INNER WEST INDEPENDENT October 2021

Callan Park dispute over mound

Community search continues for missing Glebe cat

Screen legend pens crime novel set in Sydney

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Over 20 hectares of tree canopy have been destroyed in the last 12 months in the inner west.

Help us stop the inner west tree massacre.

Labor and Liberal Councilors have teamed up to dismantle the Inner West Council’s tree policy to make it easier to rip out healthy, mature trees. It is a developers dream.

Foreshore, Urban, and Corridor: In just one year, over 37 football fields of tree canopy have been destroyed.

Inner West residents walk local and rediscover their backyards These trees will take decades to replace and their removal means hotter days, more air pollution, fewer birds and less wildlife.

Sign the petition at www.jamieparker.org.au/tree

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Help us stop the inner west tree massacre.

Authorised by Jamie Parker MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements. April 2021.

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INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

IndieNEWS Council calls for contamination investigation

BY KATELYN MILLIGAN nner West Council has called for the NSW Government to conduct an immediate investigation into potential contamination at WestConnex St Peters Interchange Park.

Council will write to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and relevant Ministers to hold the NSW Government accountable for the remediation, ownership and management of the toxic parkland within the Inner West Council Local Government Area (LGA).

The motion, put forward by Deputy Mayor Pauline Lockie, was unanimously passed at Council’s Extraordinary Meeting earlier this month.

Inner West Council Director of Infrastructure Cathy Edwards-Davis said that Council was uninformed of NSW Transport’s expectation for Council to oversee the care, control and management of the park until recently.

“We were only asked to take over this land very shortly prior to the completion of the M8 tunnel and as a result, Council staff have had no input into the design of this land,” Ms Edwards-Davis told Council.

I IndieARTS: Horiz3n Sydney based girl band H3rizon are determined to leave their mark on the music industry (See p. 22)

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POINTING FINGERS

Council is adamant that they will not accept responsibility for the State-led St Peters Interchange Park, asserting that the NSW Government must be held accountable for the site.

The green space was due to be completed in 2019, but two years on is far from finished.

Council intends to call on the NSW Government to work collaboratively in identifying an alternative site of genuine open space and parkland, in line with the condition of approval for the WestConnex project.

Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous says the NSW Government must adhere to its promise of delivering open green space as community compensation for the WestConnex project, rather than handing off an unwanted liability.

“To claim the motorway as a benefit to the community of St Peters lacks any credibility,” Ms Porteous told the Independent.

“The people of St Peters and surrounding suburbs needs parkland that allows them quiet and reflective spaces away from noise and exhaust fumes. Trees and grass

Inner West Council unanimously supported an immediate NSW Government investigation into potential contamination at the St Peters WestConnex Interchange. Photo: Facebook/Pauline Lockie

under motorway pylons [are] simply greenwash.”

Councillor Victor Macri echoed Porteous’ concerns.

“Why should Council be hoisted the cost of this, particularly when we don’t even own it, it’s not ours. There’s lower hanging fruit, where we’d actually get a better outcome for open space, for probably a lot less money than what this will cost us. I think the state government really needs to live up to their obligation,” Mr Macri said.

Council staff have had no input into the design of this land Environmental scientist and previous landfill consultant Charlie Pierce told the Independent that the Alexandria landfill, which is now the site of the proposed St Peters Parkland, is still actively decomposing and creating methane. He says it will continue to degrade for another 50 years.

TOXIC DANGER

The latest monitoring data from the site reveals that several locations within the toxic parkland have recorded gas methane above the lower explosive level of five per cent. This raises extreme concerns as methane above this limit can accumulate and become an explosive hazard.

Two gas monitoring wells are recording

methane levels over 60 per cent.

“I look for a lot of things from a park, but I have to say explosiveness is not one of them,” Ms Lockie said.

“If there are potential toxic gases or matter coming through there then that’s something that the state government absolutely has to address as a matter of urgency, both for the residents who live around that area and for their own workers,” Lockie told the Independent.

Pierce suggests an independent investigation to ensure an accurate assessment of contamination levels is needed at St Peters Interchange Park.

“I used to be an environmental consultant and when you find problems, you will always put a spin on the report to make it look not so bad for your client, you want them to come back,” Pierce said.

“It would be good if Council could request to be the people in charge of the people conducting the investigation so they would be looking after Council’s interest … Council wants to know about the level of contamination and Transport [for] NSW wants to get rid of the land.”

Council have met with Transport for NSW on numerous occasions over the past year to discuss contamination and management concerns, however, no agreement has been made on the management of the parkland moving forward.

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

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IndieNEWS

Library services reopen

BY EVA BAXTER nner West library click and collect and home delivery services reopened Monday September 20.

The library services were shut under the NSW government’s Public Health Order. Libraries are categorised separately from retail, for which click & collect and delivery has been permissible.

Inner West Council made the decision in their meeting on September 14 to set the reopening date to Monday September 20th after an exemption to the Health Order was granted by Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

when people have limited funds and so much free time if they are unable to work,” she said.

Jillian’s two-year-old daughter loves books. One morning, Jillian asked her whether she would like toast or yoghurt for breakfast, and her daughter replied with the title of her favourite book.

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STREET-LIBRARIES

The Street Libraries were invented preCOVID but took on a life of their own during lockdowns, according to Cecile Schuldiener, General Manager of Street Libraries.

Street Libraries have been essential for book lovers while library services have been shut. Photo: Street Library

 A click & collect service is essential

BOOK-LOVERS

50% of the library staff currently work in a hotspot area and are required to be vaccinated before continuing work in the Inner West.

Council had to establish the vaccination status of staff living in those areas.

The services start with main branch libraries including Ashfield, Balmain, Leichhardt, and Marrickville.

Clare Nada’s local library is Marrickville.

She told the Independent while library services have been closed, she has been relying on Booktopia and Street Libraries, as well as re-reading old favourites.

Her favourite book is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, which she re-read this year “to travel in time and place during lockdown.”

She is keen to explore the library again to find random discoveries.

Jillian Kershaw works in Aged Care.

She told the Independent “a couple of Homecare clients rely on a regular delivery service from their local library, which has been put on hold. They are going a bit stir crazy and commented they are sick of reading the same books multiple times, so we ended up ordering some books online plus I lent them some books.

“I think a click and collect service is essential for our community, especially

She told the Independent people are walking the streets more, and want to contribute to the local community they have to stay within five kms of.

“I think it’s a real comfort for people to know that when their public libraries are closed, they can go in search of a Street Library, and now there’s so many around they can go on a Street Library tour of their local neighbourhood,’ she said.

Street Library has 3,200 currently registered Street Libraries and aims to have 5,000 by December.

COMMUNITY ACTION

Local Woman of the Year - Wendy Bacon

Wendy is a Walkley Award winning investigative journalist and political activist and has been a stalwart of the activist community in Sydney for almost 50 years. Amongst her many other achievements, Wendy co-founded the support group, Women Behind Bars, was a central driver in the campaign to stop WestConnex, and has most recently turned her attention to exposing issues with air quality in inner and western Sydney. What a champion - thank you Wendy.

#March4Justice We are still drawing strength from the massive women’s marches, and doing what we can in the Parliament to make the changes we need now - starting with enthusiastic consent. Enough is enough!

Authorised by Jenny Leong MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.

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INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

SCAN TO WATCH @jennyleong.newtown JENNY’S SPEECH

Rainbow Pride Mardi Gras this year was different that’s for sure, but from the march down Oxford St during the day, to the parade at the SCG in the evening, it was an incredible day of celebrating our LGBTIQ+ Wcommunity and standing up for their rights and freedoms. That’s what Mardi Gras is all about. @jennyleong @jennyleong.newtown

over-policing issues. There’s a lot of pressure inside the house; and a lot of pressure outside on the streets.

Deadly Good

He also explains that “food shortages and economic difficulties are not just a COVID-19 lockdown thing for us and our communities. It was there before for Aboriginal people – and it will be there after all this is over, even more so.

So it’s what happens after the lockdowns and food relief efforts fall away that we worry about.

What’s coming next? We really hope we can keep coming here and working with you because we will need it.”

Keenan Mundine, Carly Stanley and Dean Lloyd from Deadly Connections load up at the Addi Road Food Relief Hub. Photo Mark Mordue.

Keenan Mundine, Carly Stanley and Dean Lloyd are here from Deadly Connections, picking up hamper boxes from Addi Road’s Emergency Food Relief Hub. They’re using two vans to do a big delivery run to Glebe, Waterloo, Redfern, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill.

lot of good things happen this way every day here, right at the edge of where community organisations and civil society groups are working together to feed the city. It’s really the only way any immediate action can kick into gear and be meaningful.

Deadly Connections work across those areas and throughout the Inner West with the local Aboriginal community, particularly those impacted by child protection and the law. Their aim is to break through the intergenerational cycles of trauma, loss and disadvantage, and support people to create a new path for themselves and their families.

Despite the pressure on Deadly Connections as a small organisation, Carly says she likes being out there doing the deliveries. “I do get a big cagey with the lockdown. And it’s good to see more of people and what is going on.”

They could use more hands on deck, they reckon, to help with their food deliveries. Right now, they’re doing everything as best as they can. Carly is the CEO and Founder of Deadly Connections, Keenan the Co-Founder and Ambassador, Dean their Criminal Justice Specialist. Back at the office they have two more staff. Everybody pitches in.

When Rosanna Barbero, CEO for Addi Road, hears Carly talking, she steps over to discuss how Addi Road can help Deadly Connections take some weight off themselves and make use of Addi Road’s volunteer network of drivers. A

Field Work “Good job,” a parent says, giving people the thumbs up at a pop-up clinic happening at Addi Road this morning. “Really appreciate it, especially after all the hassles trying to get my daughter vaccinated.”

Pfizer shots are being delivered to around 100 people by Aspen Medical Australia. All with a little help from the Exodus Foundation, working with Addison Road Community Organisation to get the pop-up clinic down here and happening for ages 12 and up today.

Our local member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese, has swung by to offer his support for the morning. It’s an important moment in his eyes, part of the many small, but necessary community actions that can make a world of difference to everyone.

In a private conversation with a member of the public, Albo can relate to the parental concerns being voiced. He mentions how his son works at a supermarket, and the natural worries that it brings. It leads to a broader conversation about low-income workers doing a ton of essential work … not only doctors and nurses, but the cleaners and health admin, your local garbos,

“We are just too busy, though,” Keenan says, in a half-worried, half-happy way that indicates he is likewise glad they are connecting with their community. Today is a special day, he notes, as it is “a chance to touch base with people that have not had any food deliveries before. More and more people are reaching out to us.”

“The feedback we are getting every day, nothing can describe it. People are at home and feeling very vulnerable. There is no one that they feel they can speak to and trust but us.”

Dean listens to all that Carly and Keenan say and adds that it gets more complicated because many families and homes are suffering from overcrowding and corresponding

Keenan maintains the optimistic balance as all three turn from the boxed hampers stacked in their two vans to loading up pallets of bread on top. They’re doubly pleased people in their community are asking for fruit and vegetables that they can now supply to keep everyone at home, happy and healthy.

“We just love our partnership with Addi Road,” Keenan says. “You can shine that up any way you like for a media release.”

On a practical level, he explains that because Addi Road has been supplying Deadly Connections with food hampers, it has freed them up to do more in other ways for the Aboriginal community. “We were spending our money on food relief to keep families going.

Now we can keep that money and use it to reach even more people.”

As for any pressure he, Carly and Dean might be feeling day-to-day themselves, Keenan breaks into that worried-happy laugh of his again. “If we don’t do this, man, who will? Who will provide the hope? So we do it. It’s crucial … the food, the conversations we have, and human connection we bring.”

“The trick is not to show you are tired,” Keenan says, bearing himself up even taller than before.

“We have to be the change we want to see. And give people the hope I’m talking about. It’s about more than the food; it’s about the energy they see in us when we arrive.”

the people who keep your supermarket open and functioning… so many good people keeping things on an even keel.

Spilling over into the car park, the pop-up Pfizer clinic takes on a field hospital appearance: chairs spread out and socially-distanced; doctors, nurses and health care workers clothed in full PPE moving from patient to seated patient.

But the real ambience is one of camaraderie as people chat freely to one another and fill out their vaccination permission forms in the morning sunshine.

Looking around, it’s a genuine multicultural and multi-generational gathering as parents attend to their children, and adult children watch over their parents.

Albo deals with a press conference to welcome the event as a very positive action in his electorate. Exodus Foundation arrive in a van and set up a table with water, coffee, tea and muffins for people while they wait.

As a thank you to everyone for coming along, Addi Road is giving out loaves of sourdough bread and pastries to take home, as well a free shop at our Food Pantry here in Marrickville.

Rosanna Barbero, Addi Road CEO, and Anthony Albanese, Federal Member for Grayndler welcome Aspen Medical Australia to Marrickville.

Photo Mark Mordue.

For today at least, the world seems lighter, less anxious to those who have come here. A woman helps her elderly father to stand and leave. No dizziness. First Pfizer shot done. He’s ok. A young man nearby nursing a baby is next for his shot. A boy rolls up his sleeve.

Generations and different cultural communities coming together as one. We’ll be doing it again at Addi Road.

Words and Images Mark Mordue

addiroad.org.au

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

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IndieNEWS

Baths could become ‘unusable’

BY DANIEL LO SURDO nner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous told a Parliamentary Inquiry this month that the Western Harbour Tunnel, a planned underground motorway connecting the Warringah Freeway to the Rozelle Interchange, could render Balmain’s newly-reopened Dawn Fraser Baths ‘unusable’.

The Dawn Fraser Baths reopened in September after Health Minister Brad Hazzard granted Councillor Darcy Byrne’s request to open the baths for swimming during lockdown.

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 Consultation … for this project has been poor Now, Ms Porteous worries that the impact of the Western Harbour Tunnel will damage the historic baths.

“The Western Harbour Tunnel construction plans include dredging contaminated sediment from the harbour floor,” Ms Porteous said.

“Toxic plume from this sediment will most likely escape into the harbour where it will impact dog walkers, fishers and swimmers, including users of Dawn Fraser Baths.”

The Dawn Fraser Baths could be rendered ‘unusable’ with the impacts of the Western Harbour Tunnel.

Photo: Inner West Council

State Member for Balmain Jamie Parker also held concerns for the project.

“142,500 cubic metres of contaminated sediment will be dredged from the harbour floor and processed at White Bay. This sediment was stated … to be contaminated with dioxins, tributyl fin and heavy metals as a result of the harbour’s industrial past,” Mr Parker said in June.

“While some minimisation measures are proposed like shallow floating silt curtains, these measures may not

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be sufficient to prevent plumes of contaminated sediments escaping to the harbour.”

COMMUNITY OUTRAGE

Ms Porteous contested much of the findings in the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

“Consultation … for this project has been poor,” she said. “The catastrophic impact the Western Harbour Tunnel could have on the baths … was not even included in the Reference Study and the [EIS].”

A Transport for NSW spokesperson told the Independent in March that the baths are 1500m upstream from the proposed dredging site and that even in the worstcase scenario, water quality won’t be impacted.

A key issue shared in the Inner West is the three unfiltered exhaust stacks that will be linked to the Western Harbour Tunnel and the WestConnex motorway, one stack being located in close proximity to Rozelle Primary School.

“The tunnels will have unfiltered exhaust stacks spewing out millions of tonnes of dangerous exhaust pollution, dangerous diesel particulates and other toxins every day over our children’s schools, our homes and the parks where they play every day,” Rozelle Parents concerned about WestConnex said via Facebook in 2019.

Ms Porteous called for an immediate reassessment of the impacts of both motorway projects.

“We urgently need a comprehensive health study on the documented impacts of WestConnex and the predicted impacts of the Western Harbour Tunnel, including consideration of the cumulative impacts with other major construction projects.”

IndieNEWS

Councillors support COVID-recovery policy

Inner West Council unanimously supported a COVID-19 hospitality and live performance recovery plan. Photo: Norton Street Italian Festa

BY DANIEL LO SURDO nner West Councillors unanimously supported the preparation of a COVID-recovery outdoor dining and live performance policy to “allow and encourage safe use of public spaces by local restaurants, cafes, bars and local premises” at a Council meeting in September.

The motion, tabled from Councillor Darcy Byrne, detailed that the policy would facilitate the safe reopening of local hospitality businesses and will include consideration of parking spaces, main streets and/or adjoining side streets and Council parks in the opening-up phase following lockdown.

Cr Byrne believes that Council involvement will be crucial to the survival of the hospitality and live performance sector post-lockdown.

“There’s no way that businesses are going to be able to recover under the current conditions, that is by making use of the footpath dining that is available, and where we seek to do so, what that inevitably would create is a conflict between disability access and the viability of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs,” Cr Byrne told the meeting.

“There’s going to need to be new creative solutions if businesses are going to be able to open their doors, begin to recover and welcome the huge number of local residents who will want to get outside and enjoy a meal and drink with their friends and loved ones.”

The proposed policy comes with the City of

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Sydney considering transforming 10 lanes and backstreets into dining spaces and walkways in a bid to bring business back into the CBD, with NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes “throwing out the planning rule book and taking emergency measures” upon the planned reopening of Sydney.

Cr Byrne’s motion included “provisions already enacted by the City of Sydney in response to the 2020 lockdown for outdoor dining and live performance that can be implemented in the Inner West.” In November last year, the City of Sydney announced an 11-month trial of a new application process for outdoor dining permits and on-street dining opportunities, as well as waiving all fees for new and existing outdoor dining permit holders. Under the trial, originally scheduled to finish at the end of October, inner-city precincts were given larger trading hours and were charged no application or rental fees.

“It would be good if we could learn from all of those and come up with some practical solutions that will not leave the onus entirely on businesses, but will see the council taking the lead in providing new spaces for outdoor dining … and perhaps a live performance as well,” Cr Byrne said.

TAKING IT OUTSIDE

Councillor Marghanita da Cruz, who seconded the motion, signalled the use of outdoor spaces as a critical aspect of the Inner West’s COVID-19 recovery.

“The evidence says that even fully vaccinated people can get COVID and

the best way to reduce the spread is actually to allow a lot of ventilation, and the best way to have ventilation is to be outside,” Cr da Cruz said.

“I’d like to see many roads closed along the Inner West, and people using it for outdoor dining, music and other activities, a bit of dancing won’t go astray … I think we can really liven our community with a lot of activities and spontaneity and it’ll be a positive way for us to come out of lockdown.”

 The best way to have

ventilation is to be outside Councillor Julie Passas was sceptical of the policy’s practicality.

“We are a suburb, not a city,” Cr Passas said. “We can’t be using roads and carparks for music. These type of things, they don’t work.

“If there is any way, if there is some laneway attached to shopping centres where there are no residents then yes, by all means, let’s look at that, but to talk about closing streets and using carparks is just not feasible.”

Cr Passas wished for council officers to look at “something substantial” where no residents will be affected by the policy.

The proposed policy would also include options for reallocating funding for festivals and events that did not proceed due to the COVID-19 lockdown this year. Funds would be redirected to a program allowing hospitality businesses

to hire local musicians and performers for outdoor dining entertainment, also including localised options for all Inner West main streets to recognise that alternative approaches will be needed for different areas of the Inner West.

COUNCIL CONSENSUS

Mayor Rochelle Porteous signalled her interest in the motion.

“It’s a very comprehensive motion, quite a creative approach,” Cr Porteous told the meeting.

“We need to look at all options and do what we can to make it work for the local businesses … so it’d be great to see this report and see how we can try and carry this forward.”

While supporting the motion, Cr Porteous expressed her concern with the use of council parks nearby the main streets accommodating outdoor dining and live entertainment.

“Takeaway and a few bean bags [are] quite different to actually putting in the furniture of a restaurant, and I think there’d be a few more issues around the commercialisation of the parks, but I’m happy to explore it.”

Councillors also discussed consultation with local business representatives while developing the policy, to ensure that any proposal will be effective within the local hospitality and live performance sector.

The motion was unanimously supported

by Councillors ahead of a planned reopening of the Inner West and Greater Sydney later this year.

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

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IndieNEWS

Strathfield home recognised nationally

BY DANIEL LO SURDO Strathfield South home has been featured as part of 2021 Sustainable House Day. The house, named the PassivCourtyard, is a Passive House, meaning that it is nearly airtight and highly insulated to allow the temperature to be kept stable throughout the year.

PassivCourtyard Director Andy Marlow told the Independent that the house was a stark contrast from the defunct weatherboard cottage previously occupying the land.

“The client came to us a while back, and initially wanted to renovate the house that they had, which was a fairly stock standard, old house, it was in very poor condition,” Marlow said.

“It would’ve cost $50,000-$100,000 just to fix the structural problems, and we hit a point where we told them that it just didn’t work, it just didn’t make sense to fix this thing, it’s going to make much more sense to start again.”

The house has a mechanical ventilation system, meaning that when all doors and windows are closed, fresh air can still be accessed through the ventilation

A

system, a feature Marlow saw as crucial when designing in the Inner West.

“There’s a whole lot of people that live under a flight path, but also the general noise of living in the place there, to be able to go inside your building, close everything up, and still have fresh air, is incredibly important, because otherwise, you have to open up the windows and have fresh air, or close it up, and don’t have fresh air.”

Marlow believes that the system is achievable for any designer focused on sustainability.

 It was in very poor condition “What we do demonstrates to everybody is that we can all do this, it isn’t rocket science, anyone can do it properly, just people haven’t done it ... it’s a lot cheaper than a new kitchen actually, so people can choose to do this or they can choose not to do this,” Marlow said.

OVERCOMING SETBACKS

Marlow was forced to break many of the Passive House rules while designing the house.

The PassivCourtyard in Strathfield South has been featured as part of this year’s Sustainable House Day. Photo: Petri Kurkaa

“It was a tricky site, in that it was north to the street ... so that was a bit awkward and then there was a great big tree ... that blocked a lot each way, so that is how we ended up with this courtyard design, where basically there’s a lot of volume at the back of the house.”

The challenge was embraced by Marlow’s team, who now take pride in the client’s elation with their new home.

“It’s one less family living in a mouldridden, condensation-prone [home].

The fact that they’re in a healthy home for them and their kids is probably the best part of it.”

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IndieNEWS

Callan Park dispute resounds regarding mound

BY EVA BAXTER he Waterfront Green revitalisation is underway. This is the first stage of parkland upgrades for Callan Park funded by the NSW government planning to transition Callan Park into an iconic urban parkland comparable to other iconic parks across Sydney.

Tyrrell Studios is the principal landscape architect responsible for designing the works at Waterfront Green. Tyrrell Studios has collaborated with several technical and design experts including Bangawarra Indigenous consultants and Cardno engineering specialists.

The design has been refined following public exhibition of the DA addressing community feedback to include softer landscaping, a reduced headland and additional shade trees.

However, aspects of the design continue to confound community, in particular plans for a headland mound.

Friends of Callan Park (FOCP), the community body safeguarding the park since 1998, said in correspondence seen by the Independent to the Chief Executive of the Greater Sydney Parklands Agency (GSP), “there is currently a difference in vision for the site that we hope with ongoing communication we can reconcile.”

Working with Bangawarra, Tyrrell Studios plans to reinstate the landmark of Country by revealing the original form of the headland that was buried by land reclamation.

Mark Tyrrell, founder of Tyrrell Studios, said during a webinar on August 10 Bangawarra’s design intent is for the headland to become honoured as a level place to enact culture and to maintain close connection to Country.

“There’s a level change to be accommodated somewhere in this area and we think that a reinstatement of the sense of the headland is a very logical place to make this level transition,” said Tyrrell.

T

REMEDIATION REQUIREMENTS

Tyrrell cited remediation requirements for creating the mound.

“There’s a need for scraping back some of the soil and then capping it, and so there’s choices to be made on where to make those level changes.

“We’ve made that design decision informed by the Bangawarra input about the importance of this headland terrace at the level of the sandstone and we’ve made that level change in this single element.

“We see it as an area that people will recline on, sit on, walk up to have some

An artist’s impression of the Waterfront Green. Photo: Tyrrell Studios

prospect from and then maybe picnic on and use it in a variety of passive ways,” he said.

At the request of FOCP, Contamination Specialist Dr Bill Ryall prepared an opinion after reviewing the proposal

by Cardno engineering specialists to remediate the Waterfront Green.

Dr Ryall prepared a Long-term Environmental Management Plan for Callan Park in 2009 for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority to address protection of recreational users and maintenance workers on Callan Park in relation to the risk posed by fill materials impacted by chemical substances.

 Callan Park is a remarkable place Cardno outlined a variety of remediation tasks, some of which Dr Ryall stated were not required.

Dr Ryall said the tasks outlined

by Cardno that were not required included encapsulation of excavated fill material in a landscaped mound in the western portion of the site and stripping of topsoil across the site and emplacement in the engineered headland encapsulation mound.

“In my opinion, no remediation of fill materials on Callan Park is required because unacceptable risks have not been demonstrated to one or both of

the health of users of the park and to the marine ecosystem of the Iron Cove,” he said.

He said these remediation works proposed for the site create a dangerous precedent that may lead to other unnecessary remediation works being carried out on fill materials containing heavy metals and other chemical substances that do not impact the health of users of Callan Park and do not pollute the waters of the Iron Cove.

Dr Ryall said required remediation tasks outlined by Cardno include the removal of and off-site disposal of identified hazardous materials; demolition of Buildings 505 and 514 and off- site disposal of the material; importation and placement of suitably validated fill material and topsoil to provide a suitable growing medium, including installation of new medium to depth for proposed tree plantings; survey and inspection of as-built works to validate the remedial works and development and implementation of a Long-Term Environmental Management Plan for the Site.

DESIGN DISAGREEMENT

Tyrrell Studios said in the webinar they envision the Waterfront Green site as being critical for passive recreation and plan to create a variety of different passive scales on the site.

“The point is that it’s getting that sense of elevation above the water and that

it’s getting that ability for people just to sit with comfort on an edge and just appreciate being in this space,” said Tyrrell.

“We’re trying to be minimal with our interventions but we’re trying to make them very useable for people and meaningful when we do make a sitting edge and make them comfortable and make them appropriately scaled for this place.”

FOCP argue historical records do not indicate a headland at Callan Point, but rather a low lying slightly jutting spear into Iron Cove.

FOCP request Tyrrell Studios revisit their waterfront design and remove the mound, replacing it with a low sweep to the water where trees create the sense of glimpsed water views, and the space is broken by copses of native Australian trees.

Tyrrell Studios said in the webinar they were inspired by work done by Richard LePlastrier and Craig Burton on Georges Head Lookout.

“Callan Park is a remarkable place and is its own inspiration,” FOCP said, “let that predominate.”

The second stage of development in Callan Park includes upgrades to the seawall, Wharf Road, the Bay Run and for the carpark to be relocated away from the waterfront. The third stage will make Callan Point accessible, and the fourth stage will consider waterfront sports.

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

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IndieNEWS

Come Home Fonzi…

Marrickville golf club scores 21-year lease

BY EVA BAXTER nner West Council voted to grant Marrickville golf club a 21-year lease.

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The decision follows an intense and ongoing debate over the use of dwindling public land.

The inner west has one of the lowest ratios of public green space per resident in Sydney with 789 residents for every hectare of public space.

President of the club Andrew Tighe told the Independent he is sympathetic to the argument about the need for public space.

2-year-old Burmese Fonzi has been missing since May. Photo: Aston Brown

BY ASTON BROWN he fate of Glebe’s renowned missing cat remains a mystery despite his family and the community’s best efforts.

On May 29 – a Saturday morning – Fonzi was let outside to go to the toilet.

Instead of returning for breakfast, the 2-year-old Burmese cat vanished without a trace.

“It’s awful, I’ve never lost an animal, it’s a very cruel limbo to be in and the sadness doesn’t dissipate, I’ve realised,” Fonzi’s owner Brigitte Oberlander told the Independent.

Oberlander has put up over 500 posters since the cat’s disappearance and has spent weeks searching the local area with her neighbour Angela Lober.

More than three months on, Fonzi’s family remain no closer to finding answers.

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dedicated her life to reuniting pets with their owners. She says the chances of finding Fonzi are slim, but still possible.

“Statistically, three and a half weeks is the outer limit in terms of a rule of cats coming home … there are exceptions, there are miracle cases, but then there’s the rule,” Anne-Marie told the Independent.

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

 We don’t have time to celebrate “The decision will personally affect me until I am 42 years old, will stop any naturalisation of this area and will likely stop many in community from being able to use it, if not just for the risk of being hit by a golf ball.”

UNHAPPY DAYS

Local speculation ranges from a car accident to a “catnapper”. Anne-Marie is hopeful for Fonzi’s return but said it’s most likely he is deceased or stolen.

Creator of community Facebook group Annandale 2038, David Wallace is inundated by posts about missing cats and wonders if something sinister may be at play.

“I don’t know if I’ve noticed uptick, but I’ve noticed The community has also  I keep a candle an a constant amount of cats been on the lookout, with  burning for him missing, a lot, it makes me hundreds of locals offering think, I wonder if something advice and sharing hopeful is going on,” Wallace told stories. the Independent.

“My young children are very worried for “I know there are people out there who his welfare after seeing the signs, and have the potential and it just crosses my always look out for him on our daily walks,” local Dani Elizabeth commented mind that there are so many cats going missing.” on Facebook page Glebe Locals.

Oberlander hopes that her family’s There have been over 100 sightings of beloved cat will one day return home.

Fonzi, but all have proved to be a case “I stay very hopeful, but I feel as though of mistaken identity.

“This has made me feel very embedded my family are a bit resigned to the reality of the situation,” Oberlander and connected to the community said. because the response has just been so “I keep a candle burning for him and lovely and caring,” Oberlander said. leave his bed outside…I don’t know at Pet detective and owner of Arthur & what point I’ll stop doing that.”

Co. Pet Concierge, Anne-Marie has

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The club’s Plan of Management (PoM) was accepted by council and aims to address some of these concerns by encouraging the sharing of space and for the parklands and golf course to continue to become an integral part of the recreation and biodiversity fabric of the inner west LGA.

public space with lots of public facilities.”

She wrote to the council and received a reply from Greens councillor Colin Hesse who put forward a proposal for a lease of just seven years, which was defeated by council.

“The final decision has shown me that half of the council cares more about the very few golf players and the club over the entire inner west community,” said Huber-Smith.

The club now has long term certainty after being granted a 21-year lease. Photo: Google Maps

According to the PoM, over the last 5 years Marrickville Golf Club membership has dropped from 409 members to 368 members in 20172018.

The Council’s Recreation Needs Study found overall 5.5% of inner west adults play golf, 9.2% of males and 1.9% of females.

HOLE IN NONE

Nicola Huber-Smith a 21-year-old environmental scientist spoke against the 21-year lease to council.

She told the Independent, “the club’s proposal did not sit right with me, when so many people would benefit from an extra 12.5 hectares of remediated

She said the PoM outlines little change to the way the club has always been run.

“In my mind, it is not fair on the community who will be the ones supplementing them and receiving no benefits in return,” she said.

Tighe said the club is happy about the council’s decision.

“We don’t have time to celebrate, we’ve got a lot of work to do.

“The idea that it’s a bunch of privileged golfers, that argument is delivered only by people who haven’t been there, they don’t realise that it’s a community club, yes we play golf there’s no doubt about that, but we enjoy sharing the space with the community,” he said.

Inner West Council candidates’ forum Sunday 14 November from 3pm to 5pm To celebrate the City Hub’s 26th anniversary, we will host a forum for candidates in the upcoming Inner West Council elections.

• Meet select candidates from across all four wards • Bring your questions • Participate in the democratic process

Special screening of Rats in the Ranks Sunday 14 November 5:30pm Following the candidate’s forum, we will have a special screening of Rats in the Ranks Shot and screened around the time of the City Hub’s launch in 1995, Rats in the Ranks is a classic look at local politics in the Inner West.

“An astonishing combination of suspense and humour.. Five stars” David Stratton “I agree. Five stars from me also. It is about democracy and the flaws of human beings. Love it” Margaret Pomeranz

TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT SCAN:

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

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IndieNEWS

Council launches $250,000 COVID-19 program

Council hopes the program will help vulnerable people across the Inner West. Photo: Creative Commons

BY DANIEL LO SURDO nner West Council has moved to support a program that will provide financial assistance totalling $250,000 to local organisations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council resolved in an August meeting to receive a report addressing how up to $250,000 can be targeted to those most in need throughout the Inner West community. This was in addition to the $50,000 allocated to Addison Road Community Centre and the Bills Crews Exodus Foundation at the same meeting, to support the increased demand for food insecurity among families in the Inner West.

“This is a very good and effective way for us to be able to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our community are being directly assisted to get through this lockdown,” Councillor Darcy Byrne, who tabled the motion, said at the September 14 council meeting.

The funding will largely be derived from savings during lockdown, whereby utility costs from many Council-run facilities have been slashed. $90,000 will be sourced from library closures, $120,000 from the closure of aquatic centres and $20,000 from reduced cleaning costs at community centres. The remaining $20,000 will be identified in the next quarterly budget review.

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LOOKING FORWARD

Cr Byrne also wished for council to maintain funding for Living Arts EDGE Events, the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, the Yabun Festival and “safety 12

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

precautions that may have to be taken on New Year’s Eve.” “I don’t think we should get in the practice of assuming that there will be no events taking place in December, January [and] February,” Cr Byrne said.

“We should be doing everything possible to prepare for the eventuality that there are COVID safe events that can take place because that’s what the community desperately wants.”

Council projections reveal that New Year’s Eve, Living Arts EDGE Events, the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus and the Yabun Festival costs $138,000 per year.

Councillor Tom Kiat, who seconded the motion, believed that the motion was the most streamlined approach to helping the community.

“The [council] officers have done a quick and good job in identifying the community organisations that are doing this work,” Cr Kiat said.

“I was concerned about the issues raised in this report around what is the best way that we can support those who are really struggling through lockdown, and I think the council officers have identified that this is the best way we can do that, this is the best bang for our buck, it’s the most targeted and most effective way of supporting our community, so I’m glad we’re moving in this direction.”

Cr Kiat proposed to amend the motion to include noting the “important contribution” of Aboriginal non-profit Deadly Connections to the Inner West and “continue discussions with Deadly Connections regarding finding suitable permanent accommodation within the LGA.”

The amendment was incorporated into the motion by Cr Byrne, who recognised that community organisations such as Deadly Connections should be “at the very top of the list for properties that do become available” in the Inner West.

REQUESTING AMENDMENTS

Councillor Julie Passas wished for further research to be done on the proposal.

“We have vulnerable people in our area that need support. It’s not our money, it’s ratepayer’s money,” Cr Passas said.

“We can’t just put our hands up and vote for a quarter of a million dollars when we do not know if it’s getting to the people it needs to.”

 This is the best bang for our buck Cr Passas requested an amendment detailing a full report on “all organisations that have requested funding from Council.” This was seconded by Councillor Victor Macri and was incorporated into Cr Byrne’s primary motion.

Cr Macri attempted to move an amendment requesting that council receives a report on their involvement with sporting clubs and hirers, after the lockdowns this year forced many leagues and associations to abandon their seasons. Cr Macri drew a comparison to the neighbouring Canterbury Bankstown Council, who waived the fees for this year and credited for the next year, asking “if that’s a possibility for council to look at that.”

While in support of a report, Cr Porteous disputed the direct relevance of the proposed amendment to the motion and sought advice from the governance official Peter Doyle, who agreed with the mayor, saying “it’s not really associated with the report that is before [Councillors].” Mr Doyle suggested that Cr Macri’s proposed amendment should be submitted as a notice of motion for the next meeting. It was subsequently ruled out of order as it did not relate to the subject matter, and was not incorporated into the primary motion.

Ten local community organisations were recommended for COVID-19 support, and include the Asylum Seekers Centre, Deadly Connections and the Sanctuary House Women’s Shelter.

Last year, Council provided $250,000 in financial assistance to ten different community organisations. The funding supported the delivery of between 2,000 to 7,000 food hampers per week across the Inner West, provided more than 4,000 asylum seekers with support, provided daily food and support for 300 homeless people and boarding house residents and among other causes, provided legal and health support for 54 women escaping domestic violence.

Those experiencing acute additional disadvantages during the current COVID-19 lockdown include Aboriginal people and communities, asylum seekers and emerging communities, carers, migrant and refugee communities, people experiencing domestic and family violence, people with disabilities and people with lower digital literacy and other barriers to accessing information.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

TURNING UP THE VOLUME IN MARRICKVILLE

BY JAMIE APPS ver the last few months working from home has become the norm, and you’ve probably realised blocking out noisy distractions can be tough.

Like most of us you’ve probably resorted to using headphones more often and longer than you should.

While this is great for productivity, it’s not so great for your long-term hearing health. Luckily for Inner West residents you are about to get a brand-new hearing hub in Marrickville to quickly diagnose any hearing problems you may be having, which could help prevent any long-term damage.

Hearing Australia is opening a new hub in Marrickville,

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bringing 70 years of trusted expertise and extensive hearing care option to the Inner West.

Hearing loss is more common than many people realise. One in 6 Australians is impacted, including almost 4500 local residents in Marrickville alone. The use of masks during the current pandemic means that people impacted by hearing loss are disproportionately effected. Since they can no longer read lips for visual clues, they are now finding it even more difficult to communicate with friends, family or retail staff.

The introduction of a hearing centre is great news for Inner West residents. As local Hearing Australia representative, Sherilee McManus states, “throughout

the lockdown, we’ve seen the benefits of good hearing for helping families and friends keep in touch and stay connected virtually. The introduction of a new major service hub in Marrickville is extremely timely, bringing trusted expertise and tailored hearing care options to the local community and for those who require more convenient access to services. We’re proud to offer local Marrickville and surrounding residents’ access to our range of innovative services that are trusted by over a million Australians.”

Hearing Australian also hopes to improve the local rates of hearing assessment. Currently one in four (25%) older Australians don’t recall ever having had a hearing test and more than one in five (22%) haven’t taken a hearing test in over five years.

“The Hearing Australia centre in Marrickville will provide a range of services to help local residents manage their hearing health, including hearing assessments, counselling, the latest in hearing technology and hearing aid fittings,” said Sherilee McManus. “We’ve listened to our clients and have made it even easier for them to get the information and support they need. We have bilingual support staff who can offer consultations from Greek, Vietnamese and Arabic. Anyone who is worried about their hearing or the hearing of a loved one, can call us or visit our website to make an appointment.”

The Hearing Australia Marrickville hub is located at 326 Marrickville Road, Marrickville.

If you’re interested in booking a hearing check, or if you’d like to chat to the friendly Hearing Australia team about your hearing health, please call (02) 9269 3500 or visit www.hearing.com.au.

How retirement villages are Uniting people

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n wisdom, we realise that our confidence comes from a sense of belonging. Being connected to a community is what gives us a sense of belonging. Over time our ability to socialise in our free time expands whilst our community and neighbourhoods are changing. COVID-19 has had a particularly strong influence on people seeking different needs from home design and also their communities. At Uniting we realise that confidence comes from belonging and sharing memorable moments with like-minded people.

That’s why community and caring are built in at every Uniting NSW/ACT retirement village. Moving into the next phase of your life should be an exciting occasion. Uniting believes that everyone should enjoy the confidence of belonging.

One person who knows this intimately is Leonie. Leonie decided to move to Uniting Mayflower Gerringong in 2010 after doing a village tour.

She had already experienced the village when her father had previously lived there. She jumped at the opportunity and set off to make sure she could become part of the community.

“One of the first things I did was set

up a veggie patch. I was a talker like Dad, so it was a great excuse to have a chat.”

Leonie’s veggie patch became her own social sanctuary. Many of Leonie’s good friends now do the gardening together at Mayflower and the veggie patch has become its own community centre.

“There is something special about our village. There is a spirit of caring not just among the staff but amongst all the people who live here. This is a little village and we all belong to each other.

We’re family.”

Since joining the village at Gerringong, Leonie has seen her social network expand and sees it as her true home.

Leonie also enjoys the freedom that retirement living has given her. No longer does she have to worry about mowing the lawns or the letter box filling up whilst she is away. Uniting’s specialist staff take away the hassle of maintenance for her property and allowed her to focus on what truly matters.

“You don’t realise the friendships and the interdependence you’ll develop when you move-in. Every day I am surrounded by things to do with my friends. There

are more activities going on than anyone could get ever hope to get to!”

Uniting has had over 50 years worth of experience to consider each and every detail that makes retirement living more enjoyable. People like Leonie live our values and ethos. And it can only be a home when you are in a community where you belong.

Everyone deserves to discover new passions in the comfort of their home.

A community full of respectful, social and like-minded individuals, and their pets should they choose. We want you to retire happily with easy access to a social network, new friends and other supports whenever you want it.

There are many spaces to explore your leisure, to entertain yourself and to entertain your loved ones, whether that be communal vegetable garden for the green thumbs, the villages’ dedicated clubroom for trivia and crafts, or the outdoor courtyard perfect for BBQs. A Uniting village is a perfect place to find your new home and your new forever friends.

In that community, we are Uniting People.

Book a tour by calling 1800 864 846 or go to uniting.org/retirementliving INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

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IndieNEWS

Council to request noise investigation Inner West Councillors unanimously supported a motion to investigate freight train noise in Marrickville. Photo: Creative Commons

BY DANIEL LO SURDO nner West Councillors unanimously supported a motion requesting the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to investigate noise concerns from Marrickville residents living by the goods rail corridor.

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Councillor Julie Passas, who seconded the motion tabled from Marrickville Ward Councillor Victor Marci, offered little hope for the request, despite her support for the proposal.

“I was brought up on Parramatta Road and we could hear the trains at Summer Hill Station, and you get used to it - you pay accordingly when you buy near these types of places,” Ms Passas said at a Council meeting this month.

“I don’t have a problem with Council writing but I can’t see it happening.”

Mr Macri believed the matter required urgent attention.

“It could be as simple as a bit of speed limiting in heavy residential areas and it could be something ... that could be actually transferred right across our LGA and could be a real benefit, so that’s why we need them to have a real look at it,” Mr Macri said.

“It’s only where it’s really close to residents, and with that metro, it’s right there, virtually just out the door.

“I think it’s an important advocacy role that we do have and should be representing these concerns to the ARTC.”

DEEP IMPACT

Mr Macri was contacted by a resident who had recently moved into a home by 14

INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

the Marrickville train corridor and who has suffered from the goods line rail noise.

“We were quite excited to move into our beautiful new home however, the offensive noise levels of the squealing brakes of the goods trains 24 hours a day has ruined both our experience of living in the Inner West and our lives in general,” the resident said.

 I am frequently awoken at night “The stress levels triggered by the outrageous noise of the squealing brakes of the Goods Trains as they speed past our house 24 hours a day is causing the whole family to suffer. I am frequently awoken at night and am starting to find it difficult to concentrate on and carry out my job to the best of my ability.”

The resident noted that noise is significantly less obtrusive when Metro line works are undergoing, as goods trains travel at a slower speed and squealing noises from the brakes are minimised. Residents also indicated little issue with Pacific National railway engines, described as “slower, more modern and don’t make nearly as much offensive noise as the silver Independent Rail Companies”.

Councillor Colin Hesse, who lives in close proximity to the railway corridor, believes noise pollution has been extraordinary in the area for the past century.

“I understand why new residents would be upset, obviously you buy a house

during the day and you don’t hear what’s there at night ... I do understand that it’s quite a shock,” Mr Hesse said.

so I’m hoping we do get something for the residents and show that we do care enough to write a letter on their behalf.”

“I can assure you that [railway noise] is quite distracting, you do somewhat get used to it but when you’re rolling over in the middle of the night it’s always annoying.

“Airport noise is the one that affects us the most, followed by road noise and then rail noise.”

The resident contacting Mr Macri called for Council to issue a prevention notice, under the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, to lower the disturbance for Inner West residents across the railway corridor. The resident also requested the ARTC impose a speed limit and reduce the hours that goods trains are permitted to travel through the corridor immediately.

A FEDERAL MATTER Whilst supporting the motion, Mr Hesse shared Ms Passas’ sentiment on the outcome of Council’s request.

“The problem we have here ultimately is the State Government will say ... it would cost too much, and I think that’s the issue with the cost in ameliorating all these things. The railway line there takes quite a jump to the left or right depending on which way you’re going, so it is one of those things where you’re going to get a lot of friction.

“I agree it would be better if it’s slower but ... it’s going to be noisy regardless.”

Mr Macri refuted Mr Hesse’s argument, reframing the motion as a Federal issue.

“It’s not a matter of cost, it’s a procedural thing,” Mr Macri said.

“There’s no issue with the passenger trains, it’s actually the goods trains that are coming through at basically 3 o’clock in the morning.

“The Freight Rail System is a federal thing so that’s why we’ll be writing to the Federal, not the State Government,

Whilst the resident argued that the noise emitted from the goods line trains during nighttime was consistent with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act’s definition of “offensive noise”, railway activities, including the goods line trains, are considered scheduled activities that are licenced and regulated exclusively by the Environmental Protection Authority, who assesses air, noise, water and waste environmental impacts.

After about eight minutes of discussion, all 15 councillors voted in favour of the motion - a unanimous decision. Council will now write to the ARTC, and in the event of residents’ concerns being proven, will request that treatments are implemented to reduce the impact of residents. They will also communicate with the relevant Federal members seeking assistance for the residents to inform them of the noise pollution from the freight line in the early hours of the morning along the rail corridor through Marrickille South, and especially residents in Meeks Road.

IndieNEWS

Bringing ‘calm’ to Council project … actually delivers the traffic calming and public space improvements we were promised.”

Ms Lockie has been an Inner West Councillor since 2017, and prior to that was a founding member of the WestCONnex Action Group. It was in this role where she first met City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, and is now her community engagement manager.

BY DANIEL LO SURDO ew Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous and Deputy Mayor Pauline Lockie will look to bring back the community focus to Council over their three-month term.

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Ms Porteous beat out the previous mayor Darcy Byrne and previous deputy mayor Victor Macri for the position at Council’s extraordinary meeting on the 7th of September.

Upon her declaration as mayor, Ms Porteous signalled a culture change for her council.

We’re here for the community ... it’s a privilege

“We’re here for the community, and it’s a privilege to represent the community,” Ms Porteous said at the meeting.

While Ms Porteous will only stand as mayor until December when she is expected to retire, there is hope within many Councillors that the new mayor, along with newly instated Deputy Mayor Pauline Lockie, will create an increased progressive focus for the Inner West.

Ms Lockie was named new deputy mayor after outvoting Councillor Lucille McKenna to the post.

“I’m aiming to help bring a period of relative calm to the Council after a tumultuous four years,” Ms Lockie told the Independent.

Mayor Porteous (left) and Deputy Mayor Lockie (right) will aim to bring calm to Inner West Council over the next three months. Photo: Supplied

“I’m committed to … continuing to work collaboratively with my Councillor colleagues and Council staff to support our community through this pandemic, and make sure residents can get the outcomes they need from Council.”

LOOKING FORWARD

While Ms Porteous is set to retire after her three-month mayoral term, Ms Lockie will be standing for re-election as a Councillor

for the Damun/Stanmore ward in December’s local government elections.

“Over the next few months, I’ll be focused on holding the government to account over the debacle that is the St Peters Interchange ‘park’, and its failure to deliver the traffic studies and public transport lanes promised for Parramatta Road,” Ms Lockie said.

“I’ll also be seeking to ensure that the long-overdue King Street Gateway

“Clover and I share a passion for serving our community, and providing independent, progressive leadership,” Ms Lockie said.

“We have a strong working relationship that started during the WestConnex campaign and continues today, collaborating as elected representatives on issues that affect inner-city communities.”

The previous mayor Darcy Byrne has already announced that he will stand for re-election. Voters will also be asked on December 4 to convey their thoughts on Council de-amalgamation, after Inner West Council was formed in 2016 with the amalgamation of Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield Councils.

COVID-19 interrupts population growth

BY DANIEL LO SURDO ata released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has revealed that the Inner West population has grown 7 per cent in the past 5 years.

Up to June 2020, the Inner West registered a population of 201,880, increasing by 13,169 people (7.0%) in the past five years.

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 The big birth rate we saw ... years ago has now slowed COVID-19 has seemed to stall wider population growth in the past two years, with the Inner West recording its smallest yearly population rise (1,160) since 2006. In the three years prior to COVID-19, there was an average yearly population growth of 3,175 people each year.

The Inner West was the 14th largest Council population in NSW. Blacktown and Canterbury Bankstown led all NSW Councils in population, with Blacktown just over 2,000 people larger than its Western Sydney neighbours. This is a

change from the 2016 Census results when Canterbury Bankstown was recorded as having just under 10,000 more people in its Local Government Area (LGA) than Blacktown.

The Inner West’s population density maintained its position from the 2016 Census as the 5th most dense LGA in NSW (and in the country) at 5,708 people per square kilometre. Since the merger of Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield Councils in 2016, the Inner West has added 372 people for each square kilometre. In the past 20 years, 1,000 people have been added to every square kilometre of the Inner West.

Inner West Councillor John Stamolis, who is also a statistician and compiled the Inner West figures, conveyed that the Inner West has a higher population density than Canterbury Bankstown, Bayside Council and Canada Bay Council.

INNER WEST HOUSING

Inner West residents own outright a much lower proportion of their homes (24.7 per cent) than the rest of NSW (32.2 per cent) and Australia (31 per cent). The

The Inner West has grown 7 per cent in its population over five years. Photo: Creative Commons

most common housing tenure is with renters, who account for 43.6 per cent of the Inner West. The proportion of group households in the Inner West is over double that of NSW and Australia, while also has a higher proportion of people living alone than the state and country.

Children aged 0-4 in the Inner West fell by 9.4 per cent in the Inner West over the past five years. There was

also an 18.9 per cent growth in children aged 10-14.

“The big birth rate we saw in the Inner West some years ago has now slowed and our children are growing up,” Mr Stamolis said via Facebook.

“This is the first time in over 20 years that the population of those aged 75+ (11,277) in the Inner West has exceeded that of children aged 0-4 (10,730).”

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IndieNEWS

Council finances fail WestConnex noise to satisfy residents takes toll on students

BY KATELYN MILLIGAN ome Inner West residents believe that council does not offer good value for money or manage their finances well.

According to research found by Independent Councillor John Stamolis in August, only 29% of residents believe Council offers good value for money, whilst only 1 in 4 believe that Council manages its finances well.

The Inner West Council continues to operate at a deficit after nearly six years since the amalgamation of the Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield councils.

With predictions of multi-million-dollar losses over the next four years, residents

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counterparts in other merged councils across NSW. Major deficits in the Central Coast Council budget forced the council into administration. Central Coast Council was merged under the same bid that created Inner West Council.

“We know that other merged councils have experienced problems…we’re finding that the councils that were merged are in very difficult financial positions, and some have gone to their ratepayers with huge rate increases. Our deficits are going to have to be managed somewhere down the track,” Stamolis said.

A council spokesperson told the Independent that Council has delivered

Families with children sitting the HSC make a racket in protest against “relentless” WestConnex drilling. Photo: Pixabay

By ELYSIA COOK tudents sitting the HSC locked down in homes near WestConnex construction sites have had their studies affected by “relentless” drilling.

pair of noise cancelling headphones.

Unless you can sleep in them, they are going to be of little use. The drilling noise isn’t loud, it just causes the house to shake. Last night framed photos on my mantelpiece were shaken onto the floor.”

On August 11, the State government lifted the snap ban on construction, just Jamie Parker, Member for Balmain, said that construction hours should be a week out from the exam period. mitigated given the state of Sydney’s Transport for NSW told the Independent lockdown. that there had been no change to the “WestConnex will fight tooth and nail Rozelle Interchange’s operating hours before they give anything since construction had away, so parents are restarted.  It causes the expected to spend hours From Monday to Friday, the house to shake negotiating with the project Interchange’s approved to receive any mitigation.” working hours are between 7am and 6pm. WestConnex can CONSIDER CONSTRUCTION function on either side of these hours, Feathers believes that schools “if noise from this work is not predicted should be doing more. She said that to be intrusive”. nothing had been released from her The spokesperson said that ongoing son’s school regarding WestConnex construction during lockdown means construction. the infrastructure will be delivered when Parker echoed this sentiment. originally planned in 2023.

Transport for NSW said they are working “The government hasn’t made any firm commitments about special consideration on a case-by-case basis with residents to alleviate the impact of construction in for students who’ve been impacted by 24/7 construction noise while trying to the area. complete their HSC,” he said.

NSW Education Standards Authority UNHELPFUL HEADPHONES (NESA) has extended their COVID-19 Leichhardt resident Sarah Feathers Special Consideration Program, which said noise cancelling headphones being now “automatically applies for all made available to students is not even performance exams, language oral exams close to enough. and most major projects.”

She told the Independent that “We understand that COVID restrictions WestConnex drilling has meant her son, have impacted students differently. who is completing year 12, suffers from Across the State, some students have had a lack of sleep and is unable to study different levels of access to a quiet place effectively. to study or complete exams at home.”

“He often sleeps in and misses The illness and misadventure program essential online learning lessons. can be accessed through NESA or the student’s school.

“Only today they offered to send him a

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Only 29% of residents surveyed believe council offers good value for money, and 1 in 4 believe it manages its finances well. Photo: Pixabay

are not satisfied with the financial management of rate payer’s money.

A Council spokesperson said the council has implemented efficiency saving and the harmonisation of services in its budget repair strategy.

This includes the recent rates harmonisation process and transitioning to one rate system that has caused great dissatisfaction amongst residents who have seen a substantial rise in their rates.

MERGER MESS

Professional statistician John Stamolis said that Council has big financial challenges ahead.

“The merger has not brought the savings and the efficiencies that we thought it was going to bring. We’re now into the sixth year and we’re still projecting deficits that are way out, so something is not working on a financial level,” Stamolis told the Independent.

Stamolis believes that the ongoing deficit is of major concern, considering the financial turmoil faced by

a responsible budget with a sustained focus on upgrading local infrastructure, stimulating the local economy and greening the Inner West.

“Council is focusing on long term financial sustainability and has already saved over $18 million every year from more efficient ways of working,” the spokesperson said.

 Our deficits will have to be managed The survey also revealed nearly a quarter of the 1000 participants believe that they don’t have enough opportunities to participate in Council’s community consultation. 60% of residents found Councils community engagement to be good, while 40% said it was fair or poor. Half of people (49%) regard Council as just or very just and caring or very caring. 43% were somewhat satisfied with Council’s integrity and decision making. 58% of residents said they are satisfied with Council overall.

IndieNEWS

Colgate’s connection to Balmain

BY EVA BAXTER he Colgate-Palmolive company is celebrating its 100th anniversary in Australia this year and has a special connection to the Balmain Peninsula. In December 1923 the company opened a factory in the suburb on Broadstairs Street.

The factory produced its first iconic toothpaste in 1928.

According to Inner West Council, the company was undoubtedly drawn to the site on Mort’s Dock (now Mort Bay Park) because of its water access, which made the delivery of ingredients quick and economical.

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A Colgate product is sold every second The building was designed by Sydney architectural firm Spain & Cosh and by 1936 the growth of the company saw a second building added. The two buildings were joined together by an enclosed bridge and described stylistically as a blend of beaux-arts classical and art deco modern.

Australia was home to the first update of the famous Palmolive soap in 1973,

shifting from its brick shape into the pillow shape that has remained unchanged for nearly 50 years.

FACTORY FLOOR

Conditions of the plant were not always easy. The work was often physically demanding and repetitive, but Australians began to depend on ColgatePalmolive products.

Rose Walker, who has lived in Balmain her whole life, shared her recollections of life on the factory floor at ColgatePalmolive with Inner West Council.

“What they used to do was boil the soap up, then once it got to a certain intensity, they put salt and water into it to cool it down,” said Walker.

“They had a funnel sort of thing to take it up and then when it boiled it would go up another two floors and dry out and then it’d come down through a conveyor to get wrapped.

“The ordinary square ones, they were easy to pack, but the other ones had to be specially done. Hand done. I don’t think they do it like that now,” she said.

In 1951, due to the significant presence of the factory, company executives persuaded local authorities to change

The Colgate-Palmolive factory was converted into an apartment block after over 70 years of manufacturing in Balmain. Photo: Wikimedia

the name of the street “Broadstairs” to Colgate Avenue, and regular donations to Balmain Hospital saw one of the ward’s take the name Colgate-Palmolive.

The factory closed its doors in the mid 1990’s and moved operations to a site in Sydney’s Southwest and its manufacturing presence remains active at the Villawood factory.

A Colgate product is sold every second in Australia, and one in two households use a Colgate-Palmolive company product.

After operating for more than 70 years, the Balmain factory was converted into apartments in 1997 and is now also home to a park, Colgate Avenue Reserve, aptly located on Colgate Avenue.

COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY

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ith vaccination rates soaring and the promise of a clear pathway out of lockdown it’s hard to reconcile last weekend’s violent demonstration in Melbourne. Whilst scheduled Sydney protests might have been a fizzer, Bleak City saw some 235 arrests and numerous police injured. Why anybody would risk a substantial fine and a criminal record a few weeks before so called ‘freedom day’ is difficult to fathom. You can only speculate that amongst the 700 predominantly angry young men who turned out to protest there was a mass of hidden agendas.

It’s not entirely improbable that within that frenzied throng there were a number of Instagram and Twitter followers of rapper Nicki Minaj. After all the Trinidadian star has around 180 million fans tracking her worldwide – so the law of averages suggests there were at least a handful amidst the Melbourne melee. Perhaps they had been alerted to Minaj’s recent tweet warning that the COVID-19 vaccine could result in men getting swollen

MINAJ A TROIS!

testicles and rendering them impotent, based on the experience of her cousin’s friend.

Given that the majority of the Melbourne protestors were young, virile, sexually active young men, you can well understand their anxiety in reading Minaj’s tweet. The fact that the claim later turned out to be ‘bollocks’ is almost irrelevant in this era of misinformation. When the Government is trying to secretly turn your jatz crackers into a pair of basketballs, it’s

good reason to belt a copper in the head.

Whether Minaj’s testicular tweet caught the attention of local vax alarmists Craig Kelly and Pete Evans, I’m not sure. It does seem strange that both Kelly and Evans have been booted off Facebook and Instagram for spreading alleged conspiracy theories and misinformation regarding COVID, whilst Minaj has escaped any penalty. In a world of total free speech perhaps all three could have combined their paranoia in what you

might call a ‘Minaj A Trois’ (apologies, but that cheap pun just had to happen).

The maverick Kelly may have been temporally silenced on social media but he has found a ready made rostrum as the leader and spokesman for Clive Palmer’s latest political folly, The United Australia Party. It’s no secret that Kelly has been an enthusiastic advocate of the anti-COVID properties of the drug Ivermectin, commonly used to treat scabies in humans and heartworm in horses. I might be wrong but I can find no evidence of Kelly trialing the drug on himself but maybe this was disclosed on his now banned Facebook page.

Regardless the Therapeutic Goods Administration has warned Australians against popping Ivermectin as it could seriously damage your health.

The warning hasn’t deterred many Australians from attempting to import the drug, which is now facing a shortage particularly with its veterinary application in treating horses. In America some retailers of the drug are now asking customers to produce a photo of themselves with their horse before they make a sale. The madness continues.

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FORESHORE, URBAN AND CORRIDOR: WALKING THE INNER WEST Inner Westies have been donning their active wear, their hiking gear and hitting the dirt, paths, and pavements to rediscover their backyards suburbs with a population of 1295 people and the average age is 41.

According to the Canada Bay Club, Rodd Island, situated in the waters off Iron Cove was used in the 19th century by scientists to investigate ways of eradicating rabbits.

other nearby waterfront parks. There is significant Aboriginal history all over the foreshores and the Inner West, but in Yurulbin Park signage outlines the frontier wars.

The Glebe Foreshore also winds around the water, and boasts Jubilee Park,

Jubilee Park: in 1969, there was only one waterfront public open space in Glebe. Photo: Mark Dickson

BY EVA BAXTER ules for Greater Sydney came into effect last month prohibiting travel further than 5km from home and making local walks more important than ever. Inner Westies have been donning their active wear, their hiking gear and hitting the dirt, paths, and pavements to rediscover their backyards.

The Inner West is a densely populated area with 57.37 persons per hectare and an estimated population of 201,880.

However, there are plenty of idyllic tracks for walking, parks for picnicking and plenty of residents who are pushing for even more.

The ‘Cooks to Cove’ GreenWay is a project currently underway which sprang from a grassroots community desire for an environmental, cultural and nonmotorized transport corridor linking two of Sydney’s most important waterways, the Cooks River in Earlwood with the Parramatta River at Iron Cove.

Jennifer Kent, a member of Friends

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of the GreenWay describes it is “an active transport corridor that provides opportunity for the community to enjoy green open space and bush care sites and the fauna that is attracted.”

It mostly follows the route of the Inner West Light Rail and Hawthorne Canal.

“I would advise that you could catch the light rail to Hawthorne and then walk along around Iron Cove,” Jennifer told the Inner West Independent.

FORESHORE FROLIC

Iron Cove is familiar to many as one of the areas the Bay Run winds itself through.

The Bay Run is the Inner West’s most popular running and walking track. It’s a 7km walkway and cycleway around the edge of Iron Cove and is never further than 20 metres from the water.

A peaceful hidden spot near the Bay Run is Rodd Park in Rodd Point. Almost one third of the Bay Run is along the boundary of Rodd Point, and many runners start and finish there. Rodd Point is one of Sydney’s smallest

Bay Run: The Bay Run is a 7km walkway and cycleway around the edge of Iron Cove never further than 20 metres from the water. Photo: Eva Baxter

The Bay Run also traverses Callan Park, one of the largest open spaces in the Inner West. Callan Park maintains an air of wilderness and intrigue due to its historical use as a Hospital for the Insane. The Kirkbride complex, a large sandstone group of buildings that once housed patients, the Garry Owen House, which was also once part of the Asylum, and the very large fig trees are the parks highlights.

Federal Park, Bicentennial Park and Harold Park. According to the Glebe Society, when the group formed in 1969, there was only one waterfront public open space in Glebe, Pope Paul VI reserve at the bottom of Glebe Point Road. Follow the Foreshore from Glebe Point into Blackwattle Bay and the Fish Markets.

Callan Park exits out of Darling Street in Lilyfield. At the end of Thames Street off Darling is Balmain Wharf and Mort Bay Park. Once referred to as Mort’s Dock after Englishman Thomas Mort excavated the area to create a dry dock, in 1872 it was the biggest dockyard in the colony of NSW. Ballast Point and Yurulbin Park are

Victoria Park in Glebe across Broadway has a swimming pool and a pond, the bridges over which pathways point to the University of Sydney and the quadrangle, prominent due to its sandstone and built in Victorian Academic Gothic Revival architectural style.

Close by, Camperdown Park is a popular picnic and partying spot where

Lang Road Bridge: The Lang Road Bridge on the Cooks River curves and opens the whole aspect of the river. Photo: Canterbury-Bankstown Council

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URBAN UNWIND

COOKS CORRIDOR

Jennifer Kent, member of Friends of the GreenWay, said the light rail makes it possible to travel the GreenWay in a day.

Jennifer had just finished walking along the Cooks River when she spoke to the Independent.

“You could get on at Arlington and you could walk down some of the streets going past the corridor down Dulwich Grove and follow the signs down and you go to the beautiful Lang Road Bridge.”

The Cooks River is well trodden, with a shared path for pedestrians and bicycles

that curves along the river and goes into and through many parks such as Gough Whitlam Park, Mackey Park, Steel Park, HJ Mahoney Memorial Park, the Marrickville Golf Club, Beaman Park and Ewan Park.

“I think a highlight of the whole path is the end of Lang Road Bridge,” she said.

“The old wooden bridge was just straight over, this one kind of curves so it opens the whole aspect of the river. It’s beautiful, and they’ve got a little canoe key or wharf.

“I’ve never seen so many people canoeing on the river,” she said.

I have a dream: There is potential for a self-guided tour of Newtown’s murals starting at the iconic I have a dream mural. Photo: flickr

dogs and teenagers usually make up the majority of park goers. King St is marked by restaurants and bars and the potential for a self-guided tour of the murals starting at the iconic mural: “I have a dream.”

The cemetery next door to Camperdown

Park was established in 1849.

Sydney’s main cemetery, the Sydney Burial Ground, was reaching capacity and additional burial sites were needed. The cemetery houses two infant children of NSW Premier Sir Henry Parkes.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A TELSTRA MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION WITH 4G/5G AT: 3 HORNSEY STREET, ROZELLE NSW 2039 1. The proposed works on the rooftop consist of: • The replacement of existing antennas with (3) 4G/5G panel antennas 2.68m long.

• The replacement and installation of ancillary Tower Mast Amplifiers.

• Internal upgrades in the existing shelter.

Callan Park: The Kirkbride complex that once housed patients of the Asylum is the park’s highlight.

Photo: Eva Baxter

WRITERS WANTED Do you want to be the new voice of the Inner West?

Got a flair for news?

Do you have good writing and reporting skills?

2. Telstra regards the proposed installation as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”).

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564: 2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Emily Wardlaw on behalf of Telstra, 0422 685 472, consultation@acquirecomm.com.au and at www.rfnsa.com.au/2039005 by Friday 8 October 2021.

Send a CV and writing samples to

news@altmedia.net.au

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IndieARTS

SYDNEY ACTRESS, GEMMA CLINCH, FINDS SALVATION IN YOUTUBE SERIES

BY JARROD WOLFHUNTER emma Clinch is a Sydney based actor and writer. She has a background in education with a bachelor’s degree in arts and education, and certificates in Jazz and Tap teaching.

Since graduating from acting school in 2017, Gemma has worked in Sydney’s independent theatre scene. She wrote, co-produced and performed in Dancing Doesn’t Count at the Sydney Fringe Festival. A show about relationships,

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trust and the bi-phobia that permeates straight and queer society.

Gemma waxes lyrical on collaborative processes and “the ephemeral magic that happens onstage. Actors and audiences emerge from performances more open and connected to each other.

It’s a transformative experience.”

Gemma has found herself bogged down by the COVID-19 lockdown that is currently decimating the Arts and Entertainment Sector.

“The industry has ground to a halt.

Staying inside means there’s little opportunity for inspiration. Because we’ve been here before the situation seems more destructive. We go dark as theatres reopen on the other side of the world.”

Bogged down or not, Gemma is difficult to stop. She is currently working in dual roles, behind-the-scenes at Belvoir Street Theatre while writing a new screenplay.

Most recently, Gemma finds herself in the exciting YouTube series, Thirty. Season two just dropped! It has been nominated for and won many awards, including Best Dramedy at New York Web Fest in 2017, and in 2020.

Gemma encourages us to support the Arts and Entertainment Sector. She suggests that lobbying local members is the most effective way to do so. “So when we’re out of lockdown, we all can be transformed and transported by a night at the theatre.”

IndieARTS

BRYAN BROWN PENS NEW CRIME NOVEL, SWEET JIMMY

BY JARROD WOLFHUNTER ustralian screen legend, and national treasure, Bryan Brown (AM), has written an outstanding crime novel that is set in and around Sydney, titled, Sweet Jimmy.

Sweet Jimmy involves seven vivid individual short-stories that are, attimes, very disturbing, but always, very difficult to put down.

Brown admits that crime novels have always been a favourite for him, and he is right on the money with this exceptional first novel.

Sweet Jimmy has revenge, treachery, Machiavellian scheming, and is punctuated with twists and turns that leave the reader guessing outcomes.

Eastern, Western and Inner-city suburbs feature as the backdrop to this collection of suburban crime tales. These are the fictional backstories to many of the headline grabbing true crime legends that characterise, and ooze from the trenches of Sydney’s crime syndicates, clandestine drug labs, sex parlours, police stations, hospitals, prisons, and rehab centres.

Writing crime-novels is new territory for Brown. He concedes that he has always had a flair for writing but it’s something that he rarely has had time to work on.

At the time of our interview Brown was quarantining in a Brisbane Hotel with nine days ahead of him before freedom, and film obligations with Aussie-screen royalty, Greta Scacchi (OMRI). The upcoming eight episode television series has ex-cop (Brown) meeting English lady and aristocrat (Scacchi) in outback Queensland following a car-crash.

Brown is never short of projects. His illustrious career has him appearing in over 80 films, in 25 different countries, over 40 years.

His contribution to Australian cinema was recognised in 2018 with his acceptance of the eminent Longford Lyell Award at the AACTAs. The Aussie icon has been there from the beginning, in Cocktail, alongside Tom Cruise. As crime-boss, Pando, opposite Health Ledger in Two Hands. As the male lead in Gorillas In The Mist opposite Sigourney Weaver. Brown describes his time filming Gorillas In The Mist - and spending time with Silverback Gorillas in legendary Virunga National Park - as a career highlight beyond his most ambitious pursuits.

When asked about the importance of the Arts in Australia, Brown waxes passion, and uses our current situation – of people stuck in their homes, unable to go out, using creativity as a coping mechanism – to demonstrate the importance of art and creativity to society as a whole.

“The Pollies (sic.) don’t get it. Because the Arts are difficult to put into numbers, they don’t understand their contribution to the people. They need a kick in the pants every-so-often to be reminded. And now is one of those times.”

Sweet Jimmy will be ready to purchase through click and collect, or, online via Booktopia in early to mid-September.

Sweet Jimmy will have you enthralled and compelled – don’t miss out!

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IndieARTS

THE VOICE WINNER, BELLA TAYLOR SMITH, CHATS ABOUT HER LOVE BRIGHT FUTURE ON THE FOR THE INNER WEST H3RIZON FOR SYDNEY GIRL GROUP

BY KATELYN MILLIGAN he Sydney based girl band H3rizon are determined to leave their mark on the music industry. From their distinctive sound that pushes popmusic boundaries, to increasing Asian representation and even signing with a crypto-based record label - the girl group is a force to be reckoned with.

The three young ladies bring their own individual skill set and musical backgrounds to form the dynamic trio’s polished sound. They’ve found the perfect balance, mixing Gabby’s classical music upbringing with Taya’s R&B background and Bernie’s production skills.

A sample of Maggie’s classical vocal composition she did in high school serves as an opener to their new single, Serious.

Its use, blended with pop and R&B elements, is a testament to the creative thought process behind the music, adding unique harmonies to songs that one may otherwise think would not fit.

Having amassed an impressive TikTok following of 1.7 million followers, H3rizon know what works. Serious is filled with catchy yet sassy lyrics destined to resonate with their audience.

Group member Bernadette Marguez (Bernie) says that the girl group’s Mauritian and Filipino backgrounds will help fill a lack of Asian representation in the music industry.

“We haven’t really seen a lot of girl bands lately, especially from Australia and it would be so amazing to come onto the world stage as a girl group, full of women

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of colour coming from Australia,” said Bernie “We feel like we’d really be able to inspire young women, young artists to band together and to uplift each other, especially people of colour to join this industry. We know that there’s so much talent out there from all different kinds of people and we just want to be able to show how people banding together can really bring something special.”

The band name H3rizon is an ode to this.

It’s inspired by a quote the girls often say – ‘she’s got her hands on the wheel and her eyes on the horizon.’ Bernie explains that it encourages the girls to stay true to themselves, work hard and keep their eyes on the goal.

H3rizon were the first to sign to the innovative Australian crypto-based record label, BlockPlay. Blockplay offers artists NFT contracts as part of their record deal.

It has the potential to offer artists a new form of income stream, whilst allowing them to maintain their masters.

Bernie explains that creative freedom and ownership was one of the main appeals for H3rizon to sign with BlockPlay.

“We feel like traditional record labels have a lot of control over their artists and we want to be free. We want to have that creative freedom and with BlockPlay, it allows us to make all of these creative choices with our music, with our image, as well as have the necessary funding to keep going with our career paths. So it’s just amazing to get into. It’s just a whole new marketplace that that we’re so excited to adapt to.”

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INNER WEST INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 2021

BY JAMIE APPS ust few short weeks ago the Inner West’s own Bella Taylor Smith was crowned as the latest winner of The Voice following her spine-tingling performance of the song Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. Speaking to the Inner West Independent less than 24 hours later Bella spoke about the emotional moment she heard the announcement and how the Inner West arts community helped to foster passion for music at an early age.

Given that we spoke to Bella so soon after the finding out that she was The Voice winner for 2021 Bella was “still in a bit of shock” but also “incredibly thankful to everyone who supported and voted.”

This sense of shock was heightened by the fact that this season of the show went by incredibly quickly, largely due to format changes in line with COVIDsafe regulations.

“I think it was tough for us to sit back and watch because we just blinked and the show had happened,” Bella explained when speaking about watching the finale. Despite this Bella looks back on the experience with immense joy, “the format was really nice for us as artists in the filming process. It didn’t feel super rushed at all.”

Heading into the finale Bella was confident but also knew any of the finalist could easily walk away as winners.

“I really had no idea if I was going to win, especially after how incredibly well everyone did in the semifinals,” Bella said. “The top four artists this year were

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so awesome and all had really individual artistry.”

Once the announcement was made and Bella found out that she had won she says she rapidly went through a range of emotions, “firstly it was complete surprise then it was joy... it was completely overwhelming.”

Obviously winning The Voice is an incredible achievement and one which doesn’t happen overnight. So we wanted to speak to Bella about her upbringing in the Inner West to find out how the area had impacted her passion for music.

“I think we have an awesome live music scene here in Sydney, particularly in the Inner West, which I’ve missed so greatly over the COVID period,” Bella said before expanding on how her church had been central to this entire journey. “My church has really been the biggest contributor to my love of music... having that community has really been invaluable for me.”

Given her love for the Inner West’s live music scene Bella says she has only one requirement for a live performance venue once she can safely return to the stage again, “I just want to perform anywhere where there’s people!”

Until then Bella simply wanted to say to her new fans, “Thank you. I can’t wait to meet you guys, share the love and say hello. I am so excited to continue this experience with all of your love and encouragement.”

To stay up to date with Bella’s journey moving forward head over to instagram.com/Bella.Taylor

IndieARTS

AUSTRALIAN FILM ‘DISCLOSURE’ IS POWERFUL & CAPTIVATING

BY MARK MORELLINI his Aussie flick concerns child abuse of an extraordinary nature and highlights that powerful and captivating films can be produced on a shoestring budget.

The premise is absorbing. What would you do if your children told you they were subject to some kind of abuse?

Would you act upon the alleged abuse or believe that they were simply telling fanciful stories?

This is the situation a couple find themselves in when their 4-year-old daughter discloses that their family

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friend’s 9-year-old son attempted to abuse her. Should child protection be informed, and will this lead to the friendship being compromised?

Drama builds quickly as the couples unite to discuss the issue. Initially awkward yet civil, temperaments inevitably flare as each couple refuses to back away from their respective beliefs.

The anatomy of and eventual breakdown of a friendship is intelligently explored in this thoughtprovoking film which has a small cast of four actors in pivotal roles.

The story from beginning to end evolves in real time and effectively, the children are referenced throughout the film but never seen.

Adversely, the cliched and very predictable closing scene deviates to an almost unsatisfying level slightly degrading what was otherwise a fine and well-acted film.

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ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY INVESTIGATED IN ‘THE BOWRAVILLE MURDERS’

BY MARK MORELLINI hen one of three Aboriginal children vanished in the smallpopulated town of Bowraville, NSW in 1990, the initial response the parents received when reported to the police was, “What do you want me to do about it? I’m about to knock off.”

Compelling viewing this documentary deals with the racism the Aboriginal community experienced from local law enforcement. The film also documents the community’s perseverance in seeking justice for these three children who were eventually declared murdered.

Only when Gary Jubelin, Australia’s most celebrated homicide detective, joined the investigation many years later was the community’s faith partially restored in the ‘white man’s’ law system.

Interviews with family members, crime reporters and detectives compound to the intrigue. Journalist Stan Grant justifyingly concludes by stating that “racism is not a big

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enough word to describe what’s happened here!”

Was this really racism at its finest?

Would there have been more urgency in this investigation had the missing children been from the white community? Don’t black lives matter?

Audiences will agonise as this incredibly powerful and controversial documentary takes them on a journey which has an all too familiar conclusion. Ultimately the realisation is what we already knew. The law is an ass – especially so for the Aboriginal community. Mandatory viewing.

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‘THE CHILDREN IN THE PICTURES’ DELVES INTO THE DARKEST RECESSES OF THE INTERNET

BY JARROD WOLFHUNTER he Children In The Pictures is a hard-hitting documentary following the investigations of an international network of authorities as they rescue children from the sleazy, squalid world of child exploitation.

Task Force Argos is the notorious Australian-based police investigative team acting as a ‘thin blue line’ between a functioning, healthy society and the worst crimes in the world. Argos is the toughest job in law enforcement because it has investigators acting as paedophiles in order to gain access to clandestine online file-sharing paedophile communities who trade in images and footage of children being sexually exploited.

Child sexual abuse is the fastest growing major crime in the world. As technology advances so does the sophistication of global online criminal networks.

Australian-based Task Force Argos works with criminal investigation agencies like the FBI in the US, and Interpol in Europe, and other national authorities to coordinate global efforts for rescuing and saving young victims.

“We are a victim-focused taskforce.

The consequence of rescuing victims is arrests.”

The documentary follows a timeline from the inception of the internet and the subsequent inception of online paedophile file-sharing groups. In its developmental stage online paedophile groups had memberships in the thousands. As technology grows, and

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with the advent of the ‘dark web’, memberships are now in their millions.

Once one group has been infiltrated by Argos Agents victims will be rescued and ‘producers’ will be focused on for arrest. However, as soon as one online group is suppressed another will take its place like a many-headed monster.

This documentary looks into some of the darkest and most disturbing aspects faced by modern society. It follows a case-study of an unnamed victim who, although well-known to Argos, took investigators years to track-down and rescue. Argos had years of files of the young victim being sexually-abused and exploited. They were essentially watching her grow up and develop in the worse situation imaginable and they were helpless to prevent it – until they discovered the piece of evidence that would lead to her rescue and her abusers arrest.

Argos has noticed a change in victims to those aged 0-2 because they’re at a pre-speech phase and cannot testify against offenders.

The Children In The Pictures touches on the rise of smartphone use by children and how paedophiles are using social media as an adjunct for grooming victims.

This documentary is excellent in its production and editing, albeit a taboo subject, The Children In The Pictures is extremely important.

Task Force Argos are heroes.

With 12 million children going online for the first time in 2020, Task Force Argos is now calling on all of us to help keep them safe.

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