The award-winning Paddington Reservoir Gardens will soon be available for cultural and community events, such as exhibitions, light music, story-telling and workshops.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the heritage-listed, multi-award winning gardens had been in much demand since opening to the public in 2008.
“When the roof of Paddington Reservoir suffered a collapse in 1993, the City was determined to restore the heritage-listed reservoir as public space. Transforming the disused site into a place of respite and inspiration was a true labour of love,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The City often receives requests to use the gardens for events such as exhibitions and small performances. The proposal to allow cultural and community activities will open the space to new visitors while taking into account residents’ needs by only allowing events that have minimal impact.
“I look forward to seeing the community continue enjoying and appreciating this garden’s physical beauty and unusual spaces.”
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
The City of Sydney sought independent planning assessment of the proposal to allow the community to use the sunken gardens as an exciting new venue for small events.
The City will prepare a plan of management to guide the range of uses within the park. Approved uses include guided tours, meetings, storytelling, workshops, exhibitions, markets and light music.
The site is not approved to host catered functions, weddings, product launches, film screenings, lectures and fashion shows.
The City commissioned architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and landscape architects JMD Design to transform the former water reservoir and petrol station into a park in 2006.
Since then, it has won a suite of national and international awards, including:
Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence: Asia Pacific (2011);
International Architecture Award, The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies (2010);
National Australian Institute of Architects Award for Urban Design (2010);
National Australian Institute of Architects Heritage Award (2010):
Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design, Australian Institute of Architecture (NSW) Awards (2010);
Greenway Award for Heritage, Australian Institute of Architecture (NSW) Awards (2010);
Australian Medal for Landscape Architecture, Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (2010);
The Australia Award for Urban Design, Planning Institute of Australia (2009);
Landscape Architecture Medal, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (2009):
Design Excellence Award, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (NSW) (2009); and
Officer of the Valuer General Heritage Award, Australian Property Institute (2009).
A ceramics studio and youth support group seeking to expand their services in response to strong community demand are among the not-for-profit organisations to find new homes at City properties.
Four new addresses will welcome groups committed to community, cultural and sustainability-focused causes in the latest round of the City’s accommodation grants program.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the mostly volunteer organisations would receive a total of $120,000 in rental subsidies over the next three years. “We currently make space available to 70 organisations at heavily discounted rents across 47 City properties,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our accommodations grants program provides significant support to community groups and we are opening the doors of some of our under-utilised spaces for even more groups.”
More ceramic artists will be inspired by Kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics Studio when it expands its workshop to an additional space at Glebe Town Hall with around $27,000 in rental assistance over three years.
The not-for-profit organisation already brings together artists and ceramicists at the nearby Glebe Nurses Quarters, where it is supported by another City grant. Strong demand for more classes has prompted it to branch out.
Weave Youth Community Services is also expanding its invaluable work to a space at Waterloo Town Hall thanks to $52,808 in subsidised rent over three years.
Weave provides a range of services to disadvantaged and socially excluded youngsters, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and support for women, parents and carers at Waterloo Library.
Youth Food Movement (YFM), a national organisation that runs food education projects as it seeks to help disadvantaged people access stable, healthy diets, will begin running lessons at the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator in Glebe.
With a $38,000 City grant to help it work towards its goal of achieving food security in Australia, YFM plans to build partnerships with local youth-based organisations while promoting its projects from the unique Forsyth Street structure, which is new to the program.
The fourth accommodation grant recipient, Sydney School of Arts & Humanities, will utilise two spaces at the Abraham Mott Activity Centre to help emerging local creative-writers complete projects and publish online.
The school will offer opportunities to learn and share stories at the Argyle Street address in The Rocks.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Media Team, phone 0400 331 027or email mediateam@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay on 0432 182 647 or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
The City of Sydney invites your feedback on a proposal to permanently close Barrack Street to through traffic between York Street and George Street. This road closure will improve pedestrian access, safety and provide more open space in the city centre.
The closed road will remain available as a walkway for pedestrians and emergency vehicle access.
You can view the proposed plan from the document library on this page, or in person at:
Level 2, Town Hall House
456 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Submissions
Submissions must be made in writing by 6pm on Thursday 25 February 2016. Please quote reference number 2015/662264 and email your submission to council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au(External link) or post to:
Attention: Col Warne
City of Sydney
GPO Box 1591
Sydney NSW 2001
If you would like to speak with a council officer about the proposal, contact Col Warne, Traffic Project Manager or Van Le on 02 9256 9333 or at cwarne@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au(External link)
Sydney teenagers can take part in an Australian Theatre for Young People acting workshop before going on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sydney Theatre Company as part of the City of Sydney’s school holiday program.
The event for budding thespians is just one of the many free or low-cost activities available on the program from 4–22 January, which is tailor made for the 5–12 and 13–18 age groups.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City’s children’s services, community centres and libraries had created a fun-filled and engaging program to keep children and young adults engaged this summer.
“Young people can learn new skills, meet new people and keep entertained with these great free or low-cost series of activities,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Whether they are interested in swimming, surfing or simply going to the movies – the diverse range of workshops and fun days out offers something for everyone.”
Activities for the 13–18 age group include trips to the cinema, Bondi Beach a parkour obstacle course workshop, and free Oz-Tag games with a barbecue lunch.
For just $10, young adults can also take part in a one-day hip-hop workshop at Redfern Community Centre where they can learn the basics of song writing and recording.
Younger ones, aged 5–12, can enjoy cooking, craft and day trips to fun parks. The City of Sydney Library is also hosting a range of free activities in Hyde Park, including zine-making workshops (Pine Street Creative Days), bookbinding and paper plane making.
School holiday fun, indoor rock climbing
School holiday fun for teenagers aged 13-18. Monday 4 January to Friday 22 January, 2016. Bookings are essential at cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/school-holidays.
Pick-up points include Sydney Town Hall steps, Erskineville Town Hall, Ultimo Community Centre, Redfern Community Centre and the Peter Forsyth Auditorium in Glebe.
Monday 4 January, 10.30am–4pm: Movies at Fox Studios, $8. Tuesday 5 January, 10.30am–4pm: Archery at Sydney Olympic Park, $13. Wednesday 6 January, 9am–6pm: Jamberoo Action Park, $20. Thursday 7 January, 9.30am–4pm: Swimming and waterslide at Botany Aquatic Centre, $9. Friday 8 January, 10.30am–4pm: Luna Park, unlimited rides pass, $25.
Monday 11 January, 9.30am–4pm: Swimming at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, $5.
Tuesday 12 January, 9.30am–4pm: Oz-Tag games and barbecue lunch at Alexandria Park, free.
Wednesday 13 January, 10.30am–4pm: Swimming at Bondi Beach, free.
Thursday 14 January, 10.30am–4pm: Hip-hop workshop at Redfern Community Centre, $10.
Friday 15 January, 10.30am–4pm: Rock climbing at St Peters, $9.
Monday 18 January, 10.30am–4pm: Basketball at Peter Forsyth Auditorium, Glebe, free.
Tuesday 19 January, 10.30am–4pm: Surf lessons at Maroubra Beach, $20.
Wednesday 20 January, 9.30am–4pm: Swimming at Des Renford Leisure Centre, Maroubra, $4.
Thursday 21 January, 10.30am–4pm: ATYP drama workshop and STC tour, $10.
Friday 22 January, 10.30am–4pm: Parkour workshop at Tempe, $30.
City of Sydney Lawn Library workshops Tuesday 7 January to Tuesday 26 January, 2016. Meriton Festival Village, Hyde Park North. Entry near Archibald Fountain. Children and Family workshops are free, but have a limited capacity. Spaces will be made available on a ‘first in best dressed’ basis. For more details, visit sydneyfestival.org.au/2016/lawn-library
Thursday 7 January, 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Friday 8 January, 12pm–6pm: Pine Street Creative Day; 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Saturday 9 January, 12pm–6pm: Pine Street Creative Day; 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Sunday 10 January, 1pm–2pm: Circus Skills; 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Tuesday 12 January, 10am–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 10.30am–11.30am: Storytime; 4.30pm–5.30pm: Paper Plane Workshop;
Wednesday 13 January, 10am–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 10.30am–11.30am: Storytime; 4.30pm–5.30pm: Paper Plane Workshop.
Thursday 14 January, 10am–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 10.30am–11.30am: Storytime; 4.30pm–5.30pm: Paper Plane Workshop.
Friday 15 January, 10am–6pm: Pine Street Creative Day; 10am–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 10.30am–11.30am: Storytime.
Saturday 16 January, 10am–6pm: Pine Street Creative Day; 10am–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 10.30am–11.30am: Storytime.
Sunday 17 January, 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 1pm–2pm: Circus Skills.
Tuesday 19 January, 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making;
Wednesday 20 January, 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making;
Thursday 21 January, 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 4.30pm–5.30pm: Numerical Street Workshop.
Friday 22 January, 12pm–6pm: Pine Street Creative Day; 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Saturday 23 January, 12pm–6pm: Pine Street Creative Day; 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Sunday 24 January, 12pm–6pm: Paper Plane Making; 1pm–2pm: Circus Skills.
Tuesday 26January, Australia Day, 12pm-6pm: Paper Plane Making.
Vacation care programs for children in kindergarten to Year 6. Thursday 17 December 2015 to Wednesday 27 January 2016 For more details and booking forms, visitcityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/after-school-care
Pyrmont Children’s Program: 8am–6pm, $45 per day plus optional excursion costs. Activities include pottery, cooking, face painting, paper craft, Christmas and Chinese New Year crafts, water play and games.
Excursions include various museum visits, gymnastics, swimming, indoor play centre and local park visits.
Woolloomooloo Children’s Program: 10am–6pm, free, some excursions and activities have a small fee. Activities include scrapbooking, Christmas baking and crafts, calendar making, journal writing, origami, recycled arts and crafts, outdoor sport and water play, and science fun.
Excursions include trips to Cook + Phillip Pool, the Australian Reptile Park, rock climbing and other fun.
Redfern Children’s Program: 9.30am–5.30pm, free, some excursions and activities have a small fee. Activities include jewellery making, water play, cooking frenzy, carpentry and woodwork, basketball, science fun and obstacle courses.
Excursions include trips to the Australian Reptile Park and indoor rock climbing.
The Rocks Children’s Program: 8am–6pm, $45 per day plus optional excursion costs. Activities include: pedal carts, ice-sculptures, cooking and much more.
Excursions include: Fishing and the Sydney Observatory
Ultimo Children’s Program: 8am–6pm, $45 per day plus optional excursion costs. Activities include water fun, arts and craft, science experiments, cooking, puppet making and discos.
Excursions include trips to the cinema, Symbio Wildlife Park and the Powerhouse Museum.
Friday 15 January, 9am–5pm: Introduction to Ceramic Sculpture – Moche Stirrup Vessels with Cita Daidone, $70 (all materials included). This full day workshop is an excellent introduction to ceramic sculpture where participants will learn the foundation skills of hand-building to make a ‘stirrup vessel’ in the tradition of the Peruvian Moche culture.
Vessels will be decorated with stone burnishing, coloured slips and geometric designs. Participants can also enjoy an introductory session to pottery wheel throwing.
Friday 22 January, 9am–5pm: Solar Plate Printmaking – Impressions from Nature with Susan Baran, $70 (all materials included). Learn the art of solar plate printmaking – a photosensitive printmaking process that utilises the power of the sun to expose hand drawn or photographic images onto a master plate. Participants will use elements from nature, such as leaves and flowers, to create unique designs.
The 2015 Sydney New Year’s Eve bridge projections will feature an Auslan interpreter signing on both east and west sides of the pylons for the first time.
Complementing the creative projections on the bridge pylons, the Auslan interpreter will sign ‘Welcome to Sydney’ and the ‘City of Colour’ logo in the official sign language of Australia’s Deaf Community.
A live audio description broadcast will also be available and four new accessible vantage points will help make this year’s event the most inclusive yet.
“This year’s theme is ‘City of Colour’ – it’s a celebration of the unique, diverse and inclusive beauty of Sydney – and we want everyone to enjoy the show,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“Our research shows almost 70 per cent of people with disability who attended last year’s New Year’s Eve on the harbour did so because there were accessible vantage points and services on offer.
“Now we are taking things to the next level ensuring key elements of the celebrations are accessible too.” Sydney New Year’s Eve accessible vantage points cater for people with disability, their family, friends and carers.
Each site caters for a range of accessibility requirements – sensory, neurological, psychological and cognitive and learning disabilities.
Family-friendly vantage points include Pirrama Park in Pyrmont. The park has an accessible spinner designed to accommodate three wheelchairs as well as several other children – so kids can have fun in the build up to the celebrations.
Accessible vantage points are: Barangaroo, Bradleys Head, Cahill Expressway, Goat Island, Mary Booth Reserve, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Nielsen Park, Pirrama Park and the Sydney Opera House.
More information on the accessible vantage points and services is available at sydneynewyearseve.com
The website also features maps showing the most accessible routes to some vantage points, accessible public toilets, transport information and other points of interest.
A live audio description of the night’s celebrations will be broadcast from 8.30pm on 100.5 2RPH digital and online at 2rph.org.au
For those staying at home, live closed captions will be available on ABC1’s broadcast of the celebrations, while the soundtrack to the 9pm family fireworks and the midnight fireworks will be simultaneously broadcast on 104.1 2DayFM.
The City of Sydney prides itself on ensuring Sydney’s New Year’s Eve is a safe, inclusive, free and enjoyable event for all.
For more information on the City’s accessibility services on the night and to book, contact: nyedisability@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9265 9325.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Liz Stephens 02 9265 9106 or email lstephens@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay on 02 9265 9612 or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
More than 120 artworks have been sold through Sydney’s first interest-free artwork loan program in its first six months of operation.
The City of Sydney sponsored initiative, Art Money, has issued over 120 interest free loans to art lovers since the scheme began. It has grown from being a Sydney-based initiative to now being offered in 100 galleries across Australia.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City provided one-off seed funding to help launch the program, as a means of helping more people purchase art for their homes, and to support local galleries and artists.
“Art Money is designed to encourage art buying among both first-time and long-time collectors by reducing some of the financial barriers to owning art,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The program has been so successful it has expanded nationally, supporting over 100 galleries, creating opportunities for artists across the country and allowing more people to bring art into their homes.”
Art Money was launched in April by 10 Group, with $60,000 in seed funding from the City.
Loans are available for between $750 and $20,000. After paying a 10 per cent deposit, the buyer is able to take their work home and pay the remaining balance of nine payments in nine months without interest.
Redfern resident and mother of two, Julia Kosky, purchased an artwork by Sydney artist Kate Scardifield using the Art Money scheme from the Alaska Projects’ stand at Sydney Contemporary.
“I loved all of the work at Alaska Projects, but was immediately struck by Kate Scardifield’s pieces with the gold applique on black – it is really beautiful and I love having it in my house,” Ms Kosky said.
“I probably wouldn’t have purchased the work without the scheme. It allowed me to make a fairly spontaneous decision knowing that I wasn’t having to pay in one lump sum.
“I’ve told friends about the scheme and they didn’t know that it existed, and were pleased to think that it was something they too could access.
“It’s great for people who don’t necessarily have much disposable income but love art and have previously thought that it was an unaffordable luxury.”
Art Money Chief Executive, Paul Becker, said the number of galleries taking part in the scheme had grown from 26 to over 100.
“Art Money continues to invest time in recruitment, training, marketing and customer support to help it expand,” Mr Becker said.
“This includes providing over 500 training hours to gallery staff to support the use of Art Money as a sales tool and enhance the buyer’s in-gallery experience. To date, the program has recorded no loan defaults.”
Quick statistics for Art Money’s first six months: Over 120 interest-free loans issued; 75 per cent of loans for artworks valued between $750 and $5,000; 34 per cent of artworks sold were by artists based in the Sydney metropolitan area; 18 per cent of customers were first-time buyers; and 96 per cent of customers would recommend Art Money to their friends.
Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the star of the 2015 Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations with new lighting, fireworks and technology placing it at the heart of this year’s fireworks spectacular.
Special lighting effects will bring the bridge to life, projections will illuminate both sides of its pylons for the first time and 2,400 extra fireworks will erupt from above, below and through the world-famous coat hanger structure.
Meanwhile, the sails of the Sydney Opera House will blaze with new pyrotechnic effects, turning the whole harbour into a kaleidoscope of colour.
“Sydney is a ‘City of Colour’ and this Sydney New Year’s Eve will be a celebration of what makes us such a vibrant, diverse and beautiful city,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“Sydney has some of the world’s most recognisable architecture and a stunning natural harbour teeming with wildlife. It’s also home to some of the world’s most exciting creative talent. This year we’ve combined all three to showcase Sydney to the rest of the world.
“All eyes will be on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this year as it plays a bigger role than ever before as the centrepiece of our celebrations.”
The creative vision for this year’s celebration comes from both established and emerging Sydney artists including Rhoda Roberts, up-and-coming design studio Province, maverick fashion designers Romance Was Born and the City’s creative consultants, Imagination Australia.
Both Province and Romance Was Born are graduates of the City of Sydney’s Creative Spaces program that provides affordable studios for creative businesses in the city centre.
This year’s 9pm family fireworks will also celebrate the anniversaries of some of Sydney’s best loved attractions, featuring special flora and fauna fireworks in tribute to the 200th year of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden and 100 years of Taronga Zoo.
The pylon projections will also feature special creative content celebrating the two Sydney institutions.
Cameron Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Taronga Conservation Society Australia said Taronga was very excited to have the zoo’s centennial anniversary honoured in the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“We’re delighted to be part of Sydney New Year’s Eve and to have our conservation achievements over the last hundred years celebrated as part of the city’s biggest night of the year,” Mr Kerr said.
“We’re lucky enough to have a great view of the bridge from the zoo and everyone who works here is looking forward to watching the special fireworks and projections – and to celebrating our 100th year of protecting wildlife all over the world.”
Sydney New Year’s Eve Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti said it was always a challenge to ensure the fireworks display kept on getting better every year.
“It’s been our most complicated brief yet to produce a fireworks display that synchronises with all these other new special effects, but I think the crowds will be impressed with the results on the night,” Mr Foti said.
“It’s tough to keep making each Sydney New Year’s Eve display better than the last but we’ve got a lot of new fireworks this year. And with more fireworks than ever before on the bridge itself, I don’t think people will walk away disappointed.”
Sydney New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest annual celebrations in the world, attracting one million spectators along the Sydney Harbour foreshore and a global audience of one billion.
People coming into the city on New Year’s Eve have a range of tools to help them plan a safe and enjoyable night. These include the Sydney NYE Telstra app and the City’s official 2015 Sydney New Year’s Eve website featuring an interactive vantage point map, accessibility and live transport and road closure information.
The City also produces a printed event guide, available at Sydney Airport, major transport hubs throughout the city, hotels, tourism information kiosks and the City’s libraries and community centres.
Those who want to party at home can tune into ABC TV’s broadcast, listen to 104.1 2DayFM’s live fireworks soundtracks or watch the live stream on Telstra’s YouTube channel.
This year’s official New Year’s Eve charity partner is Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organisation that builds homes, communities and hope around the world and here in Australia.
“New Year’s Eve is a time of hope for people all over the world but many people in the Asia-Pacific region – including here in Australia – are just hoping that next year will bring a safe, permanent home for them and their children,” Martin Thomas, CEO of Habitat for Humanity said.
“Habitat for Humanity is all about building hope for the future and we’re looking forward to being part of Australia’s biggest public event and spreading that message of hope worldwide.”
Pitt Street Mall retailers will attract increased visitors through free access to the popular pedestrian area to showcase their wares and host shopping events under a City of Sydney plan to support businesses and create a livelier city centre.
The three-year long retail activation program follows a 12-month trial, which saw retailers host a number of successful promotional events, including the opening of a new beauty shop that attracted more than 3,000 people and delivered global media coverage.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said a thriving retail sector was crucial to Sydney’s economy and the City was supporting businesses through events to attract more people to the city centre, particularly during the light rail construction.
“The bricks-and-mortar retail sector has been impacted by the growing popularity of online shopping,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Now, more than ever, retailers need to provide exciting shopping experiences and events that attract customers and encourage them to visit their stores.
“By not applying an event fee for the public areas in Pitt Street Mall, retailers can more easily host high-quality shopping events to attract people into the area.
“The extension of this program for three years will also coincide with the light rail construction.”
Pitt Street Mall activation drinks – Courtesy of Westfield
More than 120 businesses took part in five major events hosted during the free 12-month trial period of the Pitt Street Mall retail activation program during 2014–15.
In December last year the opening of beauty shop Sephora attracted 3,000 people into the mall – 30 who camped overnight – with entertainment and a well-developed marketing plan.
One media outlet said the Sydney Sephora opening event “smashed global records and made it one of the most successful launches for the brand, ever”. The launch was also covered by the UK’s Daily Mail.
Similarly, the Myer Christmas launch in November last year attracted 1,000 shoppers who were entertained by singer Guy Sebastian.
Seventy-five businesses took part in the Strand Arcade’s Evening with Our Designers in August, which celebrated the makers, designers and craftspeople behind the retail brands in the arcade and resulted in over $25,000 in sales in the first 90 minutes
The event was attended by 300 media representatives and included an elaborately decorated marquee in the mall, entertainment and special offers.
Strand Arcade representatives advised the City that evening events such as this had a particularly strong return for food and beverage businesses.
Forty-three businesses with a social media reach of over 4 million took part in Westfield’s Christmas in July food and dining promotion, held over two weeks this year.
Pitt Street Mall was decorated with fresh pine trees for the event, which increased foot traffic by more than four per cent. Some retailers reported a 25 per cent growth in sales across the month.
Pitt Street Mall activation – Courtesy of Westfield
Westfield Sydney’s Senior Marketing Manager, Rosalind Lill-Lusby said they were always looking for ways to “delight our shoppers with world class experiences”.
“This year we invited Sydney to celebrate Christmas in July with us by transforming the city’s most famous shopping strip into a traditional pine forest,” Ms Lill-Lusby said.
“There were culinary delights from over 40 of our retailers sampled throughout the week, enabling them to attract new customers.
“This occasion would not have been possible if not for the City of Sydney’s Retail Activation Program and we hope continue our support in new activations that drive footfall to Pitt Street Mall the entire retail precinct can benefit from.”
Pitt Street Mall
Margy Osmond, Chair of the City’s Retail Advisory Panel and chief executive of Tourism & Transport Forum said the City had put “real and consistent effort” into supporting retailers in central Sydney.
“The Retail Activation Program in Pitt Street Mall is an example of the City’s approach to innovation and willingness to work with the businesses that give the CBD its shopping ‘buzz’,” Ms Osmond said.
“The Retail Advisory Panel has been very pleased to see the opportunities and partnership born out of the Pitt Street project and would be very keen to see it extended to build on that good work and goodwill.
“It is all about the shopper and visitor experience, and programs like the Pitt Street activation add something fresh and engaging to the city and give locals and visitors more reasons to shop, stay and spend in the Sydney CBD.”
The existing use of the mall for other corporate and community events, busking and food trucks continued throughout the free Pitt Street Mall business trial period without impact.
The City will continue to waive event fees for charitable and not-for-profit enterprises.
Want to give your loved ones a wheely good Christmas present this year?
The City of Sydney and the Heart Foundation have teamed up to encourage giving bicycles as gifts this festive season… receiving a new set of wheels is sure to be the highlight of anyone’s Christmas!
NSW Heart Foundation Chief Executive, Kerry Doyle said riding promotes an important healthy heart message for all Australians.
“If we are serious about tackling chronic disease, we must be serious about getting Australians to move more and sit less.
“Physically active people live longer, have better managed weight, lower blood pressure and healthier cholesterol levels. Active people are also likely to feel more confident, happy, relaxed and sleep better,” Ms Doyle said.
Surry Hills resident Sarah Imm said getting a bike was the first step in changing her life for the better.
“Less than five years ago I was overweight and throughout both my pregnancies I developed gestational diabetes,” said Sarah.
“I knew I had to make some drastic changes, so when my son was born I sold the car and bought a bike. By the time he was 2, I had lost 20 kilos. It’s thanks to riding that I’ve been able to keep it off.”
With 28 bike shops in the inner city and many more across greater Sydney, it’s never been easier to get riding and buy essential safety equipment including a bike helmet.
“By giving a bike, you’re giving a special someone the opportunity to live a healthier and happier life,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
“We know physical exercise is essential for good health and well-being, that’s why we want to encourage everyone to jump on their bikes and enjoy this festive season.”
Don’t forget, the City of Sydney offers free cycling courses for all ages and abilities. Head to SydneyCycleways for more information.
If you find time slowing down as we get closer to the end of the year, there are plenty of cultural exhibitions to keep you centered. Here’s a list of arts alternatives to save you from the season’s shopping crowds and into the New Year:
Moran Prizes Exhibition at Juniper Hall
Boy in Boat Harvey Bay QLD, Trent Mitchell
The Moran Prizes Exhibition showcases the winners and finalists of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (DMNPP), Australia’s richest art prize and the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prizes. Founded by Doug & Greta Moran and family in 1988, the DMNPP is an annual Australian portrait prize supporting Australian artists and the wider arts community by holding the free Moran Prizes exhibition, now at Juniper Hall Paddington.
Come along and learn Aboriginal painting techniques from renowned Aboriginal artist Graham Toomey. You’ll find out about the traditional symbology of Aboriginal art and be tutored in technique.
When: Every second Saturday until 27 August 2016
Where: Redfern Community Centre
How much: Free
Brook Andrew at MAAS
Brook Andrew’s locally and internationally-recognised practice interrogates dominant Western narratives, particularly the way in which we frame our colonial history. In this exhibition, he pairs unexpected objects from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) collection with specially commissioned artworks, to demonstrate the instability of the meaning we attribute to objects.
When: Until 28 August 2016
Where: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS), Ultimo
A great day out with mum, or a nice opportunity for art history enthusiasts to see some of the world’s greatest masterpieces in the flesh (or oil on canvas). The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland brings together Botticelli, Leonardo, Cézanne, Monet, Rubens and other masters under one roof.
Contemporary of young British artists like Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry favours a more colourful and wry aesthetic. His feminine alter ego ‘Claire’, flamboyant shrine to the ‘Essex everywoman’, and work spanning ceramics, tapestry and other media are redolent reflections of his life and society.
When: 10 December to 1 May 2016
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Circular Quay
