Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The voice of the majority

The comment below was posted under a story by some kind person. I think it is closer to the majority view around here as distinct from those shrieking 'shock-horror-impact-ban-everything'!

"Well, well, well. Who cares if someone moved into an area 5 years ago or 100 years ago? If one rents or if one owns? All who meet national citizenship and residency requirements are allowed to enrol on the electoral roll.

In terms of various claims regarding compensation for those driven out by visual clutter etc - rent or buy a property in Pymble if you don't like it - it is a free country - use your democratic rights to protest if you don't like a DA - don't be immature about it. If not, move somewhere else - owner or renter - simple as that.

Furthermore, this country should be quintessentially about free speech. The puerile comments from some on this blog regarding certain possible legal matters are baseless, ridiculous and futile.

This blog is an embodiment of what makes Kings Cross so fabulous - colourful locals who contribute something of their personalities to the life of the community.

Think of the loud newspaper editors,even certain local activists with hair implants, old ladies who feed homeless cats, junkies asking for a spare bob, the groovy sax player on Darlinghurst Rd just to name a few.

Good on the Kings Cross Times and when are you coming back to print!!!"

Friday, October 20, 2006

Yellowhouse stars at the NSW Art Gallery


Works by Peter Kingston and Martin Sharp are on exhibition at the NSW AG until 19 November. The two famously worked at the Yellowhouse on MacLeay Street. Sharp is a personal favourite of mine dating back to the third LP I ever bought -- Cream's Wheels of Fire featuring a fabulous psychedelic cover on metallic stock. The exhibition is free.

Pic: Martin Sharp, 'Mr Tamborine Man', 1967

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Sydney views hugs as a liability

Typical of this uptight city -- Council and police could not handle Juan Mann giving away free hugs in Martin Place and Pitt St Mall so they stopped him until he could produce a $25m public liability insurance policy. It's one of Council's favourite blunt sticks to suppress community activity from those they don't favour

Mann collected 10,000 signatures on a petition and the City relented, to their credit.

But not before the saga got worldwide publicity via YouTube, 60 minutes and newspaper coverage. To see the (original) Sick Puppies vid clip featuring Juan Mann (since voted Youtube clip of the year) click here.

More prosaically city resident groups have repeatedly asked Council to provide a blanket Public Liability policy for the activities of community groups (like North Sydney does) but they are not interested. But it's back on the agenda of CityRAGs (City Resident Action Groups) so we'll see what our new CEO, Monica Barone, makes of it.

Monday, October 16, 2006

A visual feast coming up

Cross Projections is on again soon. This cinematic experience of sight and sound never fails to excite and impress, and you tend to see the pictures the photographers want you to see as distinct from magazine or gallery fare.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Historic cd launch and underground gig


It's one of those 'must have' pieces of Kings Cross memorabilia -- 75 minutes of Edwin Duff and the David Smith Trio, professionally recorded on the eve of Edwin's 77th birthday at El Rocco in Kings Cross. There will be only 100 copies printed of this deluxe first edition and they will only be available at Edwin's gigs, so if you want a bit of that old Kings Cross magic to keep forever, come on down.

Edwin and the boys will be back this Wednesday with part III of the 10-part Sinatra Symposium 'Thanks to Frank'. It's a lot more than the usual Frank impersonator belting out a few numbers, too. Among the usual hits the band also performs the lesser known gems put in a fascinating historical context.

You hear all these great young singers entering the field -- and then you hear Edwin and you can only hope that the others eventually attain the command over the music Edwin pumps out, seemingly without effort.

Where: El Rocco (@Bar Me) cnr William & Brougham streets Kings Cross, 8pm. Entry $20, meal deal $15.

Yes, Musicians of this calibre deserve an income, so don't be stingy! Bring your trailer, bring your money, bring your wife and SAVE!

Friday, October 13, 2006

A senior moment


A friend who is not getting any younger became very annoyed with himself when he saw he had done this at breakfast the other day. Soon, though, he saw the funny side and got the camera out.

At least it wasn't Irish Breakfast Tea.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

City East Urban Design Study close to final vote

Council's planning committee will hear final submissions on the Urban Design Study from stakeholders at 5.30pm on Monday 16 October. While the Glebe study generated only seven submissions, City East generated 62.

Two of the attachments are so big they are only available on cd by special request.

A quick glance at the summary submissions revealed that all the property owners wanted higher floorspace limits. One sensitive soul who wanted Harry's Café de Wheels removed because of all the problems it has generated since the 1950s failed to persuade council, who say it is not in their power to move any particular business.

Click the headline for a link.

Kings Cross liquor research

The temperance union is gonna love this! (From Council's business papers:)

On 5 June 2006, Council resolved to undertake research into the nature and impacts of licensed premises in Kings Cross. The research has considered demographics, the business mix and economic, social and historical context. The Kings Cross Licensed Premises Research report has been prepared by consultants, Urbis JHD.

Key findings from the report include;
• There are 65 licensed premises in the Kings Cross precinct. More than half of these are licensed restaurants. Nearly half of the remaining liquor licenses are for hotels, nightclubs or theatres.

• Of the 65 licensed premises, three venues trade on a 24 hour basis.

• Licensed venues add to the “colour, vibrancy and activity” of Kings Cross, and the majority are well managed and operate without incident.

• There is a strong correlation between alcohol-related crime and late trading licensed premises in Kings Cross. Despite this, residents in the City East area feel safer than the average City of Sydney resident.

• High densities of late night licensed premises generate cumulative impacts (ie: crime, litter, noise). These impacts are amplified by a lack of late night transport options. The work of the Kings Cross Licensing Accord in attempting to mitigate these impacts via voluntary staggering of closing hours was noted.

• Key stakeholders interviewed in the research identified that Kings Cross is approaching maximum carrying capacity for late trading hotels.

• ‘Saturation’ or the exceeding of an area’s ‘carrying capacity’ for licensed venues should be determined in terms of saturation of impacts rather than the number or ratio of licensed premises in a specific area.

• The report recommends that further research, joint operations, advocacy and improved information sharing between Council, NSW Police and the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing occur.

RECOMMENDATION
It is resolved that Council:

(A) note the information contained in the Kings Cross Licensed Premises Research report, as shown at Attachment A to the subject report; and

(B) note that the research will be used to inform the preparation of the Late Trading Premises Development Control Plan.

Friday, October 06, 2006

The race is on

Clover Moore has announced her candidacy for the seat of Sydney in 2007.

Her first fundraiser is scheduled for 17 November. She is currently calling for campaign volunteers.

Clover is running against Edward Mandla for the Liberals and her Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Harris for The Greens.

It will be interesting to see whether Clover's stranglehold on power both in Council and as MP will work for her or against her in the March ballot.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

New licence for live venues -- Iemma admits wearing mullet

After ten years of lobbying, the music industry is applauding moves to revitalise Sydney’s live music scene as part of proposed changes to the Liquor Bill to go before Cabinet.

Premier Morris Iemma said the Bill would be broadened to include specific reference to the development of industries closely linked to licensed premises, including live music and entertainment. It will also include a special category of liquor license for music and entertainment venues separate from hotel licenses.

An an inaugural 'Music in the House' luncheon at Parliament last week, Premier Iemma said: “music has been a big part of my life ever since I sported a flannelette shirt, a leather jacket, and a mullet back in the 70s and 80s”.

He said his all-time favourite band, the Foreday Riders, were regulars at the Cat and Fiddle in Balmain.

They were pretty hot, too. Screamer Jimmy Barnes and rocker Billy Thorpe were at the luncheon, MC'd by weatherman Mike Bailey.

The moves follow concerns that Sydney, once a powerhouse of bands and original music, is falling way behind other state capitals because of expensive and complex licensing requirements.

It is hoped the new rules will shift the emphasis in some venues from poker machines and 'doof' music to live performers.

Blog comments trigger litigation threat

Local heritage figure Andrew Woodhouse has threatened me with defamation action over comments posted below under the story
  • Woodhouse to Report Commissioner

  • It seems an open public debate about local issues is not acceptable to some. 'There is no such thing as free speech,' Mr Woodhouse said to me in the street when I did not agree to his demands to remove unspecified comments.

    I have not removed any comments because I cannot find any that are defamatory and I am reluctant to censor the views of those who post here merely on the basis of Mr Woodhhouse's say-so. On legal advice I asked Mr Woodhouse to specify which words he considered defamatory but he responded with a 'do not communicate with me see you in court' message. I have posted both emails in the comments thread linked above.

    By co-incidence a flurry of
  • anonymous comments
  • then appeared on this blog. One of them was so highly defamatory it's almost funny, spluttering this:

    "The editor's predeliction for pot-smoking, late night sex clubs and menage a trois is well known in the strip"

    That would make me the grooviest grandpa in Sydney but, alas, the claim is not true. You really have to wonder how someone's mind can be small enough to write such stuff.

    It's a cautionary tale nonetheless. I urge anyone posting comments to avoid personal criticism and stick to the issues. I carry the can for your words and I am very reluctant to begin trying to control, edit or censor them -- even the ones attacking me.

    Clover donates to Wayside Chapel

    Demonstrating that there are good ways to build political profile, Lord Mayor Clover Moore last week gave $25,700 to The Wayside Chapel for "Fresh Start", a new activity program to provide pathways out of homelessness.

    The money comes from Clover's Lord Mayoral Salary Trust, established to offset criticism of her dual role as Lord Mayor and local state member.

    The Wayside will use the money for computer, life skills, recreation, literacy and arts programs for their clients. A previous local beneficiary from the Trust is Hopestreet, Woolloomooloo for creative expression programs for children and young people at risk.

    While Clover's generosity deserves heartfelt applause, the problem of her holding dual roles is a real one. Anyone who is unhappy with the actions of the Lord Mayor ideally should have the local member to fall back on. Unfortunately in our case it's the same person, and to that extent local democracy has been compromised.

    Thursday, September 28, 2006

    Images of the Cross rides again

    In the absence of the Kings Cross Arts Festival this year (see posts below) one of its highlights is nevertheless flying the flag.

    'Images of the Cross' at the TAP Gallery has been a fabulous showcase of local artists and photographers for several years now. The exhibition is unjuried so you get entries from the sublime to the... fascinating!

    It opens with a great party and there is $1,500 in prize money. Entries need to be in with a $25 fee by 9 October and the gala opening is on 12 October at 6pm. Contact the Gallery on 9361 0440.

    The theme is eponymous. Hmmn, I just had an idea about what I will be entering. A certain prominent local politician might not like it though... Click the headline for the TAP website

    Sydney as a 'foreigner' sees it

    On the whole, Sydney is a philistine desert and this perspective is behind a lot of my views about the place. It was beautifully expressed this morning on one of the email lists used by those 'nasty' cyclists...

    "I have recently returned from cycling overseas for several months and it is refreshing to be back riding in Sydney -- and be told numerous times to get off the f'ing road and all the other intelligent and constructive things Sydney drivers have to say.

    "Until arriving home in Sydney the only things I've had thrown at me recently are powerbars, other foods and encouragement to keep me going on the road. My Sydney commuting thick skin must have thinned, leaving me ready to explode after my commute last night.

    "Sydney is a disgrace and nightmare to cycle in and I just want to commend everyone on their efforts in bringing cycle concerns to the community when and where possible. I have also noticed that there does seem to be a lot more cyclists on the road than when I left, I hope this trend continues.

    Also don't know if you have seen this website, but check out
  • the video


  • If there is an esky in there somewhere these guys are my heroes."

    Tuesday, September 26, 2006

    Bike bash in Martin Place

    From another Council media release today:

    Bicycles are set to take over Martin Place tomorrow, 11 am to 2 pm, when the City of Sydney holds its Bike Expo.

    The expo will feature BMX demonstrations, cycling displays from leading bike shops, and a competition to win a brand new bicycle and accessories valued at more than $900.

    The onstage action will feature workshops on basic bicycle maintenance, trick riding demonstrations from some of Australia's leading BMX riders and interviews with some of our leading internationals cyclists, including Gold Medal Paralympian Janelle Lindsay.

    The Expo is part of NSW Bike Week, which runs from September 23 to October 1.

    City to create 25-year vision

    From a Council media release today:

    A call is going out for the nation's best minds in urban planning, finance, engineering, property, the arts and environmental science to join forces with the City of Sydney to develop a 25-year vision for Sydney.

    Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP today announced Council's decision to appoint a consortium of experts to work on a sustainable vision for Sydney 2030.

    "We're developing an exciting long-term vision for Sydney which will promote 'green' urban design planning, new public spaces, an integrated transport system, art and cultural development; and sustainable economic, retail and tourism plans.

    The Council decided today to implement the following initiatives:

    > Call for expressions of interest for firms and individuals to deliver Sydney 2030 and Financial Plan;

    > Increase resourcing in key areas such as transport and planning, security, customer service and community engagement;

    > Improving the Council's operational and internal reporting structure.

    To achieve this 2030 vision the City will continue its comprehensive community and corporate consultation through public and private meetings, surveys, community workshops, website questionnaires and customer service feedback.

    Monday, September 25, 2006

    Rooftop noise wars in KX


    Shades of Batman and Robin on the rooftops of Kings Cross!

    On Saturday night in an apartment block close to the Strip some backpackers -- wait for it -- had a rooftop BBQ! No music mind you, pretty low-key.

    Contacts who live next door tell me at around 11pm they found their block's serial complainer stalking about on the rooftop collecting intelligence to make a complaint -- and also noticed the serial complainer from the block on their other flank, nose against her kitchen window, in pre-complaint mode. My contacts, sick of the constant harassment, let fly with some choice words at the busybodies.

    Well! The cheek of it! They are now waiting for the inevitable complaints to their body corporate.

    Last year in the same place one serial complainer emptied half a garbage bin of water over the DJ at a 30th birthday party being held on the roof next door. You can see their point of view though -- how dare other people have a good time! All partying should be banned! Electrocuting DJs, however, is only natural.

    Pic: Roofscapes of the Naked City -- what intrigues lurk behind these innocent exteriors?

    Friday, September 22, 2006

    Edwin slays 'em again


    The king of bling in Kings Cross (or is it the Queen of bling in Queens Cross as the RTA so quaintly calls it?) slayed 'em last night with episode two of Edwin Duff's 'Thanks to Frank' symposium at the El Rocco jazz cellar in Kings Cross.

    Backed by the silvern Terry Wilkinson Trio, Edwin wove that old Kings Cross magic for an audience that included Helen Reddy and Barry Crocker. At 78 Edwin held the crowd seemingly without effort as he pattered his way though the inside story of Frank Sinatra's early career, cracked them up with his offbeat humour and drew ovations for the atmospheric renditions of mostly lesser known Sinatra gems.

    'Escape to Capitol' (episode three of the ten-part series), will happen at the same venue on Wednesday 18 October -- Bar Me, home of El Rocco, Cnr Brougham and William Sts. Highly recommended. 'It's the only gig in town' according to Danny Ward, booking agent with the Musician's Union.

    Picture: Edwin Duff in green and bling last night.

    RTA thwarted on cycle lane removal

    The government has announced today that the RTA has withdrawn their planning modification request to remove the bike lanes on Kings Cross Road and Craigend St, says cycling activist Fiona Campbell. (see posts below)

    There will be no further Cross City Tunnel road changes. The decision was made by Minister for Roads Eric Roozendal.

    I am trying to find out whether that means the RTA will reinstate the lane it illegally removed from the Craigend Street ramp.

    Chloe Mason from Bike Sydney says they are preparing a letter (of demand) to the RTA for reinstatement.

    Chloe also reports this conversation with Lisa Mitchell from the Dept of Planning:

    "C: Isn't it Interesting then that the safety issue for removal has somehow melted away?

    LM: We can only speculate on that."

    The retention of a lane from McElhone Street to Rushcutters Bay makes the proposed aerial cycleway over Woolloomooloo practical as a main route because it could begin in McElhone St near William St.

    Wednesday, September 20, 2006

    Decaux cycle hire idea for Sydney?

    Sydney cycling activist Fiona Campbell tells us that a public cycle hire plan already successful in Lyon and Brussells is under discussion for Sydney. Advertising company JC Decaux sets up the operation in return for advertising rights. Short term hires are free of charge. Click the headline to see a Dateline story on the Lyon operation. And Councillor Shayne Mallard reports on the Brussels version on his blog HERE.

    The system uses smartcard technology to avoid the pitfalls of previous public cycle schemes such as the one in Amsterdam where anti-social types simply stole too many of the bikes.