on residents, visitors and tourists.”

“Sydneysiders told us they want a safe, thriving city that is buzzing with activity, easy to get around and offers something for everybody. Open Sydney reflects that and gives us a blueprint to get there.”

“We’ve started delivering on many of the ideas people gave us – such as our food trucks trial, our live music taskforce, and the small bar scene which is going from strength to strength.”

“The next step we’d like to see is an ongoing coordinated approach that includes transport and policing, liquor licensing and tourism, as well as the important services the City provides.”

Ideas and projects the City has already initiated from the OPEN Sydney process include:

• Sydney Food Trucks Trial: A fleet of nine trucks has added a new layer to Sydney’s dining scene, generated more than 30,000 downloads of the City’s food truck locator app, and won two prestigious awards for innovation;
• Kings Cross Plan of Management: The City upgraded CCTV security cameras in Kings Cross, introduced a blanket Alcohol Free Zone, improved taxi-rank management and signage, established a compliance hot team, opened a new information kiosk, and installed more rubbish bins and portable toilets, as part of joint actions with the NSW Government;
• Live music taskforce: Australia’s leading live music policy experts have begun meeting to advise the City about how to revitalise Sydney’s live music and live performance scene;
• Cultural Policy: We’re developing a cultural policy that will outline a vision for the cultural life of Sydney create a framework for making decisions about the city’s cultural and creative activities; and
• Cutting red tape: The City has hosted eight how-to workshops that covered opening a small business, a small bar, organising a gig and throwing a pop-up event, with nine planned for 2013.

The City is calling for a high-level taskforce to ensure Sydney’s night-time economy continues to grow strongly and builds on its reputation as Australia’s leading late night city.

The taskforce would draw on the expertise of retailers and businesspeople, cultural institutions, entrepreneurs and tourism experts to drive a coordinated approach towards a healthy, safe and varied entertainment precinct.

The Lord Mayor has written to the NSW Premier calling for the taskforce to include representatives from Destination NSW, Transport for NSW, NSW Police, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, NSW Trade and Investment, the Department of Justice and Attorney General and local government.

According to the Australian Night Time Economy report:

• More than 10 per cent of Sydney firms are part of the night-time economy, more than any other city;
• Between 2009-11, Sydney added 336 night-time food businesses for a total of 3,066, entertainment businesses grew by 38 to 874 and drink businesses – helped by small bars – grew by 24 to 441; and
• Tight economic circumstances in 2009-11 were reflected in a slight dip in turnover for Sydney’s night-time businesses from $2.83 billion to $2.76 billion and an easing of jobs despite there being more operators.

“The research shows times are tough for many businesses, and governments of all levels must do what they can to support them,” the Lord Mayor said.

“OPEN Sydney does this with more than 250 recommended actions to cut red tape, improve transport and create a safe, welcoming and lively city for all to enjoy.

“We want the night-time economy to continue to grow and create jobs. To do this we need better-integrated and longer-running transport, more diversity of options for all age groups at night, good quality food and retail choices, creative and beautiful lighting, more public toilets and measures to address the drinking culture. We need a coordinated approach involving all stakeholders.”

The full “Australian Night time Economy: a first analysis” report can be found here.

The full “OPEN Sydney: Future directions for Sydney at night” report can be found here.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Rohan Sullivan, phone 02 9246 7298 or 0414 617 086, or email rsullivan@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Pop-up foodies’ paradise at Pyrmont Festival

Date published: 08 May 2013

A pop-up foodies’ paradise featuring Mudgee’s finest producers will be front and centre in Pirrama Park this weekend to celebrate the third year of the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art.

Market stalls will line the banks of the majestic harbourside park, with 30 Mudgee wineries and gourmet food producers offering tastings of their finest drops, and most succulent fare, accompanied by local art, live music and entertainment for all the family.

“This festival is a wonderful feature on the City of Sydney’s annual event calendar, bringing produce from Mudgee in the Central West of NSW to one of our premier dining precincts,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“This weekend’s showcase event in Pirrama Park mixes the very best of both Pyrmont and Mudgee, with wine tasting, delicious gourmet food and local art and entertainment by the water’s edge.”

Entry to the Pirrama Park celebration is free and includes the annual Pyrmont Art Prize exhibition. This year the theme is “small is beautiful”. More than 300 artworks by local artists on tiny canvases will be on sale.

There will be an exhibition of artworks by children from six local primary schools, and a group of artists from the Mudgee region will also create a sculpture garden.

This year, more than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the 10-day festival from 17-26 May, including the Pirrama Park event. Other events include wine-matched breakfasts and dinners, long lunches, cheese and wine tastings and art exhibitions supported by participating local businesses.

Mike O’Malley, Pyrmont Festival Event Director for the Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association, said the Mudgee producers enjoyed interacting with the local community during the festival and introducing them to their wares.

“The festival gives us a chance to showcase the best of the Mudgee region in many ways,” Mr O’Malley said.

“The public response has been really enthusiastic, we’re seeing bigger crowds at the events each year. We’re also starting to see visitors from Pyrmont visiting Mudgee as a result of meeting us in their own backyard, and that’s very satisfying for us.”

The City’s Try2Wheels will also be there in full swing, with free valet bike parking, bike mechanics, route-planning advice and a multitude of bikes including new e-bikes to try.

The festival is hosted by the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association, and supported by the City with a $20,000 sponsorship.

Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art – Pirrama Park celebration

DATE: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May, 2013

TIME: 11am-5pm

WHERE: Pirrama Park – Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

COST: Free entry

Free bike parking will be available on site.

Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art Highlights:

Friday 17 May 7am-9am

Breakfast on Pyrmont Bay at Doltone House

Come and celebrate the opening of the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art with a breakfast at Doltone House Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont. Guests will be treated to a glass of Huntington Estate sparkling wine from the Mudgee wine-growing region, accompanied by a sumptuous Italian breakfast with executive chef James Kidman. Cost is $45 per person, with bookings essential at info@doltonehouse.com.au or on 02 8571 0622.

Sunday 19 and 26 May 3pm-6pm

Live Music at Yots Café at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Enjoy a menu of High Valley wine and Mudgee-produced cheese for an afternoon of relaxation to wind down the weekend, complete with free live music on the marina. No booking required.

Wednesday 22 May

Mudgee Wine dinner at NSW TAFE’s The Apprentice

Experience the future of fine dining in Sydney as Ultimo college’s ‘rising stars’ design, prepare and serve a five-star meal, with wine matching by Short Sheep Wines and Elliott Rocke Wines. Cost is $60 per person, with bookings essential on 02 9217 5527.

For the full program, visit: pyrmontfestival.com.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus.

Phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

This event is presented by Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce and proudly supported by the City of Sydney, IGA ‘How the Locals Like it’, Mudgee Region Tourism Inc. , Central NSW Tourism, Mid-Western Council, City News, City Hub, Bondi View, Inner West Independent, Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association and The Star.

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Cleansing trucks are poetry in motion

Date published: 06 May 2013

The City of Sydney’s cleansing trucks are being transformed into literary treasures this month, bringing poetry to life in unexpected locations thanks to a project curated by the 2013 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Eleven trucks decorated with verses by famous poets, including Irishman W.B. Yeats and Australian activist Judith Wright, will hit the streets today.

Each truck features two giant poems, measuring more than two metres wide and one metre high, with a total of 19 poems appearing in the series.

“This month, we’re celebrating one of Sydney’s most iconic cultural events, the Sydney Writers’ Festival, by displaying much-loved poetry in a distinctly different way,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“From Shakespeare and Wordsworth to ancient Greek epics and celebrated Australian writers, poetry has delighted and inspired people for thousands of years.

“I encourage Sydneysiders to look out for the poems as they roam the city streets this month – they might even be inspired to find their own favourite sonnet.”

Jemma Birrell, the artistic director of the 2013 Sydney Writers’ Festival, said: “In creating this project with the City of Sydney, we want to inspire people with unexpected literary experiences in everyday situations and showcase poems that make people think and consider the world or themselves differently.”

The poems featured on the trucks have been selected by Luke Davies, the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Award-winning poet and 2013 Sydney Writers’ Festival guest.

The poems include W. B. Yeats’ “Vacillation”, Judith Wright’s “Woman to Child”, Peter Porter’s “The Unicorn in Love” and Kay Ryan’s “Fool’s Errands”.

Mr Davies said he chose a series of poems “that stop one in one’s tracks, and are utterly unlike the advertising copy that litters the verbal landscape.

“If one single non-festival-going, non-poetry-reading citizen out there is led to look up one of these poems, I will feel wildly successful in my task as curator.”

The Sydney Writers’ Festival is one of the largest writers’ festivals in the world, attracting more than 80,000 attendances and featuring over 400 writers and authors each year.

The City has been a major sponsor of the event since its launch in the late 1990s, and in 2012 announced a significant funding boost for the 2013 and 2014 festivals, worth $330,000 each year.

This year’s program, which focuses on the importance of storytelling in contemporary life, features more than 500 guests at over 50 venues – including two of the City’s most stunning venues, Sydney Town Hall and the City Recital Hall in Angel Place.

The 2013 Sydney Writers’ Festival runs from 20-26 May. For more information, visit: swf.org.au

Poets and their selected works featured on the trucks are:

• Rainer Maria Rilke (from “Archaic Torso of Apollo”) (tr: Stephen Mitchell)
• Gig Ryan (from “When I Consider”)
• Peter Porter (from “The Unicorn in Love”)
• Jessy Randall (“Why I had Children”)
• Martin Harrison (from “Walking Back from the Dam”)
• David Campbell (“Mothers and Daughters”)
• John Berryman (from “Eleven Addresses to the Lord”)
• W. B. Yeats (from “Vacillation”)
• Kevin Hart (from “Dark Bird”)
• Judith Wright (from “Sonnet”)
• Kay Ryan (“Fool’s Errands”)
• John Berryman (from “Op. posth. no. 13”)
• Laurie Duggan (from “Letter to John Forbes”)
• joanne burns (“revisionism”)
• John Berryman (from “Overseas Prayer”)
• Marilyn Hacker (“Villanelle for D.G.B.”)
• L. K. Holt (from “From Inside the MRI Scanner”)
• Judith Wright (from “Woman to Child”)
• S. K. Kelen (from “Reality Check”)

Media contacts

City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser – Keeley Irvin.
Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Lord Mayor Clover Moore – Jonathon Larkin.
Phone 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Writers’ Festival Publicist – Benython Oldfield.
Phone 0410 355 790 or email publicist@swf.org.au

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Two hundred years of helping the needy

Date published: 06 May 2013

The City of Sydney and Lord Mayor Clover Moore congratulates Australia’s oldest charity – The Benevolent Society – on providing two centuries of support to those in need.

The Benevolent Society was established on 8 May 1813 to fight for the rights of, and give voice to, everyday Australians in need. The Society’s first patron was Governor Lachlan Macquarie, and the City of Sydney has lent its ongoing support for the last 150 years.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the society is celebrating its 200th birthday in the knowledge that its services are as important today as they’ve ever been.

“I congratulate The Benevolent Society on 200 years of care and leadership in building strong and inclusive communities, and am delighted the City is supporting them further with venues for their birthday celebrations,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The Benevolent Society has been an anchor for people in times of hardship and has played a part in shaping Australia as we know it fighting for the abolition of child labour, free maternity care, legal aid and government welfare payments. It’s hard to imagine modern Sydney without the society’s involvement.”

The Benevolent Society’s CEO, Anne Hollonds, said, “Our story is really Sydney’s story. Our archives are full of photographs, stories and documents that paint a picture of the changing face of Sydney – and the changing social issues Australians have faced – over the past 200 years.

“This milestone is not just a chance to look back, it’s a reminder to take stock and look at the future we want 200 years from today. Our experience tells us we should be investing much earlier to prevent social problems in the future.

“As a charity, we’ve relied on the support and goodwill of the community to achieve this remarkable milestone, and we’d like to thank the City of Sydney and Australians across the nation for their ongoing generosity and support.”

A free public event at Martin Place on 8 May will showcase the society’s Taste Mobile Kitchen – a 6.5-tonne shipping container used to break down cultural barriers and increase community cohesion in south west Sydney. As a social enterprise, the income from Taste Mobile Kitchen goes towards its community activities.

My Kitchen Rules celebrity chefs will be using the mobile kitchen for cooking demonstrations from 7am to 9am at Martin Place.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen on 0467 810 160 or email jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Stroll by Johnstons Creek and have your say

Date published: 02 May 2013

Residents are invited to put on their walking boots and join City of Sydney staff on a walking tour to discuss ambitious new plans to link the Johnstons Creek parklands with green spaces from Glebe to Annandale.

When completed, the parklands will form part of Sydney’s longest green connected open space, with walkways, recreation areas, wetlands and woodlands that residents and visitors can enjoy all year round.

The walking tours take place this Saturday (4 May) and are part of a drop-in day where the draft master plan for Johnstons Creek will be presented.

Marquees will be set up in two locations: Bicentennial Park near Federal Road in Glebe, and at the playground in Federal Park near Chapman Road in Annandale.

There will also be a barbeque and children’s activities, including face painting.

The City’s project team will be on hand to answer any questions about the parklands plans, and will give guided tours around Johnstons Creek at 11am and 1pm. Places  for each site tour are limited.

“Our growing population in the inner city needs significant green open spaces. These spaces provide opportunities for exercise and activity – somewhere to walk the dogs and a haven to take some peaceful time out,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The City has developed the draft Johnstons Creek Master Plan to help guide our great green spaces along for all the community. The plan aims to add another five hectares to local green open space which already includes the Glebe Foreshore, Bicentennial Park, Jubilee Park and Federal Park.

“When finalised, the master plan will have helped guide the creation of an enormous 32-hectare connected parkland for thousands of people to enjoy every day. It will also have protected natural habitats for native species now and into the future.”

The five-hectare portion of land called Johnstons Creek lies along the Glebe and Annandale border, stretching through the old Rozelle tram depot and Harold Park Paceway.

The plans will connect it with the Glebe Foreshore, Bicentennial Park, Jubilee Park and Federal Park, to create a total of 32 hectares of parklands.

These connected parklands will include boardwalks, elevated walkways and viewing platforms through wetlands, woodland habitats and tree-lined avenues.

The City has consulted extensively with the local community, and final plans will be considered by Council later in the year.

Key features include:

• Removal of most of the buildings along The Crescent and relocation of car parking to the edge of the parkland to open up more areas for recreation;
• Adaptive re-use of one existing building on The Crescent for a range of flexible recreation and community uses such as childcare, community meetings and activities, and public amenities;
• New fresh water wetlands, expanded salt marsh and areas of woodlands, shrublands and grassland habitats for local wildlife;
• Improved water quality in the parklands with rain gardens and natural landscape features;
• Jubilee Oval and Federal Park playing area upgrades and a new area for junior sports in The Crescent lands area; and
• A range of paths, boardwalks and viewing platforms connecting all parts of the parklands.

The draft Johnstons Creek Master Plan will be on exhibition at the Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, 79 Johnston St, and the Glebe Neighbourhood Service Centre, 186 Glebe Point Road, from 19 April until 17 May.

For more information and to have your say, visit sydneyyoursay.com.au/johnstons-creek-parklands.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen on 0467 810 160 or jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Senior Communications Officer Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Wine and dine in picturesque Pyrmont

Date published: 01 May 2013

A 10 day celebration of food and wine will showcase the best that Sydney and the Mudgee region have to offer at the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art this month.

Thirty of Mudgee’s best winemakers and gourmet food producers will collaborate with some of Sydney’s best chefs on exclusive dining experiences from 17 to 26 May. Choices will include wine and cheese tasting with live music at the Australian Maritime Museum, or partaking of a skilfully created feast by one of Sydney’s rising culinary stars.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the festival was a wonderful feature of Sydney’s event calendar, giving everyone the opportunity to attend intimate wine-matched dinners, longish lunches, breakfasts and tastings of some of Mudgee’s celebrated regional produce.

“The festival brings together some of the things that Sydney does best: location, wine, food and art,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Sharing delicious food, sampling some of the best wine from regional NSW and enjoying local entertainers is a wonderful way for Sydneysiders and visitors alike to experience the best the country has to offer without leaving the city.”

Over 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival, from the weekend-long outdoor Wine, Food and Art Fair at Pirrama Park, which includes the 7th annual Pyrmont Art Prize, and over 20 other exciting foodie events held by local businesses.

Now in its third year, the festival continues to help build the Pyrmont area as one of Sydney’s premier dining precincts and has established itself as one of the city’s best food and wine events.

For the first time, well-known Ultimo-Pyrmont cultural institutions will join in the celebrations with events at the National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse and Sydney Heritage Fleet.

The annual event is hosted by the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Mudgee Wine and Grape Growers Association and Mudgee Region Tourism, and is supported by the City with a $20,000 cash sponsorship.

The Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce received a village business partnership grant from the City – a program designed to drive development and revitalisation of city precincts – which has only added to its appeal as one of Sydney’s most vibrant villages.

Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art Highlights:

Friday 17 May 7am-9am

Breakfast on Pyrmont Bay at Doltone House

Come and celebrate the opening of the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art with a breakfast at Doltone House Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont. Guests will be treated to a glass of Huntington Estate sparkling wine from the Mudgee wine region, accompanied by a sumptuous Italian breakfast with executive chef James Kidman. Cost is $45 per person, with bookings essential at info@doltonehouse.com.au or on 02 8571 0622.

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 11am-5pm

Wine, Food and Art in Pirrama Park

Visit the festival’s unmissable major event, where you can wander the stalls of Mudgee’s 30 top producers to taste unique gourmet fare and over 120 of the best wines produced in the heart of NSW. Bring a picnic blanket and the whole family to enjoy Pyrmont’s best artists and entertainers, with live music and the annual Pyrmont Art Prize on show. Entry to the event is free.

Sunday 19 and 26 May 3pm-6pm

Live Music at Yots Café at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Enjoy a menu of High Valley’s Mudgee wine and cheese for an afternoon of relaxation to wind down the weekend, complete with free live music on the marina. No booking required.

Wednesday 22 May

Mudgee Wine dinner at NSW TAFE’s The Apprentice

Experience the future of fine dining in Sydney as Ultimo college’s ‘rising stars’ design, prepare and serve a five-star meal, with wine matching by Short Sheep Wines and Elliott Rocke Wines. Cost is $60 per person, with bookings essential on 02 9217 5527.

For the full program, visit pyrmontfestival.com.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus.

Phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

This event is presented by Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce and proudly supported by the City of Sydney, IGA ‘How the Locals Like it’, Mudgee Region Tourism Inc., Central NSW Tourism, Mid-Western Council, City News, City Hub, Bondi View, Inner West Independent, Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association and The Star.

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History, heritage and the secrets of your home

Date published: 29 Apr 2013

People living in some of Sydney’s oldest homes can learn how to restore them without jeopardising their heritage status at two City of Sydney workshops during the National Trust Heritage Festival.

Heritage 101 at Customs House on Thursday 16 May will go through the processes for undertaking heritage restoration and tips on making sure everything runs smoothly.

The workshop will be introduced by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, with MC Adam Ford, host of ABCTV’s Who’s Been Sleeping in My House?. Speakers include architects and heritage building specialists Peter Phillips, Otto Cserhalmi and Gary Waller.

“Heritage buildings are an important part of Sydney’s character,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“It’s important we maintain heritage buildings for the generations to come, by using best practice techniques for restoration or renovation work in heritage conservation zones.”

Historian Shirley Fitzgerald is hosting a sold out workshop on Researching Your House’s History at Glebe Library on Saturday 11 May. Devised by the City’s History Unit, the two-hour workshop will give residents tips on how to research the history of their homes, how it has changed over time and who lived there previously.

Dr Fitzgerald will show how owners and occupiers can piece together small, and sometimes fascinating, histories using records such as the Sands Sydney Directory (1859-1932), rates assessments and land titles.

The History Unit is building an online guide for owners and residents to research the history of their buildings. History detectives can already learn more about their history of their home using the City of Sydney Archives online tools, such as Archives Investigator, Archive Pix and the Historical Atlas of Sydney.

The City also encourages not-for-profit organisations to restore heritage items through the Heritage Grant program. Last year St Stephen’s Uniting Church on Macquarie Street received a $10,000 Heritage Grant to maintain timber and metal doors as well as conserve leadlight windows and wall-mounted lanterns.

Some of Sydney’s oldest buildings, including Sydney Town Hall on George Street and the 132-year-old Glebe Town Hall, which reopened in March, are being carefully restored by the City.

For more information, visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/history/archives

Heritage 101

Thursday 16 May, 6pm-8.30pm

Barnet Long Room, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay

Entry is free, but bookings are essential on 02 9265 9333 or at whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/18021-heritage-101-workshop

Researching Your House’s History

Saturday 11 May, 10.30am-12.30pm

Glebe Library, 186 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Entry is free, but bookings are essential on 02 9298 3060 or at whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/18021-heritage-101-workshop

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Oxford Street a breeding ground for creative success

Date published: 24 Apr 2013

Galleries, artist studios and start-up businesses that opened on Oxford Street last year as part of the City’s creative spaces program have won major national awards and brought tens of thousands of new visitors to the area.

Eighteen cultural and creative enterprises – specialising in everything from jewellery-making and textiles to mobile app development and comedy writing – have occupied a series of Council-owned retail shop fronts and office spaces along the Darlinghurst strip at affordable rates since February 2012.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the creative spaces program had been an outstanding success, with significant achievements across the board.

“Platform72 sold more than $230,000 worth of artworks to buyers on five continents, while members of the Sydney Writers’ Room produced a satirical TV show that has now been picked up by the ABC,” the Lord Mayor said.

“As a result of these and a string of other successes, we have offered all tenants in the program an extension on their lease, allowing them to continue trading in the spaces until December 2014.

“These affordable spaces have given creative entrepreneurs room to try out their ideas and take creative risks, and being in such close proximity to each other has fostered a lot of collaboration.

“Oxford Street has long been one of Sydney’s most iconic and colourful precincts, so it’s only fitting that it’s now home to a new wave of emerging creative enterprises.”

The creative spaces program is part of the City’s long-term plan to revitalise Oxford Street, redefining the area as a hub for arts, culture and creative enterprise. Highlights from the first 12 months include:

• Platform72 – this gallery and retail space has represented 230 artists (at least half from Sydney) and sold $230,000 worth of artworks, with 100 per cent of sales being returned to the artists. They have also sold local artworks to buyers in the United States, Europe, Asia and South Africa, and been featured in the window of the flagship Sydney store of global luxury retailer Hermès.
• EngineRoom by Fishburners – this digital co-working community has provided office space for more than 30 start-up businesses, with members winning four major prizes at the 2012 Australian Mobile Awards, securing a contract to provide online ticketing for Openair Cinemas across Australia, and building an online travel insurance program for Woolworths.
• He Made She Made – this gallery and workshop space has welcomed more than 12,000 people to nine successful exhibitions, featuring more than 200 artists and designers. The founders have also been invited to participate in Design Dubai 2014, an exclusive annual fair showcasing limited edition furniture and design objects from across Asia and the Middle East.
• Sydney Writers’ Room – this collective housed a team of comedy writers and performers producing The Roast, a two-minute political satire screened on the ABC. This year, the program has been expanded to a 10-minute show for a 40-week season. As a result, the team has outgrown the Oxford Street space and moved to a production facility in Waterloo, making way for a new group of young creatives and journalists working across news and current affairs projects.
• The Fortynine Studio – this design studio has created a lighting installation for the Light in Winter festival at Federation Square in Melbourne, and collaborated with Laos-based weaving workshop Eastern Weft to produce textile designs for small-scale production.
• A.R.P. Artists Residency Program – this studio space hosted five resident artists across the second half of 2012, including Seattle-based sculptor Arun Sharma, whose Oxford Street work has been selected for inclusion at Sculpture by the Sea 2013 in Aarhus, Denmark.
• SCALE Architecture – this local architectural practice was shortlisted for their proposed design for the new National Museum of Afghanistan.

“We’re very grateful to the City of Sydney for giving us this opportunity to showcase the amazing creative talent of so many artists and designers from the local area and beyond,” Juliet Rosser, founder and director of Platform72, said.

“As a result of the creative spaces program, we’ve been able to forge long-term relationships with these artists and help them build sustainable careers – alongside building our own sustainable business model at Platform72.

“We now have big plans for 2013 and beyond, including a series of curated exhibitions by our leading artists, an interactive street game for the International Symposium on Electronic Art in June, and the launch of our online store.”

Following the success of the Oxford Street program, the City is exploring other properties which could become home to emerging cultural and creative enterprises, including a large office and six artist live/work spaces in two buildings on William Street.

A short-term creative spaces register, encouraging pop-up projects in empty Council-owned buildings, has also been created. The first project from the register – an artist studio, gallery and retail space run by Dulwich Hill collective Westsyde Connection – is set to open at 58 Oxford Street, the former home of the Oxford Street Design Store, this week.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin.
Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson.
Phone 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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New haven for travellers and history buffs

Date published: 24 Apr 2013

An historic Taylor Square building could soon house a new bike hub to serve Sydney’s booming bike culture, and a museum celebrating the area’s heritage.

Expressions of interest are being sought from a broad range of tenants to revive the former T2 nightclub building – which is due for a much-needed makeover – with a new café, bike-related businesses, community workshops and a museum.

“Bike hubs exist around the world and we want to create a place for people riding to and from work with places to park their bike and grab a coffee. It will also help tourists and families wanting to hire a bike or people looking for cycle safety lessons,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Taylor Square south is busy with tourists, workers, local residents and shoppers with more than 1,200 people riding past on an average weekday.”

Located at 1-5 Flinders Street, the three-level building was first home to the Commonwealth Bank in 1915.

Hassell Architects will design the refurbishment of the heritage building, to include potential new openings onto Taylor Square and Patterson Lane. The rooftop might also be used – making the most of stunning City views.

The building sits on a major intersection for bike riders connecting Woolloomooloo, Waterloo, Paddington and the inner city.

“Our latest independent counts show an 89 per cent jump in the number of bike trips made over the past two-and-a-half years,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We’re building the infrastructure and support for the growing number of bike riders who are helping reduce the number of cars on our busy roads and easing pressure on public transport.”

The EOI will close at 5pm on Friday 10 May. Community consultation on the refurbishment of the design will be arranged once concept designs are created by the architects.

To find out more or register your register your interest in the bike hub, email the City’s leasing agent, Mark Ranucci, at mark@pharos.com.au

For more information about riding in Sydney, visit sydneycycleways.net or ‘like’ us on Facebook.

For interviews with the Lord Mayor, please contact Shehana Teixeira on 0418 238 373 or steixeira@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Bridges, phone 0434 320 768 or email lbridges@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Theatre’s a class act for Pyrmont troupe

Date published: 24 Apr 2013

The City of Sydney’s support for grassroots culture has helped a fledgling Pyrmont theatre group grow into a star act.

The Pyrmont Players, which began in January, has grown to more than 20 members and is on the lookout for more actors, set designers, costume makers and stage managers to join their troupe.

The community theatre group was born after Roberta Mears put up posters around her local area seeking like-minded individuals to join a new drama club.

Now the players tread the boards each Thursday night at the Pyrmont Community Centre and are preparing to put on a small end-of-year production of 1920s comedy A Jolly Sinister Jape, by Elliot Strange.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Pyrmont Players was a great example of residents coming together to use the City’s community centres at night.

“It’s terrific to see locals with a love of theatre get together in hall at our Pyrmont Community Centre,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Our centres and libraries belong to the local community, so it’s great to see the hall helping start new creative projects for the community.

“We’re working hard to encourage more creative and cultural activities in the city, especially after dark, so this is a very promising development.”

The City is currently asking Sydneysiders to share their ideas on ways to encourage more cultural activities, like the Pyrmont Players, to feed into our first-ever cultural policy. Visit sydneyyoursay.com.au to submit your ideas.

Long-term Pyrmont resident Roberta Mears is a member of the Friends of Pyrmont Community Centre and saw the potential to set up a fun, friendly, non-threatening theatre club for local residents.

“I put up a couple of fliers around Pyrmont and they got a lot of interest, so on our first night we had 23 people attend,” Ms Mears said.

“We’re attracting people of all ages, and it’s a wonderful way to a have a little bit of fun and connect with the community.”

The weekly group has so far undertaken workshops with character actor John Samaha, improvisation and drama exercises, as well as character development practice.

Pyrmont resident Jane Sutherland attended the first meet-up and has stuck with the Pyrmont Players because she enjoys new challenges and meeting new people.

“I’ve met people who live in Pyrmont that I wouldn’t normally have met and it’s good to meet people who are your neighbours and have a common goal,” Ms Sutherland said.

The Pyrmont Players are seeking more potential actors, lighting technicians, set designers, costume makers and theatre lovers to join their troupe. Membership is free. Contact Ms Mears on 0405 730 073 for more details.

The Pyrmont Community Centre hosts a range of community events including seniors groups, community dinners, book clubs, chess matches and card-playing competitions.

The City operates six community centres that offer a range of services and programs tailored to each area’s needs and open to residents, workers and visitors to Sydney. The City also has 26 community venues, which members of the community can hire to hold their own events, meetings and activities.

Pyrmont Community Centre

Corner of John and Mount streets, Pyrmont. Tel: 02 9298 3134.

Juanita Nielsen Community Centre

Corner of Nicholson and Dowling streets, Woolloomooloo. Tel: 02 8374 6323.

King George V Recreation Centre

3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks. Tel: 02 9244 3600.

Redfern Community Centre

29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern. Tel: 02 9288 5713.

Surry Hills Community Centre

405 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Tel: 02 9356 4977.

Ultimo Community Centre

40 William Henry Street, Ultimo. Tel: 02 9298 3111.

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services/

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 803 815 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Put your feet up and tell the City what you think

Date published: 23 Apr 2013

Pedestrians will this week get a chance to shape plans for the transformation of George Street when survey teams walk the streets to find out what Sydneysiders think.

A blow-up sofa will be moved between three locations giving pedestrians a chance to sit in comfort while they review plansand put their views on George Street, where light rail will replace buses and cars and make the street a haven for pedestrians.

Because George Street is currently so noisy and congested, the sofa will be placed nearby at lunchtimes – in Pitt Street Mall on Tuesday, in Sesquicentenary Square in Barrack Street on Wednesday, and in the Queen Victoria Building forecourt on Tuesday 30 April.

The City is contributing $220 million to the NSW Government’s light rail project to make George Street one of the world’s great plazas, with 25,000 square metres of roadway turned into a huge, tree-lined pedestrian boulevard.

Plans and videos of the upgrade are currently on display at Customs House at Circular Quay as part of a public an exhibition, Next stop: 21st Century George Street, giving people the chance to offer feedback on key design issues before they are finalised later this year.

Plans for the transformation of George Street will also be available at the pop-up consultation sessions, with survey teams seeking views on everything from bubblers, to lighting, street furniture and wire-free pedestrian space.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore urged people to attend the exhibition to help improve the George Street plans.

“At the moment, George Street is choked by day and drab at night. This exhibition shows we can make it a wonderful wide boulevard where people will want to walk, shop, dine and meet up with friends,” she said.

“To get it right demands good design. That’s why we are asking people who live, work and visit the city to come to the exhibition, to see the designs and tell us how we can make them the best they can be.”

For more information and to provide feedback, visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au/georgestreet

For media enquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Media Specialist Matthew Moore phone 0431 050 963 or email mmoore@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Active green future for Glebe parklands

Date published: 19 Apr 2013

The City of Sydney is seeking feedback on a draft master plan for Johnstons Creek parklands in Glebe which includes boardwalks, elevated walkways and viewing platforms through wetlands, woodland habitats and tree-lined avenues.

The five-hectare portion of land along the Glebe and Annandale border, which stretches through the old Rozelle tram depot and Harold Park Paceway, will be reclaimed for the community as series of high-quality, connected open spaces.

“Our growing population in the inner city needs significant green open spaces. These spaces provide opportunities for exercise and activity – somewhere to walk the dogs and a haven to take some peaceful time out,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The City has developed the draft Johnstons Creek Master Plan to help guide the creation of new green open space for the community. The plan aims to add another five hectares to local green open space which already includes the Glebe Foreshore, Bicentennial Park, Jubilee Park and Federal Park.

“When finalised, the master plan will have helped guide the creation of an enormous 32-hectare connected parkland for thousands of people to enjoy every day. It will also have protected natural habitats for native species now and into the future for Annandale, Glebe and Forrest Lodge.”

The green spaces will extend along the length of The Crescent, and stretch through the old Rozelle tram depot and former Harold Park Paceway sites to Wigram Road.

Features of the draft Johnstons Creek Master Plan include:

• Removal of most of the buildings along The Crescent and relocation of car parking to the edge of the parkland to open up more areas for recreation;
• Adaptive re-use of one existing building on The Crescent for a range of flexible recreation and community uses such as childcare, community meetings and activities, and public amenities;
• New fresh water wetlands, expanded salt marsh and areas of woodlands, shrublands and grassland habitats for local wildlife;
• Improved water quality in the parklands with rain gardens and natural landscape features;
• Jubilee Oval and Federal Park playing area upgrades and a new area for junior sports in The Crescent lands area; and
• A range of paths, boardwalks and viewing platforms connecting all parts of the parklands.

Work began on the plan last year, with the City consulting extensively with the local community. The draft Johnstons Creek Master Plan will be on exhibition at the Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, 79 Johnston St, and the Glebe Neighbourhood Service Centre, 186 Glebe Point Road, from 19 April until 17 May.

Final plans will be considered by Council later in the year.

There will also be a Community Open Day on 4 May between 10am-2pm, and the Lord Mayor will attend at 11am in Bicentennial Park

Marquees will be established in Bicentennial Park near Federal Road in Glebe, and at the playground in Federal Park near Chapman Road in Annandale.

The project team will give guided tours of the parklands at 11am and 1pm. Bookings are not required but there will be a limit of 15 people on each tour.

For more information and to have your say, visit sydneyyoursay.com.au/johnstons-creek-parklands.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen on 0467 810 160 or jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Senior Communications Officer Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Free yoga and bike lessons at Eastside Ride in Centennial Park this weekend

Date published: 19 Apr 2013

All the family is invited to join a picnic with live music, green livingworkshops, gourmet food, and lots of bikes at the inaugural East Side Ride this weekend.

The free community event in Centennial Park this Sunday April 21 is being organised by community radio station EastsideFM and was made possible with a $10,000 Environmental Grant from the City of Sydney.

“This great event will provide practical and fun green living advice and live local music, while also educating people about how cycling can help tackle traffic congestion and keep you healthy,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Eastside Ride’s Tony Smythe said the City’s funding was crucial to the first ever East Side Ride.

“By bringing together people from all sides of life the East Side Ride will provide a point of connectivity in our ever-expanding city,” he said

“It’s a picnic with rich pickings – soulful Sydney music, fabulous food from Sydney’s Food Trucks, bike fashion and games, and green living workshops.

“We’re hoping most people will ride their bike to the event and make a whole day of it. It will be a great grassroots gig with something for everyone.”

East Side Ride will bring together jazz funk gurus Directions In Groove, reggae ska outfit Kingtide and soul songstress Lily Dior.

There will also be a free morning yoga session, gardening and compost stalls, seed banks, kids’ edible gardens, and green living info.

At the cycling hub visitors can Try2Wheels, including electric bikes, watch and learn about rebuilding old bikes, and see a bike-polo and bike fashion display.

When:             Sunday 21 April 2013
Time:              9am – 4pm
Where:            Loch Avenue South. Centennial Park
Cost:               Free

To find out more visit: eastsidefm.org

For details on the City’s grants program:  cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships

For more information on cycling in the City visit sydneycycleways.net

Media contact: City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Bridges, phone 0434 320 768 or email lbridges@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Budding gardeners putting their patch on the map

Date published: 17 Apr 2013

 Urban gardeners are literally putting their vegie patches and window boxes on the map.

As part of a drive to increase local food production and reduce waste, the City of Sydney and Grow It Local are calling on growers to put their vegie or herb patches on an interactive map of locally grown produce.

The Grow It Local website has 715 gardens registered nationally, including over 50 in the City of Sydney area, with a total area under cultivation of 6,890 square metres.

The campaign aims to encourage more residents and businesses to grow their own herbs and vegetables and register 500 patches on the map in the central Sydney area.

“Most food travels huge distances to reach our dinner plates. Growing your own simply makes sense and means you can enjoy healthy food and save money,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Many people only have small spaces like balconies, courtyards or even window sills to grow plants, but even these spaces can produce remarkable results.”

Started in 2012, Grow It Local brings the local food producing community together – sharing knowledge and celebrating backyard, balcony, window sill and community farmers.

“Growing your own food, no matter how big or small, is a big step toward sustainable living,” said Grow It Local founder Andrew Valder. “The serious stuff aside – it’s fun and makes you feel good.”

Redfern resident and gardener, Kevin Bathman, grows his own food in the roof garden of his apartment building.

“Having an urban garden has not only allowed me to grow my own food, but to get to know my neighbours and create a much friendlier building,” he said

The City runs regular sustainability workshops on how to grow food in small spaces, with the next one in Waterloo on Saturday 25 May 2013. See greenvillages.com.au for details.

For more information contact: City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jon Walter, phone 02 9265 9753, 0406 868 359 or email jwalter@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact: Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Contact Grow It Local: Kate Walsh, Grow It Local, 0423 138 357

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Young and old put their Sydney lives on show

Date published: 17 Apr 2013

The City of Sydney is seeking young, old, amateur and professional photographers to submit their best snaps of Sydney for this year’s Sydney Life and Little Sydney Lives competitions.

Art & About Sydney’s annual photography competitions will showcase finalist images blown up to bed-sheet size along Hyde Park’s tree-lined walkways for four weeks in September and October.

Entries are now open for both competitions, which last year attracted more than 800 entrants and an audience of tens of thousands of viewers.

“Sydney is a creative city. Each year Sydney Life and Little Sydney Lives encourage people to use that creativity and look at our city in a new light,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The City of Sydney wants to make culture and creativity accessible to everyone. Art & About Sydney helps bring art out of galleries and into some of Sydney’s most beautiful public spaces like Hyde Park, where everyone can enjoy them.

“It’s fantastic to see the imaginative ways photographers of all ages interpret and capture scenes from across Sydney.

“Last year we received incredibly diverse entries, from hula hoops under the Harbour Bridge to market gardeners in Matraville. I look forward to seeing what Sydneysiders have in store for us this time around.”

Photographers of all levels of experience are invited to explore what Sydney means to them in Sydney Life, with 22 works to be selected by a judging panel and displayed along Hyde Park North’s grand central walkway.

The winner, who receives a $10,000 prize, will be announced at Art & About Sydney’s opening night in September.

Little Sydney Lives is calling for entrants in two age categories – three to seven and eight to 11. Twenty finalist works will be chosen for display in Hyde Park’s Sandringham Gardens.

Art & About Sydney Creative Director, Gill Minervini, said the competitions were two much-loved fixtures in the festival’s annual program.

“In 2013, Art & About Sydney is continuing the tradition of putting art in unusual spaces,” Ms Minervini said.

“Hyde Park will once again act as the perfect stage for our annual exhibition of inspiring, challenging and heart-warming photos.”

In 2012, Glebe resident Sally McInerney took out the $10,000 Sydney Life prize with her humorous photograph ‘Shark in Pool’, while four-year-old Duke Ryan and eight-year-old Jonathan Jones took honours in Little Sydney Lives.

“I’ve always loved Hyde Park and its avenue of fig trees where the Sydney Life photographs are displayed,” Sally McInerney said.

“People stroll along in that open-air gallery and have no shyness about pausing to have their photo taken in front of their favourite images – they know that they’re part of Sydney life too.

“It’s great exposure for the photographers’ work, and professionally it’s most encouraging. I was exhilarated to have my image chosen for the shortlist last year, and astonished to win the prize.”

Entries for both competitions are now open. Sydney Life closes on 28 June, while Little Sydney Lives closes on 12 July. For more information, visit: artandabout.com.au

Art & About Sydney will run from 20 September to 20 October 2013.

High-resolution images of last year’s finalist works are available for media.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin.
Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Into the future for world class NYE

Date published: 16 Apr 2013

The City of Sydney is seeking creative talent to develop Sydney New Year’s Eve events for the next three year cycle – 2014-16 – to further its status as the New Year’s Eve Capital of the World.

The expression of interest period opens today for companies or individuals to provide creative services for the City’s biggest annual event, which in the past two years has included creative ambassadors Kylie Minogue and designer Marc Newson.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney NYE drew larger crowds than Paris, London and New York, and was a major tourist attraction.

“Sydney NYE is the single most important event related to economic return in Sydney, generating about $156 million for the local economy and creating enormous overseas and national media exposure,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The City of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display is also the world’s largest and most technologically advanced New Year’s Eve fireworks display and we’re looking for a creative team who can help make it even better. This is a great opportunity for creative talents to make their mark on Australia’s biggest public event.”

The creative service provider’s responsibilities include engaging an annual Creative Ambassador, creating a musical soundtrack for the two fireworks displays, all event art designs, as well as developing the annual theme, logo and Bridge Effect.

There will be no change to the fireworks: Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti will continue to provide stunning new pyrotechnics for the event after winning the tender last year to be the City’s pyrotechnics supplier.

The City of Sydney has been producing Sydney New Year’s Eve since 1998 and every three years appoints a new creative director to reinvigorate the event and ensure Sydney New Year’s Eve is watched and enjoyed the world over. In 2011, the City went to tender for an entire creative team and following a competitive tender process, Imagination Australia was appointed to provide creative for the event from 2011-13.

During its time as the NYE creative agency, Imagination Australia developed the Embrace theme with pop princess Kylie Minogue for NYE12 and the Time to Dream theme with designer Marc Newson in 2011.The Creative Ambassador for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2013 will be announced in June.

For more information, visit tenderlink.com/cityofsydney

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Business‘in the cloud’ has silver lining

Date published: 15 Apr 2013

Sydney entrepreneurs will be crossing live to Silicon Valley to hear from a leading tech expert on how to boost their business online in the second of the City of Sydney’s Let’s Talk Business seminars for 2013.

The seminar will focus on the most useful online collaboration tools and applications for small-to-medium businesses – a group that employs a significant proportion of the city’s workforce.

“Successful small-to-medium businesses are the backbone of a strong local economy and provide the jobs, services, and many of the attractions that help make Sydney Australia’s leading city,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“We’re supporting these small-to-medium businesses through our Let’s Talk Business seminars, workshops and a range of grants to help them adapt and grow in a changing economic climate.”

The Let’s Talk Business seminars provide business owners with practical knowledge and the chance to network with other owners facing similar challenges. Seminars this year focus on mobile workforce trends, brand management and online opportunities.

The live video cross to Silicon Valley, via online collaboration tool Google Hangout, will bring to Sydney the expertise of Bala Ganesh, who heads up research and analysis for software and IT company Credii.

Joining the panel alongside Bala Ganesh will be Netregistry CEO Larry Bloch, one of Australia’s most successful internet entrepreneurs. Mr Bloch says the rise of cloud-based software delivers enterprise-grade capability at a fraction of the price.

“Small businesses can now improve efficiency and gain competitive advantage without the technical overhead previously required. There are hundreds of business support tools available in the cloud for little or no cost, but knowing which ones are right, and for which business, is essential.”

The Let’s Talk Business seminar is on at Lower Town Hall on 16 April at 6pm. Tickets are $55.

There will be two more seminars in the 2013 series. On 21 May, business owners can hear from Co-founder of Recruitloop Paul Slezak and Deputy Co-founder Ashik Ahmed, on using technology for finding, engaging and managing employees.

On 25 June Jeanette Gray, regional director of Hootsuite and Fi Bendall, director of social media reputation management agency, Bendalls Group will talk about managing their brand’s online reputation from

For seminar details and speaker profiles, visit letstalkbusiness.nsw.gov.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen, on 0467 810 160, or jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin, on 0477 310 149, or jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Twenty-year-old awards show off best of Sydney’s youth

Date published: 10 Apr 2013

Talented teenagers, a committed police commander and three youth support groups have been recognised and rewarded at the City of Sydney’s annual Betty Makin Youth Awards, which salute positive youth achievements.

Glebe’s Jasmine Tilberoo and Dulwich Hill’s Sabrina Soares, both16, as well as 13-year-old Patrik Borlandelli from Earlwood, were each awarded $500 scholarships for their contribution to the community at the awards ceremony in Sydney last night.

Awards also went to Redfern Local Area Commander Luke Freudenstein and youth worker Brandon Bear, as well as support organisations Wear it Purple, AIESEC UNSW and the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Taskforce.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the awards, now in their 20th year, were a major event of the Youth Week in the City program.

“There were many impressive nominations this year, which not only celebrate excellent youth role models, but also the commitment and passion of the people who nurture and encourage them,” the Lord Mayor said.

“I congratulate everyone who was nominated or has received an award this year and thank them for helping make our city a better place.”

For the past four years, Jasmine has volunteered her time at the Glebe Youth Service, helping out on numerous projects – including Girlzone – a drop-in service and community artworks. During her spare time after school, she also worked hard on the renovation of the female bathrooms.

Jasmine said the $500 scholarship would contribute to her future schooling and ensure she doesn’t miss any classes due to financial obstacles.

Sabrina is a talented young singer-songwriter who joined in one of the City’s Almost Famous music workshops in September last year.

Since then she’s donated her time and musical skills to record an original song and film, which aims to promote tolerance and diversity. The song and film will be launched on International Day Against Homophobia, on 17 May.

Thirteen-year-old Patrik was the youngest person nominated for an award and was given a $500 scholarship, which he’ll spend on extra tutoring to assist him with school work.

Commander Freudenstein began a mentoring program for youth at risk and is at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence at 6am every morning, working out with young people.

Commander Freudenstein’s nomination form says he consistently “does all in his power to prevent young people getting locked up for minor offences and will collect them from a police station (in his personal time) and will make a contract with young people to participate in the mentoring program.”

The awards are named after Betty Makin (1926-1993), who was born in Waterloo and was one of Redfern’s great community leaders.

Ms Makin served on dozens of voluntary community support groups, helping to foster community spirit, as well as improving people’s lives and amenity in the area.

For many years she was involved with the Community Youth Support Scheme and was instrumental in setting up The Factory, a drop-in centre for young people in Waterloo.

Betty Makin Memorial Youth Scholarships ($500 each)

Jasmine Tilberoo, 16, Glebe

Jasmine is an active member of the community and a motivated young individual who is much admired and appreciated by youth workers.

She is currently working towards her Higher School Certificate and hopes to complete a Bachelor in Social Work at university, so she can one day work as a youth worker.

To help her reach this goal, Jasmine is about to embark on a student placement at the service in which she will oversee the development and implementation of various youth projects in Glebe, including Reconnect’s Quit Pot and Weave’s Streetbeat Bus programs.

Sabrina Soares, 16, Dulwich Hill

Sabrina will perform at community events during Youth Week in the City and the Living in Harmony festival.

Sabrina will use her scholarship money to contribute to the production of professional music recordings and equipment purchases.

Patrik Borlandelli, 13, Earlwood

At just 13 Patrik has been helping the City of Sydney’s Youth Services team in running events, such as the Almost Famous Open Mic Night, which he helped MC. English is Patrik’s second language, so he showed great courage in publicly speaking at this event. Patrik has also displayed mentorship and leadership qualities while participating in the Tweenies program for younger children and Darlington Public School.

Betty Makin Group Award ($500 each)

Wear it Purple

Wear it Purple is run by young people to support and empower sexually and gender diverse young people. The organisation was established in 2010 and hosts the annual Wear it Purple Day, which aims to raise awareness about the issues young people face in relation to their sexuality and gender.

Wear it Purple Day is now held in about 20 schools and has a strong education focus.

AIESEC UNSW

AIESEC is the world’s largest youth development organisation and the UNSW group is wholly run by young people based at the university. The group encourages young people to gain life experiences through student exchange programs and by getting out of their comfort zone to try new challenges. In the past six months, students under their programs have learnt about agriculture, taught farming skills to minimum-security prisoners in the Philippines and raised awareness among Polish schools students about cultural diversity.

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Taskforce

A dedicated bunch of volunteers design, organise and facilitate the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Taskforce, which aims to encourage young people to make a positive contribution to their community.

The apolitical program aims to fill a gap in the NSW school curriculum by providing education about civics and community.

Participants are provided with a positive environment to develop community leadership and advocacy skills, to help raise and improve the profile of young people in the community.

Betty Makin NSW Police Force Award

Commander Luke Freudenstein, Redfern Local Area Command

Commander Freudenstein organises sponsorship for local sporting events and encourages his officers to take part in ‘cops v kids’ games.

He also assists “way and beyond his role and responsibilities. He is very approachable, understanding, compassionate, professional, culturally aware, helpful and accessible.”

Betty Makin Youth Worker Award

Brandon Bear

At just 25, Brandon Bear has had a positive and lasting impact on dozens of young people’s lives through his advocacy work for youth health, diversity, equality and opportunity.

He has over 10-years-experience working in youth health, particularly with early intervention, peer education and harm minimisation.

Seven months ago, Brandon joined the team at Batyr, a registered charity group that seeks to engage, educate and empower young people to make a positive chance to the mental health of young Australians by speaking out about social and mental health issues.

Brandon was nominated by Batyr chief executive Sebastian Robertson, who wrote: “There is no doubt in my mind that Brandon is, and will continue to be, a role model for young people in our community.

“His integrity and commitment has ensured that his values are never compromised speaking up for his beliefs and supporting those in need.”

For more information, visit youthweekinthecity.com

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Surf and street safety lessons for overseas students

Date published: 10 Apr 2013

A free workshop for international students will teach young visitors to Sydney to be streetwise and safe, as well as other useful advice on how to navigate their way through their temporary new home.

International Students Workshop: Useful Information, Support and Safety Advice, will be hosted by the City of Sydney at Customs House on Wednesday 24 April, from 5.30pm-8pm.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who delivered an official welcome to international students earlier this month, encouraged young visitors to Sydney to attend the free, interactive workshop.

“More than 35,000 international students come to live and study in Sydney each year and they make a valuable contribution to our community,” the Lord Mayor said.

“It’s important they learn about Sydney life and culture, and are aware of how to stay safe, both on the street and in the surf.

“This workshop will also provide them with information about volunteering and library membership, as well as useful advice from a range of other organisations.”

Students can meet and ask questions of representatives from the NSW Police Force. Surf Education Australia will deliver a lecture on how to stay safe at the beach, and there will also be a self-defence demonstration by Kevin Marshall, of Fight Like a Girl.

The Centre for Volunteering will show students how they can make a bigger contribution to their new community, while the Redfern Legal Centre’s International Student Advice Service will provide great tips on share-housing.

City of Sydney staff will also be on hand to provide tips on pedestrian safety, basic road rules and information about our multicultural library service.

International Students Workshop: Useful Information, Support and Safety Advice

Wednesday 24 April, 5.30pm-8pm

Barnet Long Room, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay

To register, phone 02 9265 9333.

The City has just published its annual International Student Guide, a 115-page booklet written by students and packed full of useful tips on getting around Sydney.

The free booklet also contains advice on food, shops, travel, art, sport and events, and is available for free at universities and the City’s community centres and libraries.

The City is also seeking applicants for our inaugural International Student and Ambassador Program 2013, which will provide free training to students interested in developing their career and leadership skills.

Ideal applicants will have good networking and communication skills and be passionate about getting involved in their local community. Applications close at 5pm, Sunday 28 April.

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/youthservices or email isla@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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“Street ware” to add touch of urban cool

Date published: 09 Apr 2013

An elegant new suite of outdoor furniture will soon bring local Australian design to the city streets.

Adding ‘urban cool’ to a practical form, the custom designed seats, benches, bubblers, bins, light poles, tree guards and bollards will begin appearing across the city and its surrounding villages later in the year.

“Our city is defined by its quality outdoor, open spaces and we are complementing this with designer functional outdoor furniture,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“A smart approach to our outdoor urban space will encourage locals, workers, and visitors to take to the streets and better enjoy Sydney’s mild climate, enviable light and fantastic open spaces.

“When the City took over areas of Leichhardt and South Sydney Councils, we inherited an inconsistent approach to the street seats, benches and bollards. These attractive new designs will create a unified look and feel for Sydney’s streets and outdoor areas.”

The comfortable customised suite of public domain furniture was designed by award-winning Chippendale architects, Tzannes Associates, and will be manufactured in Sydney.

It features seamless modern forms, with simple curves to reflect light forms, and durable, environmentally-friendly materials. Its palette of bronze, silver and timber will complement the natural elements of the city landscape.

Materials include tough-wearing and 100 per cent recycled stainless steel, energy-saving LED lighting, and Blackbutt timber approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.

All the custom designs comply with Australian standards for accessibility.

Prototypes will be built in the next few months, with the new look public furniture first appearing on George Street and at new developments like Green Square and Barangaroo.

As benches and other outdoor items need replacing throughout the city area, the new designs will replace the old for a consistent palette across the city.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen on 0438 669 650 or email jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Kids have designs on winning playgrounds

Date published: 09 Apr 2013

Kids are calling the shots on the planning and design of the City of Sydney’s pocket parks and playgrounds.

The latest “advice and direction” from young Sydneysiders was used in the upgrade of a small park in Chelsea Street, Redfern, and Lord Mayor Clover Moore will meet with 35 boys and girls from Bourke Street Primary School to hear their judgement of the project.

“We always consult with the community before upgrading our parks, and we are increasingly seeking the children’s ideas about their designs,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Engaging school children in our decision-making not only gives us great parks and playgrounds, it is an investment in the growth of the active citizens of the future.”

Across the city centre and surrounding village areas, there are more than 400 parks, meaning no visitor, local, worker, or child, is ever far from a green space.

About 276 of them are small parks and playgrounds, and combined they fill an area larger than 32 football fields.

Chelsea Street will be the 43rd pocket park to receive an upgrade in the last eight years.

Local parks slated for improvements in 2013 include Janet Bierne Reserve (Beaconsfield), St James Park (Glebe), and Reconciliation Park (Redfern).

The Lord Mayor said the city’s small parks and playgrounds were urban oases for tens of thousands of residents, visitors, children, parents and workers.

“Sydney is the most densely-populated city in Australia, and providing great places for local activity and interaction is high on our priority list,” the Lord Mayor said.

Some of the City of Sydney’s most interesting small parks are:

• Pottinger Park, Millers Point, has the sandstone ruins of the home where horse and cart driver Arthur Payne lived in the 1900s – the first Sydneysider to be diagnosed with the bubonic plague.
• Barcom Avenue Park in Surry Hills is where former convict Thomas West built a water mill using the streams that ran down into Rushcutters Bay. Rainwater is now harvested underground from the adjacent St Vincent Hospital to water the park.
• Lilian Fowler Reserve in Newtown is a partnership between the City and Newtown Public school creating new play spaces for students, raingardens, herb gardens, recycled pavers and bike racks.
• Ethel Turner Reserve in Paddington includes play elements and structures among existing sandstone outcrops.
• Pinkstone Playground, Erskineville, is a tiny corner park sheltered by old gum trees and with a woven cubby house and a tangled nest holding gigantic ‘eggs’.
• Kirsova Playground 1, Erskineville, was donated to the children of Sydney by prima ballerina Helene Kirsova (1910-62). It has vibrant red seating, climbing nets, recycled railway track and lots of shade.
• Arthur (Paddy) Gray Reserve in Glebe is urban oasis for wildlife, like the blue wrens which have returned thanks to the park’s native shrubs and plants.
• Peace Park, Chippendale: a sustainable park with underground rainwater tanks, communal verge gardens and fruits trees around the perimeter.

To see a map of our small parks visit the City’s website.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen, phone 0467 810 160 or email jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin, phone 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Calling artists for Indigenous war memorial

Date published: 09 Apr 2013

A monument to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women will be prominently placed in Sydney’s Hyde Park South as the first state war memorial for Indigenous soldiers in NSW.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long served in Australia’s military forces, starting before the Boer War right up to the present day, and the artwork will be in place by Anzac Day 2015, to mark the centenary of Australia’s involvement in World War I.

As part of the City of Sydney’s Eora Journey public art program, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are invited to submit proposals for this major public artwork.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new memorial would honour the Aboriginal peoples who have served their country, many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It’s important to acknowledge that even before Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were counted in the census and recognised as citizens, they were putting their lives at risk to defend this country,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This very public memorial in Hyde Park South will be seen by visitors from across Australia and around the world. It will be a lasting reminder of the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make – and continue to make – to Australia’s protection.”

It may never be known how many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women served in the Australian Defence Force and auxiliary forces, as ethnicity wasn’t documented when people enlisted.

Chair of the NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Rtd) said: “I commend the City on this important project that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women in such a significant way.

“The monument will be an important addition to the ANZAC Memorial precinct in Hyde Park South. It will also be a reminder of the valuable contribution Indigenous peoples made during the Great War and to the Australian Defence Forces,” General Cosgrove said.

The Coloured Diggers group was a driving force behind developing a sculpture to honour, recognise and respect Indigenous soldiers and their families. The group held its first march for Anzac Day in 2007, leading several hundred people along Redfern Street in Redfern.

Coloured Digger co-founder Pastor Ray Minniecon said while Australia was yet to have a national memorial in Canberra, it would be good to see a significant monument in the heart of the nation’s global city.

“I’m really excited that we’re going to have our artists start this huge challenge of coming up with something that’s really appropriate,” Pastor Minniecon said.

“We need to make sure we honour the memory of these very brave men and women and do justice to the incredible sacrifice they made.

“We must also remember what happened to them when they came back and that it’s not glossed over: they struggled overseas fighting bullets, then came back to Australia and had to fight racism.

“That’s why it’s important to have a monument like this, because it will prompt people to ask questions, do the research and hopefully better understand the Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples’ journey.”

Gary Oakley, national president of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association of Australia said: “The NSW state memorial to be built in Hyde Park goes a long way towards recognising the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the defence of Australia, both in uniform and in an auxiliary capacity.

“The sacrifice of Indigenous Australians has long been underestimated and this memorial will recognise their proud service both to the people of NSW and to the nation,” Mr Oakley said.

The City is seeking submissions that consider the significance of Hyde Park South to the Aboriginal community and its use as a ‘ritual contest ground’.

Artists must also strictly observe cultural protocols throughout the concept proposal process. Artists are encouraged to consult with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Elders and other relevant authorities.

The budget for the artwork is $500,000 and will include total costs for construction and installation, as well as artists’ and consultants’ fees. For full submission details, contact City Tendering Officer Anthony Manuatu by phone 02 9246 7623 or email amanuatu@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au The deadline for artists’ proposals is 11am, Monday 3 June, 2013.

The Eora Journey celebrates the living culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Sydney and comprises a range of key projects, including public art, an Aboriginal cultural centre, a major annual event and an economic plan.

The first Eora Journey public art project, Welcome to Redfern, by internationally celebrated artist Reko Rennie and a group of local young Aboriginal artists, was launched last month.

For more information, visit eorajourney.com.au

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Fast facts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service in the Australian Defence Force

Date published: 09 Apr 2013

• Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have served Australia in the military from before the Boer War to the present, but it may never be known how many officially served as ethnicity was never required to be documented.
• When documenting Indigenous service, researchers tend to look only at those who served in wartime conflicts and miss those who served between the wars, in non-warlike operations, and who served in an auxiliary roll – missing many hundreds of men and women.
• Indigenous Australians have had a long commitment with the defence of the nation. At least two Aboriginal men served in state units prior to Federation: Jerome Locke who served in the NSW Infantry and Thomas Bungalene who served in the colonial navy of Victoria.
• It’s believed about a dozen Aboriginals served during the Boer War in South Africa. Four Queensland Native Mounted Police black trackers were sent by the Commissioner of Queensland Police to South Africa to work with the Bloemfontein police.
• Although the Defence Act of 1903 restricted Indigenous Australians from serving in the Defence Force, they did enlist at the outbreak of World War I.
• Some were rejected on the grounds of race but it didn’t deter others who did manage to enlist, even travelling to other states to do this after being denied the chance at recruiting centres closer to their communities.
• By October 1917, when recruits were harder to find and one conscription referendum had been lost, restrictions were eased.
• The AIF treated Aboriginal soldiers as equals and paid them the same as white soldiers. They were generally accepted while serving alongside their white mates without prejudice while in uniform. But upon returning to civilian life, they were treated with the same prejudice and discrimination as before.
• Aboriginals were also employed by the Royal Australian Navy between the wars, for their knowledge of northern Australia’s coastal areas. At least six men from Melville Island were on board HMAS Geranium while the ship was conducting hydro-graphic surveys in1922-23.
• At the start of World War II, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were allowed to enlist and many men and women did so.
• In 1940, the Defence Committee decided the enlistment of Indigenous Australians was “neither necessary, nor desirable”, but when Japan entered the war, the increased need for manpower forced the loosening of restrictions.
• A group of about 50 Aboriginals were recruited in 1942 for scouting and reconnaissance in Arnhem Land and were known as the Northern Territory Coastal Reconnaissance Unit, RAE. This tradition is carried on today by Indigenous peoples who make up the bulk of the Regional Force Surveillance Units in NORFORCE, the Pilbara Regiment and the 51st Far North Queensland Regiment.
• Hundreds of Aborigines served in the 2nd AIF and the militia. Many were killed fighting and about a dozen died as prisoners of war.
• In 1941, the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion was formed to defend the Torres Strait with other islander units created for water transport and coastal artillery. By 1944 almost every able-bodied Torres Strait Islander man had enlisted, though they never received the same rates of pay or conditions as white soldiers.
• By proportion to population, no community in Australia contributed more to the war than the Islanders of the Torres Strait.
• At the outbreak of war, Aboriginal people were recruited or conscripted into labour corps in Northern Australia. They worked on construction sites, army butcheries and army farms. They drove trucks, handled cargo, worked as aids in hospitals and provided general labour around camps.
• For the first time Aboriginal people were given adequate housing and sanitation, fixed working hours, proper rations and access to medical treatment in army hospitals. The army was seen as a benevolent employer, compared to pre-war pastoralists, and this employment in the service of the Defence Force later helped to change attitudes to Aborigines as employees. Aboriginal contribution was vital to the war effort.
• Aboriginal women were recruited from communities to work at naval hospitals as orderlies, personal servants to matrons, for washing, ironing, household and domestic duties.
• The first Japanese prisoner of war captured by Australia, and on Australian soil in World War II (Sergeant Hajime Toyoshima a Zero pilot), was by two Aboriginal men, Opiatalawae (Mathias) and Tiponikrae (Barney) on Melville Island.
• After World War II the army reimposed its restrictions on enlistment, but with a change in attitude. Restrictions based on race ended in 1949 and since then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have served in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan – and nearly every other conflict and peace-keeping operation that Australia has sent personnel to.
• The Australian Defence Force recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are a valued part of the Defence Force of Australia and recruit Indigenous Australians for their uniformed and civilian sections. The ADF was the first equal opportunity employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Information supplied by Gary Oakley, Indigenous Liaison Officer, Australian War Memorial.

For more information visit: eorajourney.com.au

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Truckload of bottles tipped for container deposits

Date published: 09 Apr 2013

A truck offloaded about 15,000 bottles and cans onto Martin Place this morning in a dramatic demonstration of the need for refunds on beverage containers.

That’s how many drink containers Australians throw away each minute – with 15 billion drink bottles and cans consumed a year, and only 40 per cent recycled.

The event was organised by the Boomerang Alliance of environment groups, with support from the City of Sydney, the Local Government Association and Clean Up Australia, as part of a growing push for a national container deposit scheme.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who attended the event, said governments need to act now to make a reduce waste and protect wildlife and the environment from plastic pollution.

“South Australia’s scheme has achieved recycling rates of up to 90 per cent, way ahead of NSW,” the Lord Mayor said.

“People know container deposit schemes work – it’s time our state and federal governments took action.”

State and federal governments meeting at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) are considering options for a national container deposit scheme and will release a shortlist later this year.

The City made a submission to COAG last year calling for a national beverage container deposit scheme.

In NSW, only about 42 per cent of bottles and cans are recycled, half the rate in South Australia. Broken glass bottles cause 40,000 injuries in Australia annually, with 5,000 needing medical treatment.

A container deposit scheme could save NSW councils between $23 million and $62 million in recycling costs, according to a study last year by the NSW Local Government and Shires Association (now Local Government NSW).

The Boomerang Alliance includes 26 state and national environment groups and promotes a zero waste society. The alliance is proposing community events in Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra to raise public awareness of the need for container deposit legislation.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jon Walter, phone 02 9265 9753 or email jwalter@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin 0477 310 1490 or jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: City Talk puts a spotlight on culture in Sydney

Date published: 08 Apr 2013

WHAT:

Sydney’s creative and cultural life will be put under the microscope by local and international experts at this week’s City Talk.

Carol Coletta, president of ArtPlace America, will share her insights from decades spent transforming communities across the United States through arts, culture and creativity, and suggest how Sydney can learn from her experiences.

Ms Coletta will be joined by a panel of leading Australian creative thinkers:

• Marcus Westbury from not-for-profit creative spaces organisation Renew Australia;
• Nicole Durling from the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart;
• Katherine Hough from pioneering cultural agency Arts Tasmania;
• Louise O’Donnell from major digital media agency Seed Production; and
• Charles Firth from Manic Studios, hit ABC TV series The Roast, and The Chaser.

The City Talk will be hosted by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, with a special welcome from renowned Australian actor Richard Roxburgh.

WHEN:           Wednesday, 10 April 2013

TIME:              6.30pm – 8pm

WHERE:         State Theatre – 49 Market Street, Sydney

TICKETS:      Free but strictly limited – booking is essential on 136 100 or via ticketmaster.com.au

Carol Coletta and other panellists are available for media opportunities ahead of the City Talk.

CONTACT:    City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin. Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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City puts homegrown support up on the catwalk

Date published: 05 Apr 2013

The 18^th annual Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia will remain an unrivalled platform for showcasing Australian design talent with the help of a three-year City of Sydney sponsorship.

This year Fashion Week has a new home at the artistic hub of Carriageworks in Eveleigh, confirming the inner-city’s growing influence in the fashion world

“Half of the 60 Australian designers in this year’s event are Sydney-based,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said

“Sponsoring Fashion Week means the City of Sydney is able to support established and emerging Sydney-based designers, and the Australian design industry as a whole.

“On top of our partnership with Fashion Week, we also work with the Sydney Fashion Festival and Vogue’s Fashion Night Out to support designers and fashion retailers throughout the year.”

Around 30,000 national and international fashion experts, reviewers and buyers will attend Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia from 8-12 April to preview the designers’ 2013-14 spring/summer collections.

While the wheeling and dealing of the industry elite is done inside the heritage-listed 19th century former railworks the City is making sure locals, workers and visitors to the city can also get a glimpse of the action.

The best of Australia’s fashion industry will be on show at a pop-up bistro and bar featuring live streaming of all the daily catwalk action.

The City will play host to the pop-up bistro and bar by Double Bay eatery Pelicano and JASU.com at Martin Place, between Castlereagh and Pitt Street. It will be open each day from midday until 10 pm.

“Sydney is a fashion capital – whether you’re interested in young and emerging designers working in studios in Surry Hills and Redfern; the best of boutique shopping in Paddington; or international designer flagships stores like Prada, Dior, Burberry and Chanel,” said the Lord Mayor.

Director of global production at IMG Fashion Events and Properties, Jarrad Clark, said it was great to be working with the City over the next three years to take the work and creativity of Australia’s wonderful designers to the world.

“With the City of Sydney on board as a partner IMG Fashion is able to share the excitement of the event not only with our global audience digitally, but with the people of Sydny via the #MBFWA LIVE location at Martin Place,” global director of production at IMG Fashion Events and Properties Jarrad Clark said.

“It’s the perfect spot for fashion lovers to take in all the action from the runway.”

Photo by Getty Images

For more information, visit sydneyisfashion.com.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Jo Wathen, on 0438 669 650, or jwathen@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin, 0477 310 149 or jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Youth Week in the City launches today

Date published: 05 Apr 2013

Youth Week in the City kicks off today with the launch of a special booklet featuring stories by young people about the meanings of their names, published by the City of Sydney.

The What’sin Your Name? project invited 12 to 24-year-old residents to share the reasons why they were given their name, and how it reflected their identity, religion, culture, family or heritage. Copies of the book will be made available to local schools.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was a moving portrait of Sydney’s many cultures and nationalities.

“The project shows the richness of our young peoples’ experiences and reflects their diverse backgrounds and family histories,” the Lord Mayor said.

“It also provides a great insight into how name-giving practices vary from culture to culture.”

The project was a joint initiative between the City, Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW and Pride in Colour, and aimed to encourage greater communication between different generations within families.

Young people were encouraged to ask their parents, carers, or older family members about where their names originated. We particularly encouraged young people from diverse backgrounds to share their stories.

The City received more than 120 submissions and selected 45 to be published.

Some stories are full of joy and a sense of adventure, while others highlight the many challenges faced by young people, such as bullying, racism, homophobia, peer pressure and even war.

Isabella Pak, 14, is lucky enough to have two cultures within her name: an English first name and surname, as well as a Chinese middle name, Jun Ning.

“Names mean quite a lot in Chinese culture. More than English names, Chinese names must have a meaning,” Isabella writes.

“I was a 1998 baby: Year of the Tiger. Hence the second character in my Chinese name: ‘jun’ means ‘lord’ or ‘leader’ . . . my name concludes with the character ‘ning’, meaning peace.”

Thirteen-year-old Mirima Goldman was named after the Aboriginal land around Kununurra, Western Australia, and said she was always happy to return to the area.

“I am a bit of a celebrity there: who would ever name their white child after Aboriginal land?,” Mirima writes.

“Mirima means ‘spring’, a natural waterhole, in the Miriwoong language. Whenever I am up north around Mirima land, my favourite thing to do is go to a natural spring and swim in the fresh water.

“I was christened with two other Aboriginal children in Mirima Reserve. My parents say I was unofficially ‘sung’ by these old ladies. I wonder if that is the reason that whenever I return to the country, I feel right at home.”

The project was developed following the ‘Growing the Family Tree’ forum, at NSW Parliament House in May last year, which generated awareness of the issues important to multicultural communities and families.

The project was also inspired by three students from Moriah College in Sydney who presented a similar idea, ‘What’s in a Name?’ at the NSW launch of the Federal Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism last year.

To download the book, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-support/multicultural-communities

For more information and a full program of events, visit livinginharmonyfestival.com.au or youthweekinthecity.com.au

Highlights of Youth Week in the City, from 5-14 April, include:

Tuesday 9 April 2013

6pm-9pm

Betty Makin Youth Awards

University of Sydney, The Refectory, Holme Building, Science Road, Camperdown

These annual awards recognise and reward the achievements of young people aged 12 to 24 and includes four categories: Contribution to the community; Environmental sustainability initiative; Creativity, arts and culture; and Young entrepreneur. All nominees will be presented with an award and two $500 scholarships will be awarded to individuals or groups to help them achieve their goals. There is also two awards for a local youth worker and police officer. The awards are named after the late Betty Makin, a dedicated community leader and activist based in Redfern.

Free. Bookings essential by 29 March 2013 on 02 8512 8771 or email lventura@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Saturday 6 April 2013

6pm-10pm

‘Centre Stage’ under-18s dance party

The Lair, Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, Sydney

Don’t miss this exclusively under-18s block party, which will kick start the City of Sydney’s Youth Week in the City celebrations 2013.

Held in the intimate, underground dance venue, The Lair, ‘Centre Stage’ will host a variety of live acts, including X-Factor Australia stars, Young Men’s Society, R&B soul crooner Mike Champion, urban dance champions Royalty Dance Crew and grime-pop specialist DJ Morphingaz. Also be inspired by performances from local emerging acts MC Dazzle, Ozone and MajikHoney. This is a drug- and alcohol-free event. No pass outs. Full security.

Pre-sale tickets $10, for more information, visit youthweekinthecity.com

5-24 April 2013

smart ARTS 2013 mini-fest

Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, 64 Pine Street, Chippendale

smart ARTS 2013 mini-fest is here!  Held over Youth Week in the City, smart ARTS showcases the creative talents and initiatives of young people aged 15-26.

The mini-festival features a launch party, art exhibition and free workshops.
Free. For more information visit, pinestreet.com.au/smartarts or facebook.com/smartartsfestival

Living in Harmony highlights include:

Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April

11am-7pm

Holi Mahotsav

Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour

This three-day festival of performances brings together a diverse section of the Sydney community to celebrate harmony, friendship and colour.

Free. Bookings not required.

Popcorn Youth Film Feast

Enjoy films made or inspired by young people, documentaries with sustainability themes and fun activities accompanied by free popcorn.

Monday 15 April

9am-9pm

Redfern Community Centre

29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern

This all-day youth-focused film festival will feature screenings of local and international short films, documentaries and features.

Free. Bookings essential on 02 9288 5715 or kkarasulas@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For media enquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Exhibition showcases city’s vibrant future

Date published: 04 Apr 2013

Sydneysiders have a chance to see how a car-choked George Street will be transformed into a vibrant pedestrian boulevard in an exhibition of designs for the city’s major thoroughfare.

The exhibition, Next stop: 21st century George Street, is arranged like a movie set to show Sydneysiders the detailed plans to remake Sydney’s main street and to seek their feedback on key design issues before they are finalised.

The City is contributing $220 million to the NSW Government’s light rail project to make George Street one of the world’s great plazas, with 25,000 square metres of roadway turned into a huge, tree-lined pedestrian boulevard.

“Light rail gives us a chance to revitalise the entire city centre, not just transforming George Street but also the laneways that run off it, making the city an exciting place to explore,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“At the moment, George Street is choked by day and drab at night. This exhibition shows we can make it a wonderful wide boulevard where people will want to walk, shop, dine and meet up with friends.”

“To get it right demands good design. That’s why we are asking people who live, work and visit the city to come to the exhibition, to see the designs and tell us how we can make them the best they can be.”

The City and the NSW Government are working together on the project. By August, they will have finalised a development agreement defining how much of George Street will be reserved for pedestrians only.

The City and the State have approved a Memorandum of Understanding that includes the City’s interest in expanding the pedestrian area from Liverpool to Bridge Streets along George Street and we remain optimistic that both pedestrian and traffic benefits would be enhanced by slightly extending the pedestrian area to the north and south.

The architect of converting George Street into a 21^st century boulevard, leading Danish urban designer Jan Gehl, first called for removing cars from George Street seven years ago. He said the pedestrianised area should be made as big as possible because international experience showed that’s what people want.

“We’ll see a whole promenade culture in Sydney, which we already have in a number of cities around the world – most notably and remarkably in New York. There, they have closed greater parts of Broadway and turned a major traffic street into a major people street where thousands of people now sit, relax and dine, rather than shuffling around,” he said.

“People will start to ask for more quality in more places, and we’ll see this new way of treating the city centre expanded to other parts of this major street,” he said.

Tourism and retail groups are delighted by the designs to return George Street to people.

Chairman of the Tourism and Transport Forum, Bruce Baird, said the changes will, “transform George Street from a fume-filled, congested and noisy road into a pedestrian-friendly retail boulevard befitting Sydney’s status as a global city.”

Chief executive of the Australian National Retailers Association, Margy Osmond, said her members were “very excited about the prospect of a much more glamorous George Street which will be a magnet for local shoppers and our visiting tourists.”

And Committee for Sydney chief executive, Dr Tim Williams, said removing cars, “will be the revival of a delightful city. At the moment, we are killing the virtues of George Street – these changes will liberate them.”

Visitors to the free exhibition will be able to give their views on the plans. Feedback includes how much of George Street should be closed to cars, whether the light rail should operate with no overhead wires in pedestrian areas, and whether it can operate safely without pedestrian barricades as do trams in Melbourne.

The upgrade of George Street will see over 200 new trees planted, a five-fold increase in the tree canopy. Plans for avenues of deciduous Zelkova trees will help make the street more appealing, giving shade in summer and allowing in the sun in winter.

Lighting designed to make the street visible for motorists will be replaced with a variety of lights to create a more dramatic and appealing night-time ambience for George Street. New street furniture and public art installations will add to the area’s appeal.

Where: Customs House, Alfred Street, Circular Quay

When: April 4 – May 3

Opening hours:  Monday to Friday, 8am – midnight; Saturday, 10am – midnight; Sunday, 11am – 5pm; public holidays, 11am – 5pm.

For more information and to provide feedback, visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au

For media enquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Media Specialist Matthew Moore on 0431 050 963 or email mmoore@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Media opp today: Youth Week in the City

Date published: 04 Apr 2013

WHAT: Launch of the What’s In Your Name? booklet, which features stories by 12-24-year-olds writing about the reasons behind their names. The book’s launch coincides with the start of Youth Week in the City, from 5-14 April, 2013.

WHEN: 4.30pm, Thursday 4 April 2013.

WHERE: Town Hall Library Link, Town Hall House, enter via 456 Kent Street, City.

WHO: Isabella Pak, 14, whose story features in the What’s In Your Name book, Youth Week in the City coordinator Jenna Bloom. Both will be available for photograph and interview.

BACKGROUND: The What’s in Your Name? project invited 12 to 24-year-old residents to share the reasons why they were given their name, and how it reflected their identity, religion, culture, family or heritage. Copies of the book will be made available to local schools. Young people were encouraged to ask their parents, carers, or older family members about where their names originated. We particularly encouraged young people from diverse backgrounds to share their stories. The City received more than 120 submissions and selected 45 to be published.

Highlights of Youth Week in the City, from 5-14 April, include:

Tuesday 9 April 2013

6pm-9pm

Betty Makin Youth Awards

University of Sydney, The Refectory, Holme Building, Science Road, Camperdown

These annual awards recognise and reward the achievements of young people aged 12 to 24.

Saturday 6 April 2013

6pm-10pm

‘Centre Stage’ under-18s dance party

The Lair, Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, Sydney

Don’t miss this exclusively under-18s block party, which will kick start the City of Sydney’s Youth Week in the City celebrations 2013.

For more information visit youthweekinthecity.com.au

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Media opp today: 21st century George Street at Circular Quay

Date published: 04 Apr 2013

Next step: 21st century George Street

WHAT:           Opening of exhibition of designs that will transform George Street into Sydney’s premier boulevard.

WHEN:           12.30pm Thursday 4 April, 2013

WHERE:         Customs House, 31 Alfred Street Circular Quay

WHO:             Lord Mayor Clover Moore, tourism and retail representatives

Up to date video footage and high resolution images will be available.

For more information visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Media Specialist Matthew Moore 0431 050 963 or email mmoore@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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DIARY NOTE– 21st century George Street exhibition

Date published: 02 Apr 2013

WHAT:           Opening of exhibition of designs that will transform George Street into Sydney’s premier boulevard.

WHEN:           12.30pm Thursday 4 April, 2013 

WHERE:         Customs House, 31 Alfred Street Circular Quay 

WHO:             Lord Mayor Clover Moore, tourism and retail representatives

Fresh video footage and new high resolution images will be available.

For more information visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au

For media enquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Media Specialist Matthew Moore 0431 050 963 or email mmoore@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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smart ARTS for smart young creatives

Date published: 02 Apr 2013

Filthy Children, Umbrella Theatre and Punk Monk Propaganda will headline the launch party of the 2013 smart ARTS mini fest, which kicks-off on Friday 5 April in Chippendale.

The 12th annual festival is timed to coincide with Youth Week in the City and aims to encourage young people to explore their creative sides in a series of free art workshops, an exhibition and launch party.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the program included free lessons in fashion illustration, stencil art, fabric printing and solar-plate printmaking for 15-26-year-olds.

“Our smart ARTS festival is a chance to experiment with different creative projects in a friendly and encouraging environment,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Sometimes young people can’t afford to try out a new artistic methods or pursuits so, this is an opportunity to discover a new talent or just enjoy being creative.”

The smart ARTS mini fest runs from 5-24 April with workshops and an exhibition at the Pine Street Creative Arts Centre studio spaces in Darlington and Chippendale.

The launch party on Friday 5 April, from 6.30pm-9.30pm, will feature musical performances by Filthy Children – an eclectic bunch of school and university friends with an interest in computer music.

Each member of the inner-west Sydney collective performs as a solo artist encompassing a range of musical styles including hip-hop, beat-work, ambient and experimental. Filthy Children have released two compilations of their work, and performed as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival and Sydney Biennale.

Also on show is the Umbrella Theatre’s pop-up puppet theatre and Punk Monk Propaganda’s “liquid light” projections.

From 5-24 April, the Pine Street Creative Arts Centre will also be showing the HERE & NOW exhibition of works by 15-26-year-olds who meet weekly at the centre to refine their arts. The artworks explore the theme, ‘here and now’ and explore issues such as climate change, gender equality, sexuality and technology.

smart ARTS mini-fest launch party

Friday 5 April, 6.30pm-9.30pm

Pine Street Creative Arts Centre

64 Pine Street, Chippendale

Free; no bookings necessary.

smart ARTS free arts workshops (bookings required for all workshop; hurry, limited places):

Paper Cut Animation

Monday 8 April, 6pm-9pm

Darlington Digital Studio, 132 Shepherd Street, Darlington

Tutor Craig Bunker will teach you how to bring stories to life using simple paper cut animation techniques. The workshop includes an introduction to story-boards, editing and digital production techniques and ends with your very own animated short film.

Introduction to Fashion Drawing

Tuesday 9 April, 6pm-9pm

Darlington Studio, 132 Shepherd Street, Darlington
Peter Dwyer hosts this fantastic course in fashion drawing and design for young fashionistas. Students will learn about human anatomy, proportion and how to draw the female figure.

Introduction to Stencil Art
Wednesday 10 April, 6pm-9pm

Darlington Studio, 132 Shepherd Street, Darlington
Chris Tamm teaches this awesome introduction to stencils and street art. Participants will make several basic stencils and print them onto T-shirts or quality art paper.

Retro Print Bonanza

Thursday 11 April, 6pm-9pm

Darlington Studio, 132 Shepherd Street, Darlington

Tamara Killick will show students how to print a calico tote bag or wall-hanging using retro techniques such as fabric appliqué, stencil  and hand stamping.
Introduction to Solar Plate Printmaking

Saturday 13 April, 1pm-4pm

Pine Street Studio, 64 Pine Street, Chippendale

Join tutor Rebecca Baird to learn the amazing solar plate – or photopolymer – printmaking technique, in which you can use your own drawings, doodles and photos to make multiple art prints, gift cards and keep sakes. Please bring some photos and drawings from home to work with.

For more information and bookings, visit pinestreet.com.au/smartarts or facebook.com/smartartsfestival

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Bike lessons on menu for community picnic

Date published: 02 Apr 2013

All the family is invited to join a picnic with live music, green livingworkshops, gourmet food, and lots of bikes at the inaugural East Side Ride.

The free community event in Centennial Park on Sunday April 21 is being organised by community radio station EastsideFM and was made possible with a $10,000 Environmental Grant from the City of Sydney.

“This great event will provide practical and fun green living advice and live local music, while also educating people about how cycling can help tackle traffic congestion and keep you healthy,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Eastside Ride’s Tony Smythe said the City’s funding was crucial to the first ever East Side Ride.

“By bringing together people from all sides of life the East Side Ride will provide a point of connectivity in our ever-expanding city,” he said

“It’s a picnic with rich pickings – soulful Sydney music, fabulous food from Sydney’s Food Trucks, bike fashion and games, and green living workshops.

“We’re hoping most people will ride their bike to the event and make a whole day of it. It will be a great grassroots gig with something for everyone.”

East Side Ride will bring together jazz funk gurus Directions In Groove, reggae ska outfit Kingtide and soul songstress Lily Dior.

There will also be gardening and compost stalls, seed banks, kids’ edible gardens, and more green living initiatives.

At the cycling hub visitors can Try2Wheels, including electric bikes, watch and learn about rebuilding old bikes, and see a bike-polo and bike fashion display.

When:             Sunday 21 April 2013
Time:              9am – 4pm
Where:            Loch Avenue South. Centennial Park
Cost:               Free

To find out more about the City’s grants program visit:  cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships

For more information on cycling in the City visit sydneycycleways.net

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Bridges, phone 0434 320 768 or email lbridges@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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City Talk tackles Sydney’s big cultural questions

Date published: 28 Mar 2013

Sydney’s creative and cultural life will be put under the microscope by local and international experts at next month’s City Talk, presented by the City of Sydney.

Carol Coletta, president of ArtPlace America, will share the insights she’s gained from decades spent transforming communities across the United States through arts, culture and creativity – and suggest how Sydney could learn from her experiences.

Ms Coletta will be joined by a panel of leading Australian creative thinkers, including Marcus Westbury from not-for-profit creative spaces organisation Renew Australia, Nicole Durling from the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, and Charles Firth from hit ABC TV series The Roast.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the debate was part of a broader callout for ideas from Sydney’s residents, workers and visitors.

“From museums, galleries, festivals and concert halls to street art, shops and hole-in-the-wall venues, some of the best things about our city are bound up in its cultural life,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We’re looking for ideas on how to boost Sydney’s creative arts, and how to encourage more people to go to shows, invest in local artworks, and take part in the arts themselves. We also want to make make sure creative people can afford to live and work here.

“I’m delighted to welcome Carol Coletta and our expert panel for next month’s City Talk, and look forward to drawing on their knowledge and expertise to inspire an even more cultural and creative Sydney.”

The City Talk will be held on 10 April at the State Theatre and is part of a two-month program of community and industry consultation around the development of Sydney’s first-ever cultural policy.

‘Creative City’, the City of Sydney’s cultural policy discussion paper, was endorsed unanimously by Council this week. It’s designed to start a conversation with people who life and work in Sydney about what kind of cultural life they want to see.

Sydneysiders are invited to give their feedback on the discussion paper and their ideas for Sydney’s creative culture at sydneyyoursay.com.au.

ArtPlace America is a public-private collaboration of 11 of America‘s top foundations, seven of its federal agencies, and the National Endowment for the Arts. It works across the arts and cultural sectors to encourage vibrant local communities.

Before joining ArtPlace in 2011, Carol Coletta was president and CEO of CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders aiming to build and sustain the next generation of great American cities.

Ms Coletta has also served as executive director of the Mayor’s Institute of City Design, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the American Architectural Foundation.

She is a senior fellow with the Design Futures Council, a Knight Fellow in community building at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, and has been named one of the world’s 50 most important urban experts by a leading European think tank.

Ms Coletta will be joined at the City Talk by a panel featuring:

• Marcus Westbury – founder and director of Renew Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that makes empty properties available to short-term creative projects and initiatives;
• Nicole Durling – senior curator at MONA in Hobart, the largest privately funded museum in Australia which has shot Tasmania to international cultural acclaim through its controversial exhibitions;
• Katherine Hough – director of Arts Tasmania, the state government agency that has pioneered renowned cultural initiatives like Collect, an interest-free loan scheme for purchasing local artworks;
• Louise O’Donnell – managing director of Seed Production, a digital media agency that brought the YouTube Symphony Orchestra to Australia and counts major Australian brands among its clients; and
• Charles Firth – CEO of creative production agency Manic Studios, co-founder of hit ABC TV series The Roast, and founding member of well-known satirical comedy group The Chaser.

The panel will discuss their diverse experiences inspiring, supporting and encouraging cultural growth, and debate the opportunities and practical steps Sydney could take to become a more creative city.

City Talk: Inspire, support, encourage – how can we improve Sydney’s cultural life?

Date:               Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Time:              6.30-8pm
Where:            State Theatre – 49 Market Street, Sydney
Tickets:          Free but limited – booking is essential on 136 100 or via ticketmaster.com.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin.
Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson.
Phone 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Taking business ideas from drawing board to real world

Date published: 27 Mar 2013

What does it take to open a small bar, set up a food truck or put on live music in Sydney?

Get answers at one of eight small business seminars being run by the City of Sydney this year.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the seminars were designed to help budding entrepreneurs get ideas off the drawing board and into the real world.

“Our small business workshops are designed to help people to cut through the red tape of setting up a business and get on with bringing their great business ideas to life,” the Lord Mayor said.

The City hosted six workshops last year on topics including live music, small bars and how to navigate the development application process.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with more than 500 people taking part.

Building on this success, the City has added more seminars to this year’s program. New topics include outdoor dining and food trucks – some of Sydney’s most successful and exciting new businesses.

The seminars will be at Customs House, 6.30pm-8.30pm, on:

• Small Bars 101 – Wednesday      3 April
• Live Music 101 – Wednesday 29 May
• So You Want to Start a Small Business? – Wednesday, 19 June
• Food Businesses 101 – Wednesday 31 July
• Startups 101 – Wednesday 28 August
• Small Bars 101 – Wednesday      11 September
• Pop Ups 101 – Thursday 19 September
• Food Trucks and Mobile Food Vending 101 – Thursday 24 October.

Participants will hear from City experts on planning, compliance and economic development, guest speakers from industry, and operators who have been through the processes themselves.

“The City of Sydney workshops are an invaluable resource for people interested in setting up a live music venue,” said Kristy Brown, the executive officer at Music NSW.

“They make the process very clear and aim to demystify the compliance process so that you can forge ahead, equipped with the best knowledge to bring your idea to life as quickly and easily as possible. Music NSW highly recommends anyone interested in learning more about how this process works to attend, and learn from the best.”

As well as advice on the consent process, permits and trading hours, people will learn about health standards for food businesses, noise management issues for music venues, and other useful topics.

“If these issues are handled correctly from the start, new business owners can avoid pitfalls, save costs and ensure they are welcomed by the community,” said City Manager of Business Precincts, Night Time Economy and Safe City, Suzie Matthews.

From grants to help kick-start fledgling businesses to sponsorship of major festivals, the City of Sydney provides millions of dollars each year to support business and retail and foster creative enterprise.

Last year, the City spent more than $5.7 million to fund a wide range of business initiatives, including business networking and seminars for small businesses.

To register for one of the seminars email sydney101@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For more information contact Richard Roberts on 02 9265 9928 or riroberts@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For media enquiries contact City of SydneySenior Media Adviser Rohan Sullivan, phone 02 9246 7298 or 0414 617 086, or email rsullivan@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Young talent on show, Live in Martin Place

Date published: 27 Mar 2013

Enjoy a free lunchtime concert, Live in Martin Place, on Friday 12 April, with some of the city’s best up-and-coming young musicians performing special acoustic shows.

The two-hour event will showcase musicians aged 12-24 as part of the City of Sydney’s annual Youth Week in the City program, which celebrates the contribution young people make to the community.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the free concert at Martin Place gave performers a chance to show off their musical talents to a wider audience.

“This event has been organised by young people in the city who’ve worked hard to give budding musicians a chance to show off their musical talents,” the Lord Mayor said.

“If you’re in the city on the day or work nearby I encourage you to stop by the amphitheatre in Martin Place to hear some emerging musicians – they could be next year’s chart sensations.”

Some 12 young musicians will be performing on the day, including country-music star Sabrina Soares, 16, pop princess Billie-Jade Chant, 22, acoustic-pop singer Nevo Rom, 22, rapper MC Dazzle (Pascale Riley), 17, and folk-pop singer Lucy Neville, 17 (pictured above).

At just 16, Sabrina has been heralded for her country-music singing and songwriting skills. A graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music in Tamworth, northern NSW, she won first prize in the female junior category of the Canberra Country Music Festival.

Sabrina was also a finalist in the Songaslive! Australia Song Comp and earns pocket money busking on the streets of Newtown and Summer Hill, in Sydney’s inner west.

Live in Martin Place

Friday 12 April 2013

Midday-2pm

Martin Place Ampitheatre (between Pitt and Castlereagh streets, City)

Free

The City of Sydney’s Youth Week in the City runs from 5-14 April 2013 and celebrates young people’s contribution to the community. Youth Week in the City highlights include:

Betty Makin Youth Awards

Tuesday 9 April 2013

6pm-9pm

University of Sydney, The Refectory, Holme Building, Science Road, Camperdown

Free

These annual awards recognise and reward the achievements of young people aged 12 to 24 in four categories: Contribution to the community; Environmental sustainability initiative; Creativity; arts and culture; and Young entrepreneur. Awards include two $500 scholarships and awards for a local youth worker and police officer.

Centre Stage under-18s dance party

Saturday 6 April 2013

6pm-10pm

The Lair, Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, Sydney

Pre-sale tickets $10

Held at intimate underground dance venue The Lair, this exclusively under-18s block party will host a variety of live acts. Performers include X-Factor Australia stars, Young Men’s Society, R&B soul crooner Mike Champion, urban dance champions Royalty Dance Crew and grime-pop specialist DJ Morphingaz.

What’s In Your Name?

The City is publishing a special booklet featuring stories by young people and the meanings of their names to mark Youth Week in the City and the Living in Harmony Festival. The What’s in Your Name? project invited 12 to 24-year-old residents to share the reasons why they were given their name, and how it reflected their identity, religion, culture, family or heritage. Copies of the book will be made available to local schools.

For full event listings, see youthweekinthecity.com

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 02 9265 9910 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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Hosking Place makeover to improve pedestrian links

Date published: 26 Mar 2013

A pedestrian short-cut between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets are the next laneways to get a makeover from the City of Sydney under its strategy to liven up underused spaces and make it easier to walk around the city.

Hosking Place and Penfold Lane will be revitalised with granite paving, upgrading of street lights with LED fittings and opportunities for public art under the City’s proposed design. A similar upgrade is also planned for the smaller Lees Court, near the Theatre Royal.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the work is the latest step in the City’s strategy to reclaim Sydney’s hidden laneways.

“Hosking Place and Penfold Lane have been important walkways in Sydney since they were first built in the 1800s to give people access to residential buildings in surrounding streets,” the Lord Mayor said.

“It’s now a busy commercial area and the lanes form an important pedestrian link between Castlereagh and Pitt Streets. But the design doesn’t reflect this, with narrow footpaths forcing people to walk on the roadway, and a drab appearance.

“Sprucing up the lanes with new paving, better lighting and a lower speed limit will create a safer and more attractive space for pedestrians and encourage small businesses such as cafés or retail to set up shop.

“It is part of our ongoing strategy to enliven the City’s laneways to build a more vibrant and welcoming city centre that people can explore, and creating new spaces for small bars, live music or other cultural activities.

“It also supports the George Street light rail project by creating a pedestrian-friendly network of streets and laneways that is safe for walking, beautiful, and easy to navigate, so workers, residents and visitors slow down and enjoy the city, not just rush through it.”

The planned improvements for Hosking Place and Penfold Lane include:

• Repaving the entire laneway with high quality      granite paving and a raised road surface;
• Converting the laneway to a 10 km/hr shared zone      to improve pedestrian safety;
• Wall-mounted LED lights;
• New stairs and improved paving; and
• Opportunities for artwork or light installations.

Plans for Lees Court, between King and Rowe streets, include:

• New stone kerb and gutter;
• New LED lighting;
• Raised threshold at King Street; and
• Improved access to the MLC centre.

The improvements will have no impact on parking, with the current consular and 5-minute controls in Hosking Place remaining unchanged, and access to existing driveways for buildings that back onto the lane will be retained.

The City has consulted with building owners, residents and businesses who have mostly supported the upgrade. Penfold Lane is privately owned and that part of the project is dependent on the owner’s consent.

Council has approved the concept design for the project, which will proceed to the detailed design stage before going to tender. Construction is expected to begin in early 2014.

Images of the project are available.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Rohan Sullivan, phone 02 9246 7298 or 0414 617 086, or email rsullivan@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Shehana Teixeira on 0418 238 373 or steixeira@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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We want your ideas for a more cultural and creative city

Date published: 26 Mar 2013

Lord Mayor Clover Moore today called on people who live, work and visit Sydney to share their ideas for improving the city’s cultural life.

“Imagine borrowing (and playing) musical instruments at the library, evening childcare so parents can have a night out, orunsold theatre tickets going to high school students,” the Lord Mayor said.

“These are just some of the ideas that have emerged so far as we ask Sydneysiders what kind of cultural life they want in the city.

“Can we inspire an even richer creative culture? How do we make sure creative people can afford to live and work here? What persuades people to get involved, go out to shows or invest in local work?”

The City of Sydney’s first cultural policy is being developed to ensure its assets are being put to best use, enough of the right activities are offered, and to help local cultural and creative communities to flourish.

Council last night endorsed the Creative City Cultural Policy Discussion Paper and now wants Sydneysiders to play an active role by sharing their ideas at sydneyyoursay.com.au

The City already invests more than $34 million each year, including free public events, libraries, public art, grant programs and sponsorship of the city’s major arts festivals.

“As arts funding from other levels of government and private investors becomes increasingly uncertain, we need to work how best to support creativity and culture,” the Lord Mayor said.

The Creative City Cultural Policy Discussion Paper includes eight key directions the City could take, including optimising markets for cultural products.

Ralph Myers, who has been artistic director for Surry Hills’ landmark Belvoir theatre since 2011, and has worked across dance, circus, film and opera, is looking forward to sharing his ideas for the cultural policy.

“We’re thrilled by the prospect of a Sydney cultural policy, both as a way of taking stock of the rich artistic life of this fine city, and as a stimulus and inspiration for the generation of even more great stuff,” Mr Myers said.

“Hopefully it will define culture in the broadest possible terms, both to remove the arts from the elite and shrinking ghetto to which it is so often confined, and to make us all think as openly and playfully about how we can best enjoy life in this great town.”

Creative industries are the fastest-growing sector in our city, contributing an estimated $8.2 billion to the City’s economy in 2012 and expected to account for $14.9 billion of our gross domestic product by 2030.

The last Census in 2011 showed more than 32,000 people working in creative fields in inner city Sydney, an increase of 22.2 per cent since 2006.

A cultural policy would ensure these industries continue to grow by providing a clear framework for our goals and ways the City can achieve and measure them.

Performer Vashti Hughes, whose one-woman cabaret show Mum’s In has been running at the Kings Cross Hotel since last year, said a cultural policy would provide strategic support to independent artists like herself.

“Mum’s In applauds the City of Sydney’s first cultural policy as a way to help support interesting and diverse work that is created by Sydney artists,” Ms Hughes said.

“As the city grows, independent artists can fall through the cracks and become invisible so it’s great to see the City get behind the arts and help provide structures so they can be seen and heard.

The consultation period for the Creative City Cultural Policy Discussion Paper ends on 31 May.
To share your ideas, visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin.
Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson.
Phone 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

The post We want your ideas for a more cultural and creative city appeared first on The City of Sydney Media Centre.

For the record

Date published: 25 Mar 2013

You may have heard, seen or read in some sections of the media, reports about Prince Alfred Park Pool.

The facts are these:

The City of Sydney is doing everything it can to get the Prince Alfred Park Pool open.

The latest information from the contractor indicates that we may be in a position to reopen the pool in mid-2013, and will be giving the public one month free entry to thank them for their patience and understanding.

Staff are on standby to ensure the opening can take place as soon as the necessary completion certificate and water quality testing is in place.

Several key elements of the project are behind schedule, meaning the pool does not currently meet public safety standards.

Defects to the pool’s balance tank mean that the water level cannot be kept constant. As a result, water quality at this time is not able to meet the necessary National Association of Testing Authorities standard.

The main pool entrance is still under construction as is the main boundary fence. This means the pool cannot be opened as the pool operator has a legal requirement to manage safe access and provide appropriate supervision.

Throughout the life of this project the City has done everything in its power, consistent with its contractual obligations, to assist the contractor to complete the pool on time.

We are continuing to do everything we can to support the Contractor in completing construction as soon as possible, including by allocating three Council project managers to the project.

Current progress is not at a stage where the pool could safely be opened, while works on other areas of the site progress. As public safety is paramount, the pool cannot open until it meets all safety requirements.

In the meantime, the City’s other pools – Andrew (Boy) Charlton, Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and Victoria Park Pool are fully operational.

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MEDIA PIC OPP: Today 23 March 2013 at The Block, in Redfern

Date published: 23 Mar 2013

WHAT: The community will gather outside the Redfern Community Centre for the launch of the City of Sydney’s Eora Journey program and two public art projects, including Welcome to Redfern – a striking new mural that covers an entire terrace house.

WHEN: Today, 2pm-5pm, Saturday 23 March

WHERE: Redfern Community Centre, 29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern.

WHO: Lord Mayor Clover Moore, art curator Hetti Perkins, artist Reko Rennie, young local artists and musicians.

Today’s line-up includes (times approximate):

2.15pm: Official proceedings begin with a Welcome to Country by elder Charles Madden, as well as an Aboriginal smoking ceremony by elder Uncle Max and Sean Ryan on didgeridoo.

2.20pm: Lord Mayor Clover Moore officially launches the Eora Journey.

2.25pm: Local elder Millie Ingram speaks.

2.30pm: Performance by soul singer-songwriter Evie J Willie, 21.

For media inquiries, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Background: A striking new mural covering an entire terrace house in Redfern now stands as a landmark and monument to the neighbourhood’s Aboriginal history, activism, community and culture.

Welcome to Redfern, by internationally celebrated artist Reko Rennie and a group of local young Aboriginal artists, has transformed a Victorian-era terrace at The Block with vibrant graphic designs and murals of inspiring Aboriginal leaders.

The eye-catching Redfern terrace marks the beginning of the City of Sydney’s visionary Eora Journey program and is one of seven major public art projects that will make up the Eora Journey – a trail that takes people to a range of sites around Sydney that are significant to Aboriginal peoples.

The four key Eora Journey projects are: Recognition in the Public Domain (public art); an Aboriginal Knowledge and Cultural Centre; a major annual event; and an economic development plan.

The Welcome to Redfern terrace will eventually house a living museum of Redfern and The Block, which has played an important role in the life of Aboriginal peoples in Sydney.

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Hundreds of happy, healthy Sydney kids join Ride2School day

Date published: 22 Mar 2013

Celebrity Mum Claudia Karvan joined a ‘bike bus’ of up to 200 children, parents and teachers from Crown Street Public School this morning for national Bicycle Network Ride2School Day.

Thousands of children across Australia took to two wheels to show how active transport can make for healthy, alert and happy kids. At least 7 schools within the City of Sydney took part.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore, greeted a ‘bike bus’ of students dressed in green at Crown Street Public School in Surry Hills this morning.

“Thirty years ago, more than 80 per cent of children rode bikes to school or walked, but that has fallen to only 20 per cent today,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Incredibly, most students still live within two kilometres of the school gate. They just need safe, well connected bike lanes and our experience shows that if you build the infrastructure people will ride.”

“Children who ride or walk to school arrive clear-headed and ready to learn. It also reduces traffic congestion during peak drop-off and pick-up times, and means fewer parking problems on local streets.”

School principal Craig Nielsen, led the bike bus, said: “Riding together to school ticks so many boxes. It’s good exercise, it’s sustainable, and it makes for healthy hearts and minds.

“We already have more than a third of pupils riding to school, and we had nearly 100 per cent participation today.”

Latest independent counts show an 89 per cent increase in the number of bike trips across Sydney over the past two-and-a-half years.

Ride2School day is also an opportunity to teach children to cycle safely in the community. Children under the age of 12 are allowed ̶ and encouraged ̶ to ride bikes on footpaths.

Participating schools in the City of Sydney Local Government Area are now in the running to win a voucher from a bike shop or the inaugural Sydney Cycleways Ride2School Day Trophy. Prizes will be awarded to the school with the greatest percentage of students walking or riding to school on the day.

Riding a bike is encouraged beyond Ride2School Day with The Hands Up! active travel survey conducted once a month to monitor how many students continue riding to school. More information: ride2School.com.au.

The City of Sydney also supports local schools with free courses at the Sydney Park Cycling Centre. Designed for 8-10 year olds, the junior program focuses on the skills young riders need to use a bike safely on shared paths and footpaths. Since late 2011, about 90 courses have been held involving dozens of local schools and about 1,200 students each year.

Over the past two years, the City has also installed 26 bike racks at local schools for up to 113 bikes.

For more information, visit sydneycycleways.net or join our Facebook page

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Bridges, phone 0434 320 768 or email lbridges@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson 0427 044 768 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

The post Hundreds of happy, healthy Sydney kids join Ride2School day appeared first on The City of Sydney Media Centre.

Seniors skilling-up on safer scooting

Date published: 22 Mar 2013

A free motorised scooter workshop for seniors aims to help reduce the number of older people who are hospitalised each year after losing control of their vehicles or falling from their buggies.

The City of Sydney workshop on 4 April is being held in response to the growing number of people who are using mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs, with about 231,000 Australians currently relying on them to get around*.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said this number was expected to rise and it was important to ensure motorised scooters were being used safely.

“Many people with mobility issues rely on motorised scooters to get to their local shops and services, but find them hard to control,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Users don’t need a licence to drive a mobility scooter and there are no training requirements, yet at least 62 Australians have died from mobility scooter collisions or falls**.

“The City’s free motorised scooter workshop will teach users to travel around safely, protecting both themselves and other pedestrians.”

According to the RMS, six motorised wheelchairs and one mobility scooter were involved in accidents in the City of Sydney local government area in 2007-2011.

The free workshop will include short presentations by the City, RMS and AidaCare on scooter safety, choosing the right scooter for you and how to be a safe pedestrian.

Topics will also include scooters and the law, provisions for buying a scooter and details about the medical assessment that is required before a scooter can be purchased.

Six scooters will be available for practice on the day and attendees will be invited to ask questions and seek advice on the best scooter to suit their needs.

Free Motorised Scooter Workshop for Seniors

Thursday 4 April, 9.30am-12.30pm

Sydney Park Community Room, Sydney Park Road, Alexandria

Morning tea will be provided and bookings are essential by phone 02 9265 9489 or email jmayr@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For more information, visit whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/17650-free-motorised-scooter-workshop-for-seniors

*Source: Mobility scooter usage and safety survey report, September 2012; by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, NRMA, Choice, Flinders University and Enable NSW.

**Source: Help cut mobility scooter accidents, 2010; by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus, phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0427 044 768 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

The post Seniors skilling-up on safer scooting appeared first on The City of Sydney Media Centre.