City Hub 6 June 2019

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JUNE 6, 2019

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New policy stances by the City Of Sydney & NSW Government may rejuvenate Sydney’s late-night economy

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city hub 6 JUNE 2019

Dam Water Restrictions

BY Vanessa Lim Water restrictions were implemented on the 1st of June, affecting residents all over Sydney.

Due to the prolonged drought, dam levels have declined from 95% to only 53% capacity in NSW. This catalysed the implementation of Sydney Water’s level 1 water restrictions, with some restrictions including banning the use of standardised sprinklers, and not allowing running taps to be left unattended.

While the loss of water supply is worrying, some eastern suburb locals agreed that water restrictions were necessary. Waverley resident Lance Lieber, a landscaper and urban beekeeper, wondered why previous water restrictions previously were lifted.

“If they had not lifted the restrictions last time, they would not need to be implemented again this time,” Lieber said. Leiber supported the move for water restrictions despite it affecting his work. “Fresh drinking water is a precious resource and should not really be used to flush away sewage, let alone be used for watering hard surfaces.

“I am a landscaper and beekeeper; this will have devastating effects on the health of our ecosystems if people can’t water their gardens adequately.”

Water restrictions can be good for gardening TV personality, Horticulturist and Northcote Pottery Ambassador Melissa King, who used to live in Bondi, weighed in on what eastern suburb residents like Lance Leiber could do to try to tackle the drought and water restrictions.

“I don’t see water restrictions as necessarily being a negative thing for gardens. There are a lot of things about water restrictions that can be very good for gardening.”

King noted that hand watering could be beneficial to plants instead of using sprinklers. “Because you’re getting up and close with your plants, you often notice if any diseases early on or if there are any problems. With hand watering, you can control

Warragamba Dam, March 2019, with water levels very low. Photo:Vanessa Lim

where the water goes so it’s most important to water the roots of a plant. That’s where you need the water the most and when you hand water, you can water your plants efficiently so you know where most of the water goes.”

King suggested using compost, which would improve the capacity for soil to hold onto water, and using a mulch to help with conserving moisture plus limit weeds. King also supported the water restrictions.

“Water restrictions give us a chance Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide. to really reflect on the way that Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, we actually water our garden. It convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. also encourages us to be more Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. thoughtful and smart about the ways Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.

ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Production Manager: Michael Hitch Contributors: Michael Hitch, Allison Hore, Vanessa Lim, John Moyle, Mark Mordue, Merrill Witt Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Nic Walker. The Keep Sydney Open team Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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we treat water. It’s a reminder that water is a precious resource. I think whether we have water restrictions or not, we need to be clever about the way that we water our gardens so that we’re taking care of the environment and caring for our plants.”

Water restrictions necessary to help stem decline in city’s reservoirs Waverley Mayor John Wakefield acknowledged the drought and need for water conservation. “The drought is having a devastating impact on regional NSW, and limiting our outdoor water usage is imperative.

Water restrictions are necessary to help stem a rapid decline in the city’s reservoirs and save

Water restrictions give us a chance to reflect on the way we water our garden, and are a reminder that water is a precious resource our precious resource for the future.”

Mayor Wakefield said that water conservation and quality was an important issue for Waverley council. “In 2009, we were one of the first councils in Australia to develop a consolidated environmental strategy which set a strong community vision and ambitious targets. In the time since, and despite population growth, we continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and potable water use.

“We have developed stormwater harvesting at all of our beaches, installed solar power at our major sites, restored our bushland and continue to increase the waste diverted from landfill. Our parks are watered using recycled water from various Council owned and operated water recycling infrastructure. This helps us save over 80 million litres of drinking water per year.

“We have a water leak detection system that allows us to save water by detecting leaks in our buildings and promptly acting on them.”

Mayor Wakefield commented on the local community’s stance on protecting the environment in general. “We are lucky to have a community in Waverley that is passionate and motivated to help protect our environment.

We have been ambitious in doing our bit for climate change, and as a coastal Council, are acutely aware of the potential impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise.”

Lance Leiber added that more needed to be done to conserve water for the future. “It’s a small knee jerk response to a small part of a much greater problem. While necessary, it is barely a first step towards finding out better systems for a ‘civilised’ society.” city hub 6 JUNE 2019

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Weedkiller on trial

BY Alec Smart Sydney councils are considering suspending use of a notorious glyphosatebased weedkiller, RoundUp, in the wake of a US court case. A couple were awarded a record $AU2.9 billion after a jury agreed it caused their non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a blood cancer.

Fairfield Council has phased out the weedkiller and Georges River Council will too after using up their existing stocks, while others, including Sydney City, Randwick, Burwood, Ku-Ring-Gai and Waverley, are reviewing their options.

Mayor of Georges River Council, Kevin Greene, said, “As a proactive measure, Council undertook a trial of a range of products as suitable replacements for RoundUp during late 2018 and early 2019. The trial proved successful, and Council has moved to the use of Arsenal Super, which is an effective weed control product that has no carcinogenic properties.”

RoundUp glyphosate-based products are registered in 130 countries and approved for use on more than 100 crops.

RoundUp is also the most ubiquitous home-use weedkiller in the world. Yet in 2015 the World Health Organization’s international agency for research on cancer identified glyphosate as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans.’

Monsanto, better known as the manufacturers of Agent Orange, are the company behind RoundUp. A Monsanto chemist identified glyphosate’s herbicidal abilities in 1970, and a formula was devised and sold commercially as RoundUp in 1974.

The World Health Organization identified glyphosate-based RoundUp weedkiller as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans.’ Photo collage: Alec Smart

The corporation presented the herbicide with claims it could kill most weeds without harming humans or the environment.

The American court case, in Oakland, California, is the third and highest judgement against Monsanto on glyphosate, and follows on from a 10 August 2018 ruling where a former school groundskeeper with terminal cancer won a $289m victory in a US state court against Monsanto.

On March 27 this year, a US federal jury awarded $US5.9 million in compensatory damages and $US75 million in punitive damages to another terminal cancer patient with nonHodgkin Lymphona.

The jury found that RoundUp was defectively designed and that Monsanto

failed to warn of the herbicide’s cancer risk, and that the company acted negligently.

Stocks fall as litigation rises Bayer, the German pharmaceutical giant, purchased Monsanto in 2018 for $US63 billion, but in the wake of the ruling their shares fell more than 12 per cent on the global stock market and have since plummeted 40%.

An estimated 11,200 RoundUp lawsuits are set to go to trial in the US, with tens of thousands more expected worldwide.

On Tuesday June 9, a Melbourne landscape gardener, Michael Ogliarolo, 54, launched Australia’s first legal action against Monsanto, claiming RoundUp caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Lymphoma is the 5th most common

cancer in Australia and the most common blood cancer, affecting the white blood cells when their DNA is mutated. There are two main categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

According to the Cancer Council of Australia, “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system… an important part of the immune system.

“Non-Hodgkin lymphoma most commonly occurs in a lymph node but it can also occur in the liver, spleen, stomach or bones. There are more than 60 sub-types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and they vary in how fast they grow and spread, and how sick people feel.”

Alternatives Organic alternatives to glyphosatebased herbicides exist that utilise ingredients such as vinegar, eugenol (clove oil) or acetic acid. They’re easily deployed, however, their increased cost might prove prohibitive to budget-constrained councils.

Alternatives to glyphosatebased herbicides include vinegar, clove oil or acetic acid City Hub contacted several Sydney councils to enquire about their continued use of glyphosate and whether it was financially viable to convert sports fields and playgrounds to synthetic turf, thus avoiding the spraying of herbicides.

A Canterbury Council spokesperson said, “We regularly review our use of all types of chemicals, including glyphosate, in line with the advice provided by the national regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), an independent body of experts.

“While synthetic surfaces may be an answer for sports grounds, at more than $1.5 million each they are not a viable option for majority of parks, even with significant State and or Federal funding, as we have more than 580 parks and 75 sporting complexes.”

A Canada Bay Council spokesperson said, “The use of glyphosate (RoundUp) only occurs only when it is deemed absolutely necessary in order to eliminate weeds and we strictly follow the recommendations of APVMA and Safe Work Australia..”

The Inner West Council’s Weed Management Policy was revised and adopted on May 29, taking into account recent studies by the University of Washington and the University of California that indicate a link between glyphosate and cancer.

The council voted to: “Only use glyphosate as a matter of last resort where other methods cannot be applied and spot control of persistent weeds that resist other treatments occur.

“Should Council resolve to discontinue the use of glyphosate and use only alternatives… the additional operating cost to council would be in the order of $1.9 to $5.2 million per annum...”

Waverley Council Update Mayor’s Message Electric vehicle charging stations launch Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick councils have become the first councils in NSW to provide public onstreet electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

From 5 June, EV owners will be able to charge on the go at Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, Spring Street, Bondi Junction, Kiaora Place shopping centre, Double Bay, Coogee Beach, Randwick Community Centre and the Silver Street car park, Randwick.

The project will help reduce carbon emissions from transport in Sydney’s east and encourage EV uptake.

Charging stations are booked and paid for using Chargefox app.

Water restrictions from June 1 Sydney’s water supply is running low. Level 1 restrictions will save water by limiting how and when we use drinking water outdoors. They apply to everyone including residents and businesses. Let’s rally together and make saving water second nature.

Visit www.sydneywater.com.au to check what restrictions mean for you.

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city hub 6 JUNE 2019

28 June - 28 July

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Bondi Winter Magic and Bondi Feast Bondi will again be transformed into Sydney’s premier winter playground by the sea for Bondi Winter Magic, 28 June to 28 July 2019.

The Waverley Council event draws around 60,000 visitors to Bondi Pavilion each year for the famous beachside ice rink, Bondi Vista 22 metre-high ferris and Bondi History Walks.

Visit bondiwintermagic.org.au

Waverley Customer Service Centre: 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction Ph: 9083 8000 | waverley.nsw.gov.au | Stay in touch: waverley.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

Winter Magic

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city hub 6 JUNE 2019

5

Bigger Sydney chops forests

BY Merrill Witt Last week, in a presentation to the Property Council, the newly appointed Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, gave a surprisingly candid assessment of the NSW planning system. He said that “the culture of development that has grown up in this city has pitted in many ways supposedly avaricious developers against supposedly blinkered communities, with a hapless Department of Planning doing its best to try and mediate the culture of conflict.”

“Blinkered” is definitely not a descriptor that would sit well with the thousands of community members who are fighting to stop approval of two recent development proposals in Campbelltown and West Pennants Hills, respectively. As the 65 year old Appin resident and activist Sue Gay explained, “When I leave this Earth I want to leave it a better place for my grandchildren and future generations.”

Mrs Gay and hundreds of other local residents took the Campbelltown City Council to the Land and Environment Court to try to stop the rezoning from ‘scenic protected’ to low density residential of the historic Mount Gilead rural estate on the outskirts of Campbelltown. Unfortunately the case was lost and now Lendlease has filed a development application for a 424 home subdivision on the 209 hectare property - the first phase of a masterplan for 1,700 residences.

Housing developments in historic forests threaten vulnerable koalas and rare birds. Photo: Supplied

Designating the Mount Gilead estate and surrounding properties as ‘scenic protected’ also turned out to be remarkably prescient in terms of protecting the local native wildlife. In the mid 1980s a thriving population of around 300 koalas was discovered in the area.

Almost equally as visionary as the establishment of the green belt around Campbelltown was IBM’s decision in the mid 1980s to create idyllic, park-like surrounds for its office campus on a 28 hectare site bordering the Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills.

Now regarded as almost an extension of the neighbouring forest, the site is home to around 118 different kinds of birds including the Powerful

Owl, which is classified in NSW as a “vulnerable threatened” species.

A few years back, property developer Mirvac acquired this iconic site. The Hills Shire Council is now moving forward with plans to rezone it for high and medium density residential development.

Mirvac’s development proposal for the site, which includes building 200 medium density townhouses on micro-lots and 400 apartments in buildings up to six storeys, has attracted over 3,500 objections, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

While the plans retain over 12 hectares as undeveloped land, the local community fears that such intensive development on the rest of the site will lead to environmental degradation and wildlife loss.

st We ar e tin kl g yp Au la gu yd st ay 20 s 19

Protecting threatened species Back in 1973, when Campbelltown was earmarked for development as a ‘satellite city’, the then NSW State Planning Authority placed a high priority on the protection of the scenic and rural/undeveloped hillscapes surrounding the town. The objective was to establish a green belt “to bring about a close relationship between town and country; and to balance growth needs with conservation of the special assets of history and landscape.”

The Mount Gilead estate and old IBM site are just two recent examples of so-called spot rezonings or their near equivalents. Mr Stokes has identified spot rezoning as one of the main culprits for creating the “culture of conflict” between developers and affected communities. The process allows developers and/or councils to propose projects outside of the parameters of existing Local Environment Plans.

Symptom or cause?

But are spot rezonings a symptom, rather than the cause, of a larger problem about how the future of Sydney is being shaped?

In 2015, the NSW Government established the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) as an independent agency responsible for overseeing planning and development across the metropolitan region. Its mandate is to work out where to put an additional 725,000 new homes to accommodate around 2 million extra people by 2036.

Consequently, ambitious ‘new housing’ targets are now being imposed on many local councils. The declaration of multiple “planned precincts” along rail corridors, for example, is also contributing to development pressures.

Unfortunately, seemingly lost in the development rush are the GSC’s noble environmental objectives, which include “protecting and enhancing bushland and biodiversity, protecting and enhancing scenic and cultural landscapes, increasing urban tree canopy cover and delivering Green Grid connections and high quality open space.”

Perhaps now is the time to revisit a 2010 call made by the Australian Conservation Foundation to review the link between Australia’s or, in this case, Sydney’s growing population and the loss of biodiversity? Hopefully, our politicians are not too blinkered by the view that a big Sydney is inevitable and worth the environmental cost.

10

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7

No shame in renaming

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The name change could either bring the LGBTIQ+ community together - or tear it apart.

Photo: Hasitha Tudugalle (via wikimedia commons)

BY Michael Hitch While the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras may reign true to its reputation of bare chests and micro-plastic glitter – but can the same can be said for its reputation of inclusivity?

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SLGMG) could be seeing another name-change after organisation members met in April, amid ongoing concerns of exclusivity from trans and gender-diverse community members.

In the weeks following the April meeting, community and online consultation was encouraged, with some members calling for a ‘Queer’ festival label, while others were left scratching their heads as to whether a ‘name-lift’ is really a step in the right direction.

On one hand, a name change could lead to an implied loss of heritage while also disrespecting the history of the original 1978 Mardi Gras protest.

On the other hand, the name needs to match the community.

On a third hand, some think that a namechange is meaningless as the marketing mayhem behind Mardi Gras has already ‘ruined’ the festival’s protest roots.

Mardi Gras Board co-chair, Giovanni CampoloArcidiaco, agreed that the current name excludes the many groups who make up the ever-growing community, but acknowledged the importance of its current title.

“Our current name does not mention many of the sexualities and gender identities that make up our communities,” he said. “We think it is time to investigate if and how we can more accurately represent our communities and people’s diversity, because words matter.

“There are decades of community history in the name ‘Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’; therefore, making a change to it is not something we would do lightly.

“The words ‘Gay’ and ‘Lesbian’ mean a great deal to many people and especially to those who fought for the visibility of Mardi Gras in the wider community. They were strong statements in a society that would avoid using them.

“On the other hand, our festival aims to include and represent many different sexualities and gender identities who want to be welcomed, seen and heard. Their experience about the use of representative or non-exclusionary words deserve attention too.”

Honouring the past and present However, Campolo-Arcidiaco disagrees with those feeling that big businesses, such as ‘GAYNZ’ and ‘Absolut’, have ruined the SGLMG name.

“Our Mardi Gras continues to be both a celebration of our communities and a protest,” he said. “Activism is still a very important component

8

city hub 6 JUNE 2019

of our Parade, and it can now be presented in new ways because society around us has changed.

“Our name needs to keep up with social evolution too, as it is vital for it to show who we are, who the festival is created by, and who we are here for.”

Barbarella Karpinski was a teenager when she marched in the first 1978 protest and shares Campolo-Arcidiaco’s ideas of ‘social evolution’, but also believes a name-change must be made to honour those in the past as well as the present.

“There’s lots of wrong that need to be righted,” she said. “They’ve had that name for too long. There are many people who have been excluded that were there in ‘78 and beyond; they need to be acknowledged. Sex workers, transgender people, gender-diverse people and kinky people - if brands can get a shout-out, then those people should too.”

Our name needs to keep up with social evolution Whether to change the name is only one side of the argument – the other side of this pridecoloured coin is what would it be renamed?

Karpinski cheekily suggests ‘The Kinky Fucking Queer Mardi Gras’.

The SGLMG has a chequered history of name changes, from the ‘Gay Mardi Gras’ in 1978 to the controversial ‘Sydney Mardi Gras’ change in 2011, which was later reversed to its original 1988 name, ‘Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’.

However, many, including Karpinski, are now wondering if the umbrella term of ‘Queer’ should carry the torch for future festivities, as the ‘Queer’ label still remains controversial due to its historical use as a slur.

Peter Murphy, an original 1978 protestor and member of the ‘78ers Collective’ said that while ‘queer’ encompasses the growing diversity of the community, he holds reservations as to whether the word has enough strength.

“Oh, I think that’s a long-gone problem,” he said. “Every decade or so things move on. As a 78er I’m open to the idea of changing the name, but it’s got to be a specific name change that works.

“We co-opted the word ‘queer’ back in the 70’s and made it part of our identity, so it’s not a problematic word as far as I’m concerned. Lots of other slurs have been co-opted – ‘poofter’, ‘dykes’ - all of these words were nasties at one point.

“I think at least ‘queer’ as a word these days captures the fluidity, sexuality and diversity of the community. The only problem is that it’s one word; perhaps it’s not a strong enough word for the job we’re asking it to do.”

Town Hall Drags on Digital Transparency

BY John Moyle Live streaming of council meetings has been enthusiastically taken up across Australia, but in New South Wales the country’s largest and wealthiest council, the City of Sydney, is proving to be a reluctant adaptor to the digital age.

Their stance comes despite repeated efforts by the Council’s independent and Liberal councillors to pass motions to introduce the technology.

These councillors are also saying that the reluctance has more to do with issues other than technophobia and points to problems of accountability across Council operations.

“Over the past two years the Lord Mayor has dismissed numerous attempts by councillors to introduce live streaming of Council meetings, in a bid to keep meetings outside of public view,” Councillor Professor Kerryn Phelps, City of Sydney, said.

Liberal councillor Craig Chung said, “I moved more than a dozen motions to introduce live streaming to the City of Sydney and every single time it was voted down by the ruling Clover Moore block.

“Live streaming is important because it allows for complete transparency of council meetings.”

Live streaming important The NSW government regards live streaming to be so important that it has introduced legislation requiring its adoption.

“Webcasting has been mandated for all councils under the new Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils in

NSW,” a Spokesperson for the Office of Local Government said.

The legislation states, “all councils will be required to webcast meetings of the council and committees of which all members are councillors from December 2019.”

The definition of webcasting may refer to an audio or video recording posted on the council’s website.

“Councils also have significant flexibility in how they webcast their meetings and are not necessarily required to live stream their meetings.

The requirements may be met by simply posting a video or sound recording on their website after the meeting,” a Spokesperson for the Office of Local Government said.

The City of Sydney draft code of meeting practice was put on public exhibition from 25 March to 22 April and was approved by Council at its meeting on 13 May.

Live streaming could pave the way for ease and accessibility in civic participation.

Photo Mike Hitch

“The Lord Mayor has continually put off this obligation citing exaggerated How can you have a cost estimates and other minimal barriers, when you could live stream the global connected city meetings on Facebook with an iPhone without live streaming for free,” Cr Prof Phelps said.

Inner West Council has been live “The new code requires the City’s streaming since 2016, when they were Council and committee meetings to be in administration. webcast from December 2019 onwards,” “On average there are approximately a Spokesperson for the City of Sydney 200 views of the stream for each said. meeting while Council caters for 50-100 “This will require upgrades to members of the public to attend each audio-visual equipment and technology meeting,” a Spokesperson for the Inner in the City’s council chamber and West Council said. the purchase of additional software “Live streaming the meetings licences.” increases accessibility for members

TELSTRA IS PLANNING TO RELOCATE A PAYPHONE It is proposed that the card and coin payphone be removed from: Outside Car Park, 2 Wallace Street, Kingsford, NSW 2032 (Payphone Id: 02931418X2)

of the community who can’t attend Council meetings.”

Put our feet up with a hot cup of cocoa and watch the meetings While Waverley Council do not live stream, they do intend to post audio recordings of meetings by 5pm the following day.

For $20,000, Waverley Council installed three cameras, a control panel plus a mixer for camera and audio inputs, and live streams all Council meetings along with the Operations and Community Services Committee and the Strategic Planning and Development Committee meetings.

“Council meetings are public meetings, so this means everyone can access local democracy in action,” Mayor John Wakefield, Waverley Council said.

The stream averages 80 views per meeting while around 10 people attend each Council meeting.

“There’s a long list of justifications that the City of Sydney put up for not taking live streaming on board, but it is important for them to be involved in the democratic process,” Cr Chung said.

Councillor Chung also cites the issue of accuracy in minute taking where “the draft minutes often do not reflect what was happening at the meeting.”

Inner West independent councillor Pauline Lockie said that live streaming is also important and a behaviour modifier for councillors who often get carried away in the fray.

“I’m aware of live streaming even in the middle of a heated debate and you realise everything you say is recorded,” Cr Lockie said.

Potts Point heritage expert Andrew Woodhouse, who attends many City of Sydney meetings, said, “We could all stay at home, put our feet up with a hot cup of cocoa and watch the meetings drag on and it would also hold them to be more accountable.”

“It is a modern world and the Lord Mayor loves to talk about having a global connected city but how can you have this if you don’t embrace digital technology?” Cr Chung said.

“This council likes to trumpet its transparency qualifications but it in fact lacks a great deal of transparency.”

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION LOCATED IN SYDNEY

And a card and coin payphone be installed: Near 538 Anzac Parade, Kingsford, NSW 2032

Telstra are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of this network upgrade, Telstra proposes the installation of NR3500 and 2100 technologies in Sydney.

The relocated payphone will be located approximately 38 metres away from the payphone that is proposed to be removed.

10 Shelley Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (RFNSA: 2000177)

Currently, the next nearest card and coin payphone is located at: 47 Bunnerong Road, Kingsford, NSW 2032 (Payphone Id: 02934919X2)

Proposed works will involve the following:

Reference Number: 41934 Telstra intends making a final decision on this proposal by

• Installation of three (3) new Air panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) • Replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with three (3) new panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) • Installation of two (2) Radio units • Installation of associated ancillary equipment.

29th July 2019 To assist us in making a final decision, we invite your comments on this proposal.

Please send us your comments in writing to: Telstra Payphone Siting Manager Locked Bag 4850 Melbourne Vic 3001 or by calling us on 1800 011 433 (selection Option 2) or by e-mail to Payphones@team.telstra.com For more information on payphone services (including, any applicable payphone consultation document), see: www.telstra.com.au/payphoneservices/index.htm

Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the above description.

Further information can be obtained from Vanessa Davies, 0740196416 or at Vanessa.davies@aurecongroup.com and at www.rfnsa.com.au, quoting the above RFNSA number.

Written submissions should be received by Friday 21st June 2019 and addressed to: Vanessa Davies, Aurecon, PO Box 538 Neutral Bay, NSW 2089 city hub 6 JUNE 2019

9

Sydney smokers in a time warp

By Allison Hore While national smoking rates are on the decline, some parts of Sydney have smoking rates unmatched by the national average since the 1980s.

The Australian Health Policy Collaboration, which comprises more than 50 leading health organisations in Australia, has set a target for 5 percent smoking rates by 2025. Currently the national smoking rate stands at 14 percent.

And while some areas of NSW are well on their way to meet that target, new data compiled

by Melbourne University’s Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy shows that some suburbs still have a way to go.

Large spans of Sydney’s western suburbs lag behind the national average, with some parts of the Blacktown area’s smoking rates unmatched at a national level since 1988. More than a third of people in Mt Druitt and a fifth of those in Fairfield are smokers.

“Parts of NSW are caught in a time warp, where large parts of the state have smoking rates between 18 and 31 years behind the rest of the population,” said Ben Harris, Health Policy Lead at the Mitchell Institute.

“Smoking kills, and it looks like around five times more people are going to die in Mount Druitt and Tamworth than in Kuring-Gai in inner Sydney.”

Affluence affects inhalation In inner Sydney there are around 24,000 smokers.

This number accounts for 12 percent of the total population of the region. Some of the areas of Sydney with the highest smoking rates are Blacktown, Penrith, Fairfield, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Bankstown.

On the other hand, Sydney’s affluent North Shore has some of the lowest smoking rates in the state.

Kuring-gai, Willoughby, Lane Cove, Mosman and North Sydney rank as the healthiest neighborhoods between 7 and 9 percent.

become linked in a vicious circle, through which tobacco exacerbates poverty and poverty is also associated with higher prevalence of tobacco use.”

Public health advocate Simon Chapman agrees.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald he believes disadvantaged families have an intergenerational problem with smoking.

“When you are born into a family where there’s smoking by parents, relatives and visitors, there are very different cues to start smoking than when no one in your family smokes,” he said.

Tobacco use exacerbates poverty and poverty is associated with higher tobacco use. Photo: Supplied

The link between areas of poorer socioeconomic status and smoking has long being known, and in NSW it’s no different. Regional and rural areas with populations earning less average income than those in wealthier suburbs have the highest proportion of smokers.

In parts of NSW, smoking rates are 18-31 years behind the population “In Australia and many other countries, smoking behaviour is inversely related to socio-economic status, with disadvantaged groups in the population being more likely to take up and continue smoking,” said Cancer Council Victoria in their report on tobacco use in Australia.

In Mount Kuring-Gai, the suburb with NSW’s lowest smoking rates according to the Mitchell Center report, the median household income sat at $2022 in 2016. Simultaneously, Mt Druitt, the suburb with the highest smoking rate in the state, the median household income was $1268.

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey in 2016 revealed that Australians living in remote and outer regional areas and those most disadvantaged economically were more likely to be current smokers.

While those who were least socioeconomically disadvantaged or living in inner cities were the least likely to be current smokers.

And the trend isn’t only in Australia, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) noting that studies from other parts of the world have also shown that smoking and other forms of tobacco usage are sgnificantly higher among the poor.

The WHO warn: “Tobacco and poverty have

The smouldering issue The Mitchell Institute released their report to coincide with World No Tobacco Day on May 31 when NSW Health also announced an investment of $13.5 million to be spent on tobacco control across the state. This will include support for those wishing to quit smoking, enforcement of smoke-free laws, targeted programs for vulnerable groups and public awareness education campaigns.

While national campaigns for plain packaging and price hikes on tobacco have had some success, Mitchell Institute’s Ben Harris says that health policy needs to focus on the local factors that influence smoking rates in some areas if it is going to be successful.

Harris suggests that this research, which breaks down smoking rates by area, can assist governments to better allocate their limited advertising and health services funding to the communities most in need.

“We know where we live, where we work and who we know influences smoking. We also know that the best way to stop children picking up the habit is to support the adults around them to quit smoking,” he said.

“It’s important that Quit campaigns and health professionals target their messaging to specific communities where smoking rates remain stubbornly high.”

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FEATURE

Grand Reopening?

Photo: City Of Sydney

Photo: City Of Sydney

City Of Sydney Nightlife Creative Sector Advisory Panel.

Photo: City Of Sydney

By Jamie Apps As tourists and locals alike flock to the inner city to take in the delights of Vivid Sydney’s night economy appears to be vibrant and thriving.

However, come into the city at any other time of year and you realise that this is actually far from the case. In order to reinvigorate the late night economy both the New South Wales Government and the City Of Sydney Council are making changes and plans for the future.

At the State level, the government has announced a panel which will review the impact and potential alternatives to the lockout laws which were introduced in 2014. On the local council level, the City Of Sydney unanimously voted in favour of a complete overhaul of their late night planning rules. Given these two significant steps, the City Hub spoke with Tyson Koh of Keep Sydney Open and City Of Sydney Councillor Jess Scully to gain a greater insight into their vision for Sydney’s future.

When speaking with Councillor Scully it became obvious that the impact of the lockout laws has been felt by more than just the major nightclub venues. These laws have had a trickle-down impact on the overall economy as well as the culture and opinion of the city on a global stage.

“A lot has changed since the lockouts were

introduced in 2014,” explained Scully, “Those laws had a really oversized impact on the city, even outside of the lockout zones. They’ve made it it very hard for late night business, music venues and performance venues to operate but they’ve also contributed to a perception that Sydney has a failing nightlife.”

This was a sentiment which Koh echoed and substantiated with monetary figures.

“A State government report by Deloitte found that the State is losing out on $16 billion worth of revenue because of the neglect shown towards the late night economy. The laws have also come with job losses, particularly for young people, and have also seen Sydney’s standing on the world stage suffer.”

The City Of Sydney has proposed a drastic overhaul to their late night planning rules. With the introduction of these altered rules shops, eateries and other unlicensed businesses within the city will be allowed to trade 24 hours a day.

For small licensed venues with a capacity below 120 patrons trading would be extended to 2am.

These plans have been developed through community consultation, which began in March 2018 and saw over 10,000 responses. According to Councillor Scully, the hope is that these changes will open Sydney up to a “more diverse

nightlife” and also reflect the changing nature of the city’s late night economy.

“What we’re trying to do is reflect the reality of where nightlife is happening today whilst also accommodating future nightlife opportunities,” said Councillor Scully.

Whilst these changes on the local government level should have a significant impact the overall strength of Sydney’s late night economy will remain stilted as long as the lockout laws are in place. The announced review process, however, has been pleasant news to the team at Keep Sydney Open said Koh. “It’s great to finally see some movement.

However, we’re remaining cautiously optimistic because we’ve been through a review process before which left us bitterly disappointed with the outcome.”

From the very first moments the lockout laws were introduced Keep Sydney Open has been one of the most vocally outspoken groups. In recent months though they have seen other conservative political parties, such as the Shooters & Fishers Party, the Greens and even Mark Latham of One Nation, join the outcry against lockout laws.

Should the upcoming review process recommend changes are made to the lockout

laws both Keep Sydney Open and Councillor Scully know this won’t be a “magic bullet” to restore the late night economy. In order to see Sydney’s late night economy once again thrive more complementary steps will need to be taken.

Keep Sydney Open would like to see the State government take a step to fund and foster late-night art and culture.

“The lockouts have diminished our confidence as a 24-hour city and by removing them it will go a long way towards removing that psychological cloud over the city. However, the damage that has been done has been so deep and severe at the hands of the government they need to actively support culture from the top.”

For Councillor Scully collaboration between the two levels of government and regulation will be crucial, especially in regards to late night transport options.

“Places like Kings Cross and Darlinghurst would have a totally different audience and nightlife if there was a 24-hour transport offering.”

Sydney’s late night economy will have a better understanding of its fate come September 30 when the lockout law review committee reports to parliament.

Until then we wait. city hub 6 JUNE 2019

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Gloria

Murder On The Wireless Theatregoers from the age of 12 should be mesmerised by this very original stage play, as they’re transported back to the 1950s watching the recording of a radio play.

This format will be the world premiere of these two self-contained radio plays collectively entitled Murder On The Wireless.The Divorced Detectives In The Deadly Wives Club which is written by Mark Kilmurry will provide high-speed action and The Solitary Cyclist adapted for the stage by Mark Kilmurry is a Sherlock Holmes thriller.

“It will make you nostalgic I think for the world of a radio play, where you will be transported into the recreated dramatic world that plays on your senses,” explained Georgie Parker, one of the vocal actors along-side Mark Kilmurry and Daniel Mitchell.

Audiences should be enthralled as an actress (Katie Fitchett) playing the role of a Foley artist creates all

Nick Offerman, famed American actor, (Fargo, Parks And Recreation), comedian and writer, is once again touring Australia. His new show, All Rise, says Offerman is,“In the service of irreverence and nonconformity.” According to Offerman, the show is rife with “Deliberative talking,” which he says is like trying,“to deliver ideas at the same inexorable pace of a donkey pulling a cart laden with delicious

city hub 6 JUNE 2019

produce.” Although a dig at mass consumerism amongst other ‘isms’ explored in this show, Offerman says All Rise aims to dwell on “The better side of humanity.”

Offerman is used to playing everyman types, full of faults and foibles to comic effect as demonstrated both in Parks And Recreation as the character of Ron Swanson who works within ‘The Pyramid Of Greatness’ and is an “authority on certain aspects of life, but is wildly, happily ignorant to many other aspects of modern culture,” and as the drunken lawyer, Karl Weathers, a literate intellectual with proverbial diarrhea, in Fargo, for which he was nominated for,The People’s Choice Award. Seriously though there is deep conviction behind Offerman’s rhetoric and, he describes himself as being,“always on the lookout for topics to unpack in the hope that we can all continue evolving to a place wherein

Sammy J’s Major Party You have to be a pretty good comedian to wring more humour out of something that is already a farce - Australian parliament - but Sammy J has managed to do it on a regular basis with better than average success. His popular short skit series on the ABC, imaginatively titled Sammy J, features several alter egos, each with their own distinct take on domestic politics.Those personalities will all appear live on his Major Party National Tour.

“Being on stage with an audience, that’s where I started and that’s what I love doing.This is the first time I’ve put all these characters on stage…

Playground Politics, the Government Coach, National Yoga - all these stupid characters that I’ve been doing on TV, they’ll have a chance to shine, alongside me doing stand-up and singing songs as well,” says Sammy.

It’s a solo show and Sammy hasn’t quite sorted out how he’ll achieve the character transitions, but he has a rough plan.

a&e

12

Photo: Christian Trinder

of stepping back in time.“Also seeing how they used to do it because it’s so visually interesting.When you look back radio plays were very powerful – when Orson Welles did his War Of The Worlds everyone thought the aliens had landed!” (MMo) Jun 7-Jul 13. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli. $38-$80+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.ensemble.com.au

Nick Offerman - All Rise

Photo: Marnya Rothe

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ darkly wry play set in a New York magazine office was shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize and has received high acclaim from critics in New York and London. It makes its Sydney debut at the Seymour Centre in June and seems likely to attract the same kind of buzz.

Based around a competitive, vitriolic young group of lower tier journalists, the play spotlights the destructive modern desire to be “the first” and “the most” and the extremes that culture can lead to.

“When the audience comes into the theatre they’re gonna say ‘okay, we’re gonna see an office satire.’ And then, in reality, it’s much, much more than that,” says Michelle Ny who plays the dual roles of Kendra and Jenna. The plot hinges on a very sudden, pivotal incident, one that is quite confronting, yet Ny says it’s not a sombre play.

“It’s very, very funny… it’s a satire, it’s crazy. I don’t think it’s dark. It’s not dramatic at all, you’ll be laughing for a lot of it - until you’re in shock!” she explains.

“The text is amazing, there is so much subtext going on. So then it’s really satisfying to watch.”

The play is clear on its intent and while there’s social commentary, there’s no preaching or moralising. Ny also describes it as “very, very American,” but she believes “an Australian audience will have a connection to it and will understand what it is.”

It’s hard to say much more without giving away the plot - and you should try and see it before someone does. (RB) Until Jun 22. Seymour Centre, Cnr Cleveland St & City Rd, Chippendale. $33-$47+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.seymourcentre.com

the sound effects on stage.“She has to do all the running, all the shooting and the wind, the birds, doors opening and shutting, curtains being drawn it’s very funny! This is a comedy but it’s also definitely a thriller and a drama. Beautifully written and quite elaborate, it’s penned in a very particular style.”

Each vocal actor plays multiple characters.“In the first one I play the ex-wife, she’s very smart, the better fighter, quite eccentric and in the second one I’m the young woman working for a music teacher and there’s a strange mystery happening around her.

They’re very different characters, but the great thing about radio plays is that you only have your voice to communicate the different characters so you have a whole range of things that you can do.”

Parker explained that this play should appeal to older audiences as they have grown up with radio plays, but also to younger audiences as it’s the thrill

12 STAGE 14 SCENE 15 Sounds 15 SCREEN

“Let’s just say there’ll be some quick change costumes on hand, well-placed sound effects, and some audience involvement,” he says, somewhat cryptically.

The room itself will be decorated with balloons, banners etcetera, playing with the “party” double entendre.

Sammy has had a long career in comedy, on stage and in television, with a string of popular shows on the ABC including a sitcom with his occasional partner, Randy (a puppet). It’s garnered him a wide and diverse fan base.When he first started doing his current series based on political issues, he was worried he’d run out of

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

we don’t feel the need to send our gay children to camps so that they might be fixed.”

His books too, with very long titles, the most recent being,THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD, (co-written with bride, Megan Mullally, ( Karen on Will And Grace), are full of humour derived from social observations of the world and people around him.“My many characters will undoubtedly be glimpsed through the lens of my own clumsy personality, I hope to, evoke laughter, indigestion, and inexplicable waves of heavy petting in the mezzanine.”

Above all Nick Offerman does libertarian well and all with a deadpan intensity that makes you take comedy seriously. (RLD) Jun 18. State Theatre, 47-51 Market St, Sydney. $81.32+b.f Tickets & Info: www.ticketmaster.com.au

material, but then along came the Barnaby Joyce scandal and leadership spill.

“Sadly, disarray and chaos are bad for the country but good for comedy,” says Sammy.

He makes a point of being politically neutral and not making any personal commentary.

“I try and let my sketches reflect what I think is the funniest aspect of the news that week,” he says. “There’s no shortage of comedians out there with their own public opinions but that’s not me.” (RB) Jun 7.The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. $44.90-$47.95+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.theconcourse.com.au Jun 8.The Factory, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville. $41.90-$44.95+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.factorytheatre.com.au

Contributors: Irina Dunn, Mark Morellini, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Joseph Rana, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore, Renee Lou Dallow, Alannah Maher.

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A Call Out for the Retired, Superannuated and Graduate Students Writers needed on local issues across the City Hub’s five distribution regions.

Must be able to write engaging and accurate copy and meet deadlines.

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Photo: Nguyen The Duong

À O Làng PhO

“À O Làng Pho means ‘from village to the city’”, explains Tuan Le, show director and founding member of the Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam. Le has performed with Cirque du Soleil and he was the head choreographer and co-creator for Toruk: The First Flight, the Avatar-inspired Cirque du Soleil show.

When he returned to Vietnam after being away for more than 10 years, he felt disillusioned with what he saw.

“I saw a lot of performances...but I couldn’t see the identity of Vietnam circus at that time,” Le explains.The shows he saw mirrored classic Chinese and Russian circus but lacked an authentic, national feel.Traditional Vietnamese

circus is less focused on risky technical feats and more on artistry and storytelling. À O Làng Pho depicts the gradual transition from farming communities and small village life to modern metropolitan cities.

It’s a narrative that is told non-verbally using imaginative props and interpretive movement. It incorporates thrilling aerial stunts, acrobatics, contortion, juggling, and traditional dance. Modern elements such as beatbox and hip-hop are melded with traditional elements.

“We are using all the traditional instruments coming from Vietnam, but we don’t play folk songs on stage. We take the

ability of each instrument and sound to create new ambiences,” says Le. The show has been described as spectacular and stunning, yet also humorous and heartwarming. Le says Vietnamese performers have “a very joyful soul when they work.”

It’s their first time in Australia and Le can’t wait.“We are so, so excited that we can share our artistic dream and also share with the audience in Sydney about ‘What is Vietnam today.’ And I hope a lot of people will come and see the show.” (RB) Jun 12-15. Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $39-$99+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

THE NAKED CITY

TEMPERANCE 2019 With Coffin Ed Plans by the Berejiklian government to look at a revision of the lockout laws have been welcomed by many but treated with dismay by others – especially those who work in hospital emergency facilities like St Vincents as well as the police and paramedics. Everybody agrees Sydney nightlife is moribund but whether allowing punters to booze through until the wee small hours will see a return to vibrancy is open to question.

The health of Sydney nightlife has been fraught with problems for decades, such as the integrity of the colourful identities who have traditionally controlled many of the late night clubs and bars.

Add to this the greed of the real estate market and the zealous enforcement of a plethora of regulations by State and council bodies and you hardly have a recipe for fun times. Overriding all these factors has been the inexorable link between people shedding inhibition and the sale of copious amounts of alcohol, on which the venues depend for their financial viability.

There’s seemingly no way around this unholy symbiosis in the current climate where alcohol reigns supreme as the social drug of choice, propelled by huge vested interests and a government that reaps millions in liquor taxes. If I am starting to sound like a wowser it’s because I have detected an interesting reaction recently amongst many of my friends and acquaintances

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Rhubarbs which was unlicensed, with only soft drink on sale, but was packed every weekend.

I am not for one moment suggesting a return to the days of the alcohol-free Blue Light discos but a complete rethink of the part the demon drink plays in the nightlife of Sydney might well be worth considering.

There is a strange minority of punters who go to clubs and never touch a drop – maybe they get

their chemical uplift elsewhere and maybe catering to them with a grog-free environment might set an example. All wishful thinking of course because we are all affected by the booze culture if we set out after dark in Sydney. It doesn’t matter whether you are a perennial pisspot, a social tippler or a total abstainer, alcohol in all its many guises is omnipresent and impacts on everybody.

Fiona Horne - The Art Of Witch

We Professionally install:

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who work in hospitality – bar staff, DJs and even musicians.

It’s a growing revulsion to alcohol and the binge culture that accompanies it. When you are stone cold sober but dealing with often hundreds of people, from the mildly inebriated to those totally off their face, this is often a natural reaction.

During my university days, I drove a taxi at night to help pay my way, a situation which meant I seldom touched alcohol, even though I was by no means a teetotaler. After a few months in the job, I developed what can only be described as an unhealthy contempt for anybody getting into the cab who vaguely smelled of alcohol or appeared under the influence.

When a drunken sailor threw up in the space between the window and the door and put the cab off the road for three hours to be cleaned, that contempt grew into almost a phobia, a Travis Bickle Taxi Driver kind of hatred. Talk about aversion therapy. I soon avoided intoxicated passengers like the plague and knocking back a potentially lucrative late-night fare was better than having to clean a pile of vomit from the back seat.

What all this has to do with Sydney’s lockout laws may well have you puzzled. Perhaps what I am suggesting is that in trying to revitalise a nighttime culture, we don’t just accept booze as the accepted norm or indeed vilify it entirely as the poison that kills thousands annually. I have often referred to the legendary late 60s Sydney club

city hub 6 JUNE 2019

Witches and witchcraft are somewhat of a relic from the past for many people. However, Fiona Horne is looking to revive and inspire a new wave of witchcraft and Wicca practitioners in the modern age.

Horne is doing this by releasing her book The Art Of Witch.

Many readers may recognise Horne’s name from her time as the frontwoman for 90s rock band Def FX or her appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Good News Week and Good Morning Australia. Since those days though Horne has gone on to become a leading

expert in the world of modern witchcraft and Wicca, publishing 11 books over the years.

Throughout her times practising and writing about witchcraft Horne has also received numerous awards from her Wiccan and Witchcraft peers for her service to the Craft dispelling negative stereotypes and myths about what is now acknowledged as a world religion and respected spiritual path.

For anybody interested in exploring this religious and spiritual path for themselves Horne’s latest book, which she

will be launching in Sydney next Wednesday, is a manifesto for the authentic practice of Modern Witchcraft and offers readers compelling insight into her empowered personal practice of this sacred craft.

The upcoming launch event will allow for the curious minded individual to hear Horne’s personal stories in person, as well as ask any questions that they may have.

Jun 12. The Vanguard, 42 King St, Newtown. $66.05-$94.61+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.thevanguard.com.au

By Jamie Apps In order for a band to break out from their local scene, they sometimes need to go against the grain of popular culture. For Perth four-piece Sly Withers they did just that and have seen rapid success, recently signing with record labels Dew Process and Universal Music Australia. Ahead of their upcoming show at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory guitarist/ singer Sam Blitvich reflected on the band’s roots with City Hub. The four members of Sly Withers originally met in high school, where they shared music class.

When the four young men realised they all had similar interests and a drive to pursue music as a potential career they pushed forward by forming the band officially. The first steps of this process involved Jono Mata and Sam Blitvich busking at local malls and cafes, something which honed their performance abilities.

“Busking is definitely one of those things that help you come to terms with what it means to be a

Sly Withers

performer and not necessarily a songwriter. You’re very much putting yourself out there, and to a degree, you’re quite vulnerable. By busking you learn to connect with people, who may not even want to be connecting with you,” explained Blitvich.

During those early busking experiences Blitvich says the

group felt a “certain amount of pressure to sound like” the bands around them which were all heavily influenced by Tame Impala. However, after a period of time, the group realised this wasn’t a true representation of themselves.

“At some point, it ticked over in our heads that we wanted to simply make the music we

wanted to listen to. So we started doing the reverse of everyone else in the scene to set ourselves apart.”

This decision was the best thing Sly Withers could have made as it has seen them quickly establish themselves as one of the hottest acts, not only in Western Australia but in the country as a whole. This momentum allowed the group to sign with indie music stalwarts Dew Process. A move which once again altered the way the group looked at music.

“There is a certain amount of validation that comes from having the label deal,” explained Blitvich before continuing, “It takes things from being a hobby to being something that is a job.

I find that really motivating. It really helps to drive us and get things done because there is a greater purpose to it now.”

Jun 7. Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $10+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.slywithers.com

Skyscraper Stan Golden Boy Vol I & II Very few musicians truly embody the troubadour spirit in this modern age as much as Skyscraper Stan does with his latest release, Golden Boy. Golden Boy is delivered to listeners as a singular package but actually consists of two distinct volumes.

Whilst each volume stands alone in their own rights when paired together the listener is taken on a mesmerising journey.

Skyscraper Stan’s lyrical prowess is showcased throughout expertly and is the true focal point of the record. Across the two volumes, Stan tackles themes of privilege, masculinity, crime and ambition before moving into an introspective and autobiographical exploration of lessons learned (or not).

This release fuses country music elements with folk storytelling in an easy to listen to package. Golden Boy is certainly worth taking the time to appreciate and marinade upon over the course a multiple listens. (JA) WWW1/2

Ears To The Ground: Hinterlandt

Hinterlandt Graffiti

The City Recital Hall team are once again bringing an incredible night of music to the heart of our fine city as part of their intimate and late evening music series, Ears To The Ground. On offer, this month is the Sydney-based ensemble Hinterland, a group which has situated themselves comfortably between the chairs of classical chamber music and indie-pop sensibilities.

Happy As Lazzaro

exploitation of the underprivileged by the rich.

Working alongside a group of sharecroppers who don’t realise this practice has been outlawed, they are inadvertently prisoners under the guard of the marquise disrespectfully known as ‘the cigarette queen’, until the farm is shut down owing to enslavement and tax evasion.

What follows in what can only be best be described as an Italian post-war neorealism film, will mesmerise and possibly perplex audiences as the magic-realism themes evolve in a script overladen with enchanting metaphoric symbolism.

Lovers of foreign art house cinema should be This ‘cinematic allegory’ which may be incoherent for completely absorbed and even entranced by this mainstream moviegoers at times, is humorous and bizarre award-winning dramatic offering from Italy, contains breathtaking cinematography of sweeping which was written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher. Italian landscapes.The film also offers an insight into This fable revolves around a young and innocent the life of uned ucated Italian farming communities farmhand called Lazzaro (Adriano Tardiolo), which were swindled until the late 1970s. (MMo) WWW1/2 who works on a tobacco field and concerns the

Hinterland’s performances are comprised of exclusively composed original music by German-born Jochen Gutsch. Throughout the years the ensemble has undergone many different incarnations but they always circle back to a style which is diverse, open and progressive, with a narrative and engaging quality.

For the evening at City Recital Hall,

Hinterlandt will play two sets: the first will be their Ode To Doubt album in full, the second will be their most recent Sollbruchstelle EP in full. For the first set, the mainly instrumental quartet will be joined by classically-trained singer Nicole Smede on vocals.

Jun 6. City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Pl, Sydney. $25+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.cityrecitalhall.com

Red Joan

What drives a person to commit an act of treason? For Physics student Joan (Sophie Cookson), it begins at Cambridge in the 1930s where the shadows of war are threatening.

Although she attends socialist group meetings mainly because she is drawn to an exotic Russian, Sonya (Tereza Srbova) and her handsome and charismatic cousin, Leo (Tom Hughes), post-university she is initially sickened by their attempts to enlist her into their world of espionage. Fast forward 50 years, however, and a frail, elderly woman (Judi Dench) is suddenly arrested and interrogated. Now she must attempt to explain to her astonished family and a very different world what her intentions truly were.

Loosely based on a real story, Director Trevor Nunn’s tale can be plodding at times, and the twists are none-too-subtle. Some may also

complain Dame Judi is under-utilised. But then again, wasn’t it a Russian who once said ‘there are no small parts, only small actors.’

WWW

My Big Gay Italian Wedding This is a sweet, charming, predictable but likeable Italian romcom with a slight twist (the title is the giveaway).

Antonio (Cristiano Caccamo) lives with his boyfriend Paulo (Salvatore Esposito) in Berlin.

Antonio proposes and Paulo accepts on the condition that he be introduced to Antonio’s parents.And so they pack their bags and head to

Italy, along with their friend, Benedetta, and newly arrived, highly strung flatmate, Donato.Antonio’s home is in a medieval, hill-top village of which his father, Roberto (Diego Abatantuono) is mayor.

Classic tensions, drama, and hijinx ensue, further fuelled by Antonio’s lovelorn ex-girlfriend, Camilla.

There are few surprises - except for the very unexpected last scene - but the acting is good and

there are some funny moments.

Antonio’s mother,Anna (Monica Guerritore) is a refreshingly strongly written female role, played magnetically

by Guerritore.The incredible location, Civita, is straight out of a fantasy novel and worth a Google. (RB) WW1/2

Cristiano Caccamo - Salvatore Esposito city hub 6 JUNE 2019

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