North Sydney Sun April 2022 issue

Jilly’s brunch with Kylea Tink | Minskys for sale | Winning bike ramp design picked

April 2022 Issue 12

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

www.northsydneysun.com.au

Federal budget tax rebates for training, digital spend to benefit local business North Sydney federal MP Trent Zimmerman has hailed his government’s federal budget as a kickstarter for local businesses and a source of cost of living relief for households.

A centre piece of the budget, delivered by treasurer Josh Frydenberg, was the Technology Investment Boost. Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million can now claim a bonus 20 percent deduction for the cost of expenses and depreciating assets, up to $100,000 of expenditure per year.

Eligible expenditure includes items such as portable payment devices, cyber security systems and subscriptions to cloud-based services.

“As someone who’s passionate about the role of North Sydney in the digital economy, this was one of the most exciting aspects of the budget,” Zimmerman told the Sun. “This is just so important to allowing small businesses to compete, both against bigger businesses, but also on the global stage, as well.”

“And, I think actually, in the medium term, this will be one of the most significant elements of the budget.

There’s also a similar deduction available for training as well.”

Zimmerman believes that the $1 bil-

lion boost this provides to the digitalisation of the economy will have big positive consequences for the competitiveness of small business.

“The Reserve Bank said a couple of years ago that the challenge that a lot of small businesses have, in terms of being able to compete, being able to offer higher wages, when a lot of their costs are still being sunk in old technology.

So, I’m hoping that this will be the financial incentive that will help drive a lot of small businesses to re-evaluate to take advantage of what’s a very generous deduction.”

“The other aspect of the digital economy which I think is really important, is the focus on cyber security. We’re spending about almost $10 billion increasing our capacity to strengthen our cyber defences, which I think is really important.”

Zimmerman also believes the 20 cents per litre reduction in fuel excise for the next six months will be appreciated by business and residents alike.

“There are 95,000 cars in the electorate. And, all of us have seen with horror the impact of Ukraine on petrol pump prices. By September we’re hoping the price internationally will have

stabilised and returned something closer to normal. This relief is a really important way of addressing what is a major cost-of-living pressure.”

“I also think it benefits businesses and their employees. I’ve got a staff member myself who travels to work each day from the Central Coast andsometimes, with the rigours of this job, he drives if he’s going home late at night or starting early in the day. So, he was providing the feedback that he wondered where his salary was going and he realised it was going into his petrol tank,” he added.

Zimmerman also said that he believed the government had a strong story to tell in health care, pointing to the development of domestic MRNA COVID vaccine manufacturing and an overall investment that has seen “record funding going to our local health district, which means record funding for institutions like the Royal North Shore Hospital from the federal government.

If we look comparatively to overseas, there are 40,000 deaths that have been prevented in Australia that would've happened if we’d had a response or had Continued Page 6

Tink: I’m not in this to run second Independent candidate for North Sydney Kylea Tink says she is aiming to top the May election primary vote as she dismisses speculation about how preferences might flow.

With two strong challengers vying to unseat incumbent MP Trent Zimmerman in the form of Tink and ALP candidate Catherine Renshaw, there has been speculation as to how recommended preferences may impact the final result. Tink’s camp has indicated that they will not be formally directing preferences and prefer voters to make up their own minds. But this has dismayed some in the local centre left, who believe the best chance to unseat Zimmerman is through a tight exchange of preferences between his challengers.

Tink will hear none of it, telling North Sydney Sun her goal is to finish first on primaries so that the preferences of her voters don’t matter. “A vote for Kylea is a vote for true change in this community. So I make no apologies. I’m asking for people’s number one. And if I get enough number one, the preferences won’t matter,” Tink says. “So I’m not in this to run

second. I’m in this to actually take North Sydney’s voice purely to the top from the get go.”

“It serves the parties’ purposes to get into an argument about preferences because quite frankly if people give me their number one, I don’t need preferences. It’s also why I’m not instructing people where to put their preferences because as far as I’m concerned, the only preference I have control over is the one that goes on my voting paper, because that’s my right as a voter.”

Tink believes that it serves the major parties to create uncertainty and fear. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result. We have been locked up in this two party system for two decades,” a reference to the hold the Liberals have had on the seat since the retirement of independent Ted Mack in 1996.

“We’ve known about climate change since 1989 and we have gotten nowhere. It is time to try something different. And quite frankly, sending me to Continued Page 5 Canberra as an

BUDGET B UDGET 2 2022 022

STRONG ECONOMY. STRONGER FUTURE. The 2022 Budget delivers: cost of living relief now; a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs; record investments in essential services; stronger defence and national security.

Our plan will deliver a strong economy and a stronger future.

Protecting our Environment

Australia’s Economic Recovery The 2022 Budget delivers the largest improvement to the Budget bottom line in over 70 years.

Australia’s economic recovery leads the world.

Unemployment is at 4%, the equal lowest in 48 years.

We are investing in clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, batteries and large-scale solar.

Our Recycling Modernisation Fund will save 10 million tonnes from landfill per year by 2030.

Long Term Plan for Jobs By backing small businesses, lowering emissions, and investing in skills, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy projects and regional development, our plan will create more jobs.

Our $120 billion investment in nation building infrastructure will support around 100,000 jobs.

Better Health and Essential Services Our Government has delivered record funding for schools, hospitals, Medicare, mental health, aged care, women’s safety and disability support.

Federal funding for hospitals has nearly doubled – from $13.3 billion (in 2012-13) to $25 billion (in 2021-22).

Cost of Living Relief For six months, fuel excise will be cut, saving 22 cents a litre.

A one-off $420 Cost of Living Tax Offset will help workers. A $250 Cost of Living Payment will help six million Australians.

Supporting Small Business Our Government has reduced tax rates from 30% to 25% (the lowest level in over 50 years) and delivered record investment incentives like the expanded instant asset write-off.

We are further encouraging small businesses that invest in skills and new technology with two new 20% bonus tax deductions.

Investment in Skills and Education Around 220,000 Australians are now in a trade apprenticeship – the highest number on record.

To encourage more apprenticeships, from 1 July we are providing $5,000 to new apprentices and up to $15,000 in wage subsidies.

Read more at: liberal.org.au Re

Stronger Defence and Security We are expanding the size of our Defence workforce by 30%, to over 100,000.

We are boosting Australia’s cyber preparedness – including 1,900 more data analysts, computer programmers, and software engineers.

Supporting Home Ownership Over the last year, 160,000 Australians purchased their first home.

The Home Guarantee Scheme will now be more than doubled to 50,000 places, helping single parents and first home buyers buy a home.

Building Infrastructure This Budget delivers new funding for: Brisbane to Sunshine Coast faster rail, Sydney to Newcastle faster rail, METRONET in WA, the North South Corridor in SA, Great Eastern Drive in Tasmania, and Central Australian Tourism Roads in the NT.

TRENT ZIMMERMAN FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NORTH SYDNEY F Authorised by T. Zimmerman, Liberal, Level 10, 2 Elizabeth Plaza, North Sydney NSW 2060.

A

Level 10, 2 Elizabeth Plaza, North Sydney NSW 2060 02 9929 9822

trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au

trentzimmerman.com.au

TrentZimmerman

ZIMMERMAN

Delivering for our community Authorised by Chris Stone, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

State government picks winning design for Milsons Point bike ramp, but local residents still pump for alternative ASPECT’s proposal for a 200 metre bike ramp at Milsons Point Station has been selected from a short list of three

by Transport for NSW. Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the winning design team led by ASPECT Studios responded “imaginatively and sensitively to the heritage of the area and the needs of the community.”

“The winning design for the Harbour Bridge ramp will allow people of all ages and ability to ride along our most iconic landmark, making it an accessible and spectacular route for all,” Stokes said.

“I would like to thank the more than 1,066 people who provided feedback on the shortlisted designs, which was crucial in determining the winning design.”

The ASPECT Studios team includes Collins and Turner Architects, Yerrabingin, Eckersley O’Callaghan Engineers, JMT Consulting and Design 5 Architects.

Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the preferred team will now progress a detailed design with ongoing engagement with the community, Heritage Council, North Sydney Council, Transport for NSW, and other key stakeholders.

“My local community has been vocal about the importance of the heritage and amenity of this place, and the need to protect and enhance public space. We will ensure these priorities and concerns continue to be reflected as it progresses,” Wilson said.

“The design team delivered a thoughtful response to a long-standing and challenging problem, incorporating community feedback into a design that is unobtrusive, complementary to the heritage façade of Milsons Point Station and the Harbour Bridge, and ensures the ongoing enjoyment of Bradfield Park.”

Transport for NSW will continue to

ASPECT’s winning design work on plans for a separated bike path on Alfred Street South, responding to feedback given during recent consultations that the Harbour Bridge needs to be better connected to local cycling routes.

Earlier it rejected a community proposal for a bicycle ramp at Milsons Point Station, electing to proceed with one of three designs it commissioned.

It said the three designs have been submitted to a jury with a winner to be announced soon.

Commenting on the community proposal, TfNSW said: “We appreciate the effort that has gone into this idea and acknowledge the community’s passion for Bradfield Park and for the heritage of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We also acknowledge that this proposal has been put forward as a ‘compromise’ and are encouraged by recent statements from community groups and Council, supporting im-

proved access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway. We have assessed the proposal in detail, both through independent technical reviews by Alex van Gent of Arcadis, and in light of our key objectives.”

TfNSW concluded that the community proposal did not meet the needs of less experienced cyclists, due to tight S-bends and safety concerns both where it connects to the cycleway on the bridge and the ground.

The Arcadis review said: “This design creates conditions that would be unsafe for the current user base but could become more dangerous as the number and variety of riders using the Sydney Harbour Bridge grow to include cargo bikes, mobility scooters, and less confident riders such as tourists or children riding autonomously.

Moreover, it does not offer a comfortable nor attractive riding experience for the wider user base targeted by this

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 4

new infrastructure.”

“The community is disappointed,” Councillor Jilly Gibson said. “There's going to be mass destruction of Bradfield Park.”

And resident Ian Curdie, who backed the community proposal, said: “There is no way this design meets Minister Stokes’ own principles by which the ramp was to be chosen.

There is a better solution.”

“Why do our elected representatives ignore the electors most affected by this proposal? Would we reinstate the CBD Monorail?”

“No, so why desecrate a public park when there is an alternative which meets Australian design standards and causes no harm? It beggars belief.”

Curdie notes that the government preference for a gentle 2 degree gradient on the ramp belies the hilly topography of the surrounding area.

Tink aims to be no 1 in primaries Continued from Page 1 independent, I think is our best chance of getting true change happening down there because it’s not going to happen staying in the same system.” Tink made the remarks to the Sun as she completed her 26th week of campaigning, something that has now become a 14 hour a day, seven day a week vocation for her.

That campaign has been characterised by a succession of “politics in the pub” style sessions across the electorate, backed up by events such as a budget breakfast with finance commentator Michael Pascoe and yum cha brunches with the local Chinese community. She says that while she has had hundreds of conversations with voters, they often revert to several core themes, particularly climate.

“It’s ironic to think six months ago, people were talking about the fact that we could barely get our prime minister to go to COP 26 (the international climate change conference held in Glasgow last year).”

“And then we got that very reluctant commitment to net zero by 2050.

And I think that was meant to be enough for us. The government strategy at the time is that will meet what people require. And I think what we’ve seen in the six weeks is that’s not true.

“The reality is the community has moved faster. The business sector has moved faster than our federal government. And so I am hearing consistently from the people in North Sydney, they want more ambitious carbon emissions, reductions targets.”

Tink said she believes North Sydney can be one of first true net zero energy urban zones in the country.

“That means all the local councils working together, working with state government, then working with federal government, then working with businesses, then working with community groups right across our North Shore electorate,” she said.

Asked what she would say to a traditional Liberal voter who may be flirting with switching their allegiance to her, Tink says: “I am economically conservative and socially progressive.

For me, one of the key pillars from the minute that we launched this campaign was shepherding Australia to a forward facing economy.”

As far as the role she would play in national security and foreign affairs debates, she adds: “My role will be an accountability role. Australia must take care of our own sovereignty. It’s really important that the decisions we're making are economically responsible and that they are decisions that ultimately will enable us to maintain that sovereignty going forward.”

Tink says North Sydney voters want a member who is economically responsible. “Hence why I stand against bad business decisions like a new gas power plant in Kurri Kurri, bad business decisions like the West-

ern Harbour Tunnel and the Northern Beaches link, bad business decisions like Job Keeper being given to companies that went on to report profits.”

As for traditional supporters of Labor and the Greens she says: “I am a really good option when it comes to understanding that social progress doesn’t have to be at the expense of economic progress. Look at the policy positions I have around climate emissions, reductions targets. You look at the policies I have around universal access to childcare and equal access to parental paid leave. These are things that are socially progressive and they’re offered in a way that are then balanced against long term sustainable economic position. I feel very passionately about the things that I'm arguing from a social justice point of view. A good example of that is the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia. The treatment of asylum seekers in Australia was created equally by both parties.”

Tink also addresses criticisms of her about her sources of funding, namely Simon Holmes a Court’s Climate 200 group, which is also contributing to the campaigns of other s0called “Teal Independents” in Sydney and Melbourne. Partly as a result of this funding, Tink has a campaign war chest of close to $1 million, higher than that of the Liberals and Labor combined in the seat.

Asked if Climate 200 was effectively running a de facto party, she says: “It’s simply not true. My relationship with Climate 200 is such that we can apply for funding and then they can either choose to provide us with that funding or not. I don’t consult and have never consulted with anybody attached to climate 200 about policy positions or stances that we want to take in this electorate.”

“It appears to me that is almost impossible for somebody who comes at politics from the perspective of a party lens to truly understand what it is to be independent because it’s not something they’ve ever experienced in the party format. So for me and others to stand up and go, this is what an independent looks like is really quite confronting.”

“Someone the other day called me a Liberal in pink clothes. Others say I’m a Labor person in pink clothes. I just want people to look at me and go, actually she’s just pink. And in this case, pink is North Sydney.”

“I understand it may be difficult sometimes for people to really accept it because for so long we’ve lived in an environment where politics does seem to be about the trade and it does seem to be about the compromise.”

“But John Adams, who was one of the writers of the original American constitution said that is the worst possible place. His biggest fear for the American constitution was if it ever got to a place where the people of America only had one of two choices.”

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 5

Transport for NSW takes over Cammeray Park for 8 months Transport for NSW has given North Sydney Council notice that it intends to “use and occupy” Cammeray Park under section 175 of the Roads Act for the purposes of work on its new Warringah Freeway extension, designed to support the controversial Beaches and Western Harbour Tunnel.

A notice was given to the Council on March 23 that Transport for NSW would resume the land between April 1 and the end of the year on a temporary basis.

The requisition was considered at a closed meeting of North Sydney councillors who voted to oppose the move and empower the council general manager to take legal action in response. Councillor James Spenceley told North Sydney Sun that the requisition was a “blunt instrument” and was worried it appeared to apply to all of Cammeray Park and could be extended into next year.

State member for Willoughby Tim James said: “in short, I’m advised there’s no change to the area for works as previously outlined. I’m told this notice is standard, no surprise intended nor coming from it and no cause for concern.”

Under previously announced plans, illustrated by maps and videos on a TfNSW website, the government will use a section of the park adjoining the freeway for eight months with the golf course refashioned into a more generalist nine hole facility. A new lake will be built in the remaining golf course area.

Works are intended to commence from this month and be complete by

year’s end, in accordance with the requisition notice.

The notice said that the requisition was required for golf course adjustment works and associated infrastructure, including earthworks, drainage, fairways, tee-off areas, and greens; replacement stormwater harvesting storage facility (dam) and irrigation system, re-connection of water supply to parks, utility works, and landscape works; and, minor construction ancillary facilities, including workforce sheds, car parking, material laydown and storage, and construction plant storage.

State member for North Shore Felicity Wilson reacted at length to Spenceley’s online comments, stating: “There’s been about five or so years of community engagement to deliver this project, including quite close engagement with Cammeray Golf Club and Council. This notice is the next step and reflects all previously communicated decisions. All major infrastructure projects are impactful, but I have been working closely with Transport for NSW to ensure that the impacts to our local community are minimal while the Warringah Freeway Upgrade is taking place.”

“I’m not sure if James Spenceley is aware of the lengthy engagement process and details of the project because he hasn’t accurately represented the notice provided to council.”

“This notice is for short term use of this area of the golf course to enable delivery of the project. It meant that a huge number of homes didn’t need to be acquired and demolished, which

was understandably communicated to us by the community as more impactful. The vast majority of the land used will be returned to the golf course.”

However, the nature of the notice has further ignited what is already a combustible issue. Independent Larissa Penn ran hard on it in the recent Willoughby by-election, taking an 17 percent swing off the Liberals, while for the upcoming federal election, ALP candidate Catherine Renshaw is promising to scrap the project and independent Kylea Tink wants the project suspended pending evaluation by an independent panel. Victor Kline, running for the New Liberals, said he is particularly perturbed by the proposed smokestack from the development, stating “The tunnel is supported by

federal funding. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I'll do everything I can to see that the funding is pulled, and the project brought to an end.”

Spenceley isn’t convinced by Wilson’s explanations, asserting that the requisition wasn’t necessary for TfNSW to proceed with its plans.

“The golf course can be reconfigured without the land being taken from council’s control with seven days notice and under obscure powers that were designed for roads not land. The notice also gives scope not just for the reconfiguration of the golf course but for use in the construction of the freeway,” he said.

But it’s not clear what Council can do to halt the project, at best, more likely to force better park outcomes.

Zimmerman talks budget, pandemic and Climate 200 Continued from page one an outbreak like the UK or the USA, that points to how successful Australia has actually been. The fact that we have entered 2022 with one of the highest vaccinated populations in the world, that we’re now about to start our fourth booster shots. We’ve got plenty of vaccine supplies. I think that Australia has managed the pandemic better than virtually any other country in the world.”

“And, of course, that means it blew out all our projections in relation to where the budget would be. But, part of the reason that you aim to have a strong budget and a strong fiscal policy setting is that so when these disasters do come along, you’re equipped to do it. We are one of only nine nations that have maintained its AAA credit rating throughout this, another sign of our success. But, really, there’s no better measure of how you’re doing than unemployment rates. And, it’s just so wonderful to see unemployment fall the way it has. And, to see participation rates, including for women, at record highs at the back end of a pandem-

ic is a great achievement.”

Warming to his underlying theme that a vote for him is a vote for continuity at a national level, he said: “Australia is confronting three massive challenges. One is the pandemic. The other is the increasing threat that liberal democracies have been put under.

And the third is, obviously, meeting the challenge of climate change. And we need a steady course to meet all three of those.”

And he is keen to assert his climate change credentials in the face of criticism from rivals Kylea Tink and Catherine Renshaw.

“Well, for me, climate change is a key challenge that Australia has to confront. And that’s why, for me, I’ve worked so hard on making sure that Australia did adopt the formal commitment of net zero emissions by 2050. And that provides the long-term framework against which we need to act, and the end point of all of our activities to reduce climate emissions.”

“And now we, through our plan to support technology, have the opportunity to continue the transformation that’s already underway. But, also, I

actually think there’s opportunities to be sharing technology with nations that are not doing as well as Australia.

We need low-emissions technology to be the first choice for a country like India or China. And that will only happen when we can prove that technology and prove that it’s also cheaper than the alternatives. And Australia can play a strong role in that regard. And, we’ve already seen in Australia, solar and wind power become the cheapest form of new energy generation. Those trends will continue. And, we have an obligation but also an opportunity to be developing technology that will transform, not just the way that Australia’s economy works, but also share that with the rest of the world.”

Zimmerman remains steadfast that change can be effected from government benches and not the cross-bench.

“I mean the changes that have happened have been driven by government MPs like me and Dave Sharma and others of my colleagues, that have really pushed hard for this. I strongly believe that these are the type of things that you can achieve by being at the table of government. There is quantum

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 6

difference between noise and outcomes. And there are a lot of others that make noise, but don't achieve outcomes. And for me, it's getting the outcome, which is important and I'm proud to have played a part in doing that.”

Zimmerman also disputed the claim of Tink to be truly independent when she is backed by the multimillion dollar resources of Climate 200, helmed by Simon Holmes a Court. “I do wonder how long the cycle of independents can claim that mantle, because it’s quite clear that this is a well-resourced, organised network that is operating across Australia, only targeting coalition members and spending most of its resources, very oddly, targeting progressive and moderate MPs like me. My view is that we need more moderates in the government, in the Liberal Party, not fewer. But, obviously, my opponent is entering this campaign with a huge war chest, including support from billionaires across the country, so that makes it a tougher battle for me.”

“But I am up for the fight and up for the challenge.”

Minskys for sale at $35 million One of the lower North Shore’s most iconic night spots - Minskys Hotel - is for sale for $35 million.

Owner Redcape said the sale process is being managed by JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group Director John Musca and JLL Director of Capital Markets Gordon McFadyen.

“The significant size of Minskys Hotel is understated to its street presence as it also boasts a desirable location in the heart of the Cremorne town centre on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. The notable hotel is being offered to the market as a Freehold Going Concern after more than 15 years of Redcape ownership,” Redcape said.

Redcape CEO Dan Brady said: “Minskys is a meeting place where rich and meaningful memories have been created by many. The time has come to offer Minskys for public sale through a process identifying a buyer who can usher in the hotel’s next phase of growth and live out a new era forward for customers and the community. The opportunity for an incoming operator/ investor to further optimise a large licence footprint and have a more proactive entertainment lead business plan would see tremendous value add that given our scale we could not realise.”

Prominently situated on Military Road in Cremorne Plaza, the asset is being sold for the first time in nearly 20 years, and includes the iconic freehold going concern hotel, retail suite and first floor commercial office suites.

JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group MD John Musca, said: “This is a historically profitable hotel business with significant brand equity that is effectively

trading on a third of its approved trading footprint. With a coveted 24-hour trading approval and unmatched patron capacity in an under-pubbed precinct, there is a compelling argument to drive the trading opportunity to the next level.”

“The property is 3,344sqm of strata area in size, and the electronic gaming machines have an estimated market

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 7

value of nearly $13 million on their own. Redcape currently occupy the entire circa 1,700sqm first floor former bars and function areas as offices, which literally present in reopen and go condition, but equally represent a compelling opportunity to reposition the space and/or incorporate it back into the going concern hotel business”, Musca said.

Harris Farm Cammeray employs GPS tracking to recover lost trolleys Harris Farm is teaming up with Australian owned technology company TDMN to embrace what is claimed as an Australian first: GPS trolley tracking system, called sMart Track Customers at Harris Farm Cammeray will see the shopping trolleys fitted with a sMart Track device which will allow the store to locate shopping trolleys that have been abandoned in the community. Trolleys will only be tracked once they have been abandoned.

“Over the last six years we have worked tirelessly to develop a technology that will solve the problem of abandoned trolleys. Retailers now have the opportunity to manage their shopping trolleys more efficiently by being able to know the location of abandoned ones for fast and efficient collection.” said Domenic Ammendolia, Founder and Director of TDMN. The “sMart Track” technology allows stores to monitor and track abandoned shopping trolleys with an added advantage of being able to provide accurate location of any left in communities. The result is claimed fast, efficient trolley collection and return to store which removes reliance on third party reporting.

Abandoned trolleys are a problem

in communities posing a safety and environmental risk. They end up in waterways, parks and on our streets.

Left uncollected they also pose a personal injury risk and can often damage property.

“We are extremely pleased to be embracing an Australian based trolley management solution. Our focus is to be a sustainable grocery player in the market and this solution is a natural fit,” said Charbel Daher GM of Supply Chain at Harris Farm Markets.

North Syd commercial real estate sales surge past $2.2bn last quarter Data from CoreLogic has reported a sharp jump in both the value and number of commercial real estate sales in North Sydney for the quarter to January 2022.

Sales reached around $2.271 billion, the company’s latest North Sydney Cityscope has revealed, up from $224.5 million in the quarter to October 2021 and $175 million for the July 2021 quarter.

The absolute number of properties sold climbed from 33 to 69, with the average value per property growing from around $6.8 million to just shy of $33 million.

The bumper result reflected a number of significant transactions, including the $660 million sale of the under development 10-storey Blue and William building at 2-4 Blue Street in North Sydney.

Lendlease, together with Keppel REIT, in November last year announced it had acquired 2-4 Blue Street and 1-5 William Street from Third.i Group for development.

Lendlease Development’s managing director, Tom Mackellar said at the time that the strategic acquisition would support the diversification of its commercial product offering and un-

lock “prime floorspace” for Lendlease customers in North Sydney.

“The future of office has been reimagined, but remains strong, with a greater emphasis on flexibility and product diversity,” Mackellar said.

“The Blue and William development will cater for our customers looking for high-quality office design on a smaller scale.”

The building will feature basement car parking as well as two outdoor terraces, an onsite cafe and end-of-trip facilities. The project is estimated to cost more than $61.6 million, with completion due in mid-2023.

CoreLogic also noted the purchase of a 50% interest in Greenwood Plaza and the neighbouring 28-storey 83103 Miller Street office by Singapore’s CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust in a $422 million deal. That deal was part of a $1.1 billion Sydney real estate splurge by CICT during the quarter, which also included the $372 million 23-storey 100 Arthur.

CoreLogic said the results for the quarter meant the 12-month total value of sales reached around $2.757 billion from 170 sales, up from the $1.602 billion from 128 sales recorded for the previous year.

RESIDENTS WANT AUSTRALIA POST TO RESTORE CROWS NEST OUTLET A local precinct committee is calling for the restoration of an Australia Post outlet in Crows Nest.

The Wollstonecraft committee has begun a campaign to return Australia Post to the area after it was forced to relocate to St Leonards as a result of the Metro station development.

According to precinct chair John Hancox, the new site on the Pacific Highway is inconvenient and lacks a loading bay.

There is also no nearby parking nor protection from inclement weather.

He says it is too far away for people to carry heavy parcels.

What’s more, he says, it will also be forced to eventually re-locate as the site is earmarked for high rise development. Hancox says that ideally it should return to the over-station development earmarked for the Metro.

“Sydney Metro has been requested but refused to reserve space for Australia Post which they occupied before it was forced to vacate the premise,” Hancox said.

“Our attempt to reach some form of agreement with Sydney Metro ceased in 2020. After that we wrote to our state and federal members, Felicity Wilson, and Trent Zimmerman to approach their respective masters to intervene and order a sensible bipartite agreement between Sydney Metro and Australia Post,” Hancox said.

“The cost of such action would be neutral when considering that Austral-

The proposed new Metro development ia Post would be forced to vacate their current leased premises when that site is redeveloped. It is just a timing issue.

We would like it to be completed by 2024 if possible,” Hancox said. He claims that Australia Post have refused to consider the request.

Hancox says that both Zimmerman and Wilson are receptive.

Zimmerman has apparently forwarded the request to federal communications minister Paul Fletcher, who has carriage of Australia Post, while Wilson has done the same with state transport minister David Elliot.

Hancox says that current planning for the area calls for envisages an extra 11,000 people to move in from 2018 to 2036 and an extra 16,500 jobs created.

He says that the Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft areas already have 13,000 residents today.

The campaign is aiming to garner 2,000 signatures on a petition, as well as support from adjoining precincts and the Crows Nest Mainstreet Committee.

Renshaw launches local Labor campaign Professor Catherine Renshaw has officially launched her campaign as the Labor candidate for North Sydney.

The long-term Northbridge resident, mother of three, and law professor at the University of Western Sydney, spoke to a crowd of 200 people at the Great Northern Hotel in Chatswood. North Sydney Sun profiled her in our March issue, archived on our website.

If successful in the election – she not only would become the first woman to represent the Lower North Shore seat in its 122-year history, but also will be the first ALP candidate to do so. “Since being officially endorsed she has spent every one of the 90 days, since becoming the candidate seeking out, meeting and speaking to a myriad of organisations and people in her community to hear their concerns,” Labor says.

Renshaw backed up her launch with a fund0raising lunch at Luna

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 8

Park last week.

Renshaw said she is buoyed by “terrific winning performances by Labor-endorsed candidates in the North Sydney and Lane Cove local government elections and the remarkable 17 per cent State by-election swing against the Liberals in Willoughby.”

She has been a member of Labor at the Neutral Bay branch for 25 years.

And she also told the fund-raising lunch she is not receiving any direct funding from party central office for her campaign.

She told the lunch she was partly motivated to run for office by the state of aged care “If it was in Indonesia or India I’d be thinking where is the complaint to the UN human rights commission, where’s Amnesty? Where’s Human Rights Watch? But this was my own backyard. Staying on the sidelines was not an option,” she told the assembled audience of about 100 people.

The Sun Says…

The coming federal election is shaping up as a big one nationally and locally here in North Sydney. Despite a seemingly comfortable 59 percent two party preferred vote at the 2019 election, incumbent federal Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman is in for the fight of his life against independent Kylea Tink and Labor candidate Catherine Renshaw.

Renshaw is seeking to build on the 25 percent primary vote achieved by the ALP three years ago in North Sydney, while Tink aims to emulate the feats achieved by independent Ted Mack in 1990 when he garnered 44 percent of the primary vote and Zali Steggall in the neighbouring seat of Warringah who scored 43 percent of first preferences last time around.

Zimmerman is no stranger to a fight: in his debut outing in the 2015 by-election caused by the departure of Joe Hockey, he faced an elephantine field of 12 other candidates but still scored 48 percent of first votes.

This time it will be tighter and the impact of other candidates such as the Greens, United Australia Party and the New Liberals cannot be underestimated. They will pull primaries away from the lead candidates and their preferences could determine the outcome.

LOCAL ANALYSIS & OPINION Pre-election promises are strange things. There’s a tantalising case in the seat of North Sydney of perennially promised harbour parklands that aren’t really harbour parklands.

On the shore of Neutral Bay framed by a cliff, there is a 1.83ha strip of public land. From 1876 to 1932 it was the site of the North Shore Gasworks. In wartime 1941, the government took possession and built a factory for the maintenance and production of torpedoes. In 1967, the whole site became a base for the Oberon class submarines and by 1990 had been deemed “no longer appropriate.”

About 15 years ago, the then federal Liberal MP campaigned for re-election with amongst other things a promise to turn the old sub base into “harbour parklands”. According to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, remediation works were due to start in the 2005-2006 financial year. Now more than 17 years later, the current Liberal MP, Trent Zimmerman, runs the project up the flag again in his 2022 pre election material; “Work is due to commence in coming months on the last major project (on the site) which will see new parkland created for residents and visitors.”

Clearly, the transformation of the old submarine base into Sub Base Platypus “parkland” has been a long journey – remediation works and public consultation can take a long time though it did only take 3 years to build the tramway along George Street.

Throughout the last 17 years neither of the two federal Liberal candidates has taken their eyes off the electoral appeal of “harbour parklands”.

Just before his elevation to parliament at a by-election in 2015, Zimmerman promised $20 million to turn HMAS Platypus into a “public park.”

In 2016, there is a fetching newspaper photograph of Zimmerman, sitting on a bollard, saying the clean-up was nearly completed and the next stage about to begin.

Presumably, whoever the candidate is at the next federal election s/he will be able to promote the effort s/he has made working with the Trust to obtain even more public funds to carry out the actual final work, the rehabilitation of the old Retort House.

The sub base has been a handy major promise each election for 17 years.

The Claytons parklands raise their profile again at election time So far, this strip of the public estate has not only taken 17 years to be transformed but has also cost the taxpayer $71.4 million with another $11.4 mill in projected future expenditure, $10 million of which Zimmerman claims in his latest brochure as his and the Trust’s achievement.

It would be foolish of you to think of the resultant “parklands” as swarths of green… lawn, trees, gardens, the lungs of a city. True at the northern end below the high cliff that fringes the site, there is a small tree covered parkland slope measuring 2130 square metres, smaller than two Olympic pools. There will be another pocket of green open space when the Torpedo Factory is “renewed.”

The bulk of the site has been eaten up by pleasant enough new architectural commercial spaces. It looks and feels more like a small lost office park rather than a vision of harbour parklands. Six commercial spaces are listed on a noticeboard although the buildings look more capacious than that.

One is a homeware retail outlet; two spaces are still for lease and four others occupied by companies ranging from a medical-on-call organisation to a video conferencing company to a lighting company. One, Australian Sailing, at least gives a nod, in its name, to the harbour. These few tenants do not signify the project as a commercial success given the official opening was in 2018.

Wandering the site midday, midweek, it feels like a white elephant project, only interesting because of the harbour, the range of signs signifying its historical past and the few people at the onsite coffee cart.

It is devoid of people except for the occasional exerciser. Unlike the much more accessible Trust properties at Middle Head the vitality of art and craft tenancies and a popular cafe are not here to attract interest.

It is true that the works are not finished. The old Torpedo Factory is yet to be brought into the project hence triggering Zimmerman’s most recent

Opinion by ROBYN READ, former state member for North Shore (1988-1991) and North Sydney Council alderman (1970-77, 1987-91). Sometime CEO, journalist.

The continuing cost of HMAS Platypus To have achieved the transformation of this corner of the public estate into a commercial precinct with small parks at either end and a genuine nod to history has cost the public purse.

Money that has been spent on the site since its inception as part of the public estate including the remedial and construction costs to date.

Remediation: $46 million. Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Harbour Trust and the Department of Defence, costs associated with the remediation of Platypus were borne by the Department of Defence (2005) election sweetener. The plan is to leave 70% of the skeleton of the old building where there will be indoor open space and parking while 30% below the cliff will become open space, another nod to a swathe of green. The result remains to be seen but with these numbers, with the green open space only on the fringes, the project can hardly be called “harbour parklands.”

In 1934, Kingsford Smith and P G Taylor took flight from Anderson Park which fringes the head of Neutral Bay, lifting off over the bay itself. They would find it hard today as almost all

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 9

Stages 1A and 1B: $23.9 million.

This comprised $20 million from the federal government and $3.9 from the Harbour Trust (2016) Torpedo factory renewal project: $1.5 million to date (head works contractor not yet appointed) Projected future expenditure is the balance of the $11.4 million received in 2019/20 budget allocated to the Torpedo Factory Renewal Project Then still to come there’s the rehabilitation of the Retort House, the most significant historical building.

the waterside of the park is leased by Captain Cook Cruises with boats from medium to large blocking the view.

The bay itself is packed with moorings and an amusing few minutes can be had watching the ferries try to manouvre between them. Along from the Captain Cook marina is the Australian Border Force building where errant boats are brought to dock. Sub Base Platypus sits diagonally across from these maritime activities. A green strip of harbourside park suitably signposted with history’s tales would have been a good counterpoint.

NORTH SYDNEY CULTURE

Jane Caro’s new novel a reminder of social ills around us She is a Walkley Award-winning Australian columnist, author, broadcaster, feminist, social commentator and Federal Senate candidate. Now Jane Caro is adding another string to her bow as a novelist with her book The Mother.

The novel tells the story of a mother’s struggle to come to terms with her ever distant daughter who has recently married a seemingly perfect husband.

The mother, Miriam lives in Greenwich, and has felt her relationship with her daughter Ally has hit a strange patch ever since a move away to Dungog with her husband and newborn. Miriam's senses are proven right as the details of mistreatment and abuse of Ally become apparent.

Caro has always been a strong advocate on issues such as domestic violence, the treatment of women in society, coercive control and abuse.

During her talk for the Writers at Stanton series, Caro said “I find that I’m always writing about the same thing, I never find I’m writing about the same things until long after I’ve finished the book that I’ve written.

And the thing that I’m always writing about is women taking the power back. In essence that is what this book is about.” This is not surprising for any familiar with her advocacy work and previous publications.

The Sun asked Caro about the choice of setting for the novel and why it was set, for the most part, on the North Shore. The author is a local, living in Artarmon.

This familiarity was comfortable for Caro: “First of all I agree with writing what you know, I know this area very well so I felt comfortable describing it and writing about it and as a resident I can poke gentle fun at some of the foibles of the North Shore and get away with it because I live here too and I’m guilty of them as anyone else.”

Yet there is a deeper reason as to why Caro chose the predominantly middle class area as her setting.

“I think we still have a tendency to

think of domestic violence, coercive control and abuse as something that happens in marginalised communities where people are very poor or already living chaotic lives. It has to do with criminals. It has to do with drug addiction, it has to do with poverty. There’s actually no truth in that. It can happen anywhere.”

The novel attempts to subvert the misconceptions that surround these issues. With 1 in 6 women experiencing physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner, it isn’t hard to appreciate that this issue is prevalent throughout all demographics.

Just as concerning is that of adults who experienced current partner violence 86.8% indicated that their child saw or heard violence in the last 12

months, yet another issue confronted in the novel.

Caro added “It struck me that it was important to write about it happening in a really nice middle class area and it’s happening in a family that has resources.”

“Even with those resources, whilst they’re better off than women who don’t have anything - Allison can run away to her mother’s lovely house in Greenwich and her mother has a successful business and they can afford state of the art security cameras and things like that.”

“Most people can’t do that, but I wanted to point out even with all that, if you’ve got an obsessed predator nothing can hold them back and how difficult it is to deal with.”

The author is also currently running as the Reason Party’s lead senate candidate in NSW for the upcoming federal election. She was inspired to run after seeing the treatment of women in politics and society.

No doubt the themes from The Mother as well as issues from her last book ‘The Accidental Feminist’ highlight some of her political motivations.

Her campaign has seen some support from members of the ‘Voices of North Sydney’ group who are also backing independent candidate for North Sydney Kylea Tink.

The Mother is available online and in most bookshops. An online podcast of the Writers @ Stanton series is available on the libraries website.

James Mullan

LETTERS Women’s Day in the LGA I had the pleasure of attending the Local Government of New South Wales 2022 International Women’s Day Lunch at the Luna Park Ballroom Milsons Point, on Tuesday, March 8. I was accompanied by Mayor Baker, Cr Santer, Cr Beregi and Cr Bourke as well as North Sydney Council General Manager, Ken Gouldthorpe and Shane Sullivan.

The venue was lovely, and the company made up for the appalling weather. The guest speaker was Jennifer Robinson, international philanthropist, barrister and human rights law-

yer. Jennifer is well known for defending Julian Assange and Wikileaks.

She is a Rhodes Scholar and used that accolade to stand up to the privileged, privately educated white males who tried to denigrate her achievements because of her gender. How lucky were we. What an inspirational person.

She spoke of the barriers she had to overcome as a woman in a predominately male field. She spoke for many of us.

I don’t just care about women’s issues; I have lived them. I remember telling my father I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in my last year of high

Shannon Welch, Jennifer Robinson and Zoe Baker school. I was told it would be a waste of education. I should become a nurse like my mother and grandmother. I don’t regret becoming a nurse and it has served me well. I certainly never told my daughter she couldn’t be any-

thing because it would be a waste of education. She is now an animal scientist in Longreach, Queensland, helping with research into the Japanese Encephalitis Virus.

Jennifer spoke of the hurdles all women face but particularly women of colour. Woman of colour have even more difficulty.

We are paid less for the same work.

We have less superannuation because we take work breaks to raise our children. Women over the age of 55 are the fastest growing group of homelessness. The data is there for all to see. It is time to break the bias.

Shannon Welch, Neutral Bay

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

First retail shop opens at HMAS Platypus site

Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky

The HMAS Platypus site has welcomed its first walk in shop front as furniture, design and craft company Koskela opens its doors.

With the opening of Koskela’s store, the area is starting to show signs of commercial life. The company was established in 2000 by designers Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky.

The company specialises in furniture, art, home and office wares with a specific focus on ethically sourced, Australian made products.

As the company reaches its 22nd year of trading they have packed up their Rosebery site in favor of North Sydney.

Koskela co-founder Sasha Titchkosky said, “We are excited to open this curated space to provide a new experience for our customers.

The role of the store has changed since COVID and we think our new location reflects the type of experience customers are looking for.” The open spaces of the Platypus site have provided an ideal setting for the furniture and design companies' needs.

Coupled with the waterside location, it appears the lower north shore site is ideal for the company's overall aesthetic and vision. “Looking for a new space we focussed on finding somewhere that captured the essence of Sydney and naturally the Harbour was always front and centre. We are thrilled to have found a new home in this remarkable location - steeped in history and boasting beautiful waterside views. Even the motto for HMAS Platypus ‘Nothing too Difficult’ seems apt for our new home“, added Titchkosky.

It is also a big win for the Harbour Trust operated site which has been keen to attract more retailers. Harbour Trust Executive Director Janet Carding said, “Koskela's reputation for ethical and sustainable design, and commitment to supporting First Nations creators made them a natural fit for the Harbour Trust. Sub Base Platypus is growing into a vibrant community, and this latest collaboration will help to breathe new life into this former maritime base in an innovative and commercially sensitive manner.”

The site is home to some other businesses including the ERCO Lighting showroom and consulting firm SLR. Yet Koskela is the first permanent customer facing shop front at the former submarine base.

The company has notably made serious efforts to incorporate Indigenous culture in all aspects of operations. A fluorescent “Cammeraygal'' sign between the first and second floor emphasises this. Yet it is more than symbolic action as Koskela has collaborated with 49 First Nations artists and art centre partners, generating over $1.1 million in income. Indigenous art and design is present on a lot of pieces in the store.

As we collectively return to face to face dining, shopping and events it is expected precincts like Platypus will see new businesses open up. Several retail and office spaces are still available at the precinct.

The Torpedo Factory is set to be transformed into new public parkland on the foreshore opening in late 2023.

The park will include landscaped public domain areas, enhanced pedestrian connection to the foreshore and car parking as well solar power generation from roof-mounted panels and rainwater capture storage. However the majority of the factory's floor and roof will be preserved and incorporated into the upgrade project.

NORTH SYDNEY WELLBEING

The value of gratitude and optimism By Chuck Anderson I recently attended the 16th annual “Happiness and Its Causes” conference in Sydney at the ICC. It was a two-day conference with experts in the fields of psychology, education as well as authors and business owners sharing insights and evidence on how to live a happier life.

Conferences such as this are a great resource to keep-up with the latest research and insights related to enhancing workplace and community well-being.

All that said, what is happiness and how can we have more of it?

The theory and definition of happiness has been debated for thousands of years. In 350 BCE Aristotle defined it as “an activity of the human soul in accordance with excellence and virtue.” More recently, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, researcher and author of the 2007 best seller, “The How of Happiness” describes it as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive wellbeing, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.”

According to Lyubomirsky’s research, 50% of our happiness is determined by our genetics, 40% is determined by intentional activities (acts of kindness, exercise, etc.) and the other 10% is determined by circumstance (marriage, divorce, etc.).

She posits that each of us has a “happiness set point” which refers to one’s genetically determined predisposition for happiness. This means that no matter the life event, lottery win or the death of a relative, we generally return to our genetically predetermined level of happiness. Each of us has our own set point with some of us leaning more towards the negative and others that seem overtly positive no matter what comes their way. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle of those two. Experts such as researcher and world-renowned psychologist, Dr. Ed Diener believes that we can even change our genetic set point. See Diener’s work on “subjective wellbeing” to learn more about his pioneering work.

Our happiness is a result of a multifaceted interaction of our genes, behaviours, and circumstances. While each of us has a set point for happiness, just as we do for body temperature and blood pressure, we have the power to modify our own levels of happiness through our actions, thoughts and behaviours.

This includes those of us with clinical disorders such as depression and anxiety that often struggle with maintaining positive emotions more than

most (I was diagnosed in 2007).

There are an infinite number of changes that we can make leading to a happier and more fulfilling life. I am not suggesting that you must make a complete and immediate change to who you are in order to be happier.

You can start with a couple of small changes such as expressing more gratitude or being more optimistic as both are tied to happier living.

Showing Gratitude: Additional research by Lyubomirsky shows that gratitude is directly linked to happiness. One theory is that people that express gratitude experience more positive emotions translating to healthier and happier living. Additionally, people that show more gratitude live longer, experience lower rates of depression and, you guessed it, are more likeable.

There are many simple ways to express gratitude. For instance, you can keep a gratitude journal noting three things that you are grateful for each day i.e., a compliment someone gave you, the sun on your face, a delicious meal, etc.

I have had my gratitude journal for the last two years and it is a great way to focus on the positives in my life. If you are unsure how to start a journal, simply Google “how to start a gratitude journal” and you will have thousands of resources to choose from.

Another simple way of expressing gratitude is telling someone that you are thankful for having them in your life. This can be done via email, sticky note, text or face-to-face. This may seem awkward at first, but I can assure you that they will be grateful. Check out www.gratefulness.org for more

insights on gratitude.

Building Optimism: A global pandemic, bush fires, floods and war can easily cloud our ability to focus on the positives in life. For those clinically diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder, this becomes an even greater challenge because you are already predisposed to a negativity-bias. Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology, best selling author and former president of the American Psychological Association, developed the theory of “Learned Optimism” in the mid 1980’s. Learned optimism involves developing the ability to see the world from a positive perspective.

In several studies over a period of decades, Seligman and colleagues have shown that how we perceive the world has a significant influence over our mental and physical health and overall happiness. He states that our “explanatory style”, either pessimistic or optimistic, directly correlates with how we see and feel about the world around us. A pessimistic explanatory

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 12

style can be pervasive and overwhelming driven by negative self-talk. However, by challenging that negative internal dialogue and replacing it with a more positive one, we can become more optimistic and happier. For more insights on the theory and practices of learned optimism read Seligman’s 2009 book titled, “Learned Optimism, How to Change Your Mind and Your Life”. There is much more to explore and learn on this topic.

Making changes to how we think, feel and behave has the potential to require significant self-reflection. We may have to face thoughts and emotions that have been avoided for years and may even require professional support (which I highly recommend).

Nevertheless, we all deserve to be happy, and I hope that the insights that I have provided inspire those that needed to hear them. Lastly, and most importantly, if there is anyone in your life that dismisses your efforts towards happier and healthier living it may be time to let them go.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

It’s a matter of taste By Jilly Gibson Kylea Tink didn’t have far to travel to meet for brunch. Double Cross Dining Room is diagonally opposite her campaign office on Albany St, Crows Nest.

I recognised Tink immediately as she arrived dead on time. We share a common fondness for wearing strong pink.

Kylea is well-known for being friendly so our introduction and chat got off to a flying start. I find talking about food makes the conversation flow. I had already spoken with Samuel Lee who co-owns Double Cross with Quentin Ng. The newish café (Shop 1/31 Albany St Crows Nest) sits on an ideal corner position (real estate speak) and is light bright and airy.

It has instant WOW appeal, and I can see why “Team Tink” spend a lot of time here. We look around the room and observe lots of youngish locals – mums and dads with prams and toddlers, small groups having business catchups and others simply sipping coffee and reading. We agree the menu is unusual and interesting. Sam has Korean heritage, and his wife Japanese so Asian flavours blend in with the best of Aussie produce. Having walked from Kirribilli I was starving and quickly ordered Three Eggs Crab Omelette. Kylea was also hungry – campaigning is hard work – and ordered her usual Poached Eggs on thick sourdough with smashed avo and roasted truss tomatoes. The food presents beautifully – and I reckon we both made Eggsellent choices – ha ha.

My dining companion also recommends: The Breakfast Roll with maple ham (served all-day) the Salad of The Week, the Hakuna Chicken Burger and the Salmon Don. The conversation drifts to the upcoming Federal Election and I warm to Tink’s description of herself as an “accidental politician.” Accidental maybe – amateur definitely not. K.T. (as I was mentally nick- naming her) has been campaigning for 27 weeks already …I love a woman with stamina! Talk turns to home cooking as I

know K.T. has three hungry teenagers at home. We agree that cooking is an expression of love and that the best family meals don’t come from browsing through cookbooks but from developing a good sense of taste and smell, eating out frequently and buying the freshest in-season produce.

A big smile came to my face as K.T. told me friends and supporters frequently dropped around hot homecooked meals to help out in this frenetic period. We sip excellent flat whites as we chat – Primary Coffee which is roasted and ground in Potts Point. K.T had hers with oatmeal milk and I made a ‘note-to-self’ to give it a go next time.

The crab omelette tasted as good as it looked – the eggs still soft and creamy and the marinated crab delicately spread on top with sliced fresh chilli and shallots.

Seeing that 30 minutes had flown by, and Kylea and I are now besties I took the liberty of dipping my toast into her smashed avo…. Yummy. I also grabbed one of her roasted tomatoes when she wasn’t looking – ripe truss cherry tomatoes lightly cooked and not overly oily. Tick of approval.

Kylea and I then discuss how best to describe the food and mood of the café. We agree descriptions like Mod Aus, Fusion, International cuisine are passe. All Australian food (except vegemite!) now exemplifies our rich, diverse, inclusive society. Multiculturalism has drastically changed how we grow food, shop, cook and eat.

Exotic ingredients, flavours and cooking methods are now so ingrained in the Australian cuisine that we can describe any style of food in one word.

Australian.

I’ve enjoyed my brunch with Kylea Tink and wish her all the best in May .

In the May edition I’ll intend to be reviewing more local eateries with Catherine Renshaw – The Labor candidate and Trent Zimmerman - the sitting Liberal MP for the Federal seat of North Sydney.

Until then!

Clockwise from top: Kylea Tink, the smashed avo and the team at Double Cross with Kylea and the author

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 13

WHAT’S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY Friday 22 April - 8:00PM The Dark Side - A Pink Floyd Experience Live Venue: Hayden Orpheum Hear all your favourite Pink Floyd tracks performed live at The Orpheum by one of Australia’s top Pink Floyd Tribute groups!

Saturday 23 April - 7:30PM Lloyd G & The Ambassadors Venue: Street Market Crows Nest An evening of “Root’s '’n Blues, Alt Country” from some of the greatest songwriters / artists. Presenting rare old songs, to a twist on popular tunes, with passion and stories.

Saturday 23 April - 7:15PM The Music of Chicago & Blood Sweet and Tears Venue: Norths Cammeray Jeff Duff will perform all the hits of Chicago and Blood Sweet & Tears alongside the hottest musicians in Australia for this momentous gig.

Tuesday 26 April - 7:00PM Wolf Alice (pictured) Venue: Big Top Luna Park Brit Awards Group Of The Year; Wolf Alive bring their English Alt-rock stylings to Luna Park.

Tuesday 26 April - 7:30PM Rai Thistlethwayte & Ben Vanderwall Venue: Street Market Crows Nest Expect some serious musical telepathy, within the oh-so-groovy framework of Rai's jazz infused vocals and Ben’s intricate beats, and not to mention, some gratuitous left hand synth bass action.

Saturday 30 April - 7:15PM Fleetwood Mac - Running in the Shadow (Covers) Venue: Norths Cammeray The six-piece rock band explore Fleetwood Mac’s extensive back catalogue, covering all the classic ballads, blues and rock songs from their five decade plus career.

Saturday 30 April - 7:00PM Bjian Mortazavi Venue: Big Top Luna Park Enjoy a night of light classical music with one of the legendary musicians

and singers of Iran and the MiddleEast.

Sunday 1 May - 1:00PM The Music Of George Gershwin Without Words: Live Concert Venue: Hayden Orpheum Vov Dylan and Glenn Amer have created a new show and new album celebrating George Gershwin.

Saturday 7 May - 8:00PM Rat Pack Reloaded Venue: Norths Cammeray What do you get when Robbie Williams, Harry Connick Jnr and Michael Buble meet Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin?

….Rat Pack Reloaded!

Saturday 7 May - 8:00PM Anna Vissi Venue: Big Top Luna Park The long awaited return of Greece’s most iconic female performers is finally over!

Sunday 8 May 3:00PM A tribute to the legendary Doris Day – Starring Melinda Schneider Venue: Hayden Orpheum Melinda Schneider, who has recorded two albums of Doris’ songs, cowritten and starred in a theatre show based on Doris’ life, and done sell-out tours celebrating Doris’

Copyright Decisive Publishing.

All rights reserved.

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@northsydneysun.com Founding editor and Decisive CEO: Grahame Lynch Associate publisher: James Mullan james@northsydneysun.com.au 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

puzzles WORDSTEP

QUICK CROSSWORD

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BLEND There may be more than one possible answer.

CODEWORD

No. 013

SUDOKU EASY

No. 013

HARD

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17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

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1 2 3 4

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9-LETTER WORD

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15

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16

3

17

4

18

5

19

6

20

CODEWORD

7

21

8

22

9

23

10

24

11

25

12

26

13

L

ARNO

SEINE

AVON

SEVERN

CONGO

STYX

DANUBE

THAMES

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2

Whose first studio album, released in 2005, was entitled Music Of The Sun?

3

Which historic figure did Saoirse Ronan play in the 2018 film Mary Queen Of Scots?

4 What is the world’s largest living species of lizard?

5

In which decade did London’s Big Ben first chime?

6 Of which part of the body is genuphobia a fear?

Apr,0210 2022 ALL PUZZLES ©PAGEMASTERS PTY LTD PUZZLES AND PAGINATION © PAGEMASTERS | PAGEMASTERS.COM

SOLUTIONS

14

28 words: Excellent

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Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good

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Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

No. 013

NIGER

QUIZ 1. 10 2. Rihanna 3. Mary Stuart 4. Komodo dragon 5. 1850s 6. Knees

Items of underwear 5 Ramble 6 Region 7 Period of school year

AMAZON

QUICK CROSSWORD

15

1

SUDOKU HARD

14

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SUDOKU EASY

13

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12

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11

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10

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6

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5

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4

WORD STEP TRAIN, BRAIN, BRAID, BRAND, BLAND, BLEND,

3

WORDFIND Secret message: Rolling

2

QUIZ

No. 013

4X4 ACROSS: 1. Bras, 5. Rave, 6. Area, 7. Term.

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1

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6

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_ _ _ _

6 3 1 9 8 4 5 7 2

_ _ _ _

DOWN 1 Bullet (4) 2 Moves in waves (9) 4 Villains (9) 5 Operators (5) 6 Own (7) 7 Idols (5) 8 Dexterity (10) 9 Squirm (6) 14 Propagated (10) 16 Rebel (9) 17 Unexplained events (9) 19 Fund an event (7) 21 Locked and safe (6) 23 Suns (5) 24 Peace (5) 26 Stinging insects (4)

8 6 4 2 3 1 7 9 5

TRAIN

ACROSS 1 Acidic (4) 3 Picking up from where you left off (10) 10 Subvert (9) 11 Fierce weather (5) 12 Coagulate (4) 13 Spreading to wide area (9) 15 Ultimate (7) 16 Cleaning scoop (7) 18 Withstands (7) 20 Siblings (7) 22 Displace (bone) (9) 25 Cut (with axe) (4) 27 Lack of order (5) 28 Meddle (9) 29 Medium size naval vessels (10) 30 Throne platform (4)

5 1 2 7 9 6 8 3 4

Complete the list by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each step.

3 9 7 5 4 8 1 2 6

No. 013

No. 013

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Norths Basketball hits the NBL1 stage Norths Bears basketball club has tipped off in NSW’s top basketball competition.

Both of the club’s top women’s and men’s teams will participate in the newly formed NBL1 East, which is the semi professional league division below the NBL, Australia’s professional basketball league. NBL1 will replace NSW Basketball’s Waratah League as the top division in the state.

CEO of Norths Basketball Graeme Reid sat down to discuss the significance of these changes with the Sun. “We’ve been quite successful in the Waratah League for the last few years in both mens and womens. When this opportunity came up to join the league we felt that was the appropriate move for us to give our players, members and fans a chance to experience high quality competition.”

Norths has indeed been one of the top clubs in the state winning the men’s competition in 2017 and the women’s as recently as 2018 and 2020, while also being one of the largest associations in the country.

The Bears’ NBL1 East season tipped off on Sunday 3rd April with games against Canberra. With the extra attention that comes with NBL1 competition the club felt it important to inspire greater acknowledgment and respect for Indigenous history and culture.

“Earlier this year we had a cultural awareness session for our staff to help us understand the deep roots of the Aboriginal culture in our area. We thought that it would be a great opportunity to get closer to that culture and for us to be a part of that history.

We’ve been part of the North Shore community for over 40 years, but if we join with our Aboriginal culture we have over 65,000 years of culture behind us.” Reid said.

The club consulted with the head of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Allan Murray, who is also a referee at the club. Murray has been refereeing with Norths for over 15 years and helped to assemble a traditional smoking ceremony prior to the debut game.

The NBL1 teams will also wear a specially designed Indigenous jersey.

The manager of the venue, Tim Murray, has recently joined the Norths Basketball team after spending 9 years working at National Centre for Indigenous Excellence.

“It's all a big part of the mission of our organisation to make Indigenous culture front and centre by making people more aware of it. It can’t always be on Indigenous Australians to do all the hard work to make nonIndigenous Australians listen, it’s about us going on the journey with them.”

The club has opted to wear their

Indigenous jersey at all away games, instead of the more common special round usage seen over many different sporting codes.

Murray explained “It’s bigger than just the token one ‘Indigenous round’.

It's something that should be celebrated constantly.”

“One round isn’t enough to bring people’s eyes and attention to it. Indigenous culture and issues should be talked about during the whole season and this is one way to do it.”

The club collaborated with Indigenous cultural organisation Mirri Mirri to design the jersey. Director of Mirri Mirri, Paul Sinclair told the Sun: “The artwork is called connections. It depicts the connections between people, place and purpose.”

“Cammeraygal country, home of Norths Basketball, is a place of significance to many of us. The outer circles represent our different communities and teams, whilst the inner circle represents Norths’ stadium, a place where people come together to compete and connect.”

Paul’s wife and co-founder of Mirri Mirri Jade Rose designed the jersey with son Cai, who also plays in Bears’ youth program.

On the court, the women’s squad held off a late Canberra run to win 6563. While the men went down 68-80 despite 29 points from Nick Blair in front of a full house at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre.

The next NBL1 home games will be against the Maitland Mustangs on April 23, Central Coast Crusaders on April 30.

From top: Men’s and Women’s NBL1 East squads with members of the elders from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land council, NBL1 East women’s team huddle and Marquis Navarre

North Sydney Sun | April 2022 | Page 16