City Hub 26 January 2017

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city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

So long, and thanks for nothing

BY KIERAN ADAIR Mike Baird came to power by accident, following a poor choice and a $3000 bottle of wine. Let the records show, this is a terrible way to pick Premiers.

While other newspapers have chosen to heap praise upon Baird’s performance in office, indulge us at City Hub while we offer this counterpoint.

Yes, for those in the business of building toll roads, owning casinos, or pimping real estate, Baird was probably the perfect Premier.

But make no mistake, for young people, public housing residents, and those crazy enough to believe their local representatives should be democratically elected, Baird was nothing short of a disaster - the effects of which will be felt for years to come.

He may have started life as ‘Teflon Mike’, but by the time he left office #CasinoMike’s list of enemies stretched from Sydney to Shoalhaven - and for good reason.

WestConnex Although WestConnex started life under his predecessor, assisted by financing from the Federal Labor party, Baird’s influence over the project’s construction is undeniable.

Over the course of his leadership, he worked to protect it through numerous cost blowouts, damning environmental and traffic reports, and vigorous community opposition. Rather than reconsidering the project, he made it easier, passing anti-protest laws that have already been used to arrest Stop WestConnex activists.

In the coming years, WestConnex will see Sydney Park, a jewel of the inner west, lose up to 500 trees - the evidence of which can already be seen in the mangled stumps lining Euston Road. The completed road will see more cars dumped into the city, where they will increase congestion and air pollution for years to come.

Lockout Laws Like WestConnex, the lockouts were another piece of baggage that Baird inherited from his

When Mike Baird entered office, a share in The Star Entertainment Group cost $2.79, by the time he left it had almost doubled.

Public Housing If the Sydney Crown affair demonstrated who Baird believed was deserving of a spot on Sydney’s shoreline, Millers Point showed who he wanted to keep from it. Under his leadership, Property NSW sold off almost all of the 293 public housing dwellings in Millers Point, Dawes Point and the Rocks, as well as the 79 apartments in the Sirius Building.

“The move will intensify the already severe spatial divide between rich and poor in Sydney. The social mix that is a feature of Millers Point will be obliterated along with its rich history – an irreversible tragedy.” wrote Alan Morris, of the Institute for Public Policy and Governance, last year.

Although Baird justified the move, arguing the money raised from the sell-off would be used to finance new public housing stock, he failed to answer why this investment had to be contingent on selling off current properties.

Many are please with former Mike Baird’s shock resignation. Photo: Eva Rinaldi

predecessor. One he was only happy to carry on with. Since their introduction in 2014, the laws have been blamed for crippling the city’s nightlife, turning the popular haunts of Kings Cross and Oxford Street into ghost towns.

Although Baird did finally grant a minor concession on lockouts, announcing a half hour extension for some licensed venues, the damage had already been done - institutions had shuttered, and a generation had moved on.

Sydney’s nightlife will take years, if not decades, to recover from the damage wrought over the term of Baird’s time in office, but more damaging to Baird’s legacy should be the concessions granted to the casino over the same period.

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The Star and Barangaroo Casinos While the rest of Sydney suffered under the lockouts, The Star cashed in. The Baird Government even made it easier for them, by removing the on-site inspectors that had previously worked to ensure the casino was adhering to its licence.

Australia has the most poker machines per person of any country in the world, and New South Wales houses almost half of them. Australia also tops the list for money lost to them, about $1,144 per person, per year according to The Economist.

With a net worth of $6,080 million, James Packer, casino magnate and soon to be proprietor of the new Sydney Crown Casino, has been a beneficiary of this predilection - so has The Star.

Local Democracy Under Baird’s local government amalgamation plan, residents of Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville saw their democratically elected Councillors stripped of power - and replaced by unelected “General Managers.”

While the sacked Councillors were often some of the most vocal critics of WestConnex, the lockouts, and public housing sell-offs - the new GMs were noticeably more sympathetic. Thanks to the amalgamation, residents were deprived of strong community advocates at the time they needed them most.

Amalgamations didn’t affect the City of Sydney, but thanks to Baird, residents of future elections will now be forced to compete with businesses in the area, each of whom get two votes when selecting their next Council. This means that McDonalds, the Big Four Banks, and yes, Star Casino will have more of a say on who gets into Council than actual residents.

Protestors defiant after courts cancel protest

BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Defiant protestors took to the streets on Saturday, 21 January after an antilockout laws rally expecting thousands, was cancelled by the Supreme Court.

Sydney residents gathered in Kings Cross to support local businesses and to show their disappointment after the rally organised by Keep Sydney Open was cancelled following a last minute submission by NSW police.

Protestor Anthony Skinner said the event should not have been banned.

“The police did it at the last minute for a reason “Keep Sydney Open didn’t have any time to fight it. Tyson and his team would have spent all night trying to get something together,” Mr Skinner said.

He also added that the lockout laws need to be completely removed.

“We only have seven days in a week. If you spend five of those working as much as you can, for someone to then limit the amount of time you have free is wrong.

“Anyone that works in a bar finishes at 1:30am, so what do they get to do? They have no options to go out,” he said.

Keep Sydney Open had filed a “Notice of Intention to hold a Public Assembly” on 9 January.

However, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione filed a summons on 19 January requesting the Supreme Court to prohibit the rally.

Keep Sydney Open protestor at a previous rally. Source: Keep Sydney Open Facebook page

The Commissioner cited concerns about public safety and crowd management and did not support the proposed event being held at night in a semi-residential area.

Mr Scipione added that he would support a public protest in an open area during daylight hours.

Hunter Clarke, a club employee working in Kings Cross, came despite the court orders.

“A protest should be done on the terms of the protestor because if we are doing it on someone else’s terms, it means they are just not going to listen to us,” he said.

Mr Clarke added that lockout laws have had a negative impacted on Sydney businesses.

“It’s a shame really because I actually

work in one of the clubs around here, so if we get shut down that’s me out of a job.

The court justified its prohibition of the rally stating: “The logistical problems of the event are too large and too unknown.”

However, Keep Sydney Open has vowed to return with a bigger rally.

“The Supreme Court sided with the Commissioner and issued a prohibition order against our rally application.

“In response, we are announcing that the rally will go ahead at a later date, and it will be bigger, louder and stronger than the one originally scheduled,” the group said in Facebook post.

The rally has been rescheduled for 18 February, 2017. city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

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Students sort of love Sydney Sydney’s international students are happy, survey shows. Photo: Enoch Lau

By Michael Forno Last week the City of Sydney released a report into the quality of life for international students in Sydney. The report, The Wellbeing of International Students in the City of Sydney was prepared by the University of Technology, Sydney and found that 9 out of 10 international students would recommend Sydney as a good place to study.

The survey of over 600 international students living in Sydney found that students were generally happy living in Sydney despite a high cost of living and a wilting nightlife.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore spoke about the survey last week.

“This new research provides valuable information to further support students from around the world and ensure they are given every opportunity to make the

most of their time living and studying here,” she said.

“Sydney is one of the world’s leading education destinations, offering first-class educational institutions and renowned research facilities.

“When students go home, we hope they will talk about their time here, encouraging their peers to follow in their footsteps.”

Despite the largely positive result, not everyone agrees that Sydney is the best place to study.

Morgane Zhou is a French national studying in Australia. She’s been living in Sydney for 18 months and is nearing the end of her Master of Arts at UTS in Ultimo.

Ms Zhou moved to Sydney as she considered it an important global economic centre.

“I know my choice is very pragmatic

but I chose Sydney, I always thought I would spend some time of my life in Australia,” she said.

“Coming from Paris, Sydney has a very different lifestyle. Its CBD is much bigger than Paris’ La Defence, and I really miss the food markets on the street, the pedestrianfriendly boulevards, and the Parisian architecture,” Ms Zhou blames Sydney’s lacklustre nightlife and high cost of living for its undesirability.

“I work in a restaurant most nights, and quite late on the weekends, so I can never go out because of the lockout laws, “I think that Sydney would be a much better place for international students if there was more to do after dark.”

Although Sydney has its shortcomings Ms Zhou is happy living in a relatively safe city.

“I must say I feel much safer here in Sydney than in Paris. As a woman I can walk on the street wearing a short dress and nobody bothers me, while in Paris I would never go out wearing shorts or short dress.”

Overall Ms Zhou is happy she chose Sydney as a place to study.

“Sydney is a great city for studying, but I guess depends on where you are from and what you’re looking for. It is a bit of an island here.”

Despite the positive survey results there are many areas of concern for international students including an expensive and difficult public transport system, highly unaffordable accommodation, and difficulties in finding adequate employment.

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Centrelink’s debt debacle

BY CHARLOTTE GRIEVE Rebecca Hynek, now aged 28, lives with PTSD as a result of childhood trauma and her subsequent experience with the Royal Commission. She suffers constant breakdowns, has attempted suicide on a number of occasions and is regularly admitted to hospital.

“I got into public housing after ending up in a refuge. Mental health break downs mean share houses collapse,” she tells City Hub. Hynek attends therapy twice weekly costing upwards of $800 a month. She receives government payments under the disability support pension to assist with the financial hardship brought on by her illness.

In November 2016, Hynek received a letter from the Australian Tax Office claiming that she owed an unspecified amount of money to Centrelink for failing to comply with the earnings limit.

“I couldn’t possibly have earnt enough in that time to get a debt,” she said.

After receiving the letter, Hynek had a mental break down. She experienced suicidal thoughts and took herself to the Canterbury hospital emergency room where she said she waited for 8 hours.

“The wait was so long that I got my friends to pick me up at 2am. It’s horrific to think about what would happen to me if I didn’t have that support network,” she said.

Hynek is one of the 170,000 Centrelink clients who have received a debt notice since the controversial automated debt recovery system was set up in July of last year.

The system compares Centrelink and ATO records to pick up discrepancies between earnings and payments. Both the Department of Human Services and Coalition members have claimed that the program has identified up to $300 million in overpayments to welfare recipients.

Residents take to the streets to oppose Centerlink’s debt debacle. Photo: Charlotte Grieve

Critics claim a large portion of these amount to “fake” debts.

On Wednesday January 18, the National Union of Students organised a “snap protest” outside Redfern’s Centrelink Office calling for a “total scrapping” of this debt collection system.

“Students are horrified by what’s been coming out in the past couple of weeks about the fake, automated debt system,” “There’s a lot of outrage out there about the fact that the government is targeting the most vulnerable people in society,” said Chloe Brafferty, NSW Education Officer.

“Students on disability pensions are being

treated as guilty until proven innocent.”

Brafferty, among others, are incensed by the fact that the onus is on the individual to disprove their debt. She says the only way to dispute the debt claim is online, a bureaucratic system that can take hours to complete.

“The NSW Welfare office has been sent photos of screenshots of people’s phones who have been online for upwards of two hours trying to sort out their fake debt,” she said.

Brafferty claims that welfare recipients are unable to walk into a Centrelink office to dispute their debt personally.

“You can’t even dispute the letter by talking to a

human being who might have some respect for the vulnerable situation you’ve been placed in,” she said.

While the Federal government has recently announced plans to alter the process in the face of ongoing public criticism, Hynek is worried for others who have already received their letters.

“I’m lucky enough that even though I get seriously unwell, I have insight. I worry about the other people who live in housing, they wouldn’t know they could contest a debt,” she said.

“It’s really hard to be constantly told that you’re a burden. That’s a big part of my problem at the moment. That’s what I’m being told and that’s how I feel.”

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Inner West welcomes Crime fighters get Baird’s resignation funding from State

BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Community members opposing the WestConnex toll road gathered in Sydney Park on Thursday 19 January to welcome the news of former Premier Mike Baird’s resignation.

Opposition to the project has been widespread and included protestors camping on the parkland for over four months.

Jenny Leong , NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex and Member for Newtown said growing criticism of the project resulted in Mr Baird’s declining popularity.

“WestConnex was a debacle first promised by Mike Baird and Tony Abbott. Now that they are part of political history, WestConnex should become history as well. We all deserve better than this.

“Premier Berejiklian has promised that she will listen on issues that are causing angst to people and WestConnex is clearly causing angst in our community. But it’s more than just listening that’s needed - she must halt construction and set up an inquiry into alternatives,” she said.

Residents celebrate Mike Baird’s resignation at Sydney Park.

Photo: MP Jenny Leong’s office

The WestCONnex Action Group was also present at the press conference and welcomed Mr Baird’s resignation.

“Mike Baird’s premiership has been defined by his utter failure to listen to communities, experts and even his own colleagues, and WestConnex is no exception,” said WAG spokesperson Rhea Liebmann.

“But while Baird prepares to spend more time with his family, his unfair forced acquisitions, brutal use of riot police during peaceful WestCONnex protests and heartless community destruction has left thousands of families across Sydney devastated.

“Now NSW has a real opportunity to unwind Baird’s mistakes and call a halt WestConnex before more communities are destroyed, and western Sydney families are left paying tolls of up to $25 a day to drive straight into traffic jams,” said Ms Liebmann.

The group has called on the new Premier, Gladys Berejiklian to halt construction on the project and announce and immediate review.

MP Gabrielle Upton with Rose Bay police. Photo: MP Gabrielle Upton’s Facebook page

BY BENEDICT BRUNKER Sydney residents have been encouraged to come forward to the NSW Government with solutions to help reduce local crime and anti-social behaviour.

The fund boasts a budget of $10 million over four years, and provides grants of up to $250, 000 to community groups, councils, businesses and other organisations to approach the government with ideas for reducing crime in the eastern suburbs.

The state’s Attorney General and Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton, announced last Tuesday that the government was now accepting applications for 2017.

“The NSW Government’s Community Safety Fund invests in projects that address local crime hot spots and promotes safe and inclusive use of public space,” Ms Upton said.

Ms. Upton claimed the program had already led to the implementation of crime-reduction initiatives that had originated at the community level.

“The NSW Government is proud to partner with the community to prevent crime and address the fear of crime,” Ms Upton said.

“This program has funded community initiatives right across the state to enhance the work of Government and law enforcement agencies to combat crime.”

Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant promoted the government’s initiative as a means of reducing crime in NSW. “We know there is always more that can be done to stamp out crime in our towns and suburbs and are working with the community to identify opportunities,” Mr Grant said.

“The reasons and consequences of crime in one region of NSW can be very different to other regions, therefore it is important to invest in local solutions.”

Greens MP David Shoebridge also encouraged the use of alternatives to police and prisons when combating local crime.

“The Greens are long term advocates for good public design, to prevent graffiti, which means designing public places which are safe, inviting and well-lit at night.

“Unfortunately a $10 million state-wide program to prevent crime is being overwhelmed by the $3.8 billion the Government is spending on building new and privatised jails,” he said.

MP Shoebridge’s comments refer to the 2016-2017 State budget which allocated $3.8 billion across four years to deliver up to 7000 new prison beds.

Dr Sean Sweeney, the former head of construction at Grocon, Australia’s largest construction management company, was appointed in June last year to oversee the delivery of the new prison infrastructure.

“Nasty women unite”: Sydney joins Women’s March movement

BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Thousands of Sydney residents united on Saturday, 21st January in support of women’s rights and to protest against the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.

The protest, which began in Hyde Park, was coordinated with Women’s Marches all over the world and gathered three times the crowd organisers had originally expected.

Mindy Freiband, co-founder and spokesperson of the march, said the large numbers were evidence of growing global support for human rights.

“We estimate that eight to ten thousand people turned up for the Women’s March in Sydney and the outpouring of support from those who were unable to make it but want to share their support, is overwhelming. This is only the beginning,” she said.

Ms. Freiband, who organised the protest after being unable to attend the Women’s March on Washington, said the Trump administration was built on hate speech, fear mongering and xenophobia.

“We were thrilled to be among the 3.3 million marchers around the world who raised their voices against misogyny, bigotry and hatred. It 8

city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

Sydney stands in solidarity with women around the world. Photo: Simone Cheung

was a historic day and was an inspiring example of democracy,” she said.

Writer and social commentator Jane Caro was a speaker at the event and prompted the audience to fight for climate change and human rights.

“I can’t believe I’m still fighting for this shit.

That’s exactly how I feel. But we have to keep fighting for it.

“We will have to fight against some people who are prepared to hang onto power by whatever means necessary and play very very dirty,” she said.

Jenna Price from Destroy the Joint, a partner in the event, said the march united women who believed in equality.

“I think Donald Trump represents the kind of ideas that are about 200 years out of date. He stands for a view of women that doesn’t exist and shouldn’t exist anymore.

“I would encourage women in Australia to work to end sexism, misogyny, racism and to work towards an inclusive society,” she said.

The global movement saw protests take place in over 600 locations around the world.

city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

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FEATURE

By Jemma Clarke

The Alternative Guide to Australia Day

What do you associate with January 26? If it’s your traditional Aussie barbie and a couple of coldies, don’t read on. Whether you’re looking for an unusual way to spend your public holiday, or if you oppose what this date symbolises, there are events happening in and around Sydney this Thursday and over the weekend that could be right up your alley.

Australia Day in Parramatta Western Sydney is bringing some fierce entertainment this year in Parramatta with headlining acts Eskimo Joe and Thundamentals as well as special guest Thandi Phoenix, BEATZ, FROYO, Hurst and plenty more. Get in there nice and early to make the most of your day: you can watch Sydney’s biggest air balloon launch, be dazzled by vintage bikes, cars and trucks in the iconic CARnivale expo and contribute to interactive Welcome Walls offering a chance for the public to engage in mural artwork celebrating community, cultural heritage and belonging. The day also features the Hottest 100 countdown and lots of delicious dishes. Check out the website for more information on the event schedule.

Thu Jan 26, 6am-9pm. Parramatta Park. Free entry. Info: www.ausdayparramatta.com.au Vintage Bus Service If Western Sydney is a bit too far away, there are some cool Harbour and CBD activities happening just for you.You can take yourself back to the 1940’s by riding in some vintage buses beginning at the Sydney Opera House all the way to Wynyard and back.You will be supporting the Sydney Bus Museum and will have the opportunity to stop at Macquarie Street, Market Street, Clarence Street, York Street and Elizabeth Street.

Thu Jan 26, 10.30am-5pm. Selected Streets in Sydney CBD. Gold coin donation.

Info: www.australiaday.com.au The Bloke and the Larrikin Walking Tour If you’d prefer to step back even further and put your best foot forward, go on a tour with The Bloke and the Larrikin from Walking Sydney. This tour is on this Friday and Saturday at various times.

It is much more than ‘ooing’ and ‘aahhing’ at local Sydney scenery, instead prepare to hear about Australian history in a way that is “engrossing, poignant, funny, and most of all, entertaining”.

Fri Jan 27 + Sat Jan 28; 9:30am, 1pm + 4pm.

Wynyard Park, Wynyard. $45 (25% discount for Australia Day weekend). Bookings & info: www.walkingsydney.com.au

Saltwater Freshwater Festival If you’re wanting to get out of the city to mark January 26, then head on up to the Saltwater Freshwater Festival in Coffs Harbour.

Showcasing some of the best Aboriginal talent, there are so many events, workshops and artists to see and interact with including Emma Donovan who is set to headline her husky reggae-inspired sounds. Others on the bill include rapper Briggs, Archie Roach, Tasman Keith plus many more. There will be Wagana Dances, Three Rivers, Wajarr Ngaarlu, cultural talks and storytelling.

Thu Jan 26, 10.30am-4.30pm. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens. Entry by donation.

Info: www.saltwaterfreshwaterfestival.com.au

Revellers at Australia Day in Parramatta Park.

Photo by Katrina James

Entertainment at Sydney Harbour Look to the sky over Sydney Harbour for In the Sky – Red Berets, Qantas and Russian Roolettes (12.30pm-2pm) which will provide you an hour and a half of aerial acrobatics including a parachute display. Look also into the Harbour where you will find a couple of custom-crafted floating stages for Cruising Concerts (11.30am5pm) featuring high-energy rhythms by Junkyard Beats playing on found objects including a wrecked car and suave jazz sounds from Tony Dee, James Morrison & The Army Band. They will be showcasing their sounds from a number of key destinations from the Opera Bar to Barangaroo, see website for schedule.

Thu Jan 26. Sydney Harbour/various locations.

Free. Info: www.australiaday.com.au

Yabun Festival If you would rather join in on celebrating the rich history and culture of Aboriginal Australia then head to the Yabun Festival. The largest one day gathering and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia, held annually upon the traditional lands of the Gadigal people in Sydney. Established in 2001, Yabun (meaning ‘music to a beat’ in Gadigal language) is a free event that features live music, a bustling stalls market, panel discussions and community forums on Aboriginal issues, children’s activities, and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural performances.

Thu Jan 26, 10am-7pm. Victoria Park, cnr Parramatta Rd + City Road, Camperdown. Free.

Info: www.yabun.org.au

Invasia: an Interactive Performance An interactive performance taking over a bar in the heart of Redfern. Five candidates are in the running for the election of the new leader of ‘Invasia’ and it is up to you to vote in the leader who earns your trust. But their speeches won’t be in English, each performer utilizes a unique dialect made up of several different languages.

Thu Jan 26, 6.30pm. Hustle & Flow Bar, 3/105 Regent St, Redfern. Free. Info: www. theleftoverscollective.com Invasion Day Rally Finally, if you are hankering to show your stance against Australia Day celebrations, in which you see it not as a celebration but a day to reflect on the British invasion of this continent and surrounding Pacific Islands, Fighting in Resistance Equally (FIRE) has initiated a protest in Redfern. They believe that a stand against racism and colonialism will help to stop the struggle of oppression and exploitation of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

Thu Jan 26, 11am.The Block, cnr Caroline + Louis Sts, Redfern. Free.

Info: www.facebook.com/ events/236690090088950/

Opinion

Fire fighters in the firing line

BY ANDREW WOODHOUSE “Fire!” is not a scream anyone wants to hear. However, it’s not generally known that until 1884 Sydney-siders were individually responsible for extinguishing their own fires with buckets of water, unless they had private insurance. People generally ran to the fire station to raise the alarm. In those days a polished brass-helmeted fire officer with horse and cart and a bell arrived. Fire stations were the first to use telephones in Sydney.

Today’s inner-urban fire stations include magnificent, milliondollar, highly-polished red “pumper” fire engines in their equipage.

They wait and sit like silent sentinels like panthers ready to pounce in the station, alert and alarmed. Each aluminium, customised, six-wheeled, 13-tonne Scania P310 truck with its crew of four is turbo-powered by a 228KW [310hp], nine-litre diesel, with extension ladder, GPS, oxygen, foam and one kilometre of hose, all pumping 3,900 litres of water per minute. Launch time: less than 45 seconds.

With 80-decibel sirens and powerful klaxons it charges up innercity streets the wrong way, every second critical: lives are at stake.

“It’s hot, hard, dirty work but we love it,” says local Kings Cross Commander, adding “it’s a community service.”

And for our country cousins now in the heat and height of summer, this service is also life-saving. The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world’s largest volunteer fire fighting brigade covering an area larger than some minor European countries.

This week we learnt of 11 major bushfires within 200 km radius of Sydney all in one day.

In Kurri Kurri, population 5,712, for example, the sky rained red with amber cinders as people fled in fear. Locals remembered previous fires from the 1970s.

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city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

Heroes fighting on behalf of communities. Photo: Andrew Woodhouse

And in the Blue Mountains the 1957 fires destroyed 140 properties, another 30 homes in 1962, claimed three lives in 1965, 49 buildings in 1977, five homes in 1979 and 300 homes in 2013.

In 2001 Christmas dinners were abandoned, plum puddings left cold; tables and decorations deserted to the ravages of wind and flames. From the south to the north coast, Canberra to the Hunter Valley, and the central west to Sydney, tens of thousands of people experienced Christmas Day in varying degrees of terror, despair and frequent bravery.

In 2016 Fire Services NSW dealt with 22,042 fires with 90% attended to within 11 minutes and 56 seconds. This cost us $702 million dollars says their latest Annual Report.

Yes, it’s money well spent but it’s also a tremendous drain on our financial resources.

The hidden human costs are incalculable. Increased insurance premiums and rebuilding run into billions.

It’s time to rationally rethink all this I suggest. Costs can be ameliorated. Firefighters’ lives are at risk: they live and work in the line of fire. We don’t need to live in forests or mountain hideaways.

Consider these options: let’s prohibit re-building in declared bush fire prone zones; make peripheral areas subject to compulsory insurance as well; subject properties to stricter planning regimes including antiflammable roofing; heat-resistant windows and metal shutters; introduce life-saving bunkers and a 50-metre tree clearing zone around homes; underground water tanks with emergency water spraying and on-screen mobile phone alarms for receiving emergency text messages.

It’s time to begin a serious conversation about fire prevention.

Andrew Woodhouse is President, Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage & Residents’ Society

city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Which Way Home

Kate Beckett.

Photo: Brett Boardman

Tel Benjamin and Joshua McElroy.

Photo: Ross Waldro

Belvoir St Theatre has never been known to shy away from tough topics when it comes to the plays they showcase, and for this year’s Sydney Festival that is certainly not about to change as they welcome in Which Way Home.

Written by Katie Beckett, this story is a compelling and intimate dive into the relationship between an indigenous father and his daughter. Whilst this is her debut effort as a playwright, Beckett has been a staple on the theatre scene having notably acted in Kill The Messenger and Coranderrk, so her voice has had time to develop and mature into one we need to listen to.

Which Way Home takes the audience on a road trip with Tash (Beckett) and her father as they return to the country together. This play is certainly a work of fiction but draws heavily

Within the microcosm of an English housing estate there is a spate of firebombing and garage burning that no one can explain. Gary (Joshua McElroy) is an outsider. He’s asked at school to write a project on a national hero and he writes about Osama Bin Laden. His neighbours find out he’s written this project and decide he must be the one committing the attacks. So they kidnap him and interrogate him.

Osama the Hero is about British estate culture, where there is a sense of dissatisfaction, almost a despair.The residents struggle to rise above their lot in life.They are stuck in a cycle of poverty, of hopelessness which can lead to negative impacts on

city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

Red Line Productions’ latest individual crimes and that society offering begins with a prologue needs to explore cultural and that tells the story of a psychological factors. For this to Sixteenth Century bishop who happen effectively, men too need sexually abuses his illegitimate to be actively engaged in finding a daughter. Though the crime is solution. never actually depicted it is “We’re actually reliant on men present throughout the play, to help us with this. Women and reiterated in descendent children can’t fix this problem,” victims. she stated.

“It’s the story about sexual In terms of production, the play abuse in young women and is very minimal. The costumes children and how that crime and sets are enough to indicate literally never ends once it’s time and place. There is a perpetrated,” explains Jeanette specially written song used as a Cronin, writer and coleitmotif which is based on the performer behind I Hate You myth of the “bean nighe”, the My Mother. She and fellow Scottish equivalent of a banshee performer, Simen Glømmen and a messenger of death.

Jeanette Cronin.

Bostad, play four different “There’s a little bit of witchy Photo: John Marmaras couples across four centuries, revenge going all the way who somehow have a linear connection to the through it,” hinted Cronin. ignoble bishop. Each vignette shows a different Though there are some lighter moments, the play manifestation of the insidious legacy of sexual abuse. is mostly dark and emotionally dense, but it deals Although the original perpetrator is a bishop, with an important issue in a creative and insightful Cronin insists the play is not a comment on way that should make it imperative viewing. (RB) clergy or religion: Until Feb 11;Tues-Sat 8.15pm, Sun 6.30pm.

“It’s not about the church... It’s more the question Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling St (cnr of ‘how is this so entrenched and why does it go on Cathedral St), Woolloomooloo. forever and how can we possibly shift it?’” $30-$42.Tickets & info: She believes the problem is bigger than the www.redlineproductions.com.au

OSAMA THE HERO

Caravan Slam

society – the violence, the fear, the paranoia. Born out of this fear is tribalism, an ‘us and them’ mentality.Anyone who thinks outside the group is someone to be suspicious of, it’s something that can be dangerous, that needs to be thwarted.

Gary never expresses any Islamic sentiment, instead Osama the Hero makes a statement about the rise of the right wing.

“It goes to your guts, and it’s not afraid. It makes you feel uncomfortable,” explained the play’s artistic director, Richard Hillier.“I really want to make people think about their prejudices and to think about how open to examining new points they are, or if they are like the characters in the play who think there’s only one way of thinking and if you don’t think like that you’re dangerous. I want to see if people can recognise that in themselves and maybe rethink their approach in life.”

Osama the Hero is playing at the recently established theatre venue on the second floor of the Kings Cross Hotel; it’s a permanent traverse stage, with the audience on both sides, the only one of its kind in Sydney. (MS) Until Feb 4;Tues-Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm.

The Kings Cross Theatre (KXT), Level 2, 244-248 William Street, Potts Point. $20-$30.

Tickets & info: www.toothandsinewtheatre.com

If you have ever been out in the city and discovered a great bar featuring an open mic night, chances are you probably witnessed a poetry slam. In Sydney there are many places where you can jump on a mic and perform your own poetry or see other live poets in front of a modest to medium sized audience.

The Camelot Lounge at Django Bar has been hosting monthly poetry events known as the Caravan Slam in the heart of Marrickville’s industrial zone for quite some time, and for many Sydney-siders it’s a chance to see some of our finest local wordsmiths. It is also an open friendly space to try out one of your own poems.Whether you’re an experienced spoken word artist or just a beginner; the slam is open to everyone.

As an art form that is about expression and performance, poetry slams have a wide range of participants from actors, playwrights and scholars to hip-hop emcees and political activists – just to name a few.

At Caravan Slam there is a selected panel of judges chosen from the audience who give each of the performer’s poems a score out of 10. The top three poets will then go head to head to a final, from which a winner is decided. Each poet has three minutes to perform their piece and, as

a&e

12

I Hate You My Mother

from Beckett’s own experiences growing up being raised by her father following her mother’s death.

At a time when Indigenous fatherhood is firmly on the national agenda, Which Way Home offers an affirming perspective on a father-daughter relationship in an Indigenous family. As such the play has drawn support from The Balnaves Foundation, which is an organisation whose aim is to help provide a platform for positive indigenous stories to be told.

“All too often, the narrative around Indigenous Australians in the public sphere is negative and politicised,” said Neil Balnaves. “Indigenous theatre provides an opportunity for compelling new voices, such as Katie’s, to offer a positive and different perspective that is not heard enough.” (JA) Until Feb 5, varied performance times.

Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $25-$48.Tickets & info: www.belvoir.com.au or 02 9699 3444

12 STAGE 13 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

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

Peter Roads.

Photo: Courtesy of Caravan Slam

its customary, the audience will click their fingers if they like or agree with something the poet said.

The topics are endless, from personal confessions to political injustices. Whether they are humorous, angry or down right bizarre this is an event that will leave you inspired, so don’t miss out! (DJ) Feb 2 (doors 7pm, poets 7.45pm) + continuing the first Thursday of every month.

The Camelot Lounge/Django Bar, cnr of 103 Railway Parade + 19 Marickville Rd, Marickville. $5 entry, performers free.

Info + registration: www.facebook.com/caravan.slam

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn, Caitlin Burns, Zeiya Speede, Rita Bratovich, Chantal Walsh, Raffaele Piccolo, Barbara Karpinski, Taylah Felice, Georgia Fullerton, Bobby Stephenson, Olga Azar, Kaiti Haviland, Daniel Jaramillo, Nina Beeston.

REVIEW: Opera Australia Presents: King Roger Photo: Keith Saunders

The huge male head that dominates the stage in Król (King) Roger signals that this will be a cerebral work, and indeed it is.

Although the work was inspired by a 12th Century Sicilian royal, it is clear that Polish/ Ukrainian composer Karol Szymanowski was expressing his own psychology in the story of the tortured soul of the monarch.

The music is utterly gorgeous, from the Eastern strains that lace the score to the angelic children’s choir that introduce a spiritual dimension to the plot.

Roger’s sovereignty is undermined by the appearance of the Shepherd, who has a power

the king lacks – to enthral the people with his message of sensuality and freedom. Even the Queen, Roxana, is seduced by his preaching and leaves her husband to follow the stranger.

In Act II, the massive head is turned to the back of the stage to reveal the scaffolding which the male dancers ascend in erotic and voluptuous movements, their individuality erased by the black masks that swathe their heads.

In Act III, in another extraordinary piece of choreography, they slither across the stage as a living mass of bodies in a tangle of limbs and torsos.

Michael Honeyman performs the anguished monarch with conviction, Lorina Gore gives us a passionate Roxana, and Saimir Pirgu as the Shepherd is captivating.

The sets are striking and the work leaves an outstanding impression of musical and intellectual originality.

Congratulations OA for bringing this wonderful work to Sydney audiences! (ID) Until Feb 15, varied performance times.

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $45-$338.

Tickets & info: www.opera.org.au

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

By Jamie Apps

Tinpan Orange: After swaying crowds all over Europe supporting The Cat Empire, the critically acclaimed Melbourne indie-folk trio featuring siblings Emily and Jesse Lubitz, along with Alex Burkoy, arrive home with a new single and special Australia Day show.

Thu, Jan 26, The Rocks Australia Day Festival The Front Bottoms: The unbridled energy and sheer ‘good time all the time’ attitude of The Front Bottoms will have crowds primed for their first tour of Australia since 2014. The good time party band are known for getting the crowd involved while they play, often tossing out tambourines for them to shake along while the brass takes their punk stylings into unique territory.

Fri, Jan 27,The Bald Faced Stag Red Bull Sound Select: A monthly curated program which launched last year and quickly became the go-to showcase for rising Australian talent will return tomorrow night. To kick the year off in transcendent fashion the bill will feature New York’s rising star Kelsey Lu alongside local artists Jack Grace and Bec Sandridge.

Fri, Jan 27, Paddington Uniting Church FinnLand & Gerard Masters: This weekend the next stage of SIMA’s Summer Jazz program welcomes the renowned FinnLand and accomplished jazz musician Gerard Masters on one special night.

New Zealand born Masters has a virtuosic command of the keyboard and a penchant for beautiful melodies.

And featuring two of the most respected vocal artists in Australian jazz, the fantastic FinnLand show is

inspired by the abundant songbook of Neil and Tim Finn.

Sat, Jan 28,The Sound Lounge Wildbloods: The Sydney four-piece come home after a number of East Coast tours throughout the past few years to thank their home fans for their support and launch new single ‘Amy Baby’.

Sat, Jan 28, Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar) The Starr Sisters: Together with the Regent Street Big Band, the Starr Sisters have been able to secure an opportunity for a limited number of people to travel back in time: to when a telephone call was something to stay home for, when music arrived over the wireless, and when dance bands deployed arcane equipment like saxes and trumpets.

Musically and visually, this performance evokes the heyday of swing in the 30s and 40s, highlighting tunes made famous by the Andrews Sisters and the swing bands who were their contemporaries.

Sun, Jan 29, Camelot Lounge Celebrating David Bowie: There is only one David Bowie celebration concert you really need to see.

Thankfully, due to overwhelming demand, a second and final chance to see this show in Sydney was recently announced. The team of Bowie’s collaborators gathering for this occasion includes Bow band alumni Mike Garson, Adrian Belew, Mark Plati, Gail Ann Dorsey, Sterling Campbell, Holly Palmer and Earl Slick; Angelo Moore from Fishbone; Latin Grammy Award-winner Gaby Moreno; Bernard Fowler from The Rolling Stones; Joe Sumner and a vast extended musical family.

Mon, Jan 30, Sydney Opera House

Felicity Ward: 50% More Likely To Die I went to the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent in Hyde Park last Saturday afternoon and listened to this wonderful woman whose compassionate and funny humour had me laughing out loud for the duration of her show.

She appears to be digressing but, like all great storytellers, she knows how to keep the central thread alive and this is how she achieves momentum in her patter.

I am astonished that I had never heard of her prior to this show, which I went to only because I had free tickets, but should Felicity ever come within cooee of me in the future, I will challenge hell or high water to hear her again, she was THAT Photo: Jamie Williams good, as the bogans say.

She has the right amount of bawdiness to add frisson to her presentation, while her sense all’s well that ends well, and we left the tent well of the absurd, her capacity for mimicry, and her satisfied with the comic feast Felicity had overwhelmingly joie de vivre provided a real prepared for us. blast of positive energy on a hot and listless Why am I not surprised that Felicity’s afternoon.You should hear her chicken karaoke performance was a huge hit last year at the of the Titanic theme song: I nearly wet myself notoriously competitive Edinburgh Fringe with laughter.

Festival? (ID) Interestingly, the central tenet of her main Felicity Ward performed at the Magic story was the kindness of friends in a potentially Mirrors Spiegeltent at the Sydney Festival hostile city like London, where she lives. I’m not Village Feb 20-22. going to be a spoiler, but I just want to say that Follow her at www.felicityward.com

Hat Fitz & Cara

By Jamie Apps The renowned blues duo have built their reputation over the years on the base of their dynamic, stomping live shows. These shows have always been complimented by their records, however recently they began to feel themselves drifting away from these foundations so decided to refresh everything.

“We began to realise that the Do Tell album felt like it was moving away a little too much from what we actually were as a live act,” explained Cara Robinson. “The record [Do Tell] sounded great but when we went to perform it live it just didn’t feel as powerful, so we found ourselves dropping a lot of those songs from the set lists.”

With these thoughts floating around in the back of their minds the pair both thought it was time to try a new direction, so when they were referred to engineer Govinda Doyle, the man behind Angus & Julia Stone’s Big Jet Plane, they had to at least consider him.

“We really enjoyed our first meeting with

Tim Hulsman – Get Loved

Govinda and clicked right away, which is always good. Plus he had an old concrete water tank, that we would go on to record in, which appealed to me,” said Fitz.

With Govinda guiding them, the duo chose to strip everything back, which they both said “made it easier and let the music flow more naturally and fluently”. Obviously by doing this the music has changed quite significantly, but Cara reassures fans “they’re our ears and their feedback is very important to us, but this feels so right to both of us”.

As part of their extensive national tour the duo arrive in Sydney this weekend for two special shows on the same day.

The first show will see them perform a very “stripped back show”.Then later that night the duo take to the stage for a grand show with two choirs accompanying them.

Fitz credited his partner for her efforts in pulling together all of the aspects of this evening show, saying:“Cara has done all of the organising to get these choirs together, teaching

Melbourne-based musician Tim Hulsman delivers his music with heart and soul, and takes command of his guitar playing and his vocal delivery.

Music fans who enjoy acoustic ballads with themes related to love and triumph will get right into his latest album, Get Loved.

At first listen it is apparent he is a versatile songwriter that explores a wide range of genres including folk, rock and alternative country reminiscent of The Eagles and Ben Harper.

From a production perspective, the music is nicely layered with string arrangements and interesting vocal harmonies.

If you want some music to listen to over summer, I would recommend Get Loved. (DJ) WWWW

them the songs and what not, so its been a hell of a lot of time invested.” To which Cara added, with an excited laugh:“It’s been wild but we’re all very excited and looking forward to it.”

Jan 28.

Show One: Blues On The Water, departing No.6 King St Wharf at 11:45am. $60.

Tickets & info: www.bluescruise.com.au Show Two:The Basement, 7 Macquarie Place, Sydney. $25-$85.Tickets & info: www.thebasement.com.au

Ocean Grove – The Rhapsody Tapes

Melbourne’s Ocean Grove look to shatter the mood with their debut album by not only announcing themselves to the scene but also by introducing an entirely new genre of music, which they’ve dubbed “Odd World”.

The Rhapsody Tapes is certainly odd in the way it implements certain elements which are rarely seen in the hardcore/punk realms. Ocean Grove have written and produced this album entirely in a bedroom, which allowed them the freedom to experiment with dark synths and other electronic instruments layered upon a hardcore base to create something truly unique.

This experimentation however comes at a risk; do too little and it seems futile, but do it too much and you can end up with a jumbled mess. Whilst occasionally they find the right balance, more often than not The Rhapsody Tapes falls into the latter category, thus leaving the record feeling like a collection of singles rather than a cohesive album. (JA) WW city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

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THE NAKED CITY

BIG, BETTER, BEST!

With Coffin Ed Australia’s fascination with the ‘big’ and the ridiculously oversized is well known. Books have been written, documentaries made and the internet is bulging with pics of The Big Merino, The Big Bogan, The Big Ugg Boots and The Big Cane Toad – to name just a few. Scattered all over the country, these often absurd “big things”, as they are branded, encapsulate a brand of Australian humour that is very much old school.

Often conceived and erected to put a small town or regional centre on the tourist map, they are our version of the long established American roadside attraction – designed to lure the willing motorist and break the boredom of an often stultifying long distance road trip. In most cases they have a local reference like the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour or the Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, but in some cases there is little connection at all – like the oddly placed Big Bench in Broken Hill.

Whilst some of the big things are of sturdy construction, like Goulburn’s monolithic all-concrete Big Merino, others appear thrown together from essentially lightweight materials. Over the years Mother Nature takes its toll, as paint begins to peel and the structures bare a slightly bedraggled appearance, especially if maintenance is not a consideration. If anything they become almost more endearing as they express their vulnerability and the ravages of time.

Here in the massive metropolis of Sydney we are occasionally treated to some much vaunted oversized

objects, like those huge rubber duckies that once graced Darling Harbour or Jeff Koon’s much celebrated floral puppy which sat for months outside the MCA back in the early 1990s. It’s fair to say that most of these big things fall into the category of object d’art, rather than some kind of wry social comment or parochial reference.

Back in 2016, Clover Moore mooted the much criticised idea of a $2.5 million giant milk crate in Belmore Park. But Sydney, we can do much better! Big things don’t need to be grossly expensive works of sculptured art rather than spontaneous expressions of community spirit, humour and at times even outrage. So let’s get building.

No need to pour tonnes of concrete like Goulburn’s Big Merino – recycled materials are all the go with paper mache at the forefront. Kings Cross already has the big Poo-Balls – but what about a giant smiling doorman, straddling the entrance to the Golden Mile, signalling to all that the Cross is open for business in the wee small hours.

I’d love to see a series of giant paper mache buskers fronting the ferry wharves at Circular Quay with even a big Eddy Obeid thrown in for good luck, given his historical association with the area. The now rather boring Devonshire Street Tunnel could be enlivened with a series of giant rats, strategically placed to give pedestrians a giggle and frighten off any smaller vermin. A giant Ibis, a giant Cockatoo and even a giant possum would certainly be a winner with tourists and locals alike in Hyde Park. And why not a humongous slippery eel, surfacing sporadically like the Loch Ness Monster in the duck pond in the Botanic Gardens? The possibilities are endless – time to think big!

Movement Republic: A New Way to Move

As part of the 2017 Sydney Festival audiences have the chance to see a 360 degree art installation called Exit, which reflects the problems the world is facing today and the impact that climate change is having on the planet.

The idea behind Exit came from the French philosopher Paul Virilio, who introduces you to the exhibition via a video where he personally explains the concept in French with English subtitles.

You then move to a dark room with a 10 foot tall, 360 degree panoramic screen on which a spinning globe generates maps, texts and trajectories outlining issues such as population shifts in cities, the flow of money as immigrants send it back home, natural disasters, rising seas and cities under threat, deforestation and the loss of indigenous languages.

It impressively and comprehensively immerses you in the issues of the day without

It’s easy to be disillusioned by today’s fitness industry. Outside of hard-core fads like fasting, shredding, Crossfit and hideous green smoothies – it’s difficult to find nonthreatening alternatives for leading a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Enter Movement Republic, an innovative and inclusive alternative to what it means to ‘work out’. Located in the heart of Pyrmont and run by locals this is a boutique, independent studio where there are no scales, TV’s, calorie counting, restricted diets or endless repetitions.

Studio Director Ann Charleston is passionate about supporting people to reclaim their innate human potential for movement.

“It’s about how you feel, not how you look,” she said. “Life is complex – there should be no isolated movements and no isolated people. At Movement Republic, everything is

Ryan Carter. Photo: Scott Finneran

REVIEW – EXIT: 360 Degree Artwork

14

city hub 26 JANUARY 2017

turning it into a political statement. The show was appropriately used for the first time at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, awakening world leaders to the existential threat climate change poses.

Exit was produced by New York studio Diller Scofidio + Renfroa in collaboration with architects, artists, scientists and geographers.

This is not only a well-crafted visual artwork but it is also a useful platform to inform the public about some of the great moral challenges our world is facing. The gallery may only fit less than 50 people at a time, but the intimacy of the room makes the experience more enjoyable as it takes you through the six different narratives that surround you. (DJ) Until Mar 25, 10am-5pm (closed Sun + Mon). UNSW Galleries, cnr Oxford St + Green Rd, Paddington. Free.

Info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2017/exit

complex – in a good way! It’s designed for how you move through life.”

The studio is serious about their approach to inclusivity; mentors and instructors range from the ages of 20 through to 60.

Movement Republic boasts unique equipment designed by Ann and shipped from Russia, Body & Mind consultations including Fit3D body scan and postural analysis, and task and challenge based Movement Workshops.

“We know our clients achieve the best outcomes when they value the experience – in being able to move to achieve their potential at work, in life and as part of a community,” explained Ann. Movement Republic: 5 Murray St, Pyrmont. See website for exclusive offers on memberships, consultations + workshop passes. Info: www.movementrepublic.com.au Contact: 0488 888 328 or ann@movementrepublic.com.au

Perfect Strangers

Patriots Day

Would you be willing to put your phone face up on the table at a dinner party along with six of your closest friends – prepared to read out every text message and take every call on speaker? That is the premise of Paolo Genovese’s award winning film, Perfetti sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers), a star performer at this year’s Italian Film Festival and now enjoying mainstream release.

As you’d expect with a set up like this, what ensues is a fraught night of escalating revelations – some comical, some bewildering, some devastating. In lesser hands, such a plot might have been milked for its dramatic

The latest joint venture between Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg to follow the lives of real people following a tragic incident. Patriots Day sees them recount the 2013 terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon and the subsequent manhunt.

Obviously with this event being so heavily covered by the media at the time, and thus so fresh in our minds, retelling this story needed to be handled very carefully and respectfully. In order to do this the film focuses on the men and women on the frontline as the events unfold in a documentary-esque style. By employing this docudrama approach it allows the visceral emotions, imagery and contemporaneous news footage to speak for themselves without having the big name stars overplay their roles.

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potential, relying on sordid details and aftermath for its arc, but this is an insightful and intelligent script with impressive dialogue and well constructed characters. Though it does falter into cliché and excess with some plot points, it’s the way in which issues are discussed that shows originality and diligent analysis.

The twist at the end, though it allows for a tidy wrap up, actually intensifies the sense of disturbed realities.

A modern take on truth or dare. (RB)

Alex Wolff, who plays bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, deserves applause for firstly taking on such a controversial role but also for his unnerving portrayal which depicts Dzhokhar as your run of the mill university stoner rather than a crazed jihadist.

Whilst the ending sequence, which inserts interviews from the real victims and officials, fits in with the film stylistically, it didn’t quite feel like a smooth addition but rather a cheap tacked-on element.

This is a harrowing film to watch as you will feel immersed in the events, but it is one certainly worth seeing for the sense of community and love alone. (JA) WWW1/2

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