tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75307315181995255972024-03-05T21:41:59.283+11:00The Mayor of NewtownAll about the Sydney suburb of Newtown.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-91791815936222670282013-03-19T11:58:00.000+11:002013-03-19T11:58:05.036+11:00Mystery Photo XV - Watching YouThe last <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2012/09/mystery-photo-xiv-1887.html" target="_blank">Mystery Photo</a> - a full 6 months ago already - lasted a good few days before being identified as the Gay and Lesbain Support Centre (GLSC) centre on Bedford Street. This time round I've gone a little more obscure.<br />
<br />
Where in Newtown would you find yourself observed by these two little eyes ?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVIU5OnRk5U/UUe3-rFlgYI/AAAAAAAAAvY/VCSO5u00-zY/s1600/Newtown+Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVIU5OnRk5U/UUe3-rFlgYI/AAAAAAAAAvY/VCSO5u00-zY/s400/Newtown+Eyes.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-2806222712426372762012-09-28T12:25:00.001+10:002012-09-28T12:25:05.024+10:00Mystery Photo XIV - 1887Where in Newtown is it still 1887 ?<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IajrBHQ3iAU/UGUKejQZaMI/AAAAAAAAAu4/7LRaG7AjzWo/s640/blogger-image--617998419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IajrBHQ3iAU/UGUKejQZaMI/AAAAAAAAAu4/7LRaG7AjzWo/s640/blogger-image--617998419.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-11070903012800260832012-09-01T15:35:00.002+10:002012-09-05T13:40:01.364+10:00Sydney Council Elections - the CandidatesIn the <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2012/08/sydney-council-elections-2012.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> I outlined why I was advocating a vote for Clover in the 2012 council elections. In this post we look at some of the other candidates for council and in particular for Lord Mayor<br />
<br />
I'm not a big believer in the big parties taking over local councils;
ultimately for them it's all about getting hold of developer donations.
While the <a href="http://www.asydneyforeveryone.com/" target="_blank">Labor</a>
candidate <a href="http://www.asydneyforeveryone.com/about-the-candidates/" target="_blank">Linda Scott</a> seems like a decent person with some good
policies; at the end of the day she is still the Labor candidate who
will ultimately end up doing what she is told - there are already <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/labor-link-to-group-fighting-carbon-tax-20120829-2513d.html" target="_blank">signs </a>of <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/labors-lord-mayoral-candidate-stays-silent-on-preferences-20120830-253na.html" target="_blank">this</a>. It's only 8 years ago that Labor merged South Sydney (some history <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Sydney#History" target="_blank">here</a>) with Sydney in the hope of creating a super council dominated by Labor; instead accidentally engineering Clover Moore's rise to power. <br />
<br />
Hell will freeze over before a Mayor of Newtown will recommend a vote for the Liberals. They are campaigning on a Newman style <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/liberals-would-cut-sydney-rates-by-10-says-turnbull-20120817-24dxg.html" target="_blank">slash and burn</a> approach;
and while it's possibly not fair to judge on the sins of the brother,
the Liberal's are also offering us Tony Abbott's <a href="http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/national/8502-abbott-says-gay-sister-has-deepened-his-life.html" target="_blank">sister</a> Christine Foster, who, sexual
politics notwithstanding, is still a Liberal and related to that man ! The Liberals are also committed to increasing parking in the city; always a proven way to reduce congestion.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sydneygreens.org/" target="_blank">The Greens</a> are the Greens - by now a known quantity. Their biggest problem here is that they are up against a popular progressive Mayor who shares many of their policies. I'm sure they'd get a lot more votes if Clover wasn't on the scene; as it is they're a good option for a second preference !<br />
<br />
The team that are getting most of the publicity leading up to the election are <a href="http://www.livingsydney.org.au/independent-team/" target="_blank">Living Sydney</a>. Although they've borrowed the name from Clover's old team, that's where the similarity ends. The team are a pro-business lobby who've aligned themselves with anti-Clover, <a href="http://www.livingsydney.org.au/independent-team/bike-and-rider-registration" target="_blank">anti-cycling</a> and anti-progressive forces. Their <a href="http://www.livingsydney.org.au/independent-team/goals" target="_blank">policies</a> (apart from the anti-cycling) are vague to the point of meaningless, and the Living Sydney mayoral candidate, Angela Vithoulkas has taken to making statements about all sorts of policy areas that are actually <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rival-candidate-distances-herself-from-antimoore-rally-20120830-25330.html" target="_blank">outside the scope</a> of the Lord Mayor; demonstrating at best a naivety if not dishonesty about what is actually feasible for her to fix.<br />
<br />
Not surprisingly, Living Sydney are the favourites of the Daily Telegraph, who have been gunning for Clover for the last 2-3 years. That on its own should be enough of a warning for prospective voters.<br />
<br />
So there it is; as always, interested in your feedback.<br />
<br />
Update September 3 - one candidate not mentioned here was Australia Sex Party candidate Zahra Stardust; mostly because it doesn't appear to be a serious candidature, given she has been a <a href="http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sydney-lord-mayoral-candidates-go-head-to-head-in-forum/" target="_blank">no-show</a> at the candidates forum. However Zahra was the subject of a puff piece in the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lord-mayoral-hopeful-spins-into-poll-position-20120902-258bi.html" target="_blank">SMH </a>today.<br />
<br />
Update September 5 - I got a very polite email from <a href="http://www.housingactionsydney.org/" target="_blank">Housing Action</a> reminding me that they too are running for Sydney Council. With a ticket very much supporting the least well off in our council area theirs is a voice that should be heard on council. You can see the candidate bios <a href="http://www.housingactionsydney.org/2012/07/housing-action-candidates.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Housing Action are preferencing the Greens.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-49147233775377394522012-08-31T15:34:00.002+10:002012-08-31T15:34:48.015+10:00Sydney Council Elections 2012So it's time for another council election. Sadly <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2009/04/who-is-mayor-of-newtown.html" target="_blank">Newtown still hasn't been unified</a> so I'm going to have to sit this one out again - the upside being I'll still be Mayor of Newtown come Monday September 10th.<br />
<br />
The two elections that impact Newtown residents are those for <a href="http://www.votensw.info/councils/city_of_sydney" target="_blank">City of Sydney</a> and <a href="http://www.votensw.info/councils/marrickville" target="_blank">Marrickville </a>councils. The election that is getting all the press recently is the City of Sydney one, with a strong media driven anti-Cover push; however Marrickville council has also had its time in the media sun as well during the recent <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/top-names-back-marrickville-councils-israel-boycott-20110419-1dmo5.html" target="_blank">Israeli BDS controversy</a>. In this article I'm just talking about the CoS election; I'll talk about Marrickville in another post - if I get enough information to form an opinion !<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;">
<b>Vote Clover</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sOmu9akyX8/UEAnqIDrZEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/OgvwEezbyuE/s1600/Clover+retro-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sOmu9akyX8/UEAnqIDrZEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/OgvwEezbyuE/s320/Clover+retro-poster.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Straight to the point: I'll be voting for Clover Moore's <a href="http://www.clovermoore.com.au/clover/team/" target="_blank">team</a> in the 2012 Sydney Council elections (I live on the Sydney side of the split). There are a variety of reasons for this - first and foremost of course is that I believe she will do the best job of all the candidates who have put their hand up. However I also feel from a position of principle it's important to support Clover in the face of the vicious attacks she has been subjected to from the bogan-tariat and their masters; part of a broader push against effective women leaders this country has been sadly experiencing over the last couple of years. A victory - with a large margin - for Clover and her team would be a real triumph for the forces of decency over that ugliness.<br />
<br />
Clover Moore has been the most effective politician in the state over the last decade. Uniquely she has been able to state a plan; consult and then implement it. Importantly the to-do list is not empty and her vision for Sydney and what is left to change is still far more compelling than that of her opponents.<br />
<br />
Thankfully in this case there is no conflict between principle and the best candidate - unfortunately for the sake of democracy none of the alternative candidates have really made a good case as to why they'd be better for the Sydney. Some of them have seen value in <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/labor-link-to-group-fighting-carbon-tax-20120829-2513d.html" target="_blank">aligning themselves</a> with the anti-Clover push, which I don't think will necessarily endear them with the electorate; at the end of the day, most Daily Telegraph readers won't be voting in the Sydney council elections - which is just as well for all of us.<br />
<br />
In the next post I will go over some of the alternative candidates. For now - your thoughts ?<br />
<br />
PS - Just for the record - I have no connection - formal or informal - with any of the candidates in the election.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-23013976267521035992012-04-29T19:52:00.001+10:002012-04-29T19:54:20.397+10:00Old Motor Advertising<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Last September, a <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/shop-fire-destroys-laundromat-in-newtown/story-e6freuzi-1226142310257" target="_blank">fire</a> on King Street (good set of photos <a href="http://photos.liveitseeit.com/Fire-Rescue-Incidents/Laundromat-Fire-King-St/19120925_HgZTmc#%21i=1489423112&k=hSgfKmQ" target="_blank">here</a>) in the Laundromat next to the King St Cyclery revealed (after demolition) an old advertisement on the side of the cyclery building. It was a great looking blast from the past - until of course it got tagged by some tossers a couple of days later.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IabRjz9zaE/T4rHvJR-YqI/AAAAAAAAAtU/UZWiNPT5FBo/s1600/Laundromat+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IabRjz9zaE/T4rHvJR-YqI/AAAAAAAAAtU/UZWiNPT5FBo/s400/Laundromat+ad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As it was briefly</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As if that wasn't insult enough, once the now empty block was put on the market, someone thought it would be a great idea to paint over the wall altogether, leaving yet another invitation to tagger morons. Sydney music enthusiast <a href="http://gregpoppleton.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Greg Poppleton</a> has been following the story of this old ad on his blog; which I recommend anyone interested in this story read. He even spotted a potential culprit for the second crime in <a href="http://gregpoppleton.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/1911-king-st-newtown-garage-sign-completely-vandalised/" target="_blank">this</a> post ! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-A2S-zaeCY/T4rH31it3yI/AAAAAAAAAtc/1jmM-yJ71bc/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-A2S-zaeCY/T4rH31it3yI/AAAAAAAAAtc/1jmM-yJ71bc/s400/IMG_0319.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Happily - all is not lost, and it appears the wall will be recreated at the <a href="http://www.motorlifemuseum.com.au/" target="_blank">Motor Life Museum</a> at Albion Park. Credit to Greg Poppleton for chasing this up and ensuring this little piece of history will remain in some form. Check out the full story <a href="http://gregpoppleton.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/1911-garage-mural-to-be-resored/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-15153260147706418682012-04-15T23:03:00.001+10:002012-04-24T11:10:06.509+10:00Newtown Hotel Collapse<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOImO7NP-50/T4rEHk5gP5I/AAAAAAAAAs0/qOBjtsj_MXE/s1600/Newtown+Hotel+Fire" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOImO7NP-50/T4rEHk5gP5I/AAAAAAAAAs0/qOBjtsj_MXE/s320/Newtown+Hotel+Fire" width="320" /></a>At first it looked like another fire; although in the end it was 'just' a collapse. Renovations for the Newtown Hotel have been delayed while repairs are done to the floor and wall collapse last month.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHn9HgxBqQM/T4rD-yGjbyI/AAAAAAAAAsk/f6BbPCRJpUQ/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHn9HgxBqQM/T4rD-yGjbyI/AAAAAAAAAsk/f6BbPCRJpUQ/s320/IMG_0427.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Watkins Street remains closed during the emergency remedial repairs; who knows, the closure may become permanent if there aren't too many complaints ! In the mean time the developers may want to think twice before applying cacky green paint.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FT45QRVlfH0/T4rEGkYFQnI/AAAAAAAAAss/VyFfalJN3Yo/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FT45QRVlfH0/T4rEGkYFQnI/AAAAAAAAAss/VyFfalJN3Yo/s320/IMG_0428.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Sb5mhJa3PY/T4rDtgAa26I/AAAAAAAAAsU/TmWS2f-pzh4/s1600/IMG_0421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Sb5mhJa3PY/T4rDtgAa26I/AAAAAAAAAsU/TmWS2f-pzh4/s320/IMG_0421.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPh-Uw5ynFc/T4rD2FqQroI/AAAAAAAAAsc/J6k77-dj9gU/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPh-Uw5ynFc/T4rD2FqQroI/AAAAAAAAAsc/J6k77-dj9gU/s320/IMG_0426.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://foodscenesydney.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Detective Chow</a> - I've updated this post with a video of the demolition of the side wall:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hGYonjf5XT0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com2Watkin St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia-33.8956372 151.1837673-33.8972847 151.1812998 -33.893989700000006 151.1862348tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-90745870874998563812012-04-15T11:42:00.001+10:002012-04-24T11:06:23.059+10:00Hatches X - April 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzE4Kqfk78/T4kaU3Km6ZI/AAAAAAAAAr0/TyCcJ0BLrWI/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynLDCh71r5E/T4kaXLX_w6I/AAAAAAAAAr8/rD_jWO3zOaA/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Rf_HpYadus/T4kaNMnETBI/AAAAAAAAArU/YrwLE7lkbNM/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
In the 3 months since the <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2012/01/hatches-ix-jan-2012.html" target="_blank">January edition</a> a lot has changed on and around King Street; not a lot of it positive. Most of the dispatches over the last few months have been of much-loved local businesses - in their place more and more generic franchises have popped up. Following the migration of the many generic clothing shops from the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/oxford-street-retreat-as-violence-leaves-diners-with-heartburn-20120402-1w8u9.html" target="_blank">also suffering</a> Oxford Street, there's a risk we're losing what makes King St special. On the positive side this trend is mostly confined to King St north of the station and SoKi or South King Street is going from strength to strength.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Rf_HpYadus/T4kaNMnETBI/AAAAAAAAArU/YrwLE7lkbNM/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Rf_HpYadus/T4kaNMnETBI/AAAAAAAAArU/YrwLE7lkbNM/s400/IMG_0317.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Newtown Station April 2012</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Newtown%20Station" target="_blank">Newtown Station</a> renovations grind on towards their end 2012 finish, and we're starting to get an idea of what the finished product will look like. Here's my January <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2012/01/newtown-station-january-2010-update.html" target="_blank">update</a>. Not much action on the AusGrid works lately, but there's been a container on Brown Street the last couple of months that is apparently going to support the introduction of Sydney Council Smartpoles between Wilson St and Missenden Road - more details on the council's website <a href="http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/development/cityimprovements/roadsandstreetscapes/KingStreetLightingUpgrade.asp" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzE4Kqfk78/T4kaU3Km6ZI/AAAAAAAAAr0/TyCcJ0BLrWI/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzE4Kqfk78/T4kaU3Km6ZI/AAAAAAAAAr0/TyCcJ0BLrWI/s320/IMG_0424.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">New Openings</span><br />
Not too much to get excited about this time round, most of the openings are the aforementioned chains:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkJUvPHPxLQ/T4ojeyQu8QI/AAAAAAAAAsI/vP7tfBgHTzA/s1600/Yoga+Union" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkJUvPHPxLQ/T4ojeyQu8QI/AAAAAAAAAsI/vP7tfBgHTzA/s320/Yoga+Union" width="240" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Mad Mex, MooCow, Gelatissimo have all opened up Newtown branches this year</li>
<li>A new yoga venue, Yoga Union down on Union street - sorry I missed you last time :)</li>
<li>Funky Mark V (or so it seems) opened up this weekend - fingers crossed that this incarnation will go the distance, it's a great venue and their support of live music deserves to be rewarded - hopefully that will continue. <span style="color: red;">Update - now called Black Sheep</span> </li>
<li>A 'local supermarket' is replacing the furniture haven near Vanguard; apparently not a chain or known brand as had been rumoured. Looks like a couple of weeks away </li>
<li><a href="http://craftypint.com/news/post/new-in-town/" target="_blank">Young Henry's</a> brewery opened up in the back streets near the flour mills</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Going ...</span><br />
Unfortunately most of the news is here this time:<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynLDCh71r5E/T4kaXLX_w6I/AAAAAAAAAr8/rD_jWO3zOaA/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynLDCh71r5E/T4kaXLX_w6I/AAAAAAAAAr8/rD_jWO3zOaA/s400/IMG_0427.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Quite spectacularly - Newtown Hotel collapsed last month (I mistakenly thought it was a fire) and remedial works are under way - Watkins Street still closed to cars. </li>
<li>Many departures of much loved businesses: Books on King (cats and all), So Music (not Hum) a while ago now, Fish, Cinque - both due to the Dendy makeover, but no sign that they will return</li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Coffee-And-A-Yarn/161575490526637" target="_blank">A Coffee and a Yarn</a> have closed leaving cryptic messages about a potential rebirth</li>
<li>Repressed Records will soon be vacating the beautiful St George's Hall </li>
<li>The Asian supermarket Qmart near Burger Fuel disappeared without much notice; not sure if it was collateral damage from the short-lived Mr Cheng's up the road.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.dendy.com.au/Page/Dendy-Newtown-Location" target="_blank">Dendy Newtown</a> closed for renovations - no re-opening date at this stage</li>
<li><a href="http://www.gouldsbooks.com.au/" target="_blank">Gould's</a> struggling according to their newsletter - but hanging in there. Drop down there and buy something, it's an institution we can't afford to lose. </li>
<li>The Ramen noodle bar in Berkelouw has been replaced by a mum and bub's style cafe; according to tipster and reviewer Detective Chow. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">
Development Applications</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span><br />
<ul>
<li> Nothing much of interest. I had to laugh at the advertising for <a href="http://www.newtownvillage.com.au/index.html" target="_blank">Newtown Village</a> (next to Oporto) implying a nice quite lcoation with a leafy outlook rather than being squeezed between Enmore Road and the train line. Stand by for the noise complaints against Notes Live</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reviews</span><br />
<ul>
<li>There's a whole industry of food bloggers out there now, I've stored some Newtown specific links <a href="http://bit.ly/yGVGoH" target="_blank">here</a> for you to explore </li>
<li><a href="http://foodscenesydney.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Detective Chow</a> continues to bring his unique take to food blogging to Newtown </li>
<li>Noted Newtown non-fan Terry Durack gave Spencer Guthrie a positive <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/restaurant-review--spencer-guthrie-20120407-1whkw.html" target="_blank">review</a> in the SMH recently </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Random </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hr6oUMvuogM/T4kaRS-070I/AAAAAAAAArk/Ahl5M2giYL4/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hr6oUMvuogM/T4kaRS-070I/AAAAAAAAArk/Ahl5M2giYL4/s320/IMG_0322.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Short lived street art in the carpark next to Mitre 10 - already painted over sadly</li>
<li>New online book review: <a href="http://bit.ly/AvZzF3" target="_blank">Newtown Review of Books</a> set up by locals Jean Bedford and Linda Funnell </li>
<li>The 100 year old advertising <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Aj9m9MJuPOaJEIkXNvtZdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink" target="_blank">uncovered</a> by the burning down of the laundromat has now been painted over after being tagged. See<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>more <a href="http://gregpoppleton.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/1911-garage-mural-to-be-resored/" target="_blank">here</a>.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSCfDBfPWLk/T4kaPMrZfKI/AAAAAAAAArc/sGpuvTrz07I/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSCfDBfPWLk/T4kaPMrZfKI/AAAAAAAAArc/sGpuvTrz07I/s400/IMG_0319.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7bjHBLzHBc/Txt5D7t31CI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2acAE8-QtLc/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
You can see all the links that I have shared on Twitter via my bit.ly <a href="http://bit.ly/u/mayorofnewtown">public timeline</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-53451066640643319362012-01-24T13:28:00.002+11:002012-01-24T13:43:28.820+11:00Mystery Photo XIII - No Parking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gXvIDxjaKc/TxvBza01i_I/AAAAAAAAAqs/BxRYuTykgR4/s1600/Mystery+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Has it really been more than a year since the last <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Mystery%20Photo" target="_blank">Mystery Photo</a> ? Well 2011 was a little forgettable for many reasons, so let's just put it aside and start 2012 with a lucky 13th Mystery Photo. As always, the photo below is somewhere in Newtown (sometimes liberally interpreted, but this time very much central Newtown) and the goal is to be the first to identify the location as a comment here on the blog.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gXvIDxjaKc/TxvBza01i_I/AAAAAAAAAqs/BxRYuTykgR4/s1600/Mystery+2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gXvIDxjaKc/TxvBza01i_I/AAAAAAAAAqs/BxRYuTykgR4/s400/Mystery+2012.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bonus points for identifying the shop at the front of this building, and the popular new eatery from which this happy scene is visible. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-69451685982808268462012-01-22T14:38:00.001+11:002012-01-22T14:39:05.887+11:00Newtown Station January 2012 UpdateWhen plans were finally committed to for the Newtown Station renovations, I couldn't believe that it wouldn't be until the end of 2012 before the works were finished. I guess now it's January 2012 it's starting to become clear that we really won't have an accessible station until the end of this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPO-0Gtdo0U/S-5f6-wW45I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/lUq1O9hJ2rs/s1600/Newtown+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPO-0Gtdo0U/S-5f6-wW45I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/lUq1O9hJ2rs/s400/Newtown+Station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There has however been some obvious progress, and you can see from the photo below that the new station will absolutely dwarf the existing buildings, and indeed the surroundings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNguDkyyRTo/Txt1wQ6zEJI/AAAAAAAAApo/xNM0eHQfypY/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNguDkyyRTo/Txt1wQ6zEJI/AAAAAAAAApo/xNM0eHQfypY/s400/IMG_0070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
According to the summary posted on the construction site boundary, the lifts will be installed this month and next, and the internal works for the retail are ongoing. Indeed it seems like some progress is being made on the original station buildings; hopefully we won't have to wait until the end of 2012 for them to be ready.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE5z_v6iyuc/Txt12KSkQmI/AAAAAAAAAp4/YpH132XnUKs/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE5z_v6iyuc/Txt12KSkQmI/AAAAAAAAAp4/YpH132XnUKs/s400/IMG_0152.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
From upstairs at the Townie you can see that the concrete base of the concourse has been laid over the graveyard of the old kebab shop, hopefully sealing in any toxic leakage that may have built up over the countless late nights it was operating.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6h3LhGy0Fs/SesXayKjVUI/AAAAAAAAAC4/X1gZYLsoVx4/s1600/Newtown+Kebabery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6h3LhGy0Fs/SesXayKjVUI/AAAAAAAAAC4/X1gZYLsoVx4/s400/Newtown+Kebabery.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-23168720137351648582012-01-22T14:17:00.000+11:002012-04-15T11:19:13.241+10:00Hatches IX - Jan 2012Hello and Happy New Year ! It's been a while since the last update here; as always lots has been going on up and down and just off King Street - below is just a summary of a few of the changes that have occurred in the last 6 months; hopefully it won't be 6 months to the next update !<br />
<br />
Well it's January 2012 and now we're starting to understand why it's going to take until the end of this year to complete the <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Newtown%20Station" target="_blank">Newtown Station</a> upgrade. The progress is summarised in the notice below, see the <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2012/01/newtown-station-january-2010-update.html" target="_blank">detailed post</a> for more information and photos.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE5z_v6iyuc/Txt12KSkQmI/AAAAAAAAAp4/YpH132XnUKs/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE5z_v6iyuc/Txt12KSkQmI/AAAAAAAAAp4/YpH132XnUKs/s400/IMG_0152.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Newtown Station Progress</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DVDpL9Y_xB8/TXyQ4WcD57I/AAAAAAAAAoI/sTcQYoKTygw/s1600/Newtown+Station+Demo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
Also still ongoing is the long running
<a href="http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/Network-projects/Network-projects/Sydney-CBD-and-East/King-St-Newtown-upgrade.aspx" target="_blank">Energy Australia works</a>; although Ausgrid, as they are now known have promised to repair the King St footpaths once all the shops connect to the beautiful black boxes on the footpaths, there's no news yet whether the road destruction on Wilson St, Angel St etc will be repaired. There are contact details below from their website:
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 11pt;">If you have any questions, please contact our project team on the 24/7 project information
line </span><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 11pt;">1800 643 608 </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 11pt;">or email </span><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 11pt;">info-kingstreet@ausgrid.com.au.
</span></blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ytw86Sy_sYE/TXyNGjHz4FI/AAAAAAAAAn4/v3YChbmJzVU/s1600/Wilson+St+Carnage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ytw86Sy_sYE/TXyNGjHz4FI/AAAAAAAAAn4/v3YChbmJzVU/s400/Wilson+St+Carnage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wilson St EnergyAustralia Repairs</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">New Openings</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMGbp_PhOkc/Txt5GdiADZI/AAAAAAAAAqM/OpcHoYMIEyg/s1600/IMG_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMGbp_PhOkc/Txt5GdiADZI/AAAAAAAAAqM/OpcHoYMIEyg/s400/IMG_0864.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Quite a few small bars popping up in King Street finally, including Bench, Jester Seeds (Newtown vibe and Darlinghurst prices), and Kuki Tanuki in Erskineville, finally emerging from interminable renovations. </li>
<li>Sydney's Mexican food trend has spread to Newtown, with the opening of Beach Bistro next to the Hub, replacing the short lived (and Mayor-loved) Soprano's pizzeria; and the slow but promised opening of Mad Mex </li>
<li>A swanky looking Basque inspired <a href="http://kingfishbistro.com.au/" target="_blank">Kingfish Bistro</a> as SoKi continues its fashionable evolution </li>
<li>A Korean barbecue restaurant has bravely opened above Tamana's North Indian diner; graveyard for Tamana's Upstairs, Posh Spice and most recently Top Level Pizza</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Going ...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTAsPNDb88k/Txt1z31ClRI/AAAAAAAAApw/1AnAS1HcV5Y/s1600/IMG_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTAsPNDb88k/Txt1z31ClRI/AAAAAAAAApw/1AnAS1HcV5Y/s400/IMG_0154.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Old Advertising on King St</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>The Laundromat near King Street Cyclery burnt down spectacularly - revealing some great old advertising on the wall of the bike shop. Will be ever be nostalgic about today's advertising ? Hard to imagine !</li>
<li>Sadly <a href="http://www.wilsonstreetgallery.com.au/pages/about.php" target="_blank">Wilson St Gallery</a>
closed without much warning - apparently moved to Danks St, to be
replaced (inexplicably) by a ballet shop Repertoire - that I give 6
months. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.kingstreetcyclery.com.au/" target="_blank">King St Cyclery</a> itself has closed for renovations, moving to their repair centre near Marrickville Metro. Cheeky Monkey are still going strong </li>
<li>Taste Chicken surprisingly disappeared, not sure if anyone knows the story behind that.</li>
<li>The much loved Freaky Tiki in the Newtown Hotel closed - will it reappear after the <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2010/01/newtown-hotel-renovation-proposal.html" target="_blank">renovations</a> ?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">
Development Applications</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76cTarwLZ00/Txt1t-UVW1I/AAAAAAAAApg/LPc_8OWWybw/s1600/IMG_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76cTarwLZ00/Txt1t-UVW1I/AAAAAAAAApg/LPc_8OWWybw/s400/IMG_0130.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span><br />
<ul>
<li> A chain milk bar (above) to replace the suddenly closed African restaurant Kilimanjaro. I hope the mural is protected. </li>
<li>Yet another gelato shop to replace the camera shop next door to African feeling. I guess they've seen how popular <a href="http://www.gelatomassi.com.au/" target="_blank">Gelatomassi</a> is</li>
<li>The owners of the post office have applied to add some apartments out the back - across the road from the much loved Varga Bar.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reviews</span><br />
<ul>
<li>There's a whole industry of food bloggers out there now, hard to keep track of them all ! A special mention though to <a href="http://foodscenesydney.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Detective Chow</a> who has quite an original take on the reviews; and has visited two Newtown locations recently.</li>
<li>New Vietnamese joint Rice Paper got a write up in the SMH Jan 21; coincidentally the same day the Mayor dined there. Recommended !<br />
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Random </span><br />
<ul>
<li>Whispers of <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/hubnewtown" target="_blank">The Hub</a> coming back to life - what will this be ?<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></li>
<li>Some very cool guerrilla knitting outside the Neighbourhood centre<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7bjHBLzHBc/Txt5D7t31CI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2acAE8-QtLc/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7bjHBLzHBc/Txt5D7t31CI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2acAE8-QtLc/s400/IMG_0063.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
You can see all the links that I have shared on Twitter via my bit.ly <a href="http://bit.ly/u/mayorofnewtown">public timeline</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-10606803989604691332011-05-01T22:10:00.000+10:002011-09-13T21:47:10.998+10:00Hatches Batches and Dispatches VIIIA bit of scandal in SoKi (South King Street) after an apparent management coup at the popular Pastizzi cafe - leading to a boycott call taken up on Facebook and Twitter (and hopefully in the real world). There are some more details and photos on <a href="http://www.streetfood.com.au/2011/04/pastizzi-cafe-newtown-hijacked-maltese.html">Street Food</a>.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the interminable Energy Australia (now re-branded AusGrid - at least their info shop near the old Effies) works roll on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-weight: bold;">New Openings</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDcw-sKB9VY/Tb1IVvwhbVI/AAAAAAAAAoc/YoLZzc3cXVY/s1600/IMG_0533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDcw-sKB9VY/Tb1IVvwhbVI/AAAAAAAAAoc/YoLZzc3cXVY/s400/IMG_0533.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
<ul>
<li>Charming World grocer - in the distant and seldom visited upper reaches of King St - wins the award for best new name this edition.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dTjTEo2WUS0/Tb1IR01u4BI/AAAAAAAAAoU/r20Vu0uKWqY/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dTjTEo2WUS0/Tb1IR01u4BI/AAAAAAAAAoU/r20Vu0uKWqY/s400/IMG_0546.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<ul>
<li>Ramen Bar adds some spice to the ground floor of Berkelouw in Newtown (which was opened by KRudd ex-PM - they forgot the Mayor). Already reviewed on <a href="http://www.streetfood.com.au/2011/04/ramen-bar-berkelouw-books-newtown.html">Street Food</a>.</li>
<li>A new(ish) cafe <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pickwicks/162154617150235">Pickwick's</a> on Enmore Road is getting good <a href="http://heneedsfood.com/2011/02/pickwicks-enmore/">reviews</a>.</li>
</ul>
<b>Farewells</b><span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPPmer4CaM9yuS_dn7_MwS8y8st4NeNemGXc86YrjXVPE8KmIgRmHd_dbh6cSY8AG4HApqVXwQbitnalOBtNEzijkTyw655cVDQ-57ii0xJ526tvX_vOwAV9Wvkoj1R4wSxg-wLlMGO-o/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqs-OZPK7pE/Tb1IXuIQ5PI/AAAAAAAAAog/Wt-X8_LZPC4/s1600/IMG_0532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqs-OZPK7pE/Tb1IXuIQ5PI/AAAAAAAAAog/Wt-X8_LZPC4/s400/IMG_0532.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Much loved North Newtown institution Rosalinas is for lease</li>
<li>Crepe Kingdom on Enmore Road didn't last long; looks like some financial issues</li>
<li>The Eatery opposite old Elizabeths site is boarded up - not sure if for renovations or replacement. Anyone ?</li>
<li>Braintree Hemp and VietMaison north of Missenden Road both shut up shop recently</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Development Applications</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy6VT6otosw/Tb1IZkxQerI/AAAAAAAAAok/30DtXVA3SJE/s1600/IMG_0530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy6VT6otosw/Tb1IZkxQerI/AAAAAAAAAok/30DtXVA3SJE/s400/IMG_0530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li> A small bar to replace Pleasure Zone (above) ?</li>
<li>A games Cafe on North King Street (<a href="http://bit.ly/fqzzLU">details</a> - while the DA is active)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reviews</span><br />
<ul>
<li>Three Newtown bookstores in a recent <a href="http://bit.ly/fLOcfL">Sydney Top 10</a><br />
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Random </span><br />
<ul>
<li>There is a DA with Marrickville Council to redevelop the TA Andrews funeral home on Enmore Road into apartments and shops (commenter on <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2011/03/hatches-batches-and-dispatches-vii.html">Hatches VII</a>) </li>
<li>After 30 years, Edgeware Family Practice is moving to a practice in Church St Newtown (also from the comments)</li>
<li>Sopranos near the Hub has started live music - as has Corridor, which is also hosting some Comedy Festival acts</li>
</ul>
You can see all the links that I have shared on Twitter via my bit.ly <a href="http://bit.ly/u/mayorofnewtown">public timeline</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-61564417253759993862011-03-12T11:59:00.003+11:002011-09-13T21:47:58.349+10:00Hatches Batches and Dispatches VIIIt's time for the first issue of Hatches for 2011. The big news in town has been the long awaited commencement of work on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%EF%BB%BF%EF%BB%BFhttp://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Newtown%20Station">Newtown Station</a>, with the roof of the platform removed one weekend in February, and the remaining structure now being surrounded in hoardings and slowly removed. Sadly after waiting so long it's still not until the end of 2012 that we will get the new station.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DVDpL9Y_xB8/TXyQ4WcD57I/AAAAAAAAAoI/sTcQYoKTygw/s1600/Newtown+Station+Demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DVDpL9Y_xB8/TXyQ4WcD57I/AAAAAAAAAoI/sTcQYoKTygw/s400/Newtown+Station+Demo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another issue that has been generating a lot of concern is the long running Energy Australia works; especially given the quality of streets (Wilson St for example) that apparently are considered finished. While the King Street footpath will be repaired it seems we're stuck with the little black boxes outside all the shops - the price we have to pay to get the overhead wires removed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ytw86Sy_sYE/TXyNGjHz4FI/AAAAAAAAAn4/v3YChbmJzVU/s1600/Wilson+St+Carnage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ytw86Sy_sYE/TXyNGjHz4FI/AAAAAAAAAn4/v3YChbmJzVU/s400/Wilson+St+Carnage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson St EnergyAustralia Repairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">New Openings</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kickLb5my_M/TXyNOcKmv6I/AAAAAAAAAoA/6F6qUgsDR5A/s1600/Pie+Tin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kickLb5my_M/TXyNOcKmv6I/AAAAAAAAAoA/6F6qUgsDR5A/s400/Pie+Tin.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pie Tin on Brown St</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Pie Tin opened in the location of the old Pretty Dog on Brown Street. In a nice touch they also added a plaque giving some history of the building - hopefully this will be a trend that is continued.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xskkDupor20/TXyNKjXI4oI/AAAAAAAAAn8/yIpGeUzAfl4/s1600/Pie+Tin+History.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xskkDupor20/TXyNKjXI4oI/AAAAAAAAAn8/yIpGeUzAfl4/s320/Pie+Tin+History.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>There's a new(ish) Turkish restaurant <a href="http://www.streetfood.com.au/2010/08/matee-turkish-grill-gozleme-menu.html">Matee</a> in the location of the old Bhan Thai restaurant next to Moose. Finally checked it out recently - recommended.</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/6229/Freaky-Tiki-Newtown-Hotels-open.htm">Newtown Hotel</a> has reopened as Freaky Tiki Bar - apparently for a 'while' until renovations get under way. Given the popularity of Freaky Tiki I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of Tiki theme survived the renovations - here's hoping.</li>
<li>Funky Cafe re-opened with new owners after being closed for a while.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethsbookshop.com.au/shop/listings/aaa-booksale%21-elizabeths-197-king-street-newtown-/">Elizabeth's Bookshops</a> moved down the road into the old Newtown Deli (which moved further down King Street to avoid the mad rents). At the moment there are two Elizabeth's on King St, with some pretty cheap good books on sale while they move.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
Development Applications<br />
</span><br />
<ul>
<li> Sydney Uni snuck out a <a href="http://bit.ly/enDrWO">master plan</a> for Abercrombie Street while no-one was looking. </li>
<li>The Townie <a href="http://bit.ly/fasrz2">applied</a> for later trading hours for their smoking areas.</li>
<li>A <a href="http://bit.ly/g5IUjL">plan</a> for an art-gallery on Brown Street </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reviews</span><br />
<ul>
<li>Cafe Newtown got a <a href="http://bit.ly/hQVYND">review</a> in the lateral eating blog, and the whole of South King Street got a write up on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1238638702">I</a><a href="http://bit.ly/gtJFHd">nnerWest Lifestyle</a>, reminding me I really should finish my post on the same topic I started a year ago - before all the businesses mentioned close !<br />
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Random </span><br />
<ul>
<li>A Newtown local nominated himself for a minor Darwin award after <a href="http://bit.ly/gf81kb">tagging a police car </a>- outside the Newtown Police Station. </li>
<li>Quartly's Mitre Ten is consolidating into the back shop (on the Whately Street carpark) after 95 years pn the same site - and 125 in Newtown. The main store apparently will be replaced by a bloody chemist - just what Newtown needs. There's a photo from the 70s <a href="http://www.sydneyarchives.info/images/stories/Essays/plate76.jpg">here</a> on the excellent <a href="http://www.sydneyarchives.info/essays-a-histories/133-newtown-1892-22-a-social-sketch?showall=1">Newtown Project</a> site.</li>
<li>In better <a href="http://bit.ly/h8cnbI">news</a>, Marrickville council are voting soon to implement a smoking ban in pubic places - that could lead to the incongruous situation of no smoking on just one half of King St</li>
<li>Finally, a call to arms in the <a href="http://bit.ly/f8wo14">Inner West Courier</a> to re-unite Newtown in one council - although they neglected the bit about me being reinstated on the Mayoral Throne.</li>
</ul>
You can see all the links that I have shared on Twitter via my bit.ly <a href="http://bit.ly/u/mayorofnewtown">public timeline</a>. <br />
<ul></ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-81743432413476006472011-02-19T18:21:00.000+11:002012-01-22T14:17:56.711+11:00Newtown Station Platform Demolition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Newtown residents were notified of the commencement of Phase 3 renovations with the note below this week, promising the demolition of the platform buildings and construction of the temporary shelters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiURIGWljJYMJaXiQY7XWcQFkHA1lfpmVBpxMg3Mn5906LaLj76fQG4-blXkVMmRnBEdFOq7kV-G9kxyqA6l74aKWzfTXWOpDwLdE00vSYv9xK6-Z0KZXVcf_l4E19-gxaxeAt_KKKNR1/s1600/Station+Upgrade+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiURIGWljJYMJaXiQY7XWcQFkHA1lfpmVBpxMg3Mn5906LaLj76fQG4-blXkVMmRnBEdFOq7kV-G9kxyqA6l74aKWzfTXWOpDwLdE00vSYv9xK6-Z0KZXVcf_l4E19-gxaxeAt_KKKNR1/s200/Station+Upgrade+1.jpg" width="138" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwpQ7hd-nwc9IRV_p7-6mQmxcwPHsn_n2ier65cDlTCY14cE6WuCKxIfdzw83zwMW2EY3dM5gWSY-qbE3-YyhuXE4jFhVI2jo974omb4Wx5ZxDkZnnmt-1dmOm97ZFX1PNfWbGPoTpT0l/s1600/Station+Upgrade+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwpQ7hd-nwc9IRV_p7-6mQmxcwPHsn_n2ier65cDlTCY14cE6WuCKxIfdzw83zwMW2EY3dM5gWSY-qbE3-YyhuXE4jFhVI2jo974omb4Wx5ZxDkZnnmt-1dmOm97ZFX1PNfWbGPoTpT0l/s200/Station+Upgrade+2.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Sure enough, this afternoon (Feb 19th) the machinery was in and the 1924 platform building was being carted away </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7kQqlcbhWDk/TV82hsok43I/AAAAAAAAAnU/BW3Eqhp0H2U/s400/IMG_4353.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Old platform roof gone</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rda8NtID_0/TV82k3uND8I/AAAAAAAAAnY/WGQlMhnWe2g/s1600/IMG_4352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rda8NtID_0/TV82k3uND8I/AAAAAAAAAnY/WGQlMhnWe2g/s400/IMG_4352.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Temporary platform buildings and shelter</i></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QAj3NmyDtk4/TV82n_zGVBI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Pv2SIAZDRzs/s1600/IMG_4351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QAj3NmyDtk4/TV82n_zGVBI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Pv2SIAZDRzs/s400/IMG_4351.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Constructing new shelter</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0b5V-R8od8/TV82p1jEFAI/AAAAAAAAAng/d264NWvJ1F0/s1600/IMG_4350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0b5V-R8od8/TV82p1jEFAI/AAAAAAAAAng/d264NWvJ1F0/s400/IMG_4350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
You can also see the supports for the new entrance (concrete pillars) going up in the background in the photo above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADhTSWD-qeU/TV82sGpSXuI/AAAAAAAAAnk/nvXLayav5S0/s1600/IMG_4349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADhTSWD-qeU/TV82sGpSXuI/AAAAAAAAAnk/nvXLayav5S0/s400/IMG_4349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Roofless Platform</i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-53098560893125720722011-02-07T23:28:00.000+11:002011-02-07T23:28:12.819+11:00The Hive Evolves AgainI was surprised to see yet another <a href="http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/DAsOnExhibition/details.asp?tpk=994829">Development Application</a> for the Newtown (though most people think of it as Erskineville) site known for a while as the Hive, formerly used as the Mardi Gras workshops. There's been a long history of Development Applications for the site, which has been empty for a significant period of time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWu5drLRTueoRGi506N5upznYWtxeyoSvNXQG9EtqY59YhHiTbeCRaByr9WE2Z-hTUyYPIV5AVJHw8_GT4ilp7PgwlAJxMPdy5EEH4_9P2O73UpYgor3L2A1bkn36t5sP1pxs-ojurDZ9/s1600/P1040939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWu5drLRTueoRGi506N5upznYWtxeyoSvNXQG9EtqY59YhHiTbeCRaByr9WE2Z-hTUyYPIV5AVJHw8_GT4ilp7PgwlAJxMPdy5EEH4_9P2O73UpYgor3L2A1bkn36t5sP1pxs-ojurDZ9/s400/P1040939.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hive Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Mayor has been <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Hive">tracking the evolution</a> of the Hive (not to be confused with the relatively new Hive Bar) since May 2009, when the first revision of the DA occurred. At that stage, it seemed as if the long running saga had finally come to a conclusion, with most people satisfied with the compromise of a single story supermarket, although the <a href="http://www.erskinevillevillage.org/2009/Site/Home.html">Friends of Erskineville</a> were still holding out for something else (what was not quite clear). Sometime during the course of last year, intended occupiers Woolworths, who had been hoping to open their 'gourmet' brand Thomas Dux, must have lost interest, as the most recent DA prior to this week (minor amendments around the internals) mentioned IGA as the tenants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TU_hMDedqsI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pWnRZ4Hk1sM/s1600/IGA+Erko.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TU_hMDedqsI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pWnRZ4Hk1sM/s320/IGA+Erko.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The new Application has somewhat surprisingly upped the ante, reversing the previous application by adding not one but two stories of residential apartments. Somewhat naively the Traffic Impact statement claims there will be no discernible traffic impact from the additional residencies, as they will all be sold without car spaces. While this is great in principal, I predict a future of the supermarket manager clamping resident's cars that are left in the supermarket's limited parking spaces, and car shuffling around the area's limited parking spaces.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TU-4QRMe6jI/AAAAAAAAAm8/BGjOs5_bqhA/s1600/Hive+New.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TU-4QRMe6jI/AAAAAAAAAm8/BGjOs5_bqhA/s400/Hive+New.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artists Impression</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Despite the above, there's actually a lot to support in this application. It certainly looks smart enough in the photos above, and infill developments like these so close to two train lines are certainly preferable to acres of Mc Mansions in the Hills District. I can't help wondering if the hold-out protesters from the previous proposal are now regretting their opposition to the last-but-one application; as it would appear to have triggered a re-think.<br />
<br />
As is often the case with these DAs, there's lot's of information to be found in the <a href="http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Datasource/DANotifications/994829_075.pdf">Historical Impact Statement</a> (pdf) for those of you with an interest in our past. Below is a photo from the report looking down Erskineville Road.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TU_hG3TD7WI/AAAAAAAAAnE/ikyQmvpftSg/s1600/Hive+1928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TU_hG3TD7WI/AAAAAAAAAnE/ikyQmvpftSg/s400/Hive+1928.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So what do you think ? Is it too big ? Will the traffic ruin the Village ? Or is about time the abandoned sites along Erskineville Road were developed ? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-24541072010978961382011-01-27T22:31:00.002+11:002011-01-27T22:34:11.180+11:00Newtown Station 2011 UpdateIt's been a while since my <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Newtown%20Station">last update</a> on the Newtown Station renovations but over Christmas some more details were released accompanying the <a href="http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/DAsOnExhibition/details.asp?tpk=992520">Development Application</a> to Sydney Council. Before going into some more detail on what the final outcome will look like, some 'milestones' news.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFQzODC97I/AAAAAAAAAmY/JybICo-KlXQ/s1600/Artists+Impression.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFQzODC97I/AAAAAAAAAmY/JybICo-KlXQ/s400/Artists+Impression.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artists Impression</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
According to the Project Manager, Phase1 (archaeological and some demolition works) is complete. Phase 2 (ground work and piling associated with the construction of the new concourse and walkway) is nearing completion, and Phase 3 (main construction works) will be starting soon. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012. <br />
<br />
The end of 2012 seems a long way away - apparently the main reason it will take so long is the need to keep the station running while doing the works, and the need for 'track possessions' - when the trains don't run - which are apparently limited to 4/year (although I could swear they are more frequent). <br />
<br />
Apart form the artist's impression above, probably the best idea of the overall layout of the new station comes from the upgrade plan below. The new concourse is quite a long way down the platform, pretty much on top of the existing 1927 platform building, which is to be demolished. There will also be a new entry from Thomas Street, behind the Newtown Central shopping centre.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFRQfgnwYI/AAAAAAAAAmk/dQYZB79mSPY/s1600/Colour+Plan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFRQfgnwYI/AAAAAAAAAmk/dQYZB79mSPY/s400/Colour+Plan.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
One thing I couldn't find, despite looking everywhere, was an impression of what the revised walkway roof would look like. The original design, or at least the artists impression of it, caused quite a bit of controversy when the original plans were announced, so I was curious to see what the announced more discrete canopy would look like. The closest I could find was in the sketch below, showing the view from the side of the station - I can only assume no impressions were generated to avoid controversy ! Let me know if you manage to find an impression anywhere.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFRM3LNpII/AAAAAAAAAmc/LhnDRpIgF_s/s1600/Platform+Level.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFRM3LNpII/AAAAAAAAAmc/LhnDRpIgF_s/s400/Platform+Level.gif" width="400" /></a></div><blockquote><b>Walkway canopy</b> <br />
<i>In order to provide cover to the access walkway, a canopy is to be constructed <br />
between King Street and the new concourse. A 4 metre wide walkway canopy commences at King Street adjacent the existing booking office building and continues along the northern side of the walkway to the concourse building where it continues down to the new station concourse building, where it would terminate beneath the canopy of the concourse. Drawings of the design and the proposed form of the walkway are located in Appendix C</i></blockquote>I did find the above about the canopy in the 'REF' - Review of Environmental Factors - but none of the diagrams in Appendix C sated my curiosity !<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFRO_mXTOI/AAAAAAAAAmg/da2Bre0HUbs/s1600/Concourse+Level.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFRO_mXTOI/AAAAAAAAAmg/da2Bre0HUbs/s400/Concourse+Level.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concourse Level Side View</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The DA also has a large set of detailed plans. Those interested in history should check out Appendix D1 - the Heritage Report. The remaining Appendix D volumes are mostly more modern photos, with the exception of Appendix D7 which contains an ammendment to the original HIS, updated after the original plans were modified, which is where I learnt that the stairs (1892 originals) will be retained as an emergency exit from the platform.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFQO5rvtRI/AAAAAAAAAmU/WwzWzMalkyo/s1600/Newtown_Station_1927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TUFQO5rvtRI/AAAAAAAAAmU/WwzWzMalkyo/s400/Newtown_Station_1927.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building the platform in 1927</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Appendix E - the archaeological report - contains even more history, unfortunately broken into 7 chunks, I guess to facilitate easy downloading for those still on Tony Abbott approved dial-up.<br />
<br />
So it's a long wait, but I think the finished product will be worth it. Next step - find out what's happening to those Tram Sheds !Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-26849152263390013442010-11-07T19:54:00.002+11:002011-02-07T23:28:48.810+11:00Mystery Photo XII - Milk Bar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TNZqAl-03pI/AAAAAAAAAlE/R0dW1XG4Fko/s1600/Milk+Bar.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TNZqAl-03pI/AAAAAAAAAlE/R0dW1XG4Fko/s400/Milk+Bar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536729350326771346" border="0" /></a><br />Anyone had a chocolate milkshake here lately ?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-30493917129756548572010-11-07T19:10:00.003+11:002010-11-07T21:23:06.747+11:00Not in Newtown any more Toto - Surry Hills 1992After I recently published <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2010/10/newtown-in-1992-student-pub-guide.html">some</a> <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2010/10/newtown-in-1992-student-pub-guide-part.html">extracts</a> from the 1992 Student's Guide to Sydney Pubs (with content suspiciously similar to the 1992 Sydney Pub Guide) there was a request from Twitter's <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/surry_hills">@Surry_Hills</a> to share the reviews for Surry Hills.<br /><br />Whereas the Newtown described in 1992 is instantly recogniseable to today's Newtonians, (with the notable exception of affordable accomodation) the same can't be said for Surry Hills. A haunt for black-leather wearing musicians, noted for the smoke and a 'nostalgic sense of desperation'. Back then you could 'walk into Surry Hills pubs and receive unwelcome and sometimes bizarre looks'; these days anything vaguely dangerous has been priced out of town and the only risk you have is not being hip enough for the staff.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TNZtlGp3RDI/AAAAAAAAAl8/c33FkxoHWn0/s1600/Surry+Hils.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TNZtlGp3RDI/AAAAAAAAAl8/c33FkxoHWn0/s400/Surry+Hils.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536733276107392050" border="0" /></a>To make you really sad, here's the review of the Hopetoun in the days of $2.50 schooners and no cover charge. R.I.P the Hoey.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TNZtlcc9TbI/AAAAAAAAAmE/4qbNsefp36Y/s1600/Hoey.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TNZtlcc9TbI/AAAAAAAAAmE/4qbNsefp36Y/s400/Hoey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536733281958841778" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-60349512721768523302010-10-18T21:26:00.005+11:002010-10-18T23:03:56.700+11:00Newtown in 1992 Student Pub Guide - Part IIIn my <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2010/10/newtown-in-1992-student-pub-guide.html">last post</a> I shared an introduction from the 1992 Student Guide to Sydney Pubs, describing the 'disproportionate number of Thai restaurants' and Newtown as an 'affordable place to live'. At least one of those is still true.<br /><br />This time I'll share some of the actual reviews; my OCR is rubbish so you're going to have to make do with page scans which look deceptively old. 1992 wasn't that long ago - was it !? Click on the images for more legible versions.<br /><br />The Sando reads much as a review would today - apart from the band names and the beer prices. Interesting how beer prices were a feature of this Pub Guide - I guess it reflects the target audience !<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLwi_reDYiI/AAAAAAAAAko/5VYDezQhWXk/s1600/Sando+Review.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLwi_reDYiI/AAAAAAAAAko/5VYDezQhWXk/s400/Sando+Review.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529332919900004898" border="0" /></a><br />The Bank Hotel review seems to confuse Sleepers and the front bar; the loss of Sleepers as a bar to drink in rather than walk through is the greatest tragedy of the recent long-running renovations of the Bank.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLwjAFJnsgI/AAAAAAAAAk4/nshXUVsD030/s1600/Bank+Sleepers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLwjAFJnsgI/AAAAAAAAAk4/nshXUVsD030/s400/Bank+Sleepers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529332926793626114" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing too exciting in the Marly review - except the fake Duck Pond ! The Royal on Abercrombie also gets a half review as the beer garden out the back is being built.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBXeLOV34__HiYYjHcX61zwi4_narUcYzbHgNRTLOsX4OLE51pESyM6578qeUOygtUMFZdA5RSRRYUgxrY8dxy8BGFubAWGbxkPY1MQuL6Y-B70b0MQY3wPeiRAN5KG-JhUrZ-xxruE0S/s1600/Marly.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBXeLOV34__HiYYjHcX61zwi4_narUcYzbHgNRTLOsX4OLE51pESyM6578qeUOygtUMFZdA5RSRRYUgxrY8dxy8BGFubAWGbxkPY1MQuL6Y-B70b0MQY3wPeiRAN5KG-JhUrZ-xxruE0S/s400/Marly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529332922707345538" border="0" /></a><br />Finally - RIP the faux tudor (Germanic style wooden walls apparently) of the Student Prince on Parramatta Rd - drinking bar of choice of the Mayor's soccer team back in the day. The last day of the season coincided with the last night of the Prince and we were unfortunately obliged to drink the pub dry - free of charge.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLwi_d1ojbI/AAAAAAAAAkg/EFuwbnXYeRI/s1600/Student+Prince.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLwi_d1ojbI/AAAAAAAAAkg/EFuwbnXYeRI/s400/Student+Prince.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529332916240813490" border="0" /></a><br />Lastly, The Shakespeare (Coopers old name) was so gnarly back in the day it didn't even rate a mention. How times change !Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-62463495252976986692010-10-17T21:39:00.005+11:002010-10-18T09:39:05.957+11:00Newtown in 1992 Student Pub GuideThe 1992 Student Guide to Sydney Pubs, written in those long forgotten days before the internet, features a section on Newtown, including reviews of The Marlborough, The Bank, The Newtown, The Sando, as well as long forgotten neighbouring bars such as the Student Prince and Sydney Saloon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLrULwx9KuI/AAAAAAAAAkM/G_Y1QWa6KXQ/s1600/Sydney+Pub+Guide+1992+COver.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLrULwx9KuI/AAAAAAAAAkM/G_Y1QWa6KXQ/s400/Sydney+Pub+Guide+1992+COver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528964791088786146" border="0" /></a>The relevant page is below (click on the article to embiggen):<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLrUMCRFwuI/AAAAAAAAAkU/5-YA41c8uSk/s1600/Scan-101017-0020_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TLrUMCRFwuI/AAAAAAAAAkU/5-YA41c8uSk/s400/Scan-101017-0020_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528964795782775522" border="0" /></a>The disproportionate number of Thai restaurants are still there, but sadly the fruit shops don't stay open late any more, and you're more likely to be visiting Crispy Inn to satisfy late night cravings. Nearly 20 years on, the Landsdowne, Annandale and Sando are still your best bet for pub rock in the area, though thankfully no-one refers to Newtown as the 'Paddington of the South' any more; you can understand why the author didn't go on to an illustrious journalistic career !<br /><br />I'll try and scan post some of the individual reviews if there's any interest.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-9995430455879384112010-10-04T19:21:00.007+11:002010-10-05T13:42:16.445+11:00Hatches Batches and Dispatches VISo it's time for another edition of the semi-regular <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Hatches">round up</a> of some of the comings and goings on and around King St Newtown in the last month or so. Hoardings have gone up at Newtown Station, there are rumours of movement at Newtown Hotel, whose proposed renovations were recently approved - with 98 conditions ! As well, Newtown was in the news when local sculptor painted an anti-Burqa mural on his wall, challenging the usual local support for free speech and tolerance, and unsurprisingly pleasing <a href="http://bit.ly/9ZbiyR">Daily Telegraph readers</a>.<br /><br />The most read link shared by the mayor in the last couple of months though related to the $3.2M <a href="http://bit.ly/a8iysr">Newtown house sale</a>. Not sure what that says !<br /><br />See below for more:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">New Openings<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwp3DHqMNtSrPEdzeOjtVdtDA9QxFKPRTVkUv6c_O-6542PA_gBkyPIK5PCXF3yDB9XZr2Sh57hqK9K5olX9lewOH6_2AJt63v3TO_yqkeRX21BwiN7gvhhiFh5IiWmj7hnjDCxizsoa8/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwp3DHqMNtSrPEdzeOjtVdtDA9QxFKPRTVkUv6c_O-6542PA_gBkyPIK5PCXF3yDB9XZr2Sh57hqK9K5olX9lewOH6_2AJt63v3TO_yqkeRX21BwiN7gvhhiFh5IiWmj7hnjDCxizsoa8/s400/IMG_0285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524104905658383026" border="0" /></a><br /><ul><li>Sabbaba is close to opening up next door to Max Brenner<br /></li><li>The Imperial Hotel <a href="http://bit.ly/97ijVZ">re-opened</a> after 3 years and many false re-openings</li><li>The Watershed started a bike-hire scheme that got wide <a href="http://bit.ly/9rT5Av">publicity</a></li><li>@Newtown re-launched as <a href="http://shushnewtown.blogspot.com/">Shush</a><br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Going ...<br /></span><ul><li>Much loved Funky Cafe closed for nearly a week - not looking good. It's been on the market for a while now</li><li>The much loved but short lived Newtown Gazebo finally fell foul of council safety regs</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TKmXd3XOcGI/AAAAAAAAAkA/gYtbWjc4nQc/s1600/Gazebo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TKmXd3XOcGI/AAAAAAAAAkA/gYtbWjc4nQc/s400/Gazebo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524112957279989858" border="0" /></a><ul><li>Dresser to the mayor, Crazy Horse, is on the market:<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1ewlTZHR2xOubMBsclFMK2wM2Qdx6Yo6purAlKE_3i7wXt8wophg7MIjqBroVYiTJVWZhspjKke5MEC-hUKh71N5uofys9Xa-5Qyz68nrwqdJwWbDIELE2CziPEXebm91TIy4v6D9lMk/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1ewlTZHR2xOubMBsclFMK2wM2Qdx6Yo6purAlKE_3i7wXt8wophg7MIjqBroVYiTJVWZhspjKke5MEC-hUKh71N5uofys9Xa-5Qyz68nrwqdJwWbDIELE2CziPEXebm91TIy4v6D9lMk/s400/IMG_0284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524104909836408530" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 102);"><br />Development Applications<br /></span><ul><li>Dendy <a href="http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/edrawer/DAInformation.asp?DANum=DA201000362">applied</a> to add 10 screens to their Newtown mega-plex; including a tacky mural facing Camperdown Park<br /></li><li>Nothing else too exciting this month - click <a href="http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/DAsOnExhibition/DAExhibition.asp#NEWTOWN">here</a> for all current Newtown DAs from Sydney Council website.<br /></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Reviews</span><br /><ul><li>The Inner-West focussed Sydney Fringe Festival opened and closed to mixed <a href="http://bit.ly/bF3Hiu">reviews</a></li><li>Changing Lanes in Eliza Street was a <a href="http://bit.ly/b0vy8d">sell-out success</a></li><li>Plans for the renovation of Marrickville Metro are attracting much <a href="http://bit.ly/bOHW6a">criticism </a></li><li>Corridor gets a gushing review in the Gold Coast's <a href="http://bit.ly/cxUvTo">local rag</a><br /></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Random </span><br /><ul><li>There's not much life on <a href="http://bit.ly/cDeCPS">King Street</a>, Newtown in Queensland<br /></li><li>A For Sale sign appeared and quickly disappeared outside the old Erskineville PYCC</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TKmQJjHMBRI/AAAAAAAAAj0/nza214XGPVA/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TKmQJjHMBRI/AAAAAAAAAj0/nza214XGPVA/s400/IMG_0240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524104911665235218" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-13929867590234010772010-07-31T15:44:00.003+10:002010-07-31T15:52:09.761+10:00Mystery Photo XI - Pet ProcessionIt's been a while - but finally it's time for Mystery Photo XI - and the first guest Mystery Photo - thanks to <a href="http://twitter.com/veritychambers">@VerityChambers</a>. Where in town would you find this pet procession ?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TFO44HGnsHI/AAAAAAAAAiw/qlgqSZElmdg/s1600/Mystery+XI.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TFO44HGnsHI/AAAAAAAAAiw/qlgqSZElmdg/s400/Mystery+XI.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499942844068507762" border="0" /></a><br />BTW Don't ask me - I don't know either !Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-63943652046605649232010-07-31T15:37:00.000+10:002010-07-31T15:37:21.776+10:00Hatches Batches and Dispatches VIt's been a while since the last <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Hatches">round up</a> of some of the comings and goings on and around King St Newtown. It's getting harder to keep track of the goings on but thankfully I have all of your tips from last month's update and <a href="http://twitter.com/mayorofnewtown">Twitter</a>. The most reported Newtown related news in the last month or so is the possible resumption of houses in Leamington Avenue for RailCorp's proposed Western Express line. The story got a <a href="http://bit.ly/bkdLvW">second</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/9muJaR">wind</a> once some discovered the linkage to the famous 'Three Proud People' mural; now unfortunately blocked from view from Macdonaldtown Station by the sound barrier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VMzzSgshkzVZgncgskeh7EOuAZrZ7_3U6sgtoY9b1sj87hXvc0L2NqUe3FdorEkmkuGBzKm1PtgIFP_q3_Eq5ZJQsdNsIpZk0Dx6UzeAjW6noWlgH6MWiLmeY9be7OJHYVFr5ElOxzMP/s1600/Three+Proud+People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VMzzSgshkzVZgncgskeh7EOuAZrZ7_3U6sgtoY9b1sj87hXvc0L2NqUe3FdorEkmkuGBzKm1PtgIFP_q3_Eq5ZJQsdNsIpZk0Dx6UzeAjW6noWlgH6MWiLmeY9be7OJHYVFr5ElOxzMP/s400/Three+Proud+People.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;">New Openings</span><br />
<ul><li>Cucina Sopranos on the site of the old Wedgetail</li>
<li>The Polish restauarant in the old Choclate Dog has a name - New in Town - and gets the mayoral thumbs up - tasty and generous portions.</li>
<li>A new Vietnamese noodle place called "Pho Sure" opened in the old service station on the corner of Stamore Rd and Liberty St Enmore (nice break from the terrible Thai/Tie puns)</li>
<li>Dolce and Gelato has had a name change, now called gelato blue. Apart from that all looks the same. </li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/d0x4JG">Moo Gourmet burgers</a> the latest to take on the site of Mickey's </li>
<li><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"> King St deli has moved to south king, where there used to be a business centre</span></span></span> </li>
<li> The Bank Hotel has re-opened after the <a href="http://bit.ly/dCHgpH">fire</a> </li>
<li>A new design shop (cute !) <span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">called Lillypad Designs hidden at the back of the newsagent near the Dendy</span></span></span></li>
<li>Not so new now but not yet mentioned is the nursery next to the controversial car-wash on South King Street;</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TFO1SfMYZ6I/AAAAAAAAAio/9U-gp0g3it4/s1600/Nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TFO1SfMYZ6I/AAAAAAAAAio/9U-gp0g3it4/s400/Nursery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;"><br />
Development Applications<br />
</span><br />
<ul><li> The proposed bottlo shop in Newtown Central has a name - Cellarbrations. A chain, of course.</li>
<li>Speaking of chains, Dominos Pizza <a href="http://www.planningalerts.org.au/applications/27534">coming</a> to (far north) Newtown. Signage looks really garish</li>
<li>Mostly <a href="http://bit.ly/djRcsn">residential</a> otherwise.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;">Reviews</span><br />
<ul><li>Funky Cafe gets a mention in an SMH <a href="http://bit.ly/cqsRN8">article</a> about live music</li>
<li>Not quite a review, but both Pentimento and Newtown resident and ex-Mr Varga Bar Ben Soutter got quoted in an <a href="http://bit.ly/9fnZUN">article</a> about Cafe mobile phone etiquette.<br />
</li>
</ul><br />
<span style="color: #ffff66; font-weight: bold;">Random </span><br />
<ul><li>Most visited <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/%20http://bit.ly/bGhpdO">story</a> the mayor shared in the last month was about ATM skimming on skim street; while Fairfax were too scared to name the bank involved, they did point out that NAB, CBA and ANZ denied it was them and the Pac declined to comment. Go figure.</li>
<li>A broader inner city story getting too much airtime is the bike lane backlash, led by such likables as former Newtownian (sadly) Alan Jones and the Tele. Sad to say even a <a href="http://bit.ly/bVAAyQ">Wilson Street local</a> is complaining about the lanes </li>
<li>Once again, The Imperial is 'opening soon'. Sadly the plans of Sydney Fringe to use the Hub as a venue have come to nothing</li>
<li>A filtered water fountain has been <a href="http://bit.ly/cR0mKe">installed</a> outside the Town Hall (real one, not the pub)<br />
</li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-6389511769209765252010-05-30T12:55:00.000+10:002010-05-30T19:13:07.748+10:00Hatches Batches and Dispatches IV<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoIi5G9EI/AAAAAAAAAiE/-YFyPzD8pK0/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoIi5G9EI/AAAAAAAAAiE/-YFyPzD8pK0/s400/IMG_0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476984224106345538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yarn</span><br /></div><br />The fourth <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Hatches">round up</a> of some of the comings and goings on and around King St Newtown in the last month or so. Thanks to reader Alison for some of the observations, and those who commented on <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2010/05/hatches-batches-and-dispatches-iii.html">Hatches III</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102); font-weight: bold;">New Openings</span><br /><ul><li>Famous Surry Hills Thai Prasits has taken over the not very succesful Thai restaurant next to the high school</li><li>New Asian restaurant – and it’s not Thai! - Asian King, on the site of old Shaiza’s Curry House</li><li>A Coffee and a Yarn at 413 King St - hugely popular knitting and mini-cafe<br /></li><li>The Granny Square – looks like a cute crafts store, site of old Champion Textiles – 47 King St (a theme here)</li><li>Chocolate Dog is now a Polish restaurant, according to Twitter !</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoHjH28oI/AAAAAAAAAh0/pyvX09HhgAw/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoHjH28oI/AAAAAAAAAh0/pyvX09HhgAw/s400/IMG_0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476984206988341890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Prasits arrives in Newtown</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/S6q0glzx66I/AAAAAAAAAaM/riLzrvMw5_M/s1600/For+Lease.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102); font-weight: bold;"><br />Development Applications</span><br /><ul><li>Yet another bottle shop <a href="http://bit.ly/atjATO">proposed</a> for Newtown Central (next to Townie)</li><li>Check out the excellent <a href="http://www.planningalerts.org.au/">Planning Alerts</a> site to track D.A.s near you<br /></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102); font-weight: bold;">Reviews</span><br /><ul><li>Moose in the SMH (Facebook <a href="http://bit.ly/b6uLXQ">link</a>)<br /></li><li>Darley St Bistro in the Botany View Hotel makes the Tele's<a href="http://bit.ly/byibZp"> Top 10 Pub Bistros</a> </li><li>Street Food blog has a few <a href="http://bit.ly/cQgP8d">Newtown</a> reviews</li><li>Blog <a href="http://badskirt.blogspot.com/2010/05/coffee-and-yarn.html">review</a> of A Coffee and a Yarn<br /></li></ul><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102); font-weight: bold;">Random </span><br /><ul><li>Pretty Dog has moved down the road in Brown Street; it's great to see some action off King Street.</li><li>Popular cafe Anise has closed due to renovations upstairs</li><li>Funky Cafe is on the market. Whoever buys it must maintain the music ! And death to the nimby who raised a noise complaint; on King St FFS.</li><li>A new Festival <a href="http://bit.ly/9riLWx">proposed</a> for Eliza St in September</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoIAKf3UI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EspvR7C2Ijw/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoIAKf3UI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EspvR7C2Ijw/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476984214784040258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Pretty Dog slides down Brown St</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/TAIoIAKf3UI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EspvR7C2Ijw/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"></span></a><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-46054512009000282342010-05-15T19:19:00.000+10:002010-05-15T19:19:01.473+10:00Newtown Station LatestAfter a long period of silence, the revised Newtown Station renovations were launched this month by local member and Deputy Premier, Carmel Tebbutt and Transport Minister, Davd Campbell. The accompanying press release (<a href="http://www.carmeltebbutt.com.au/file/113/download/113">pdf</a>) was light on detail, although did contain an intruiging reference to 'including archaeological testing and demolition of the old kebab shop'. The renovations are supposed to cost an extraordinary $31M dollars, you really think we'd be getting more for that than a tarted up old station building, covered walkway and a couple of elevators.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKoCYR-ltX2tmT6SX06MOXas3U6hUb3MKtO7QNs0ZkhDioRw6qIq1kJH9QTiTGM83lk4l393YbaIGcsx4aTU3t24eTd6YOOoF58H6GkmwkqAO6iJ4QXRPqal4q0X74Kvenqmtw7mc44i0/s1600/Newtown%20Station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKoCYR-ltX2tmT6SX06MOXas3U6hUb3MKtO7QNs0ZkhDioRw6qIq1kJH9QTiTGM83lk4l393YbaIGcsx4aTU3t24eTd6YOOoF58H6GkmwkqAO6iJ4QXRPqal4q0X74Kvenqmtw7mc44i0/s400/Newtown%20Station.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Today</i></div><br />
The main change from the previous proposal (read more <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2009/09/newtown-station-plans-revealed.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/2009/09/newtown-station-mayors-take.html">here</a>) is that the gaudy canopy (on the right below) :<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/SqZCBBcLh-I/AAAAAAAAAMM/2Av5-NG_gt8/s1600/Scan-090908-0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/SqZCBBcLh-I/AAAAAAAAAMM/2Av5-NG_gt8/s400/Scan-090908-0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
has been replaced by a simpler cleaner look, which is an improvement. Interesting though that the revised plan was not provided to the public for comment, and indeed is not online anywhere. The Mayor's requests to Carmel Tebbutt's office for any further information have not been responded to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/S-5f6-wW45I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/8Sue4SdPsyM/s1600/Newtown+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/S-5f6-wW45I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/8Sue4SdPsyM/s400/Newtown+Station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Probably because this was about the 17th launch of station renovation plans (a NSW Labor specialty) there wasn't a lot of press, apart from this very brief <a href="http://bit.ly/byK8J5">article</a> in the Inner West Courier. The comments on that article reflect the general cynicism that this will actually go ahead.<br />
<br />
However a <a href="http://bit.ly/byK8J5">D.A.</a> has already been lodged with the council, although intruigingly only for soil quality testing (those kebabs again) rather than any demolition or construction work. I've got to say it's the most detailed documentation I've ever seen, given the limited scope of the works. Maybe that's where some the $31M is going. According to the press release a tender has been called for the demolition of the kebabery as well; still, I'll only be assured this is real when I see signs of some construction rather than destruction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com10Newtown NSW 2042, Australia-33.896449 151.180013-33.91426 151.1508305 -33.878637999999995 151.2091955tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530731518199525597.post-16602393602846157862010-05-09T17:39:00.000+10:002010-05-11T10:52:56.509+10:00Cycling to and from Newtown II - The City and NorthThe latest in a series of <a href="http://www.mayorofnewtown.com/search/label/Cycling">cycling</a> posts, this post focuses on how to get from Newtown to the City and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.<br /><br />The accepted route from Newtown to the city starts on the Wilson Street contra-flow. However very quickly opinion divides (and there are no signs; unlike the Marrickville side) on how best to get to the city. Going to the southern half of the CBD is best done following Wilson Street to the very end, through Little Eveleigh, around Redfern Station, down George Street, through Prince Alfred Park (when it's open) and then take your chances on Chalmers Street.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://www.openstreetmap.org/export/embed.html?bbox=151.18474,-33.89483,151.20648,-33.87969&layer=cycle%20map&marker=-33.88427,151.19979" style="border: 1px solid black;" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=-33.88726&lon=151.19561&zoom=15&layers=00B0FTFTT&mlat=-33.88427&mlon=151.19979">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />To get to the Northern half of the CBD, or the bridge (which is the Mayor's commute) turn left off Wilson St at Shepherd St and follow it all the way past Sydney Uni Engineering, across Cleveland Street, 2nd right at Daniels, left at Buckland; then either straight down to Broadway and take the footpath up to the Jones St lights, or take a right at Blackfriars, take your chances across Abercrombie to the far lane, then cross Broadway and first right up Thomas Street to join Jones Street.<br /><br />Follow Jones street almsot to the end, then right turn at Fig St. At the intersection with Harris St, either follow it down Murray St and up to Pyrmont Bridge, or turn left at Harris and take it down to Pyrmont Bridge Road. Turn right and you'll eventually join all the commuters coming off Anzac Bridge, and follow the soon to be completed <a href="http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/ParkingAndTransport/Cycling/CycleNetwork/Pyrmont/UnionStreet.asp">Union Street</a> cyclepath to Pyrmont Bridge.<br /><br />According to their <a href="http://centralparksydney.com/construction-on-central-park-s-main-park-and-infrastructure-set-to-commence-immediately/">press release</a>, the Central Park project on the old Carlton Brewery will contain a cycle way connecting Barbour Street to Jones St and the UTS precinct. While this is great news, it's still not clear to be how this will best connect to Wilson St. From the Sydney Uni / Sydney Council cycle map, it seems the best option will be still to take Shepherd Street, veer right at Boundary Street, cross Cleveland at the lights into Beaumont Street, then follow Myrtle Street across Abercrombie into Meagher Street, before turning left at Balfour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/S-Zn2OzRydI/AAAAAAAAAfs/_uZRZbCCA_0/s1600/Masterplan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nd50ODXCo_o/S-Zn2OzRydI/AAAAAAAAAfs/_uZRZbCCA_0/s400/Masterplan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469172978871814610" border="0" /></a><br />If you're interested in cycling around the region, I recommend signing up for <a href="http://www.sydneycyclist.com/">Sydney Cyclist</a>, in particular the <a href="http://www.sydneycyclist.com/group/innerwest">Inner West</a> group. The state govenrnment is also taking <a href="https://transport.discussions.nsw.gov.au/?cat=7">feedback</a> on cycling in Sydney until May 28th; I encourage you to have your say.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09486284033408759171noreply@blogger.com8