Watching the markets

Wow. Who'd have thought the end of the American Century would be so dramatic? If I was religious, I'd be praying right now.

Grass needs sun

In the middle of all the usual arguments about massing and density in the latest Chippendale residents' group email, one thing could my eye: overshadowing of the new big park.

Now, some shadows are just part of life in the big city. Our backyard is largely overshadowed by public housing. More direct sunlight would be fabulous, but we live with the shadows knowing the buildings provide homes for people. That's a good thing. And frankly, I'd rather have a few shadows in my life than live further out or force out other potential residents with planning controls.

But shadows over a park? Well, they can actually stop grass from growing, which kind of defeats the purpose of having one. We've seen this in the Peace Park. The council returfed it this year, but already it's a mudpool again. I presume overshadowing is one cause of this death of grass.

So, will overshadowing kill the grass in the new park? Well, sadly I just don't know. The sun study shows lots of light hitting the park during the middle of the day in March, and not much light hitting it during the middle of the day in June. Sadly, it doesn't tell us how much light hits it in the morning and evening. Even more important, it does not tell us how much sunlight grass needs to grow. If anyone has reliable information about those two issues, please leave a comment below.

Update: REDWatch has published the email notice that caught my eye.

The final count

It's on the City of Sydney media room if anyone's interested.

Burgmann sledges NSW Labor

Cripes, check this out! Couldn't agree more...

Labor councillor attacks her party via kwout

Photo exhibition about Chippendale

Lucia Fisher is holding an exhibition about our neighbourhood at Ambush Gallery. Check it out.

lucid dream, lucia fischer photography via kwout

My husband's green thumb

Inspired by the labours of the group of local green thumbs, Steven has planted a native garden outside no. 35 and 37 Rose St. We'd been complaining for ages about some antisocial dog owners allowing their pets to use the patch of dirt outside our place as a toilet and creating a hygiene hazard when our kids (sometimes intentionally!) stepped in the steaming deposits. We'd all die waiting for the council to beautify our streetscape and many have taken the matter into their own hands and created stunning green vistas along parts of Rose and Myrtle, including the impressive stretch near Pine St which has been planted up with a variety of vegetables. So now we're carting bath water daily to help the natives adjust but Steven assures me they are very low maintenance which is a good thing because I don't have a good track record with gardens. Good on you Steven!

Chippendale Business Directory

Queen Street Studio is selling ad spots on a poster that will be distributed to all Chippendale households. Mock-up below.

Election: Moore returned; wards rejected

Well, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been returned with an increased majority, and wards will not be introduced. Congratulations on a successful campaign. We look forward to some of the almost magical-seeming promises in Sustainable Sydney 2030 becoming a reality.

Moore returned with 2030 vision via kwout

Rate your street

Interesting perspective on Chippendale streets can be found Street Advisor.

I would have given our neighbouhood a far higher rating, but that's just me...

Chippendale, New South Wales, Australia via kwout

City elections: leaning towards Labor

This weekend, we go to the polls to elect a new city government.

At this stage, I'm reluctantly leaning towards Labor.

Here are the options as I see them:

• Councillor Mallard and the Sydney Liberals ticket. Mallard gets points for being the only councillor to allow comments on his blog, which for me says he's willing to listen. Also, he's definitely from the "small l" pro-cycling anti-homophobia wing of his party. However, his ticket has largely run a negative campaign, raising legitimate questions about our current local government but not showing why the Sydney Liberals are an attractive alternative. I wish them well but won't give them my vote.


• Councillor Harris and the Greens ticket. The Greens' agenda in the City of Sydney seems to be a mixture of genuine policy innovation, empty symbolism and knee-jerk opposition to the Pope, privatisation and much needed urban renewal. Again, I wish them well but won't give them my vote.


• Lord Mayor Clover Moore and her Independant Party ticket. I am dazzled by the Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision, but I feel like it's a mirage and I'm being sold to. The day we get our first trigeneration plant, I'll change my tune. In the mean time, I'd rather see Moore focus on NSW state parliament, where she can repeat her success with the Small Bars bill. I helped re-elect Moore as the member for Sydney, but I won't be voting for her as Lord Mayor.


• Dr Burgmann and her Labor Party ticket. This one is hard. I am appalled by the performance NSW's Labor government, which until recently included Burgmann. But with her connections, determination and experience, Burgmann might just be the ticket to reinvigorate public transport in central Sydney. Her role in progressing the Pemulwuy Project — despite previous resistance from Frank Sartor — gives me hope that she can take on NSW Labor and win. Despite everything, I'll vote Labor in the city elections.

Good news on Pemulwuy

I've just read that the Aboriginal Housing Company's Pemulwuy Project will progress to the next stage of assessment, after the Redfern Waterloo Authority agreed to pay the development application fee without conditions.

Countless new homes and services are coming to the south Sydney area, but young professionals and savvy investors will be the first to seize the opportunities that this creates.

By providing more Aboriginal families and individuals with the opportunity to live, work or study in the shadow of Redfern Station, the Pemulwuy Project will help broaden the community of Sydneysiders that enjoys the benefits of redeveloping south Sydney.

Pemulwuy project breakthrough via kwout

Sustainable House open day

It's that time of year again — the Sustainable House on Myrtle St is having an open day.

Last year I attended, and it was a real education.

The only downside was the handful of guests who kept asking questions like: "Really, why aren't you just living in the backyard in a tent so you can turn the whole house into a wildlife refuge you unsustainable oafs?" Slap! But the hosts even handled those questions graciously. This event is highly recommended.

Hat tip to PBW for the link.

Probably voting yes on wards

This weekend, at the City of Sydney council elections, we'll be asked whether we wish to introduce wards to our system of local government. Sydney Central has an explanation of the issue. At this stage, I'm inclined to vote yes as wards seem like a simple, low-cost way of increasing the representativeness of the council.

Pedestrian access to Victoria Park

The issue of pedestrian access to Victoria Park has surfaced again.

My view is that increasing pedestrian access to Victoria Park would be a tremendous benefit to the community. I also believe that a crossing with traffic lights would be cheaper, prettier and more usable than a footbridge.

Of course, traffic lights would also affect traffic. This, I believe, is the way of the future, but sadly the RTA seems to have a different view.

Frankly, I have no idea how to win this one.

Modified plans for CUB site

It's a shame to be so busy, but I just can't see myself finding the time to read the modification requests for the CUB site.

While I haven't reviewed the new plans in particular, my views on urban consolidation in general are well known: it's the most environmentally and economically efficient way of providing more Sydneysiders with access to the jobs, entertainment and other privileges that we take for granted here in Chippendale. Every apartment we don't build is another family we exclude from our lifestyle.

That said, every plan can be improved, so continued community input in response to the proposed revisions is a good thing.

If any readers have found them time to read the revised plans and want to share their views, I'd encourage you to leave a comment here. I only ask that you use your own words rather than copy-pasting campaign or marketing materials.

Of course, commenting in my wee blog is no substitute for sharing your views directly with the department.

Postscript: here's the Combined Chippendale Community Group's take.