An artist’s rendering of the site

The NSW Government has approved plans to build a $36-million cage-free zoo in Western Sydney. The ambitious and ethical tourism effort has been green-lit for development in the suburb of Blacktown, with advocates suggesting the new zoo could inject millions of dollars worth of revenue into state coffers.

The Sydney Zoo, which was approved for development in the Bungarribee precinct, will feature cage-free animal exhibits on a sprawling sixteen-and-a-half-hectare property. The zoo will feature elevated boardwalks, enclosed glass observation areas and other state-of-the-art zoo innovations. In the end, the park’s operators are pitching their zoo at families who wish to see a broad spectrum of exotic animals in a truly realistic and morally justifiable setting.

State Environment Minister Mark Speakman told the ABC the zoo would open in late 2017 and that it would be a great addition to the city’s flagging tourism scene. “Since Taronga Zoo was first established 100 years ago, Sydney’s population has absolutely ballooned,” Mr. Speakman explained. “We think now there is room [for] another world-class zoo here in Western Sydney.”

Locally, the development approval was warmly welcomed by those hoping to reap the economic benefits of the new attraction. According to the financial group KPMG, Sydney Zoo has the potential to add about $45-million worth of revenue to the state’s bottom line every year, with an extra $3-million in associated spending. About 160 jobs will be created during construction, with a further 120 jobs required for operation.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali expressed his satisfaction at the prospect of significant economic benefits for local businesses and workers. “We have a focus on jobs and appropriate sustainable development in the area,” he said. “It will be a cage-free zoo with limitless horizons which brings visitors safely face-to-face with animals, making it a hugely successful attraction.”

With Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Park experiencing a lull in their profitability, it’s hoped the new development will spark interest in the city’s other significant wildlife-centred attractions.

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A good thing gone bad…

Sydney’s 2015 Corroboree Festival has been cancelled, after it was revealed the event’s organisers were involved in a funding stoush with the Liberal Government. The indigenous cultural event entered an indefinite hiatus after Destination NSW, the State’s tourism and events authority, signalled it would not be meeting the request to increase funding for the festival.

Festival organisers claim the event could not go ahead without a significant boost to their bottom line. Artistic director Hetti Perkins told the Sydney Morning Herald that the decision was difficult, but principled. “There was not the appropriate amount of funding for this year to allow the festival to be financially sustainable nor to build on the successes of 2014 and to meet the KPIs set by DNSW,” she explained.

Ms. Perkins insisted that the lack of funding speaks to a wider attitude towards indigenous culture. “We’re just fed up with begging for scraps from the table,” she noted. “Where’s the support for Indigenous culture? The collective statistics tell the story of a festival which went from attendances of 35,000 in year one to almost 50,000 in year two – a significant uplift in just 12 months.”

Additionally, the experienced organiser expects the local indigenous community to be affected by the drastic decision. The local arts and cultural scene makes the most of the annual festival, and this year many will feel its absence. “There are many stakeholders who are impacted by this outcome, however it is not possible to continue the festival without adequate financial backing,” Ms. Perkins said, before launching into criticism of the state government’s tourism priorities. “Junk tourist shops – is that the best Sydney can offer?” she asked. “Is that all we’ve got to say to people when they come to Sydney?”

Destination NSW spokesperson Rhys Haynes refused to admit any funding had been withdrawn, adding (somewhat disingenuously) that the authority could not guarantee an increase in funding. “Destination NSW supported the approach of changing Corroboree Sydney to a biennial event but was not able to meet the requested significant increase in funding,” he said.

But somehow, we think that argument does little to explain how the state lost one of its most vibrant and culturally important festivals.

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A projected image of Barangaroo…

Tourism Australia has recently been battling suggestions that the industry is in need of an overhaul, after a Bloomberg article criticised Australia’s tourism industry for outdated ‘Crocodile Dundee’-era hotels, less-than-ideal customer service and an inability to capitalise and compete with growing regional hot-spots.

In the Bloomberg article, former PM Paul Keating gave his own, unique summary of the situation. “Chinese visitors aren’t going to come here for hotels and resorts built in the 1980s and 1990s,” Mr. Keating wrote to Bloomberg. “They will drift off to bigger and better things, along the lines of what’s being done in China itself and in countries like Vietnam.”

“We will have to lift the bar in terms of the quality of what we have to offer,” Mr. Keating suggested. “This will be a challenge for the next five to seven years given incomes in China will continue to rise and expectations with it. The capital stock in Australian tourism will require large increments.”

In Australia, new developments such as Barangaroo will hope to make the most of a fresh start. With all eyes trained on the entertainment and accommodation precinct being carved out along the Sydney Harbour, Tourism Australia is hoping that its latest efforts will result in heightened interest.

As part of their ‘Restaurant Australia’ campaign, the organisation is spending a whopping $500,000 to bring Noma, the world-renowned Copenhagen restaurant, down to Sydney for an exclusive 10 week residency. The event – set to take place in January of 2016 – will surely attract a sizeable crowd. But is it worth the money?

A spokesman for Tourism Australia explained the figure to the attendant media. “TA is spending approximately $500,000 on this campaign, half of which will be given to our airline partner Singapore Airline for discounted tickets to facilitate travel for Rene and his team to Australia,” he explained. “Rene will be back and forth to Australia several times before the official opening in Australia – which we plan to use to develop content and PR ops around.”

Echoing this sentiment, Tourism Australia boss John O’Sullivan said the PR move would hopefully revive our ‘culinary standing’. “A big part of Restaurant Australia has been about improving Australia’s perception as a food and wine destination,” he said. “And, with one of the world’s top ranked restaurants about to open in Sydney, I’d say our country’s culinary standing has never been higher.”

With recent statistics revealing a boost to Australia’s tourism receipts, the announcement has left some scratching their heads as to the credence of Bloomberg’s claims. After all, tourists flock to Australia for much more than a five-star hotel and a fine meal, don’t they? But as PM Keating points out, our regional competitors are also re-doubling their efforts to attract a new generation of cashed-up international travellers. And that’s where we might run into trouble.

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The iconic interior of Sydney’s Town Hall…

Over the next three months, Sydney’s iconic Town Hall will offer locals and visitors the chance to get up-close-and-personal with one of the city’s most famous attractions. Inside the majestic Town Hall building, visitors will find the Grand Organ. Over a series of free lunch-time concerts, the Town Hall Organ recital program will allow guests to hear a unique instrument in all its true glory.

An integral feature of the Town Hall since 1890, the Grand Organ was once the centrepiece of a stately, world-class town hall building. When it was first commissioned, the instrument was hailed as the finest in the world. Hundreds of years later, replacing the organ would now cost an estimated $20 million. Today, it continues to inspire music lovers the world over.

The entrancing instrument has 26 speaking stops, nearly 9,000 pipes and a unique 64 foot pedal stop. It remains the largest organ ever constructed with tubular pneumatic playing action.

According to the City of Sydney, the organ has significant cultural and musical value. “Built by William Hill and Son of London, the organ was also the biggest in the world at the time, with 126 speaking stops, nearly 9,000 pipes and a unique 64 foot pedal stop. It is still the largest organ ever constructed with tubular pneumatic playing action,” declared the City of Sydney website. For lovers of all kinds of music, these are must-attend events.

Over the last few years, the City of Sydney has had the Grand Organ restored by local specialists. But they’ve also been busy putting together specialist recitals so as to take advantage of the world-famous instrument. For those regularly in the CBD area, it might make for an extra special mid-day delight!

For more information visit https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/sydney-town-hall-organ-recitals. For a brief program, see below:

Monday 10 August
University to Town Hall
Amy Johansen (Sydney University)

Monday 28 September
Fanfares & Fantasias
Robert Ampt

Monday 2 November
Organ & Bagpipes
Robert Ampt with Richard McGregor and Donald McKay (Bagpipes)

Wednesday 30 December
Young Organist’s Day
Featuring the talented young prize winners from the 2015 Sydney Organ Competition.

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The SFF: a local favorite!

The 62nd Annual Sydney Film Festival has once again been announced, with a program sure to dazzle and delight audiences of every distinction. This year, organisers have set out twelve days of cinematic treats covering everything from animation to horror. The event offers guests the chance to watch some superb movies, engage in lively panel chats, and to participate in the festival atmosphere on offer.

Beginning on Wednesday 3 June and running until Sunday 14 June 2015, the SFF brings together the best of international cinema sourced from revered festivals as diverse as Cannes, Sundance, TiFF and the Berlinale. In addition to the international programming, local filmmakers have also been given the opportunity to share their artistic endeavours.

The SFF is also a thriving, living competition, with more than 12 films from around the world competing for the coveted Sydney Film Prize. The sixty thousand dollar cash prize is decided by a jury of professionals and peers, and has previously been given to films as diverse as Only God Forgives (2013), A Separation (2011) and Bronson (2009).

This year, festival highlights are found throughout the program. Michael Fassbender’s new western, Slow West, is being given a lot of attention, as is Ian McKellan’s graceful performance in Mr. Holmes. Ground breaking documentaries such as Going Clear and The Look Of Silence look set to thrill fans of realism, while Love and Mercy and 99 Homes offer dashes of traditional Hollywood flavour.

This year, renowned film critic David Stratton will be presenting a retrospective of the films of Ingmar Bergman, the Swedish master filmmaker. Ten films chosen for the presentation will include classics such as The Seventh Seal (1957), Wild Strawberries (1957), Persona (1966), Cries and Whispers (1972), and Fanny and Alexander (1982). Bergman’s impact on cinema is significant, with directors as diverse as Woody Allen and Wes Craven drawing inspiration from ‘the gloomy Swede’ and his moody repertoire. Mr. Stratton will be presenting each film, so be sure to grab tickets soon!

What: The 62nd Annual Sydney Film Festival.
When: Wednesday 3 June until Sunday 14 June 2015.
Where: State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays and Dendy Newtown, Art Gallery of NSW, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, the Festival Hub at Sydney Town Hall and SFF Outdoor Screen.
Information and Tickets: www.sff.org.au

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The SWF is starting soon…

Boasting of over three hundred unique events, there’s something for everybody at the Sydney Writer’s Festival. From popular authors, to cultural luminaries, the SWF has a rich history of bringing together some of the world’s most fascinating minds and perspectives. For many authors, it’s also a rare opportunity to cut loose and communicate openly and honestly with the public.

This year, there are more than a few notable events worth investigating. Former Australian Prime Minster Julia Gillard will take part in an already-sold-out event called “On Standing For Something”. ‘Alex Cross’ creator, James Patterson, will be in town to discuss his unbeaten streak of best-selling novels. Acclaimed science writer Atul Gawunde will be presenting a chat focused on the limitations of modern medicine, while award winning Australian author Richard Flanagan will be discussing his meteoric rise to international prominence.

There are also many other events involving authors as diverse as Kate Grenville, Helen Garner, David Mitchell, Ben Okri and Alan Cumming. For the more socially oriented, there are opening night events and a commencement speech by the renowned author Mohsin Hamid, so be sure to acquaint yourself with the full program.

Attracting tens of thousands of locals and visitors, the Sydney Writers’ Festival is one of Australia’s must-attend social events. If you happen to be in town while it’s on, make sure you check out the 2015 festival. There are literally hundreds of events to choose from!

What: The 2015 Sydney Writers’ Festival
When: 18 -24 May, 2015.
Where: All across the Sydney CBD area. Consult the program for event details!
Bookings and Information: swf.org.au.

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The Sydney Town Hall…

Over the course of eighteen days, Vivid brings together the best in international arts and culture. There are free exhibitions and events, as well as a plethora of paid events that appeal to a broad cross section of the city. This year, there will be wonderful outdoor art galleries, plenty of fantastic light shows for the whole family and a musical roster including some of the biggest names in the industry today.

US jazz legend Pharaoh Sanders will play an intimate gig at the Carriageworks venue, while indie darling Sufjan Stevens will be playing selections form his new album Carrie & Lowell. British eighties hero Morrissey will also be in town for a series of intimate events, while local acts such as Daniel Johns will also be appearing on selected evenings.

Matthew Weiner, creator of the popular series Mad Men, will be in town to discuss his experiences on the program, and publisher Tyler Brule will also be on hand to discuss his life as a senior editor for several large-scale publications including Wallpaper and Monocle. Designer Stefan Sagmeister is set to discuss his achievements in the field of design, and several other prominent speakers will also thrill crowds.

Vivid is an internationally renowned event that truly illuminates the city and iconic harbour. The mesmerising installations, illustrious light shows and thrilling kids’ activities coalesce to create a highly unique festival, ideal for groups of friends, partners or families to enjoy together.

This year’s Vivid Festival runs from May 22 to June 8 2015, so be sure to visit their website in order to snap up tickets and find out more about the smorgasbord of events on offer. You won’t regret taking part in the wonderful event- so make it along to the Vivid Festival if you can!

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The Enmore Theatre…

The Metro Theatre. Once a hot-spot for rock ‘n’ roll, the Metro Theatre now offers patrons a much wider and more eclectic musical roster. The small venue is intimate and boasts great sound quality, as well as plenty of standing and seating options. There are bars within the venue and it’s all conveniently located in the heart of the Sydney CBD. Many musical legends have played the Metro’s venerated stage, so the cultural value alone is worth the price of admission!

The Enmore Theatre. Just down the road from the cultural heartland that is Newtown, the Enmore Theatre is one of Sydney’s most loved venues. The decorative interior boasts an old-world charm and great stage-views, while the sound and atmosphere is often the best in the city. Comedy acts also tour this venue, as do larger local acts and legendary rockers.

The Factory Theatre. Nestled in the middle of quirky Marrickville, the Factory Theatre is a cool venue occupying a large and multi-faceted space. As it often plays host to festivals and cultural events, the Factory is a great place to catch some of the city’s edgiest art scenes. It’s also a great place to grab a beer and enjoy a local band!

GoodGod Small Club. Hidden below the Sydney CBD street-level, GoodGod Small Club is an oasis for lovers of intimate performances and interesting new music. Occasionally, the club plays host to a musical luminary (Stephen Malkmus, Damo Suzuki and Ty Segall have all performed in the club section), so always keep an eye open for surprise gigs and fun events!
So make the most of your time in Sydney and check out these awesome live entertainment venues!

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The Hive Bar

The Hive Bar prides itself on being your bar. You can exhibit artwork or create a mural on one of their walls, or bring over your favourite records to their Wednesday night Vinyl Club. They also have a strong commitment to sustainability and supporting local produce with their large selection of Australian and local Sydney wine, beer and cider. The kitchen offers a range of share plates, burgers, pizzas and seasonal spices and stays open until midnight, just like the bar. The live music ranges from soul, ska and rocksteady oldies on a Wednesday to funk, hip hop and other classics on a Thursday, then turns to an eclectic mix of fun tunes from Sydney’s best vinyl DJs on Friday and Saturday.

Lazybones Lounge

Lazybones Lounge is committed to supporting local musicians and entertaining local bar-goers by offering live music seven nights a week. The bar has eccentric decor and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for lounging, enjoying funky music and enjoying an exquisite range of food and drinks. They offer local microbrews and cider on tap as well as fine wine from all over the globe. On top of a menu of scrumptious bar classics such as pizza, nachos, bork belly sliders and salads Lazybones Lounge also offers a South African street food consisting of curry served in a hollowed bread roll, called Bunny Chow. The bar is located on Illawarra Road and is open on on weekends until 3am.

Bloodwood Restaurant and Bar

Bloodwood is a raw venue with an incredible menu and industrial finishes. The decor has an emphasis on recycled and reclaimed materials, while the menu has a focus on seasonal dishes designed for sharing and consisting of the very best produce chefs Mitchell Grady and Claire van Vuuren could find. The bar has twice won “Small Wine List of the Year” judged by SMH Good Food Guide. With four areas including a bar, private dining room, mezzanine dining and outdoor terrace, Bloodwood Restaurant and Bar caters to groups of every taste and size.

Earl’s Juke Joint

Earl’s Juke Joint is so hidden (behind Betta Meats to be exact) and trendy it doesn’t even have it’s own website. It’s been described as a King Street bar for grown ups with a New Orleans edge. The dark but simply, rustic designed space is infused with a bourbon haze and features a phenomenal array of beverages from a rum-based Cantina Band – a Dark and Stormy with a twist – to a caramelised pineapple smacked Golden Ale.  Earl’s Juke Joint is the brainchild of bar genius entrepreneur Shady Pines’ Pasan Wijesena so you know it must be doing something right.

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CNY in full swing!

More than a hundred thousand people gathered to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Sheep, the single largest celebration of CNY outside of mainland China. The atmosphere was palpable and filled with fun, with revellers occupying every single square inch of the CBD limits.

“The Twilight Parade is an excellent way we celebrate Sydney’s cultural diversity,” Councillor Clover Moore told the Sydney Morning Herald. And indeed it was. Complete with fireworks and thousands of home-grown and international performers, the Chinese New Year celebrations were among the year’s best. There were colourfully designed dragons, as well as idiosyncratic Chinese-Australian creations (a five metre merino sheep named Wisdom) – it was truly a feast for the senses.

Over the last few weeks, festival organisers have been preparing for the last CNY to take place on George Street (the street will be closed next year for van infrastructure project). In the end, the festival culminated in a majestic fireworks display at Cockle Bay Wharf in Darling Harbour, complete with flame-throwers and bursting fire-crackers.

Participants from the local Chinese-Australian community were involved in the event, with revellers from the Shanghai, Fujian, Guangzhou and Beijing areas included. Each year, the festivities draw in tens of thousands of tourists and locals, demonstrating the true diversity and breadth of the Chinese-Australian culture and the contribution it has made to our nation.

So next year, be sure to make it along to the Chinese New Year Festival in Sydney. It really is one of the social highlights of the year!

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