North Sydney Sun June 2021 issue

Defenders of cycleway ramp push back * Exetel sold * Luna Park set to re-open

June 2021/Issue 4

News and views for North Sydney’s residential and business communities

www.northsydneysun.com.au

New faces mobilise to challenge incumbents at North Sydney Council’s September 4 elections A raft of new independents are seeking election to North Sydney Council buoyed by changes to ward boundaries which reduce the quota required for election. At the same time, the larger electorates are expected to encourage ticket voting, prompting Labor candidates to run under the party’s moniker.

Among the challengers are one of the area’s most successful tech entrepreneurs and a leading light of the local social media scene.

North Sydney Sun can reveal that James Spenceley is running for St Leonard Ward. Spenceley is well known for his technology industry successes: he founded Australia’s fourth largest telco Vocus Communications and is currently the chair of AirTasker and Swoop Telecom.

“We need a better culture on council, less of the politics and personality issues,” he told the Sun. “We can be more productive. We can deploy technology at council to help with consultations. People with young families who work in the area and don’t have time to

Candidates running for North Sydney Council for the first time include (from left to right) James Mullan and Elle Prevost (Cammeraygal), and James Spenceley (St Leonards)

attend council meetings feel a little lost.

We have this great technology in your pocket and with an app it could be one click to watch a meeting or provide a view on an issue.”

To the south in Cammeraygal ward, Elle Prevost is also throwing her hat into the ring. She is well known in the

area as the administrator of the Cremorne/Neutral Bay and Wollstonecraft and Waverton Community Facebook groups, which collectively have 14,000 members, providing her with an important equaliser against incumbents with high profiles.

Prevost said: “North Sydney Council

is ready for a fresh team to work in a respectful, cohesive manner, and ensure the needs of the community come first. We are already working in collaboration with community leaders and other teams also running for election Continued on page 2

North Sydney Council into surplus for 2022 as funds direct toward Olympic Pool revamp North Sydney Council has announced a return to surplus in its 2021/22 budget with the signature re-development of the Olympic Pool to proceed on schedule. However, some other projects have been put on the backburner as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council general manager Ken Gouldthorp said $79.2 million has been allocated from the upcoming budget for capital works, with infrastructure renewals making up $71.1 million of that total. “This is the final year of the special rate variation which has allowed Council to invest in infrastructure renewal. If the Council stays on course .., it can expect a modest surplus of $5.27 million in the 2021/22 financial year.”

The largest item of spending is a $48 million allocation for the Olympic Poll. “Our North Sydney Olympic Pool is a much-loved and well-used local facility. Along with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park, it is a national and international icon,” mayor Jilly Gibson told the Sun. “The pool is rich in historical and cultural signifi-

Mayor Jilly Gibson

cance. After 84 years the pool was nearing the end of its useful life – the pool structure, concourse and grandstand had concrete cancer and Council had an obligation to all pool users to act quickly. I am pleased that the new design preserves the heritage features our community loves while bringing the pool up to contemporary standards.

The new aquatic facility will have something for everyone.” The pool is being funded by a mix of special grant allocations and borrowings.

The return to surplus after a $2.4m loss this year is partly fuelled by a 7%

rise in rates and 1.5% in user fees and charges. This is delivering over $7m of additional revenues to Council for 2021/2, with revenues expected to come in at $149.7m, up 30%, and expenses at $121m, up 6%. Capital grants have also increased $20m to $24m, recorded on the top line. In turn, around $22m of the resulting surplus is allocated for the Olympic Pool and Hume St Plaza developments.

However, the pandemic continues to have an impact on revenues. “The revenue streams most affected were on and off-street parking fees, property rental, North Sydney Olympic Pool fees and outdoor dining fees,” said Gibson.

“The Bradfield Park upgrade, resurfacing of the North Sydney Oval and creating a new accessible entrance at Stanton Library are some of the projects that have had their funding reduced or placed on hold due to the pandemic reducing Council revenue.”

Gibson also said that while the council plans to collect an additional $4m from rates this year, North Sydney

is still comparatively lightly taxed compared to peer councils.

“Rate rises are never popular, but our residents expect us to make responsible fiscal decisions and keep our service levels high,” Gibson explained.

“A special rate variation was considered the most responsible course of action in 2019 and I have had very little negative feedback from our residents.”

“We had a pressing need to renew essential infrastructure and get working a backlog of assets such as marine structures, retaining walls, drainage, footpaths and roads. This is the final year of the three-year SRV and our area is in a lot better shape for it,” she added. “It is a well-known fact that our rates are lower than our neighbouring municipalities including Mosman, Willoughby and Lane Cove. Even after the increase, North Sydney Council’s minimum rate is still in the bottom third of rates when compared with other councils in the Sydney metropolitan area. Over 73% of our ratepayers pay the minimum rate.”

Opportunities from new ward boundaries Continued from page 1 the spirit of teamwork is alive and well and will translate into a smart and effective council working together for you.”

She adds: “Personal agendas have no place in the council chambers. I object to the $500,000 plus legal costs borne by North Sydney rate payers defending itself in proceedings against it by its own councillors.”

Another new face comes from James Mullan, a life-long resident of the area, who despite his youthful age of 25, is one of the most experienced political operatives in the contest, having worked for federal MP Trent Zimmerman, a Greens MLC in the state parliament and a Victorian state parliamentarian.

Mullan told the Sun that his experience working for a Victorian MP during the COVID-19 pandemic taught him that voters were more interested in “practical outcomes and information they can use than political talking points and ideologies.”

He also thinks his relative youth is a strength, providing a voice for what he estimates is around 30% of the local population who are aged between 20 and 35.

“I am not jaded and I am not frustrated.

I really want to do this,” he said, contrasting his enthusiasm with incumbents who he feels bring low energy and commitment to the council.

Emboldened by the success of the Liberal Democrats at the last elections—winning a councillor spot in Wollstonecraft Ward with 19% of the vote—and 10 percent across the rest of the LGA, Labor is running a branded ticket with Godfrey Santer and Shannon Welch as candidates. Among their policies are stronger opposition to high rises and a push for more of a local nightlife economy. A number of incumbents and new candidates associated with the Liberals are also planning on running this time but the question is whether they will do so under the party name or as community independents.

One big change from last time is the absence of a separate mayoral election, following a 2017 referendum which saw a narrow majority support the election of the position by fellow councillors.

Mayor Jilly Gibson is running as a councillor for Cammeraygal ward, and can be expected to parlay her high 40% support last time around into a high vote that may generate two quotas and see a running mate get up in her ward. She is likely to be the first elected and will seek support to remain mayor. Deputy Mayor Stephen Barbour has also indicated his intention to run in the St Leonards ward.

Councillor Ian Mutton, whose group took the no 2 position in Wollstonecraft last time, is running for the expanded Cammeraygal ward.

The abolished Wollstonecraft ward has effectively been split down the middle at Bay Rd, Waverton and allocated in equal parts to the northern St Leonards ward and southern Cammerygal ward. This consolidation effectively expands the size of the ward electorates from 25,000 residents in 2017 to close to 38,000 this time.

Both wards will elect five councillors each, up from three last time, effectively reducing the quota required for election.

The new 2 ward boundaries

The old 3 ward boundaries

Council moves against cycleway ramp, but cyclists, defenders push back North Sydney Council has gone on the front foot against controversial state government plans to build a cycleway ramp from the Sydney Harbour Bridge approaches to ground level at Milsons Point Station.

The council voted unanimously this month to fund a community information campaign against the Transport for NSW plans as well as urge a rethink and long term plan to cater to the needs of cyclists. Mayor Jilly Gibson, for example, has suggested a lift, similar to that used by the pedestrian walkway on the other side of the bridge.

A petition circulated, in part, at a recent Kirribilli market, attracted some 1,000 signatures in three days.

However, the community is far from unified with cyclists and others forming their own counter-campaign in support of the state government.

As reported last issue, the state government has proposed two designs, a loop option and a linear option pictured right.

“We have worked with leading urban design, architectural and heritage experts to develop these options and have sought the feedback of design experts. The concepts are still in early development and a lot more work needs to be done. We are therefore keen to get community feedback and will work with bike riders and community members to ensure the final design is refined, elegant and appropriate for the heritage setting,” TfNSW said.

The linear option is seen as superior to the loop for cyclists, while the loop infringes on less of the park, albeit at the expense of the existing bowling club building.

TfNSW is consulting on the options before midnight on Sunday 27 June, The council makes three arguments against the proposed designs.

“Both ramp options cut into Bradfield Park. It’s not just the footprint of the ramps that matter, but how they will impact the feel of the park. There will be less space, less sunshine, less green and more concrete,” it says.

“Both options have a detrimental effect on the beauty and heritage of the park and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Bridge is an international icon and the curtilage of the Bridge is part of its unique heritage and character. It belongs to all of Sydney, not just local residents and it is worth protecting.”

“The linear ramp option will negatively impact the much-loved Kirribilli Markets which help fund important community services at the Kirribilli Centre. The spiral ramp option takes out a popular restaurant and community art space.”

Social media posts from Mayor Gibson opposing the planned ramp designs drew sharp rebuttal from some local residents. Glenn Druery posted: “providing appropriate infrastructure to encourage more people out of cars and onto bikes is an environmental issue that has the potential to benefit many more people than a few wealthy and very selfish nimbies!!”

A private Facebook group promoting the ramp has already attracted 100 members and there is talk of procycling candidates contesting the September elections.

There is also another segment of opinion which suggests that designs developed nearly ten years ago as part of an initial consultation could be dusted off and enhanced.

One of those designs, pictured right, called for a cycle ramp to be directly supported along the walls of the harbour Bridge northern approach, sloping down gradually into the Bradfield Park North. It was rejected at the time because the retaining and masonry wall were judged to be incapable of handing the load of the ramp.

But retired construction executive Simon Chivers, a local resident, told the Sun that could easily be fixed by supporting such a ramp with steel columns. Not only would this be considerably less intrusive than the new designs but he estimates that it would cost 20 percent less than the standalone structures currently being contemplated.

A 2012 design proposed a ramp supported by the Bridge approach wall Chivers has worked across the world in construction, including oversight of the building of the British Embassy in Beijing, China.

For her part the local state member, Felicity Wilson, has emphasised that the consultation allows the community to have their say.

“My position remains the same as it has for years - we need a ramp to replace the stairs. But we need a design that doesn't take away precious green

space in Milsons Point or impact the heritage of the Bridge,” she posted on Facebook.

Pressed on her position by a poster who just wants the ramp built, Wilson elaborated: “if you’re happy with one or both of the proposed designs, make sure you share your feedback with Transport. I’ve supported a ramp for a long time but it’s now up to the community to have their say.”

Grahame Lynch

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The Sun Says So the 2021 North Sydney LGA election season has kicked off with the most unlikely of issues animating passions: regarding the merits of state government plans to build a cycleway off-ramp from the Harbour Bridge approaches near Milsons Point station.

Opponents include not only immediately proximate residents but residents from adjacent suburbs, who seek to draw a line on the loss of more parkland to transport infrastructure. Their argument? The two options would cause the loss of between 315 and 480 sqm of usable space in an already parkstarved LGA, for the benefit of a mere 2,000 cyclists per day.

North Sydney councillors voted unanimously to fund a campaign against the plans, led by two who are local residents in the cycleway area: Jilly Gibson and Ian Mutton.

But not everyone agrees with them. Clearly, there is a local community of cyclists who support the plans, but there also seems to be a cohort who feel the opposition is motivated by NIMBYism and who resent the use of council funds to prosecute the no case.

Evidently this is an issue which is not the “no-brainer” it seems at first sight. The fact that a process to create designs for such a cycleway ramp has staggered along for nearly a decade without resolution is testament to the doggedness of both proponents and opponents.

What is most interesting is the threat by some cycleway supporters to mobilise and run their own candidates at the September 4 elections. That’s if the state government doesn’t act first and proceed anyway.

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ACN 065 084 960 Responsibility for election comment taken by G Lynch Office address: Unit 3 20 Cliff St Milsons Point NSW Australia 2061 Phone: 02 9061 7048 URL: www.northsydneysun.com.au Email for editorial: grahamelynch@commsdaymail.com Founding editor and Decisive CEO: Grahame Lynch Contributing writers: Dylan Bushell-Embling, Simon Dux Advertising information: Amy Carswell amy@commsdaymail.com Distribution inquiries: Linda Salameh linda@commsdaymail.com Payment inquiries: Sally Lloyd sally@commsdaymail.com Printer: Spotpress, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place Marrickville NSW 2204 15,000 copies circulated to homes and businesses in the North Sydney LGA Printer statement available on demand

Tax offset to benefit digital games sector Federal member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman is touting the beneficial effects of the new digital games tax offset of 30 percent announced in last month’s Federal budget.

The offset is designed to promote the growth of Australia’s digital game development industry and increase its market share in a rapidly expanding global sector.

“I’m excited about the potential impact of this offset for the sector. The global video games industry is worth approximately A$250 billion, which, by comparison, is considerably more than the entire global film, home entertainment and streaming industries are worth combined, and it’s growing.

In fact, the gaming industry expanded,” Zimmerman said.

He said that North Sydney houses a flourishing video game industry, which will benefit from this policy. “ I joined communications minister Paul Fletcher to visit Ben Lee and his team at Blowfish Studios, an independent games developer and publisher in North Sydney, to hear about the impact the 30 percent offset will have on the business. Ben told me that, because of the digital games tax offset, he now plans to expand his current studio and hire more employees as he and his team create more Australian made games and distribute them to the global market.”

Zimmerman said there are six other gaming development studios in my electorate, making North Sydney one of the most dynamic hubs for the interactive games industry. “This tax offset will lead to many more studios that are backed by global gaming companies being established in Australia— and, hopefully, in North Sydney as well. It is the logical place to be,” he said.

Zimmerman also hosted Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg at a Budget function at Norths Cammeray last month (pictured above).

ernment grant from the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program.

Council will cover any other costs, as necessary. The project is expected to be complete in six to nine months.

Once complete, the upgraded facility will include four new tennis courts with synthetic grass and line markings, new court lighting, a new ‘hit-up’ practice wall, and new equipment including nets, fencing and seating.

There will also be new change facilities, a tennis shop, a new communal BBQ area, and a small children’s playground.

Council awarded the tender for works on 26 April and construction will begin on 21 June. This will involve full demolition of the existing tennis courts before ground works can begin and a new concrete slab laid.

Works include: • A new concrete slab underneath the tennis courts.

• Four new tennis courts surfaced with new synthetic grass and line marking.

• New nets, fencing, seating and shelters.

• Upgraded tennis court lighting to comply with current regulations.

• A refurbished Tennis Pro shop and $2.1m for Primrose upgraded male/female toilet and Park tennis upgrade change facilities.

Green space pledged A refurbishment of Primrose Park • New outdoor seating and a commufor St Leonards Tennis Courts will be funded primarily nal BBQ area will be constructed adjaOpen green space will be created adja- through the $2.1 million Federal Gov- cent to the Tennis Pro shop. cent to the St Leonards CBD by building over the rail line.

Local state MP Felicity Wilson announced $4.75 million of NSW Government funding for the new St Leonards Plaza in partnership with Lane Cove Council.

“Great global cities have great public spaces and the Plaza will bring a little bit of New York to St Leonards by creating an innovative over-rail plaza for apartment residents,” Wilson said.

“I am committed to delivering a greener, better connected, and vibrant St Leonards and this project will transform over-rail airspace to make apartment living the best it can be.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has appointed state member for The proposed Plaza includes North Shore Felicity Wilson to be her Parliamentary Secretary 4,750sqm of open green space with a for the Environment. “I am honoured to join with Minister Matt central lawn and play areas, connec- Kean MP as a custodian of our environment for future generations with St Leonards train station, tions,” Wilson (pictured centre with Kean left and Berejiklian and a series of interconnected pedes- right) said on her appointment. trian links to the new Crows Nest metro station.

“I was joined by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet to make the announcement of the Plaza as part of the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.”

“This program is the first of its kind in NSW and demonstrates state and local government working together to create a legacy of beautiful public spaces that communities, for decades, can be proud of,” Stokes said.

“In exchange for legacy funding, councils participating in the program need to speed up their assessment times. They have until June 30 to keep hitting their targets but, so far, the program has seen a 20 per cent improvement.”

Lane Cove Mayor Pam Palmer said: “As part of our commitment to liveability we’ve been thinking outside the box and have worked hard to bring this over-rail Plaza vision to life. It’s now picking up steam and we’re really excited that the community can start to visualise how this concept will provide them with passive open space in the heart of St Leonards CBD.”

Readers weigh in on the great Bridge cycleway debate At last an informative journal on local issues! What a real breath of fresh ideas you have produced for an audience starved for real details about what goes on in the North Sydney Council area, and I wish you all the best for what we really need is for you to succeed to enable you to continue to publish your quality paper.

On the subsect of the planned addition to the cycleway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge (“Plans for cycle ramp off Sydney Harbour Bridge rile Council and Milsons PT residents”).

I feel that there could be another option that may be more acceptable to all but perhaps those cyclists from the Kirribilli/Lavender Bay/Milsons Point rather than the desecration of Bradfield Park North or the erection of an unsightly spiral number being suggested

by Transport Minister Andrew Constance’s Transport for NSW (TfNSW) department.

I believe North Sydney Council and TfNSW would be better to build a cantilever platform off the railway wall from near North Sydney Station to join up with the existing pathway above Bradfield Park North adjacent to the Burton Street stairs. This platform would need to be designed so that it matched the architecture of the approaches to Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Cyclists from Kirribilli/Lavender Bay/Milsons Point would then have the option of continuing to use the stairs or ride back to North Sydney to access the cantilevered platform. The tricky bit would be the integration of the new platform and the stairs, but that’s why

we have architects and engineers isn’t it?

Jon Duggan, Cammeray We enjoy reading North Sydney Sun. You are certainly providing a much-needed service now that the News Limited offering does not include useful local news.

In the May 2021 issue, you cover the controversy surrounding Transport for NSW’s initiative to construct an elegant, sweeping linear cycle ramp, that would solve the increasing severe congestion at the intersection of Burton Street and the Harbour Bridge stairs.

The Milsons Point Community Group, a non-threatening name for an action group, is completely against any practical and valuable solution and fully supported by the Mayor.

I have been proposing that the naysayers think the TfNSW plans through, instead of rejecting everything, and proposing alternative impractical NIMBY-ism in action.

Fergus Maclagan, Milsons Point

Were councillors unfairly excluded?

At the recent North Sydney Council meeting, the Mayor and her majority, including Deputy Mayor Stephen Barbour, her daughter councillor Alanya Drummond and councillors Kathy Brodie, Samuel Gunning, Jessica Keen and Ian Mutton voted unanimously to exclude councillors Zoe Baker and MaryAnn Beregi from attending the Council meeting remotely.

Letters to the editor Watching the meeting, it does seem that the exclusion was premeditated and organised prior to the meeting as the Mayor called for motions that she clearly had knowledge of.

The exclusion of the councillors goes for a few minutes at the beginning of the meeting - link below: https://livestream.com/ northsydneycouncil/events/9669259/ videos/221587061 The Council did however, vote to allow councillor Tony Carr to attend the meeting remotely because he was out of town.

Middle-aged white male allowed in women councillors voted out?

Mayor Jilly Gibson proclaims she is a supporter of women in Local Government as do Councillors Brodie, Drummond and Keen yet they vote to exclude two women, but not the male councillor. How can members of a Council vote to keep other members of the same Council out of Council meetings?

A friend contacted Councillor Baker outraged at the behaviour of the Council in denying her and Councillor Beregi access to the Council meeting.

Councillor Baker advised they had lodged a complaint with the Office of Local Government and provided a copy of the letter. I have attached the letter as well as the Office of Local Government's response and Councillor Baker's further correspondence in reply below.

It appears that despite their instructions to act reasonably, the Office of Local Government has no intention of enforcing such behaviour.

It is outrageous that councillors can vote to exclude other councillors - the community elected these councillors.

They were not elected by the Mayor and her majority and as such, they have every right to attend and vote on matters before the Council in accordance with the OLG guidelines. Other councils including Penrith, Willoughby, Ryde and others allow councillors to attend remotely without any fuss at all.

Both councillors provided valid and appropriate reasons to justify their requests to attend remotely.

In what is surely a significant breach of their privacy, I understand Councillor Baker's mother’s health information and Councillor Beregi’s medical certificate were circulated widely to councillors and members of council staff.

It would seem everyone is in election mode and the Mayor and her majority want the voices of Councillors Baker and Beregi silenced at any cost. Wonder why?

Sacha Taylor

Fan mail Thank you for publishing the North Sydney Sun! It is very informative and important for local residents and ratepayers.

David Grinston, Crows Nest Send letters to North Sydney Sun atgrahamelynch@commsdaymail.com

Cremorne cinematographer recognised in honours Cremorne resident Russell Boyd, who lensed some of the greatest motion pictures of our time, was recognised in Queens’ Birthday honours as a companion in the general division.

Boyd was a trailblazer of the Australian filmmaking renaissance, his credits include the seminal films Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Last Wave and Gallipoli for director Peter Weir.

He also lensed Bruce Beresford's Oscar nominated Tender Mercies, Gillian Armstrong’s Mrs Soffel and High Tide, the record breaking Crocodile Dundee I and II , along with the US features Dr Doolittle, Tin Cup and White Men Can’t Jump and Ghost Rider. Highlights of his career include winning the Oscar for Cinematography at the 2004 Academy Awards for the Peter Weir feature Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and two ACS Milli Awards.

He was named Australian Cinematographer of the Year for Gallipoli (1981) and Between Wars (1974), and won the BAFTA Award for Picnic at Hanging Rock in 1975.

Boyd was awarded for distinguished service to the visual arts as a cinematographer of Australian feature films and television productions.

Other local awards:

Member in the General Division Dr John Edward COOLICAN North Officer in the General Division Sydney NSW For significant service to Patricia Anne BERGIN SC Cammeray dentistry in the field of orthodontics, NSW For distinguished service to the and to rugby union. law, and to the judiciary, to legal administration, and as a mentor and advi- Nancy Suzanne FOX Kirribilli NSW sor.

For significant service to the financial and banking sector, and to women in Douglas Norman SNEDDEN Neutral business.

Bay NSW For distinguished service to the community through social welfare, Robert Henry ESTCOURT Wollstonehealth, and cultural institutions. craft NSW For significant service to the financial management sector.

Medal in the General Division The late Mr John Robert CALDON Formerly of Waverton NSW For service to business through media content distribution.

Dr Karen Joy ZWI Neutral Bay NSW 2089 For service to paediatric medicine Gordon Donald MacKENZIE Cremorne NSW For service to tertiary education.

Patrick Joseph MAHER Cremorne NSW For service to people with disability.

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In North Sydney, there’s a Council election on 4 September I am Ian Mutton.

I am a sitting Councillor and am a candidate for reelection.

I am an independent – have not been in any way connected with a political party for five decades. I believe in democracy but not in political parties.

Why is being independent important?

Our next Council will need, more than ever, to stand up to and push back on the State Government, whatever its political complexion is, when it: > moves to take our parklands for the Western Harbour and Beaches’ tunnels and > forces a dramatic increase in traffic passing through North Sydney to reach its tunnels.

About the election North Sydney has been divided into two wards – > Cammeraygal (south side) and > St Leonards (north side) Each ward will return five councillors and the councillors will elect one of their number to be Mayor (and another to be Deputy Mayor).

I’m a candidate for Cammeraygal (yellow)

My hope is that each councillor will be respectful of all other councillors and allow due process to run its course - I am passionate about good governance and will, for my part, endeavour to promote a culture that allows Councillors to make the most effective decisions for ratepayers.

As to the Mayor > It’s important to appreciate that being Mayor involves far more than public relations. > The Mayor provides the management interface between councillors and the executive

What have I done over the last term?

I was elected a councillor in 2016. I have a keen interest in protecting and repurposing infrastructure and State Government held land.

Since 2016 I have spearheaded a campaign to base the Sydney Heritage Fleet in Berrys Bay and repurpose “Woodley’s Shed” as a museum and exhibition centre operated by the Fleet.

I chair: > Sydney Harbour HighLine Association – it’s presently designing and building community support for the conversion of the railway between Waverton and

Lavender Bay to a walking trail (https:// www.sydneyharbourhighline.org.au ) > Wendy’s “secret” Garden Association – it’s working to protect the garden created by Wendy Whiteley and is looking at ways to raise money to ensure the long-term survival of the garden (https:// www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au/ ); > Waverton Peninsular Working Group (established under the auspices of North Sydney Council) – it was the driver to repurpose the coal loader and is now seeking to have the land on the edge of Berrys Bay secured as public open space.

measured; and > decisions taken on which investment properties are to be retained and sold.

I led campaigns that saw the: > restoration of the “Welcome to Luna Park” arch over Alfred Street, Milsons Point; and > conversion of the land overlooking Luna Park to Harry’s and Northcliff Parks > I advocated for the rebuilding of North Sydney’s Olympic Pool.

Things worth fighting for: the completion of North Sydney’s Olympic Pool The pool, built is the thirties, suited for a time when North Sydney had a population of 15,000 – many living on farmlets.

It hosted the 1938 Empire Games; it was a dramatic declaration of confidence in the future.

Things worth fighting for: Developer contributions.

Look at North Sydney’s CBD and the stretch of land between Crows Nest and St Leonards Station.

You will see endless examples of the State Government overriding the planning controls put in place by Council after extensive community consultation.

The State Government’s ability (directly or through process) to ride rough shod over Council’s planning controls must be eliminated.

Each time Council’s planning controls are overridden, there’s invariably an increase in the number of workers and residents and that leads to an increase in the number of people wanting to use our parklands and services.

North Sydney: > is one of the most urbanised local Government areas in Australia; and > has 550 residents per hectare (compared with Mosman’s 170 and Willoughby’s 216).

Where property owners benefit from, in one way or another, a change in zoning or being exempted from compliance with planning controls set by Council, there’s a “windfall profit”. Part of that profit should be paid to Council to fund increase and improvements in parklands and services.

Things worth fighting for: Ensuring Council gets a proper return on its property portfolio It’s taken me a term attending Council and audit meetings to get my head around Council’s property portfolio and the approaches to determining values and achieving returns.

I’m talking of a portfolio of commercial and residential properties that has a collective value in excess of $200m.

The challenge is to ensure that transparency and market tension are free to drive results – I will do my best to meet the challenge, There’s a need for a new start. > all investment properties should be valued by an independent valuer, > returns on investment properties should then be

As to affordable housing, the need is to maximise the number of housing units within the scheme given the constraints on funding – this will almost certainly mean the high value housing units will be sold and the capital released will be reinvested in a larger number of housing units. My focus will be on providing housing for women with children escaping bad relationships.

At the end of 2020 it was leaking 30,000 litres a day and the use of grandstand was curtailed because the structure was failing.

With the decision in 2020, to replace the pool and preserve its wonderful 1930s style, Council made another dramatic declaration of confidence in the future.

It was a big investment decision.

After reviewing the business case, budget and contracts I gave it my unswerving support.

The task is to follow through and make sure North Sydney gets a world class facility that captures both the magic of the past and our confidence in the future.

Things worth fighting for: The preservation of Luna Park Luna Park is, along with the Bridge and Opera House, one of Sydney’s great icons. It needs to be

preserved and protected and not allowed to morph into a development site.

The recent ABC documentary of the Ghost Train fire at Luna Park was, on any measure, disturbing.

The ABC’s documentary ended with the fire – what’s needed is transparency on everything to do with Luna Park. A good start would be for the State Government to release the current agreements it has with the operator.

Things worth fighting for: Open green space I have a vision that sees protected and kept for ours and future generations

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> the western foreshore of Berrys Bay > the largely disused railway between (near) Waverton station and Lavender Bay > Wendy’s “secret” Garden > Bradfield Park It’s incredibly important to deliver on the vision because North Sydney has one of the worst ratios of open green space to people living in our area – this is set to be made worse by State Government’s interventions designed to have more high-rise developments with no thought of increasing parklands.

1: Berrys Bay and the Sydney Heritage Fleet It was back in 2016 that the State Government promised to return the western foreshore of Berrys Bay to our community. That promise triggered the vision that saw the Sydney Heritage Fleet mooring in the protected waters of Berrys Bay and repurposing Woodley’s Shed as a maritime museum. https://youtu.be/Pts0tIn_bsg

The vision: > captures and builds on the maritime history of Berrys Bay > has been embraced by North Sydney Council, the neighbouring precincts and by our community groups To help build community understanding of the vision and build support: > met with the Sydney Heritage Fleet, arranged for presentations to be made to neighbouring precincts and other community groups to share the vision and Council and, > joined the long-established community-based push to save Berrys Bay helping to achieve that end was a key policy of mine. > am chair of North Sydney Council’s Waverton Peninsular Group – an advocate of this project.

harbour section of the Metro).

The Government said that work could commence on creating the walkway on the strip of land adjacent to the rail line and then changed its mind.

In 2017 the Premier: > said that it would never sell the railway and ensure that it remains a community asset (i.e. transferred to our Council); and > established a committee (chaired by Felicity Wil-

son) to investigate creating a scenic walking track along this unique stretch of railway land.

The Committee recommended creating the walkway on the strip of land parallel to the rail line. Felicity Wilson is yet to advise the Premier’s response.

The HighLine delivers on two of the three key strategic themes for North Sydney - Connected Community and Living Heritage. It also captures all three of the destination’s primary experience pillars: > Urban nature and open space; > History and Heritage, and with ample opportunity to feature innovative events; and > Arts and Culture.

The HighLine has strong support from North Sydney Council and the community.

Of concern is the Government’s move to frustrate any work on the walkway by spending more than $12m on erecting new stanchions many of which are slap bang in the middle of that strip of land that was to be used for the walkway.

The transfer should take place now before the State Government turns its mind to the possibility of the land being commercially developed.

I am chairman of the Sydney Harbour HighLine Associate at www.sydneyharbourhighline.org.au 3: Wendy’s “secret” Garden Wendy Whiteley has worked tirelessly for decades delivering a garden to our community.

What did the State Government do – not much: > set up but did not deliver on its promise to fund a trust to keep the garden financially secure and > leased the Garden to our Council – why a lease

4: Bradfield Park and Kirribilli streets North Sydney’s parks were set aside and streets laid out during a time when integrated transport meant, for most people, walking to train stations, bus stops and ferry wharves. Those who laid out the streets did not have, within their contemplation, that someday cyclists would want dedicated velodrome-like cycleways.

Consider what’s proposed by the State Government for Bradfield Park in Milsons Point.

A proposal that simply ignores the problem which is cyclist having to compete with the users of Bradfield Park and being crammed into the narrow streets and footpaths of Milsons Point.

All the Government has done is come up with an alternative way for cyclists to ascend/descend the 14 meters between the bridge and Bradfield Park. How has it done this” By seizing a substantial part of Bradfield Park and roadway along Alfred Street Milsons Point and Broughton Road in Kirribilli – this is madness given Milsons Point is one of the most densely populated areas in Sydney.

When cyclists demand cycleways they are also demanding that our community gives up parklands and parking spaces along our street – parks and parking spaces are precious commodities in North Sydney.

If the State Government wants to build cycleways, it should incorporate them in the Warringah freeway.

A call for your support If you read to this point you must be interested in my policies.

I’m an “independent” having lost faith in the major parties but I have not lost faith in the democratic process – far from it.

Being an “independent”, means I need: > your vote; and > all the help I can get from friends and supporters.

There will be a pre-polling booth open for two weeks prior to the election; and on polling day there will be many more than usual polling booths, each will be open for 10 hours on 4 September.

That means I need a lot of helpers to hand out my “how to vote” card.

If you want to help and can find time, please let me know.

The latest from the Government - it has “formed” a committee and now says the foreshore land might be transferred at some time in the future.

The transfer should take place now before the State Government turns its mind to the possibility of the land being commercially developed.

Delivering on a vision is a long hard slog and one I’m committed to continuing.

2: The rail line between Waverton and Lavender Bay I thought North Sydney was on a winner and trusted the Government – I was told that the rail line would not be needed beyond 2024 (opening of the cross-

State Government turns its mind to the possibility of not renewing the lease and then allowing the land to be commercially developed.

The challenge is to fight to make that transfer happen now – It’s important that we win see https://youtu.be/_apzOGSApHE I chair Wendy’s Secret Garden Association – it’s looking for ways to secure title and funding https://www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au

Yours faithfully

and not a transfer to North Sydney Council?

The transfer should take place now before the

https://www.ianmutton.com/ imutton@crafers.com

North Sydney telco Exetel sold to Brisbane’s Superloop Walker Street, North Sydney based telco Exetel is being sold to rival Superloop for $110m.

Exetel offers a range of residential and business services resold from the NBN, Telstra, Optus and others. It is considered the largest privately held telco in Australia.

The transaction literally values each Exetel customer at $1,000 each: the operator has 110,000 customers buying 185,000 services.

Exetel was founded in 2001 by the late John Linton. After he passed away in 2012, his wife Annette and her brother Richard Purdy took ownership of the group. Purdy became the CEO and Annette became an active board director, while her son James became the head of Exetel’s corporate unit.

The trade sale to Brisbane-based Superloop is unusual because Exetel has three times its customer base. But Superloop, chaired by serial entrepreneur Bevan Slattery, is worth nearly $300m and has the ability to raise the capital to finance the transaction.

Superloop CEO Paul Tyler told the Sun acquisition has been funded by a fully-underwritten capital raise, and support from Superloop’s banks to raise gross proceeds of $100 million, complemented by an additional $10 million in shares. “ One of the...consequences of this capital raise is we’ve really got a strengthened balance sheet and we can potentially do things without needing to go back to the market and raise any further capital,” said Tyler.

“The commitment we’ve made to the market is that we'll realise $5 million of hard network synergies within the first year of operation, and they’re really concrete things that are defined and deliverable, and we will deliver those within the first year.”

Exetel is Australia’s largest private ISP, with more than 110,000 consumer

Exetel founder John Linton and business customers, which is expected to hit $150m forecast standalone revenue for FY21. 56% of the ISP’s total revenue is driven by consumer services, which accounts for 86% of its SIO. 86% of Exetel’s total revenue is from connectivity services via various access types including NBN, data and fibre. Superloop in contrast is much smaller, with around $53m of revenues and $18m of net losses for the last half year.

Tyler said “Exetel has spent a lot of time and money building a great customer base, but some of the network supply arrangements have led to an experience that’s certainly not as good as Superloop’s. So we’re able to improve that service experience for Exetel customers, and we’re able to utilise our own network without spending any more money on it...we’re able to move the entire Exetel volume onto our network without touching the sites.”

Exetel will continue to provide Internet, VoIP, mobile and communications services to its customers while the backhaul services are migrated, including automated network capacity management. “The migration of Exetel's users to the Superloop backhaul network also strengthens our wholesale

offering by increasing its scale,” said Tyler. “Something Exetel has done very well is in driving multiple products into single customers so the 110,000 customers that are part of the group actually translates to 185,000 services,” he said.

JOBS REMAIN: Tyler said both brands will remain for now and there were no plans to reduce headcount as a direct result of the acquisition. “There’s good market share momentum behind both brands and we want to make sure that the customer base stays satisfied and stays well served...very proud to stay on Exetel and similar brands [that] are underpinned by this Superloop network,” he said.

“What we’ve not done is said ‘we're going to put together two organisations and then go hard on cutting people’...This transaction is underpinned by the network synergy and so those two organisations only see upside for the staff in terms of being part of something bigger, and having more momentum and scale,” he said.

All of Exetel’s employees (around 290) will join Superloop, expanding the total workforce to around 550 people.

Purdy will continue to lead the ISP for a transition period, reporting to Tyler. Purdy said: “The combination of our business with Superloop will create a player of genuine scale, able to take the challenge to the large incumbent operators which has been part of the Exetel DNA from the outset.”

“Importantly, it also creates increased opportunities for our people by becoming part of a larger, more diversified business, and enables our customers to gain access to a superior network.

I have been impressed by the strong cultural alignment between our companies and the exciting prospects for the Exetel brand to continue to develop,” he added.

Simon Dux

New CEO for the North Sydney Bears Gareth Holmes will be joining the North Sydney Bears as its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

“Gareth is an experienced executive manager with strong national and international expertise in the sporting industry and more than 25 years of experience leading rugby league programs in high-performance environments,” the Bears said.

“He brings to the role experience on executive leadership teams holding General Manager Football positions across three NRL clubs and as Elite Programs Manager for the NRL overseeing national representative programs. He also managed the Australian Kangaroos program for five years resulting in World Cup and Four Nations success.”

Those clubs include the Bulldogs, the Eels and the Sea Eagles.

“Most recently he has consulted to Asia Pacific Rugby League, International Rugby League, and Rugby League World Cup 2021 to assist emerging nations and promote the International game.”

Holmes replaced David Perry who stepped down in March following a tumultuous AGM where the chairman was replaced. Although he soon returned, Perry decided to move on.

In other Bears news, the club is remembering Tim Pickup, who passed away.

Pickup, Player Number 691, was a player with the Bears from 1972 – 1975 and is even listed in the Bears Team of the Century. He was also a Kangaroo playing for Australia in numerous Test Matches during the early 1970s.

The club is currently experiencing success in the NSW Cup. It is ranked 4th on the table and has won three of its last four starts.

However with nine rounds to go the team still has a lot of work ahead of it to finish at the at the top.

Opportunity to have your business placed on a North Sydney Monopoly gameboard Imagine having your company featured as a property on MONOPOLY, the most popular board game in the world. If your business is an innovator based in Northern Sydney, now’s your chance!

This is your one and only opportunity to be featured alongside key influencers in the innovation space on this once in a lifetime edition.

The team at North Sydney Innovation Network, a non-profit organisation, has partnered with Winning Moves and Hasbro to create this first ever MONOPOLY board showcasing innovative Australian businesses and startups.

This edition will see local innovators replace Mayfair and Park Lane from the original MONOPOLY board and include customised “Community Chest” and “Chance” playing cards, making the entire game a truly Northern Sydney experience.

From today until 30 June, you can tell them which companies you’d like to see featured on the board via the official Northern Sydney Innovation MONOPOLY Facebook page, Twitter page, or by emailing Monopoly@northsydneyinnovation.org The NSIN is a not-for-profit promoting the contribution of innovation-driven enterprises—particularly startups and fast-growth organisations in the North Sydney, the Northern Beaches and the whole North Shore. Chair of the North Sydney Innovation Network Jonathan (Jono) Herrman said, “I’m thrilled to bring this edition to Northern Sydney to bring attention to the many innovative and forward-thinking organisations in this area.”

Winning Moves, manufacturers of the official Northern Sydney Innovation version of MONOPOLY licensed from Hasbro, say the game will be

Jono Herrman sold through exclusive local businesses. Dale Hackett, Custom Games Manager at Winning Moves, said: “We’re so excited to bring this globally loved game to Northern Sydney.

We want to ensure that this edition represents the best-in-class, most innovative businesses in the area.

“We’re asking locals like you to recommend which companies you think should be on the board. Everyone from startups and coworking spaces to forward-thinking corporations, research and educational institutions based in Northern Sydney are eligible to sponsor a space—so get involved!”

Dale adds, “This edition will be everything you love about the traditional board, adapted in a way that Northern Sydney residents will enjoy for generations to come. There will also be opportunities in the coming months for locals to get involved in the creation of this game, so be sure to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to stay in the know.”

MONOPOLY first hit the shelves in 1935 – since then it has been played by more than 1 billion people.

Today, it is played in 114 countries and enjoyed in over 47 different languages.

An artist’s impression of the planned final development and parkland at the former HMAS Platypus site, given the go-ahead by the owners, the Harbour Trust. According to Federal MP Trent Zimmerman, with $10.4 million in federal funding, the Trust will partially demolish the old torpedo factory to create the park. “This is the last major project at Platypus as part of our plans to ensure this site is a wonderful public asset for residents and all Sydneysiders,” said Zimmerman. The eastern water-facing half of the legacy torpedo factory will be converted into parkland on the harbour edge. The western half will become a car park and entrance area.

Luna Park plans re-opening 26 June Luna Park re-opens for business on 26 June with nine new or enhanced rides.

There’s a bigger and better Big Dipper, a Boomerang, a Little Nipper, Freaky Frogs, Loppy Lighthouse, Sledgehammer, Silly Sub, Cloud 9 and the Bug. It will be accepting both the Dine & Discover vouchers from the 26th June – 31st July when it reopens just in time for the June School Holidays.

Built in 1935, Luna Park is Sydney’s oldest and most iconic Amusement Park and since 2010 has been listed on the NSW State heritage register.

The Luna Park site is managed by the Luna Park Reserve Trust and since 2004, Luna Park Sydney Pty Ltd has held a 40-year operating lease.

State gov’t places Coal Loader on Heritage register, buys Blues Point Reserve private house The NSW Government has listed the Balls Head Coal Loader Complex in Waverton on the State Heritage Register. Minister responsible for Heritage Don Harwin said the historic site is a unique example of one of the first and longest operating coal loading facilities in Sydney Harbour.

“The Coal Loader not only gives us an insight into the industrial history of our harbour, it is an outstanding example of adaptive re-use by North Sydney Council. With a café, community garden, solar power, an art studio and more, the Coal Loader shows adaptive re-use of heritage at its finest,” Harwin said.

The listing includes the original coal loading platform, machinery and workshop buildings while also containing a significant Indigenous rock engraving site. The local Aboriginal community hold this site in high regard for its spiritual and social significance to the lives of the traditional owners of this land.

Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson MP said the working harbour has an important history, with the Coal Loader complex at Waverton playing a pivotal role in the early development of Australia’s shipping, trade and coal industries.

“The rich industrial history of the

Coal Loader complex right here on Sydney Harbour at Waverton has today been recognised and protected for the future through State heritage listing,” Wilson said.

“The Coal Loader has served our community and Australia for a hundred years in various guises from industrial use through to today’s community uses including art, history, and public space. Its innovative adaptation is renowned for its contribution to sustainability and community engagement.”

The Balls Head Coal Loader Complex also remains the largest bushland remnant in North Sydney and is part of both the North Sydney Circle Walk from Waverton to Wollstonecraft, as well as the Harbour Circle Walk.

STATE GOV’T BUYS MCMAHONS POINT HOUSE State Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the purchase of the remaining privately owned house at Blues Point Reserve at McMahons Point enables the whole park to now be accessible for generations to come.

“Blues Point Reserve is one of our most popular foreshore parks, with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge, but for decades there was a private property cutting the park in two,” Stokes said.

“Our parks define Sydney as the emerald city but I believe we can do more – create more parkland, grow more trees, conserve more bushland and rehabilitate what has been de-

graded.

“Bringing this parcel of land into public ownership is a great example of how the NSW Government is expanding and creating more public parkland.”

Member for North Shore Felicity Wilso said this was a commitment she made to her community before the 2019 election, and to deliver the final piece of the puzzle is a great win for locals who have supported the Government’s efforts to secure the site.

“Our community has long sought the acquisition of 1 Henry Lawson Ave for an expanded park and I am proud to have secured this outcome. This acquisition is another investment in increasing local parks, this time right on the waterfront of Sydney Harbour.”

An interview with Neutral Bay’s Guy Noble Neutral Bay-based Guy Noble, one of Australia’s most well-known conductors and versatile music entertainers is hosting Great Opera Hits at the Sydney Opera House from 11 July to 1 August.

Noble has been on stage with many of the biggest names in entertainment, from The Beach Boys to homegrown icons including Maggie Beer and David Hobson. Great Opera Hits is a concert series described as the best of opera without the boring bits.

Noble turns an evening of recognisable tunes, sung by four of Opera Australia’s finest singers, into a lighthearted, witty 90 minutes of beautiful music and fun rolled into one. Nonopera fans may find themselves realising they do in fact know pieces that have been heard in pop culture content such as Star Trek, Pretty Woman and even KFC ads.

Noble spoke with North Sydney Sun’s Grahame Lynch about the history of the show and what to expect.

GUY NOBLE: It started with the opera company of Australia and then had sort of morphed into a bigger deal.

It used to be done in the smaller Utzon room, and then we moved up into the main theatre. But the idea is straightforward, I suppose, rather than seeing an entire opera, you get all the best of moments. And so, it’s sort of like a tapas-style as opposed to a la carte full roast beef with Verdi or whatever the composer might be. And audiences love it, because you get all the music and you get me introducing things in between and setting the scene and a few jokes and discharging the drama before we move on to the next piece.

NORTH SYDNEY SUN: And do you expect you’ll get a different type of audience to a normal opera performance for this? Does this expand the universe, so to speak?

GUY NOBLE: Exactly. And I think, that’s the thing with music. The opera will always have it, opera lovers do really want to see a mainstream opera and we’ll sit through three or four hours and be delighted by that. But there are other people who like opera, but they don’t necessarily want to spend that amount of time or money and they can come and see us, which is sort of the lighter version of it, but they still get the thrill of the music and that thing we just cut to the chase. This is like having the single as opposed to the full length LP and getting to a mix of styles and of composers. You get Verdi, you get Bizet, Mozart, Rossini, Wagner. So there’s all these different styles and all just with piano, which makes it sort of financially viable. We don’t have a full orchestra. It’s more of a sort of recital or salon-style. But the thing is that usually we perform on whatever set of the opera from the night before.

Visually it’s still quite lovely, because you get this amazing set and all the lighting,

but really it comes down to our various singers from a company who have to do a lot more than they normally would in an opera, because they have to do the heavy lifting. There’s only static scenery, there's no chorus, no orchestra.

They're not playing a character within an opera. They’re only playing that moment.

NORTH SYDNEY SUN: Now where are you in terms of the development of the performing cast and the set?

GUY NOBLE: Lyndon Terracini the artistic director works on that sort of stuff. And he’ll look at, because opera’s such a big jigsaw puzzle, who’s available, who he wants to present, who he wants to give a go? And we have a sort of rotating mix of singers. So it’s always a soprano, a mezzo, a tenor and a baritone. So you get each of the voice types.

And some of the pieces always remain the same. We always usually start with the Largo al factotum from the Barber of Seville. The famous, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro! And we always finish with the Brindisi from La Traviata, which is the big drinking song at the end. And we usually have Nessun Dorma in there depending on who can sing. But the repertoire is really, is only just being sorted out now. And then we very quickly do it. We have a rehearsal cert of sports music and I was hosting for our readers who are all part of this on the day and then you're on it. So it’s and I thought, wow, I’m playing tennis area. So can you tell me how much of a local are you? You’ve been living here not like a full opera. in the concert hall. for a long time?

NORTH SYDNEY SUN: You’ve obvi- NORTH SYDNEY SUN: It’s interestously had an amazing career and you've ing the examples you mentioned there, GUY NOBLE: I’ve been in Neutral performed everywhere and with every- as they’re all sort of characterised by Bay for about four years now. I love one, can you tell me perhaps a couple intersections with sort of popular cul- Neutral Bay, I love the fact that I did a ture and it’s something which does lot of kayaking in the lockdown, beof the highlights of your career so far? strike me about Australia, that our kind cause it was exercise. And I just set off GUY NOBLE: I think I’ve worked of classical orchestral and opera scenes from Hayes Street Beach and then just with some amazing people, because do intersect with popular culture, may- sort of paddle ride around to Taronga, orchestras give you that opportunity. be more in other countries. Is that the have a swim, come back. And one day I was paddling and this big gray thing And I still think one of my highlights case? sort of surfaced next to me and went was Randy Newman. When we toured, we did Brisbane, Melbourne and Syd- GUY NOBLE: I’m not sure. I think under again, I nearly fell in the water, ney, and I’m sitting backstage in the various companies are trying to do that. but I think it was a seal.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra re- They’re trying to find new ways of prehearsal space, we were just talking senting things and they’re not support- NORTH SYDNEY SUN: Oh that's through the show and then he said, I’ll ed by government in the same way that, better than a shark. play this one. And he started off, “You let’s say a German opera company is, got a friend in me…” And I just but there's a huge subsidy, so they can GUY NOBLE: No, there was no fin. I thought, oh my God, it sounded exactly afford to be a little bit more in their worked that out. So it wasn’t a dolphin. own world. And let’s face it, in Europe, It wasn’t a shark, but I thought I've like the album.

And that was just an amazing mo- classical music sort of comes out on the never seen that before. The harbor was ment when you sort of sit quietly with streets. I mean, if you go to Vienna, it so quiet, eerily quiet.

It was quite beautiful. And I think someone that you totally admire. And seems to come out of the cobblestones it’s not about ego. It’s just about being and there’s the house that Mozart that kept me mentally sort of sane, just with someone like that and the history, wrote the Marriage of Figaro, the place paddling out there and it just, the world conditions they’ve had, and things like where Beethoven wrote Fidelio. We looked so beautiful and yet there was don’t have that here, but we have a vi- this devastation going on. that were amazing.

I was hosting the Sydney Symphony brant arts culture that sort of bubbles for a huge concert of John Williams' away without a lot of help from main- NORTH SYDNEY SUN: I was just music. And I turned up as Darth Vader stream media. And of course, COVID going to say, one of the attractions of in the full kit. And we went up to the has been a disaster, because we were Neutral Bay is that you can catch a ferleader of the orchestra and said, “Fiona the worst industry, we just had to stop ry to work in July when you’re doing Ziegler, I’m am your father.” Absolutely entirely, but it’s coming back and the the performance at the Opera House. was so much fun. On another occasion green shoots are there I think.

GUY NOBLE: Exactly, yeah. I’ve nevwith the Sydney Symphony, I actually played tennis in the concert hall. I actu- NORTH SYDNEY SUN: Now I un- er had the guts to kayak to the Opera ally shot out those sort of foam balls at derstand that you’re resident in Neutral House and do a show. I’d love to do a tennis racket with me. It was a con- Bay, which of course is quite interesting that.

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