City Hub 9 August 2018

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city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

Puttin’ on the Fitz

By John Moyle While Sydney council’s OPEN Sydney night time economy might be working for some, it is failing badly for one Sydney pub.

Garry Pasfield operates one of Sydney’s most treasured hotels, Woolloomooloo’s Old Fitzroy, which has served locals and theatre goers for the past 20 years without a single community complaint.

The peace was shattered on the 2nd of December 2017 when he was visited by a City of Sydney compliance officer who spoke with him about a Development Application condition that had been dormant for 18 years.

Mr Pasfield was unaware of the condition, as when he bought the Old Fitz some twenty years ago he had a partner who looked after business affairs, while he ran the pub’s day to day operations.

“As the licensee I should have been aware of it, but the officer said that she would help with having it removed,” Mr Pasfield said.

“The officer then returned on December 12 and said that I had to do something about it.”

On May 18, Mr Pasfield and his lawyer attended City of Sydney Council chambers, meeting with compliance officers in expectation of a resolution to his section 4.55 application to modify the DA. “They read the riot act to me,” Mr Pasfield said, adding that from that day on he has had to employ a security guard four nights a week at a cost of $1,000 to meet the condition of the original consent.

Mr Pasfield is certain that the enforcement of the condition was triggered by an unfounded noise complaint against the Old Fitz.

Without hard evidence, Old Fitz regulars believe the source of the complaints to be from the women’s refuge across the road.

“People living there tell us that one particular person has been trying to get a petition against the hotel for sound,” Mr Pasfield claims.

“The City investigates all noise complaints and undertakes compliance enforcement if the noise is assessed as being excessive or offensive,” a City of Sydney spokesperson said.

“This action will depend on the evidence gathered by the compliance officers.”

The City of Sydney said that it has received five noise complaints against the Old Fitz since December 2017.

The noise complaints were just the beginning of Mr Pasfields’s increasingly frequent contact with the City of Sydney.

Since the triggering of the DA condition requiring a security guard, the Old Fitz has also been visited for health inspections and been accused of conducting unauthorised renovations.

“So far four different departments from Council have come to check us one or more times,” Mr Pasfield said.

All of this action against a pub which has only needed to call the police once in 20 years has led community members to question the effectiveness of the City of Sydney’s OPEN Sydney policy.

They claim on one hand the City of Sydney is trying to promote a night time economy that has been struggling for many years, and on the other its compliance officers appear to be part of the problem, using the letter of the law to impede business.

“The Old Fitz ticks every box that OPEN Sydney promotes of cultural policy and night time policy and is now attracting compliance attention because of an unfounded complaint,” Councillor Craig Chung, City of Sydney said.

Author Louis Nowra who has been a regular of the Old Fitz for over a decade appeared dumbfounded when he said “Why the City of Sydney seems determined to harass in such a heavy handed way this special community hotel remains a mystery.”

The solution to the mystery could be the culture developed by certain City compliance officers.

“I am aware that some City of Sydney rangers are drawing complaints about behaving like virtual vigilante groups,” Councillor Angela Vithoulkas, City of Sydney said, citing business operators as her sources. “Our compliance officers should have the ability to resolve and just not fine.”

While stressing that in her 30 years of operating small businesses she has met many good compliance officers, Cr Vithoulkas said the behaviour of a few

Garry Pasfield under siege.

Photo: John Moyle

casts a shadow over all actions being carried out in the name the City.

Councillor Chung raises the issue of public policy being eroded by private conduct when he said, “The City should be helping businesses to stay open and help themselves in the night time economy, and on the other hand rein in these compliance officers who seem intent on shutting them down.”

“There is a complete lack of transparency and agenda that is happening without the knowledge of councillors,” Cr Vithoulkas said.

Councillor Vithoulkas insisted the problem goes even deeper, with councillors being forbidden to advocate for small business owners in their representations to the City of Sydney.

“When a business owner attends these meetings on their own there is no-one to fight for them, and councillors are not allowed to be part of the advocacy role where they may have some

knowledge of the situation,” Cr Vithoulkas said.

“People can feel very intimidated by compliance officers and it is often one of the few times in their lives that they are subjected to some kind of law enforcement.

“It’s just not roads, rates and rubbish, we are at the very fabric of people’s daily lives.”

A spokesperson for City of Sydney said that most section 4.55 applications are assessed within 40 days, but Mr Pasfield is still waiting for a pathway to resolution.

“The way that Garry has been dealt with by the City is not the way that we should be treating a long term and well-run business,” Cr Chung said.

“This pub is the heartbeat of a very caring, loyal and interdependent community,” said author Mandy Sayer.

The Old Fitzroy has been in Woolloomooloo since 1860.

Dulwich Hill heritage saved Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Editors: Lanie Tindale, John Moyle Contributors: John Moyle, Lanie Tindale, Peter Hehir, Paul Paech, Rickie Hardiman, Linda Hoang Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Cover Photo: Supplied. Tommy Emmanuel 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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By Lanie Tindale The Inner West Council has had its decision to pause the development of a Dulwich Hill heritage home into an apartment block upheld on appeal.

The Interim Heritage Order was placed in March this year, giving Council six months breathing room to consider the Development Application on the property.

The home at 73 The Boulevarde Dulwich Hill is a fivebedroom, three-bathroom house on a 645sqm block which sold for $2.5 million in 2017.

In the sales brochure the property was described as exuding “all the personality of its era with many beautiful character details and preserved hallmarks of its c1920s origin.”

The house had been in the same family for five generations, which possibly explains why it did not already have a heritage listing.

The Marrickville-based owner seeking the development, Perry Properties Pty Ltd lost its appeal to the Environment Land and Environment Court on August 3.

The court dismissed the appeal on the grounds “The dwelling has an aesthetically distinctive interior…there is a real chance that it will be found to be of

Heritage upheld in Dulwich Hill. Photo: Lanie Tindale

local heritage significance on this criterion as the integrity and intact nature of the interior, together with the combination of the inglenook (fireplace), timber panelling and other applied ornament (is rare).”

In a statement through the Inner West Council media, Councillor Mark Drury said he sought the advice of Council staff to see how they could protect the property after local residents informed him of the application.

“I was a bit surprised the

building wasn’t already heritage listed,” he said.

The application to develop the property caused outcry among residents when it became public in March.

Commenting on the Government Gazette website, President of Marrickville Heritage Society Scott MacArthur said that the society did not support the development application.

Mr. MacArthur described the house as being rare and significant.

“The developer has proposed

to erect a four-storey block of flats, with a flat roof that is grossly out of scale and character with the adjacent house… and the Victorian villas further along The Boulevarde,” he said.

“All of the historic houses in The Boulevarde are under threat of high rise redevelopment due to the State Government’s Metro Rail rezoning proposal, and Council should be actively seeking to protect this precinct by declaring it a Conservation Area.”

In her submission, resident Isobel Deane expressed a broader dissatisfaction with Council and what she perceived as its bias to overdevelopment.

“Goodness me council. Do you not read the fatigue and frustration in the words of your residents? We are tired of the lack of your consideration towards your constituents and the push for construction. Please. Give it a rest.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said in a statement the appeal decision “is a huge win for Dulwich Hill.

“We need to send a message to developers that they can’t bulldoze their way through our communities and destroy the buildings that give the Inner West its unique character,” he said. city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

3

Glad impaled with metro stake

By John Moyle The government of Glad the Impaler recently suffered a crushing blow as people power drove a stake through the heart of its proposal for a Sydenham to Bankstown metro link.

The proposal would have had 13.5km of metro line replace the existing Sydenham to Bankstown railway line, and have included an initial development of around 16,000 high rise dwellings in buildings reaching up to 25 storeys.

A submission to Preferred Infrastructure on 17 July 2018 stated that one of the community’s strongest complaints was “that by converting an existing railway line, rather than building a line to suburbs that don’t currently have rail, the government is wasting an opportunity to extend Sydney’s rail network.”

The submission also criticised the 53 weeks over five years the rail line would need to be closed and that 19,000 commuters would be forced to change trains daily because of the conversion.

It has attracted further criticism for its adoption of the metro system which only had the capacity for 378 passengers per eight carriage train, as opposed to 896 seats on the current double decker carriages.

Immediately after the project’s announcement, developers swooped with proposals for an extra 25,000 dwellings along the corridor, which would wiped out entire communities.

“It’s a huge win for the Inner West, and particular credit needs to go to community groups like Save Marrickville and Save Dully (Dulwich Hill) who have been very forceful and effective and successful advocates for returning control to our community,” said Mayor Darcy Byrne of Inner West Council.

From the time the second phase of the proposal was released in 2015 a wave of community groups along the length of the corridor began grassroots actions.

“The Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park and Belmore

4

city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

Residents rally to save Marrickville. Photo: Alex Davies

(residents) were the first people to object and put in submissions, share information, and read the Environmental Impact Statements, and I went through all the responses on the Marrickville submissions,” said Heather Davie from Marrickville Residents Action Group.

Ms Davie collated the Marrickville submissions into a document which showed only five of the 255 submissions were in support - one anonymous submission stating ‘well done planning’ - while the vast majority expressed concerns about heritage, character, height and loss of community.

Complaints about the 6,000 new apartments within 800 metres of the metro line attracted 92 objections, overdevelopment 94, bulk, scale and reach 105, over shadowing 93 and loss of views 58.

“The plans looked like someone had just got a compass out and drawn circles 400 metres and 800

metres and then got out their coloured pencils and said this can be 12 storeys and this can be 15 storeys without regard as to what was there,” said Kelsie Dadd of Save Marrickville.

Lack of infrastructure for current and future populations was another major concern and attracted 76 objections, while 173 objected to the lack of schools, 102 the lack of hospitals, 154 the lack of current and future open spaces and 184 the danger of flooding.

Kelsie Dadds said “we were shocked that the plans were so dense and was putting a lot more people into the area that was already having problems with infrastructure.”

Many of the respondents objected to the poor consultation process.

“It was just a broad brush non-consultative approach that just took the community for

granted, and as most of the corridor is held by Labor they just felt that they could get away with it, the same way that they got away with privatising 400 buses in this area,” Peter Olive, Sydenham to Bankstown Alliance said.

“The Government is completely out of touch with the community and they see themselves in a position of power to do what they see is right, and what they see is right is often what their developer mates want.”

The scope of development was expanded to Mirvac’s proposal for Marrickville’s Carrington Road light industrial area which currently houses a mix of over 100 local businesses supporting over 1,000 employees.

“Mirvac’s proposals for 35 storey skyscrapers would have a new justification under State planning legislation and would have likely have been forced through in one shape or another,” Cr Byrne said.

“That proposal is now confined to the dust bin of history and under the existing Marrickville Environmental Plan the site at Carrington Road is zoned for industrial usage, and I don’t see why that should change.”

“Carrington Road is not part of the Sydenham to Bankstown Urban Renewal Corridor, it stands outside of that, but is going through the Gateway process which is still problematic, despite the powers being handed back to Inner West Council,” Peter Olive said.

As Mirvac has shown interest in pursuing the Carrington Road development there may be more community action in the near future.

“It seems to me that the big thing on the horizon is the state election in March 2019 and that will determine what will happen next,” Peter Olive said.

“This victory for the community is great, however we should be aware that the State Government still gets to set density levels for the Councils, and in the lead up to the next election the Liberals are trying to make themselves a small target.”

Waverley targets waste

By Linda Hoang Waverley Council and community groups spent July working together to promote a plastic free future, encouraging a move towards zero waste and sustainable living.

As part of Plastic Free Bondi in July, the groups held documentary film screenings and panels, market stall days and beach clean ups to encourage locals to come together to explore alternatives to single use plastics and work towards zero waste.

The Council initiative, Second Nature, works with local organisations to build community engagement and raise awareness about reducing environmental impact.

Senior Environment Officer, Nicola Saltman, said “We started Second Nature in 2016 at Waverley Council to bring sustainability to life, and create a movement in our community…so they can take action in their day to day lives to look after this awesome place we call home.”

Ms Saltman said the initiative, which has close to 2500 participants, was created after undertaking social research in the community and analysing the results to find a way to meet the community targets set in Waverley’s Environmental Strategy.

“Our face-to-face outreach continues to raise awareness on sustainability issues, solutions and drive participation in programs and events,” she said.

She said Second Nature addresses the problem of the public’s low awareness of Council programs and environmental targets, adding that while residents believed looking after the environment is a shared responsibility, they were previously not clear about what to do or how to get involved.

Ms Saltman believes the community’s shared love of the area’s lifestyle and natural environment and feeling of connection to the land has helped them engage with the scheme.

“There’s consistent and targeted communication and engagement to support positive behaviour change in areas of waste, energy, water, transport and urban ecology within the community,” she said.

Local group Transition Bondi issues a different challenge to its members each month to offer insight into a more sustainable lifestyle.

Founder of Transition Bondi, Lance

Waverley keeps a sharp eye on waste.

Photo: Waverley Council

Lieber, said “Every July we encourage people to go without buying any single use or disposable plastic for the month.”

“It’s based on the idea that it takes a month to change a habit and if we all do it together as a community and we get through the first month people often stick to those habits,” he added.

The group works with Second Nature focussing on the shared goal of reducing environmental impact by transitioning from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a community driven and sustainable model.

Mr Lieber said “We have monthly film and feast events where we watch a documentary and do a community cook-up.

“We order veggies from an organisation that sources produce from within 150 kilometres of Sydney and part of the experience is learning how to use seasonal produce like this to reduce impact,” he said.

“We also have a community garden where we run workshops and

educate people about organic pest management, composting, growing food and beekeeping.”

Greenpeace Australia-Pacific is asking citizens to help collect data to find the source of the debris on beaches.

Plastic Free Bronte Member and Greenpeace volunteer, Eva Brennan, said “This project is an initiative asking ordinary people to collect data on the debris they pick up along the beach.

“We’re asking what brands of plastic wrapping people find are polluting our beaches,” she said.

The group will use the data to determine which brands are the worst culprits of plastic pollution and target them for action.

“Individual plastic waste is a big problem, but we need to hold companies accountable for the way they choose to wrap and serve their products,” Ms Brennan said.

Responsible Runners is a group founded as an offshoot of Transition Bondi in 2012.

Members collect washed up debris and the other litter they find at the beach as they run.

The group has 15 chapters across Australia, one in Kenya and one in the Netherlands and also runs other initiatives.

Creative Director of Responsible Runners, Eva Kiss, said “Our most effective initiative to date has been Responsible Cafes, which asks cafes to reduce their plastic consumption starting with takeaway coffee cups.”

Cafes are encouraged to give customers who bring their own cup a discount adding a tangible incentive to reusing resources.

Ms Kiss said over 4000 cafes have signed on to the program, potentially saving millions of takeaway cups from entering landfill. Asked what advice she would give others trying to encourage similar initiatives in their communities Ms Brennan said “Having personally been working towards zerowaste since 2015, I think going zero waste is really effective in starting a conversation.

“We can start by setting an example about easy adjustments to make to eliminate our plastic consumption,” she said.

Ms Kiss said, “The best advice I could give to local communities is to refuse the single-use lifestyle, stop the consumption at the source and start campaigns that promote reusable culture like Boomerang bags, mug libraries at local markets, Responsible Cafes and repair stores.”

Waverley Council’s Environmental Action Plan sets targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change and improve sustainable waste management and recycling by 2030.

Ms Saltman said “Everyone can make a difference in one way or another, and every action can count no matter how small or big.

“Grassroots actions at an individual level at home and at work are part of a solution to make a brighter future for all.”

city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

5

Unfairfax: Sydney’s media Goliath

By Linda Hoang A proposed merger of the Nine and Fairfax Sydney media giants is awaiting approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The merger is made possible following reforms last year to Australia’s two-out-of-three media law.

The rule prevented a single company or person from commercial control of all three television, radio and print platforms in the same radio license area.

Under the $4 billion merger Fairfax will lose its name and Nine will hold majority ownership and management of the company.

The merged company will cover television, print, digital, online-streaming and real estate advertising services.

Professor of the Practice of Journalism at the University of Technology, Sydney, Peter Fray said “We’re working on the assumption the merger will go through, it has to get ACCC approval, but then we don’t really know what the day to day impact will be.”

Schwartz Media’s Morning Editor, Alex McKinnon, observed “There’s a good chance Fairfax’s editorial values and voice will be swallowed up by Nine.

“Nine’s management has admitted it’s more interested in Domain and Stan than it is in preserving the Fairfax newspapers,” he said.

“It has no commercial incentive to fund the kind of lengthy, expensive investigations that produce Fairfax’s best work, and its stance around issues like reporting on advertisers is much murkier than Fairfax’s.”

In a statement, journalists’ union the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) said Nine’s takeover of Fairfax would compromise “Australian democracy and diversity of voices in what is already one of the most concentrated media markets in the world.”

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Seven West Media already dominate Australia’s media market.

A Sydney Morning Herald journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “I think the government bill to change media ownership was an overwhelming factor in

Fairfax/Nine merger unfair.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

allowing it to happen more than anything, but, I think it is more a symptom of a pre-existing media landscape in Australia.

“The merger definitely highlights how dire Australia’s media landscape has become in recent decades, at least on the scale of the largest institutions,” they said.

The ACCC enquiry will review whether digital and tech companies, such as Google and Facebook, have significant market power to affect an Australian media company’s ability to create quality journalism.

The Herald writer said “If funding is an issue and a network like Nine and things like Stan are going to bring in that revenue, it’s a chance for the mastheads of SMH and the Age to define

themselves more, and rely less on syndicating and content-driven journalism and now on distinguishing themselves as something more distinct” Prof Fray said local news outlets will gain significance from the uncertainty of the future of journalism under larger companies who may have different goals.

“In the face of all that, local news media is very important because increasingly, people look to the news to be a place that convenes conversation as well as a place that tells us what’s happening,” he said.

The Herald journalist noted “I don’t think it can just be entirely up to local media and independent publications to uphold citizen

journalism, though I think it’s definitely an opportunity to define themselves in opposition or at least, separate to the trend towards more wire-driven content media.”

“A lot of these larger structure companies feel a need to move towards content and view driven journalism.”

Prof Fray said “In a way local news is stepping up anyway to fill the gaps left by cut-backs in bigger city-based papers.

We live in a global village with an abundance of news and information but…we don’t (have) an abundance of…local news that means something to you because you’re living there.”

Mr McKinnon observed smaller media outlets work hard to uphold the integrity of independent journalism but have limited resources.

“The sort of journalism that brings down corrupt politicians, or triggers royal commissions, or exposes industry-wide exploitation of vulnerable people requires deep pockets and lots of bodies.

“Individual journalists can do brilliant work, but if they have no institutional backing it becomes that much harder to do the job.”

Nine has pledged to uphold Fairfax’s Charter of Editorial Independence which prevents commercial interference in journalism.

The MEAA said without Nine’s commitment or history in writing, Fairfax staff have a right be concerned about whether the charter would be adopted if the takeover went ahead.

“I think in the Fairfax Nine situation that calls into question how reporting is done in the future,” said the Herald writer.

“Currently the plan is to maintain editorial independence, but if newsrooms are moved to same building in the comings years that’s going to be harder and harder to enforce.”

Whether consolidation of Nine and Fairfax will reap any benefits to Australia’s democracy or media landscape is left to be seen.

Mr McKinnon said “I suppose if Fairfax journalists get their Nine colleagues to unionise and push for better pay and conditions, that’d be nice.

“Who knows, maybe Nine will discover a passion for investigative reporting it hasn’t ever displayed before.

“But I’m not holding my breath.”

Libraries living on borrowed time

By Rickie Hardiman Anyone stepping into a public library for the first time in a while might be surprised to find much more than books.

Despite the significant expansion in the range of services provided by the Local Government operated libraries, in its 2018 Budget the NSW Government cut recurrent library funding and locked metropolitan libraries out of a much-needed infrastructure overhaul.

According to industry association Local Government NSW, this year’s State allocation of $23.5 million to libraries has been slashed $5.3 million from 2017.

The 7% of the total cost for libraries contributed by the State Government in NSW is proportionally less than half of the 18% provided by Victoria and significantly lower than Queensland’s 12%.

Local Government NSW President, Linda Scott claimed the 2018 budget had swapped critical infrastructure funding “for a grab-bag of short-term sweeteners” with library funding “plummeting to record low levels”.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne commented libraries are often the most well-used and valued public facilities in the community.

“The Inner West Council libraries play a very important part in our community life, serving over one million customers on an annual basis,” he said.

Cr Byrne said the Council had asked the Government to create a $25 million public infrastructure plan, so libraries will have the 6

city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

same priority as sporting stadiums and new motorways, and to allow NSW to catch up to the rest of the country.

“The Inner West Council is calling on the State Government to increase the subsidies for all public libraries in NSW so that the funding is comparable to, or better than, our neighbouring states,” he said.

Local action groups insist libraries provide a safe and neutral communal gathering place and that the closure of a local library deprives the most vulnerable community members access to education, recreation and companionship.

Robert Knight from Renew our Libraries said the ongoing attrition of state funding threatens the sustainability of public libraries, with closures of smaller facilities likely.

Dallas Tout, President of the NSW Public Libraries Association, observed that NSW public libraries were critical in supporting the Government’s own childhood literacy and education objectives.

There are storytime events and activities for toddlers and pre-school aged children, interactive stories, exhibitions and competitions for kids in Primary, and for older students, resources including past HSC exam papers, study guides, support groups and online resources to improve home study.

The NSW Public Libraries Association and Local Government NSW have together launched a campaign calling on the State Government to increase its allocation to libraries and deliver a sustainable funding model.

State government robbing books from Surry Hills Library Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Linda Scott said library use was growing while funding declines.

“NSW Government funding has not kept up with demand and we need to ensure public libraries can stay stable,” she said.

“Each year NSW public libraries receive

over 35 million visits,” said Dallas Tout.

“The number and breadth of services and programmes that are offered have been on the increase for years despite the everdecreasing contribution of funds by the state government.”

Heritage bulldozed

By Peter Hehir The development infrastructure has waged war on New South Wales’ heritage for decades.

Whenever the Liberal Party gains power, the bulldozers are turned loose and destruction is unleashed on a grand scale.

In its 1999 oral history Development of the Pacific Highway and the Sydney–Newcastle Freeway, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) says ‘Within our own walls we determined what we’d build, and when we’d do it, and we just went and did it. We told people that we wanted their land, and that we’d take it…We developed a very bad reputation’.

It’s obvious not much has changed.

If you painted a picture of the ongoing WestConnex saga it would depict the bulldozers lying in wait at the doors of heritage listed homes with the developers lurking behind them clutching their high-rise plans.

One only needs to look at the havoc wreaked on Haberfield with Stage 2 of WestConnex to understand that under the conservative manifesto developers always win and roads trump residences.

The National Trust has reported at least 60 Trust classified homes have already been bulldozed to make way for the tollway and its portals.

The City West Link is bumper to bumper in peak hour and on weekends, and the additional traffic disgorged onto it by WestConnex will only increase the chaos.

The recently approved Stage 3 will see the White Bay area gridlocked in extended peak hours, with traffic banking up in the heavily polluted tunnels for kilometres, all at the expense of not only residents but also the areas of historical significance which will be razed in the name of progress.

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While the rest of the world has abandoned inner city tollways as an abject failure, the NSW Government and the RMS blunder on, hell bent on proving history isn’t important and that tollways don’t induce traffic.

That they can adopt a thoroughly discredited approach and anticipate success is either arrogance of the highest order or a practical demonstration of the axiom that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.

When the evidence from similar projects shows worsened traffic, it bears asking what exactly is the connection between the RMS and its former employees, current and former members of the NSW Government and the multinational toll companies?

A recent article published by the Daily Telegraph examines this web of relationships and comes up with some startling and disturbing connections.

Former NSW Premier and Liberal Party leader Nick Greiner’s appointment to a senior position with Transurban was only the beginning of the migration from Government to Development.

The investigation by the Daily Telegraph reveals consultancy firm MU Group has been awarded Roads and Maritime Services contracts worth more than $4.46 million since hiring retired Minister for Roads Duncan Gay as an “executive adviser” in August 2017, just weeks after he quit parliament.

Mr Gay said he had nothing to do with the deals, but the Daily Telegraph confirmed of the six contracts, none went to open tender, with three designated ‘non-tender’ and three ‘limited tender’ meaning only selected parties were invited to apply.

The MU Group has at least 11 former RMS employees on its staff, including both of its Directors and three out of the four members of its Advisory Board.

Our community’s history and heritage is quickly swept away by the Government’s entanglement with developers and their money.

Heritage preservation is seen as a bar to development, an inconvenience, of no value, outdated and perhaps an uncomfortable reminder of a less sophisticated time.

But in order to know where we are going it is essential to know where we have been.

Organisations like the National Trust here and overseas recognise this truth and place great value on history, because history is not only our story, but shapes our future.

Residents of the Inner West and the ring of Victorian-built suburbs know only too well the value of the architecture and urban design of streets lined with terraces and cottages.

Such homes strike a brilliant balance between efficient use of land, the built form and architectural art.

They are pleasing to the eye and wonderful to live in - but anathema to the developer.

In March of 2016 the leaked publication of plans for the Rozelle Interchange, published on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald, showed much of Rozelle on the western side of Victoria Road earmarked for demolition.

Once the interchange is built, what’s left will be flogged off to the developers for high rise apartments, ensuring that the character of what is at present a stunning place to live, is lost forever.

Glebe was only saved in the 70s by the actions of hundreds of residents who performed heroic acts of civil disobedience and it will take the same to save Rozelle.

Opinion

Development has created traffic problems.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

As the owner of a late Georgian sandstone cottage built around 1864 and afforded the protection of ‘an item of the environmental heritage’, I asked how the Sydney Motorway Corporation dealt with such properties.

I was told, in what I can only assume was meant to be in a reassuring tone ‘Oh, we don’t bulldoze them, we demolish them by hand’.

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FACTORY THEATRE . MARRICKVILLE city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

7

FEATURE

Sydney Guitar Festival

By Jamie Apps Worldwide there is no other instrument more recognisable, even just by it’s silhouette, than the guitar.

The guitar’s popularity across the globe stems from its versatility in regards to sounds, genre and culture. For some players, like Peter Northcote, it even has a spiritual connection that is unrivalled.

“The guitar is connected to you, it’s an appendage, it’s a very personal thing. A piano is ‘out there’ away from, so is a drum kit, whereas the guitar resonates with you physically and spiritually.”

Beginning today Sydney will be overrun by both masters of the instrument alongside casual players as they come together for Sydney’s premier guitar event celebrating the diverse instrument’s rich history and exciting future.

For guitar maestro Peter Northcote the Sydney Guitar Festival is so important simply because, “there are so many fucking guitar players, there’s millions of us!”

From the viewpoint of the organisers the event is an incredible opportunity for local guitarists to witness and learn from the artists at the top of their field as they continue to push the boundaries of the instrument.

“The festival is focussed on the live show performance aspect across a wide range of genres rather than being a typical ‘trade’ show,” explained festival coordinator Adrian Leighton.

“The event is quite inspiring for players who may not have seen some of these artists before, which wouldn’t be happening otherwise.”

Headlining the festival this year is one of Australia’s finest guitarists in Tommy Emmanuel, one of only five guitarists worldwide to be given the Chet Atkins ‘Certified Guitar Player’ stamp of approval.

Receiving that particular accolade from one of

“Phil wouldn’t want me to do anything but what I’m supposed to be doing,” he said. “It’s even more important now that while I can I get out there and do what I’m supposed to. I’ll play a tribute to him and tell some stories on stage to honour him as well.”

The Sydney Guitar Festival is not just about honouring and showcasing the great Australian guitarists though, Purple Haze: The Jimi Hendrix Tribute will also shine a light on one of the international greats of the instrument.

Purple Haze: The Jimi Hendrix Tribute is a tribute concert which brings together an all-star line-up of Australia’s musical guitar greats each performing their two favourite Hendrix songs, with a couple of surprise duets.

According to Peter Northcote the Hendrix Tribute is a, “great experience because it’s 10 guitarists playing their asses off with some of the best rock music, from one of the best rock guitar players in history.”

Throughout the show the artists don’t simply his heroes was a surprise for Emmanuel, but on, to get to where he is today has required recreate Hendrix’s music, “nobody is ever one which felt incredibly special. With this years of dedication and hard-work. going to play like Hendrix,” but rather they acknowledgement Emmanuel now feels a For Emmanuel his workshops are the perfect use his music as a foundation to create their responsibility to hand down his knowledge opportunity to convey that message to a own interpretations and provide the audience and experience to the next generation of younger generation. with a truely unique experience. guitarists, something which he will be doing “I always approach my workshops from the For the guitarists on the lineup the Sydney during the festival through both his perspective of myself being an example of Guitar Festival is also a rare opportunity for performances and a series of special someone who makes a living playing the guitar. them to come together. workshops.

I can tell you how difficult it is and what it “The best thing about this show is getting to Tommy Emmanuel’s experience harks all the entails to get somewhere in the business.” hang out with a bunch of other guitarists way bay to his days as a baby. “When I was a Originally Tommy Emmanuel was set to be because usually there is only one guitarist baby my cot was next to the record player reunited with his brother Phil for the Sydney booked on a gig. When we’re all together it’s and from then on I was totally into music, in Guitar Festival but sadly with the recent such a laugh,” said Northcote. fact my first words were ‘turn it over’ sudden and unexpected passing of Phil that is Until Aug 19. Various Venues & Prices. referring to the record,” Tommy recalls. Whilst no longer a possibility. For Tommy though Tickets & Info: this obviously led Emmanuel to initially pick there was never any question about whether www.sydneyguitarfestival.com.au up the guitar it wasn’t easy sailing from there to go ahead with this show or not.

Tommy Emmanuel.

Photo: Supplied

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Jada Alberts. Photo: Rene Vaile

REVIEW: The Long Forgotten Dream

Writer H. Lawrence Sumner is playful, provocative, political and passionate in this new play making its world premiere as a Sydney Theatre Company production - and his first fully realised work.

The Long Forgotten Dream is inspired by true stories and informed by the playwright’s own experience and observations as a Ngarrindjeri man.

Jeremiah Tucker (Wayne Blair) lives with his sister, Lizzie (Ningali Lawford-Wolf) in a small South Australian coastal town. His daughter, Simone (Jada Alberts), an archeologist, has spent the last two years travelling around the world in search of the remains of her great grandfather, and has just arrived home with the news that she has found them and has arranged for their repatriation from England. The announcement does not meet with approval from Jeremiah; we learn why through a gradual stream of

revelations as the plot unfurls.

The impending return of the bones of Tulla, the great grandfather (who was destined to be king of his nation before being murdered) has attracted media attention and is becoming a large scale event in the town. Pastor Henry Giles (Justin Smith), who has his own history with the Tucker family, represents the good-intentioned but illinformed and ultimately intrusive “white feller” trying to rectify transgressions of the past.

The play is intense and fraught with complex ethical conundrums that stem from conflicting culture, belief and generational experience.

But the tension is frequently broken by humour and wonderment. Stark

realism is offset by a supernatural side story with Melissa Jaffer playing the recently deceased great grandmother of Simone.

The set design incorporates clever use of screens and beautiful yellow and ochre earth tones evoking the Australian landscape. Composer and musician, William Barton sits at the side of the stage adding an ambient underscore of moody synth pads, didgeridoo and haunting vocals.

It’s a play that will make you think and feel, and occasionally laugh. (RB) Until Aug 25. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $83-$99+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

Falling In Love Again New Zealand performer Jennifer WardLealand pays homage to legendary Hollywood actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, in a cabaret tribute show, Falling In Love Again. She sings 23 extraordinarily beautiful songs from 1928 to 1955, including numbers by Cole Porter, Edith Piaf, Frederic Hollander and Pete Seeger and vividly captures the essence of timeless style and glamour.

Ward-Lealand has been living and breathing Dietrich for the past 15 years and touring the show since 2005, but this season she brings the show to Sydney for the first time.

Falling In Love Again operates beautifully as a chamber piece and guarantees to be as real to the live concert experience as possible. On grand piano is musical director Grant Winterburn and Aaron Coddel is on double bass, making a trio that are at the top of their game.

The songs take you through her life, entering the music industry, her movies, her performance in front of the troops and travelling all over the world for the war effort, the years in Vegas; all three separate parts of her career.

The idea first came to Ward-Lealand when she was playing the role of Marlene Dietrich in a British play called Marlene by Pam Gems.

“I had spent so long researching her, at the end of the production I really couldn’t bear to let her go,” Ward-Lealand said.

Ward-Lealand has really done her homework.

She also believes there is not enough glamour in our lives these days.

“When you are going to play Marlene Dietrich, you have to have an amazing frock and it really is a knock out heavily beaded gown, especially hand made for me.When I walk on the stage in that costume the whole game gets lifted,” she said.

REVIEW: A Taste Of Honey

Photo: Brett Boardman

With its themes of alcoholism, racism, homosexuality and survival set in poverty, A Taste Of Honey should have it all, but this production just doesn’t quite get there.

Written in 1958 by a 19 year old Shelagh Delaney, it was in its day a one of the groundbreaking English ‘kitchen sink’ dramas that went on to revolutionise British theatre and become a world wide hit.

Belvoir director Eamon Flack has not changed the setting but has removed the accents and grit from its North West English setting and has played it for laughs.

Taken individually, the two main roles of mother and daughter played respectively by Genevieve Lemon and Taylor Ferguson are well realised but together they lack connection and a grounding needed to give the production a heart.

Ferguson’s Jo, however, does shine in her moments with Thuso Lekwape as Jimmy, the

a&e

19 STAGE 10 Sounds 11 SCENE 11 SCREEN

“When you play someone real, someone people have a great love for, you have to do a good job, I think Marlene would approve if she was alive,” she added. (MS) Until Aug 12. Glen St Theatre, Cnr Glen St & Blackbutts Rd. $31-$65+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.glenstreet.com.au

black sailor who gets her pregnant and Tom Anson Mesker as Geoffrey, the gay art student who is her only true friend.

The production is moved along with powerful snippets of rock and roll and bossa nova which accompany Kate Champion’s brilliantly performed movements that precis relationship developments.

As the mother Helen’s wealthy lover Peter, Josh McConville, enters well but his potential for menace is diminished as the role descends into slapstick.

It’s not for a lack of talent that A Taste Of Honey is lacking, but a grounding in the reality that made Tony Richardson’s film version of the play so successful. (JMo) Until Aug 19. Belvoir Street Theatre, Upstairs, 18 & 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $37$77+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

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

Rugby League The Musical

Looking purely at the title of this show you might question how these two antithetical worlds could ever come together as a cohesive performance. For creator and star Denis Carnahan though these worlds are not all that different.

“I watch a lot of rugby league, when I’m watching anyone other than my team I flimflam between supporting each team. As the game goes on you see that there are heroes and villains, which can be completely different depending on which stand and group of supporters your in.”

With this concept of heroes and villains in mind Carnahan has created a satirical pantomime which features a cast of caricature ‘hosts’ to guide the audience through all of the big stories, controversies, conspiracies and heroes or villains from the world of rugby league.

Obviously with the show being centred around the opposing worlds of rugby league and musical theatre the toughest part for Carnahan is simply getting audiences through the door. When he does manage to do so though he says they’re often surprised.

“Quiet often a footy fan will bring his girlfriend or partner and they surprisingly enjoy the show more than the footy fan.”

For Carnahan himself the greatest joy of this show is watching the two different sides of the audience reacting to the various moments throughout the show.

“There are a couple of gags in there where half of the audience are cacking themselves while the other half look at them with total confusion, then 30 seconds later it swaps.”

(JA) Aug 13, 20 & 27.The Bridge Hotel, 119 Victoria Rd, Rozelle. $20+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.rugbyleaguethemusical.com.au

Contributors: Emily Shen, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Riley Hooper, Erika Echternach & Lili Sekkai, Joseph Rana, John Moyle.

city hub 9 AUGUST 2017

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REVIEW: Aida

Photo: Prudence Upton

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city hub 9 AUGUST 2018

Opera Australia’s new production of Aida is nothing short of ground breaking.

Ten massive moveable LED screens serve as a backdrop for this mesmerising production onto which a dazzling display of gold and blue art deco Egyptian iconography is projected complete with pyramids and tombs, hieroglyphs and swirling serpents. The art deco motif of the 1920s is carried through in costumes and dance sequences throughout the production.

Visitors to the Sydney Opera House may have grown blasé at the sight of the building’s sails lit up by dazzling laser light displays, but they have never seen anything

like this inside the house. Set in the age of the ancient pharaohs almost 3000 years ago,Verdi’s epic 19th century opera has been transported into the 21st century.The story centres on a tragic love triangle between Aida, an Ethiopian princess, enslaved in the court of her Egyptian nemesis Amneris and Radamès, who has been chosen to lead the Egyptians to battle against the Ethiopian troops.

Conducted by Andrea Battistoni,Verdi’s music soars from the orchestra pit and envelopes the Joan Sutherland theatre.The performances on the stage are as big and bold as the light display behind the performers.American Soprano Amber

Wagner is formidable as the tragically enslaved Aida. Russian soprano Elena Gabouri is equally as commanding as the Egyptian princess Amneris.And Italian tenor Ricardo Massi is an excellent counter balance to these two strong female leads.

While traditional opera goers may be surprised to see LED screen projections during one of Verdi’s most famous operas, there is little doubt they can expect to see many more productions using similar technologies in years to come. (LG) Until Aug 31. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point. $46-$373_b.f.Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Nyxen

By Jamie Apps Throughout the years of speaking with electronic music artists there is typically one common thread which ties them all together, that being the isolation they endure to create their art. Whilst Sydney producer Nyxen admits she has gone through those periods in the past her experiences more recently, particularly since being discovered by her record label, have been dramatically different.

During the initial period of discovering electronic music and its production process Nyxen says she would often spend “almost all of my time” alone in her bedroom learning how to use the production software and the art of DJing. For Nyxen this first began at 16 years old, when she started using GarageBand to record and play with the idea of building songs before then being given Ableton, the production software, as gift for her 18th birthday.

Prior to diving into the electronic scene Nyxen had experience with the more traditional music route having played violin, keyboard and guitar from as early as five years old. Nyxen believes this experience made her transition into electronic production a much smoother process.

“Obviously it was hard at first because you have to learn how to use the software, which is really foreign, but once I did that it was definitely easier

Halfway Rain Lover

knowing traditional music theory and cords.”

Despite her traditional background it took Nyxen a little while to finally blend those skills with the electronic techniques.

“My first song that ever got played on the radio was All You which was such a step away from all of the other stuff I had been making,” Nyxen explained.“I feel like what I was trying to do before was replicate a sound that wasn’t necessarily me but that song was the first one which was truely me.”

Not only did All You see Nyxen achieve her first radio plays it was also the song which captured the attention of her record label, Unknown Records, after they discovered it on Triple J Unearthed.

Working with Unknown Records has allowed Nyxen to break that typical cycle of isolation many electronic artists usually encounter.

Brisbane’s eight-piece band Halfway is back, releasing their new album Rain Lover!

Catchy as always, the musicians from Brisbane again show their talent for great guitar and drum accords. In particular Swinburne Ashes and The Old House are characterised by those instruments.

It’s already their sixth album which includes both deep as well as cheering melodies.

Different intros and memorable choruses offer the basis for this release.

The mixture of alt-country and rock harmonise perfectly together making the songs a real joy.

Particularly Two And A Half Percent Of A Dream sticks out for its special intro.

While listening to The Metallic Taste Of Bad News makes you feel melancholic and thoughtful, Night Of Light touches you, uplifting and cheerful. Definitely following up from the previous ones Rain Lover invites the listener to dream and think in different ways and thanks to its various contrasting tracks is a great choice for any mood and any situation. (LSe) WWW1/2

“I’m really close with everyone on the label… it feels like family,” Nyxen said.

“It’s the perfect environment to be doing what I love and be surrounded by people that really love doing that as well because we’re all pushing each other to succeed.”

This weekend the Unknown Records ‘family’ will be celebrating Nyxen’s success alongside her as she performs on the Golden Features album launch tour at the Hordern Pavillion.

“To be able to play on the same stage as so many awesome artists before me is incredible, I don’t think the size of it will really hit me until I’m up there looking out though.”

Aug 11. Hordern Pavillion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park. Info: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/nyxen

Lola Kirke Heart Head West American singer/songwriter and actress, Lola Kirke has arrived with her debut album, Heart Head West.

A heartfelt and open account of personal subjects to Kirke linger throughout the lyrics with most songs honing in on an indie-country-rock feel. Sounds messy, but the album gives off an almost nostalgic reminiscence of a simpler time.

Opening with Monster, which was premiered by Rolling Stone USA, the single sets the tone for the album with strong vocals and a country vibe. Single, Supposed To, the third song on the album is by far the most upbeat and fun song, followed by an array of slow jams. Sexy Song, another previously released single, being the stand out of the slower laidback tracks.

Heart Head West is a trip of an interlude, but my personal favourite on the album is the ninth track, Out Yonder. The strum and synth intro leads into a jazzy drumbeat, causing perfect relaxation. (RH) WWW1/2

THE NAKED CITY

BRING BACK THE DIPPER!

With Coffin Ed When the acclaimed American director Peter Bogdanovich visited Sydney some years ago, he was asked what impressed him most during a jaunt around the harbour on an evening media cruise. It was not the Bridge or the Opera House that captured his attention but the bright lights of Luna Park. Less impressed in more recent years have been the many grumpy residents whose million dollar apartments overlook the heritage listed Park.

In most cities in the world amusement parks are well separated from residential dwellings but not of course in Sydney where almost every inch of zonable harbourside land has been exploited for the much sought after ‘view’. Luna Park opened in 1935 at Milsons Point but it wasn’t until decades later that developers moved on the neighbouring land and the tower blocks shot up The story is a familiar one, a bit like the yuppies who move into a once working class suburb, buy a house within earshot of the local pub and then complain about the noise generated by bands on a Saturday night.And so for the last three or more decades noise levels at Luna Park have been a constant source of annoyance and complaint on the part of nearby residents.

Some five years ago the Park installed the thirty metre high ‘Hair Raiser’ in which excited patrons are hoisted to the top and then dropped to the bottom at a speed of around 80kph. A large number of neighbouring residents grizzled about not only the supposed visual pollution

but the constant screaming – even the hoonish behaviour of patrons attracted to the gut sucking ride.

North Sydney Council responded to their complaints, labelling the ride ‘visually intrusive’ and more recently going to the Land And Environment Court to seek a ruling that would prevent the Park from installing a new ride called the ‘Flying Carousel’, without seeking development approval. Luna Park replied by saying this kind of planning crackdown could well see the demise of this much loved Sydney icon.

On the surface it seems just another blip on the radar when it comes to the tumultuous and at times controversial history of Luna Park, that despite closures, the 1979 Ghost Train fire, changing public tastes and a series of different owners has managed to survive - situated on what is

On Chesil Beach

More than just a tediously drawn out melodrama, this is also unforgivably misogynous in its depiction of female sexuality. Ian McEwan wrote both the original short novel and screenplay and did a poor job both times in achieving - if he even tried - any understanding of the internal workings of a woman.

In this British “no-mance” set in the 1960s, we meet Edward (Billy Howle) and Florence (Saoirse Ronan) on their way to their honeymoon on Chesil Beach. Their slow, awkward first day at the hotel is counterpointed with flashbacks telling the story of

how they met and introducing us to their respective families.

A clumsy attempt to consummate the marriage leads to the disclosure by Florence that she is pretty much asexual, or as Edward indelicately puts it - frigid.

During the flashbacks there have been hints that Florence’s father may have molested her but this is never fully explored.

The acting is good, the cinematography and sets are authentic and attractive, but McEwan didn’t pack the plot well enough for the journey he takes us on. (RB) W1/2

now one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the entire harbour.

Admittedly not all of the nearby residents have a problem with the noise and bright lights of the rides but as we know it only takes a vocal minority to put the kybosh on people having fun.

When the Park closed in 1996 after suffering a series of financial woes and noise restrictions on the ‘Big Dipper’ its future looked particularly bleak and the real estate developers were hovering, like a flock of hungry vultures.

It took eight years for the Park to be resurrected and when it did finally reopen the much loved ‘Big Dipper’ was gone. The original wooden roller coaster, similar to the one that still exists in Luna Park Melbourne, was demolished in 1981.

Replaced in 1994 by a very funky but short lived model, the new Dipper snaked its way around the relatively narrow confines of the Park, at times coming in what seemed almost arm’s length from the neighbouring apartments.

‘The Rotor’ and the ‘Wild Mouse’ are great but a ‘Big Dipper’ is always the crowning glory of any old style amusement park. It will probably never happen but I would love to see it back at Luna Park – maybe they could route it right through one of those soulless concrete towers that currently stand solemnly by like giant party poopers.

Perhaps in some way out futuristic world somebody will pay good money to even have the Dipper run right through the middle of their living room.

Now that would be something to scream about!

Summer 1993

Lovers of art house cinema should attend screenings of Summer 1993, a drama centering on a six year old girl named Frida who, after the death of her parents, relocates from Barcelona to the Catalan provinces to live with her Uncle and Aunty.

With minimal emotion the film explores how the little girl adapts to her new life and especially to her newly acquired sister.The simplicity of the story and average production values oddly but effectively enhance what is basically a study of new beginnings and family relations.

At times this film seems

like an endless collection of ad-libbed homemade family films as the camera pans on the girls playing and on the irrelevant family activities.

However an important message underlies these banal and underwhelming sequences – the significance of communication and family bonding.

The story progresses slowly and may be exhausting to watch, but the pace builds in the final quarter as Frida becomes inquisitive about her parent’s deaths and commences the grieving process. (MMo)

WWW

John Russell: Australia’s French Impressionist This vivid, beautiful and important exhibition shows the Sydney-born Australian artist John Peter Russell in an international context.

Generally starting and ending with works created in Australia, the exhibition invites the visitor to undergo a “time travel” experience through Russell’s life in Europe, finishing up with a special painting: the impressive picture of Marianna in pointillist technique.

Exhibiting drawings as well as some paintings, including the famous portraits of Vincent van Gogh, the visitor gets a great view of the painter’s talent straight away.

Following up with some beautiful Japonismé blossom paintings, visitors then enter Belle-Ile-enMer, where Russell spent 20 years of his life time.

After some time in Antibes where he mostly produced beautiful landscape paintings, the exhibition provides a great picture section of the Rough Sea, where the wild environment of Belle-Ile, with its great and powerful western coastline, inspired him and is certainly one of the highlights of this exhibition.

Being friends with Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, August Rodin and Henri Matisse, Russell

John Russell - Rough Sea Courtesy: Art Gallery Of New South Wales

learned but also taught a lot about the new techniques of impressionism.

Cooperating with many private and public collections worldwide, as well as the Russell Family itself, the exhibition presents incredible work not only from Russell but also from all the other great European impressionist artists.

Visitors can clearly see Russell’s development. He got more confident, more cursory and expressive, more experimental.

While he never went as far as his peers, he increasingly used strong colours and contrasts. The outdoor-loving artist captured colour and light, creating extraordinary works now finally being exhibited in his birth city.

(LSe) Until Nov 11. Art Gallery Of New South Wales, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney. $8-$20+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Shakespeare In Tokyo

There is only one thing wrong with this short film: it’s short.

The 20 minutes in which you are immersed in the enchanted, inspiring world of Ben as he explores Tokyo leave you hungering for more.

After the death of their mother, investment banker Anthony (Patrick Brammall) becomes guardian of his brother Ben (Gerarad O’Dwyer) who has Down Syndrome. Forced to take Ben on a business trip to Tokyo, the over-protective Anthony becomes momentarily distracted, and Ben seizes the opportunity to escape and roam free.With his sketchpad

and pencil, a savant-level knowledge of Shakespeare and unabashed charm, Ben takes us on a travelogue through Tokyo, meeting various people and overcoming language, culture and misconceptions to enlighten and inspire them.

Writer/director/actor and Bus Stop Films CEO, Genevieve Clay-Smith made the film in partnership with Taste Creative for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, so the crew were given some unique permissions and access. It is beautifully filmed, well written, and truly feel-good. (RB) WWWW1/2 city hub 9 AUGUST 2017

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