Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 14 of 25

Living Beyond the Diagnosis: How a Redfern Resident Conquers Parkinson’s Disease

Growing up, Redfern resident Emma cherished her close proximity to the beach and led an active school life filled with endless adventures. Deep down, she dreamed of becoming a flight attendant. However, destiny had a different plan in store for Emma. Learn about her journey battling Parkinson’s disease.

Read: Mum and Daughter Duo Opens NYC-Style Bagels Deli in Redfern

After graduating from school, Emma embarked on an exciting journey by joining Contiki, a renowned travel company in Sydney known for its global adventures.

Determined to gain valuable hospitality experience, she spent several months working diligently before setting off to Europe. Her destination was Antibes, a picturesque town nestled on the enchanting shores of the French Riviera.

Parkinson's Disease — Photo credit: Josh Hild/Pexels

As time went by, Emma’s heart called her back to her beloved Australia. She secured a position at Flight Centre, channelling her passion for travel into helping others create their dream vacations.

Life seemed perfect as she married her love and welcomed two beautiful daughters into the world. The girls, now aged 12 and 9, brought immeasurable joy to Emma’s existence.

However, just a few months after her dreamy honeymoon in Paris back in 2010, Emma began experiencing unusual health issues. Concerned, she consulted her general practitioner, who inquired about any prior episodes of numbness or tingling in her body.

Suddenly, she remembered experiencing pins and needles in her hands a few years earlier. After a series of medical examinations, Emma received a diagnosis that shook her to the core: Multiple Sclerosis.

In early 2019, Emma encountered yet another hurdle on her path to healing. Whilst attending a yoga retreat, she was taken aback as her leg began shaking uncontrollably. Troubled by this perplexing symptom, she returned to her neurologist, who unveiled a new diagnosis: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

This disorder, which can arise from significant stress or trauma, disrupts the communication between the brain and the central nervous system, leading to a myriad of symptoms despite no structural damage to the brain.

Determined to explore all possibilities, Emma sought a second opinion in October 2021 from a different neurologist. The words that followed left her speechless: early-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Facing the challenges of her condition, Emma remained resilient. She sought solace and information from organisations like Parkinson’s NSW, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and MS Plus.

Their abundant resources and unwavering support allowed her to maintain a positive outlook and live well despite her circumstances.

Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, Emma drew strength from the incredible organisations and individuals who had supported her throughout her journey. Their unwavering dedication and wealth of resources provided her with hope and guidance as she navigated the challenges of her new diagnosis.

Read: Lightning Strikes Twice For Redfern Family

With the help of her local Parkinson’s support group and the online communities she had found, Emma continued to persevere. Every day, she embraced the power of knowledge, resilience, and a positive mindset.

Published 18-May-2023

Savour the Taste of Mexico, Make a Difference at Coyoacan Social

Did you know that at Coyoacan Social, you can experience the irresistible flavours of Mexico in Eveleigh whilst making a meaningful difference in the community?

Read: Tacos Muchachos Brings Back Salsa Nights at Its Permanent Redfern Home

Brought by the renowned hospitality group Plate It Forward and led by talented Head Chef and Mexico City native Roman Cortes, this vibrant new restaurant combines elevated street food and signature Mexican dishes with a heartfelt mission of giving back.

For every meal served at Coyoacan Social, another meal will be donated to a local centre in Mexico City, ensuring that those in need receive the nourishment they deserve. This noble mission is deeply rooted in Chef Cortes’s personal journey of overcoming addiction, making it a cause close to his heart.

They have also collaborated with local charities in South Eveleigh and Redfern, creating a safe haven for vulnerable individuals to share not only food but also stories and a sense of community. By dining at the restaurant, patrons actively contribute to this welcoming and supportive space.

Photo credit: Katherine Sleeth/Google Maps

Prepare to be enticed by the vibrant menu meticulously crafted to reflect the restaurant’s mission. Indulge in the unforgettable Birria tacos served with a mouthwatering beef dipping broth, or savour the exquisite cochinita pibil, featuring marinated pulled-pork tacos adorned with pickled red onion and a choice of delectable sauces.

For those seeking lighter options, the salad bowls offer a fresh and nutritious choice. And if you’re in the mood for sharing, the customisable nachos menu will surely satisfy every craving. Accompanied by an array of salsas and the classic horchata and churros, each bite at Coyoacan Social is a symphony of flavours that transports you straight to the streets of Mexico City.

Read: William Redfern: Get To Know the Man Who Lent His Name to Redfern

With lunch service available from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and dinner service from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Coyoacan Social caters to both the midday crowd and the evening enthusiasts.

Coyoacan Social is located at Shop 8/1 Locomotive St, Eveleigh. Check out their website for more information.

Published 9-May-2023

University of Sydney Plans Expansion to Address Shortage of Teaching Spaces

Photo credit: Facebook / The University of Sydney

Did you know that the University of Sydney is planning to build a five-story teaching facility, the Ross Street Teaching and Learning Hub? The project is meant to address the shortage of quality teaching spaces post-COVID-19.

The University of Sydney is planning to construct a new teaching and learning hub to address the shortage of quality teaching spaces across the campus in the post-Covid era.

According to the early concept plan, the proposed Ross Street Teaching and Learning Hub involves a five-story building designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students and 30 staff members and is expected to provide as many as 1,300 construction jobs.

The new facility is planned to be constructed at the Ross St entrance location on the periphery of the Camperdown Campus. This will take the place of a cluster of temporary structures currently at the site.

The return of students to campus after Covid-19 lockdowns has heightened the need for more teaching and learning space, with many students experiencing overwhelming crowds and a scarcity of available study areas.

Some students reported feeling stressed and struggling to find a quiet place to study, even in the library, and have resorted to leaving campus after classes to study at home. Meanwhile, some students expressed concerns regarding overcrowded lectures in small rooms, with some students having to stand.

However, the university has assured students that it is monitoring access to and use of study spaces and implementing necessary crowd management protocols.

The Ross Street Teaching and Learning Hub’s construction is anticipated to ease the burden on the University of Sydney’s present teaching and learning spaces. Although the building will not have permanent staff, it will offer extra general teaching and learning space that is currently in high demand.

Published 3-May-2023

Victoria Park Racecourse: A Look Back At Zetland’s Forgotten Sporting Venue

Before its ongoing transformation to become a masterplanned community, the area now known as Victoria Park was swampland in the late 19th century and a racecourse in the early 20th century.

Read: William Redfern: Get To Know the Man Who Lent His Name to Redfern

In the early 1900s, the site was nothing more than a lagoon and swamp, until it was drained to create a racetrack.

The racecourse was privately owned by Sir James John Joynton Smith, a hotelier, racecourse and newspaper owner, who spared no expense in developing the site to become the greatest and finest pony horse racing course in Sydney.

Victoria Park — Sir Joynton Smith (Photo credit: State Library of New South wales, Image number DL 92/263 Dixson Library)

Mr Joynton Smith had a reputation for being extensively involved in exclusive track racing. Before constructing the Zetland racecourse, he held a lease at the Brighton racecourse located in Rockdale, and later at the Forest Lodge racecourse in Glebe, which eventually transformed into Harold Park.

It was located on land bounded by Joynton Avenue, Epsom Road, Dowling Street and O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo.

The racetrack at Victoria Park became a popular destination for fans of horse racing, but it wasn’t long before other forms of racing began to take place at the site.

In 1908, a clay-and-cinder track, measuring 1.81 kilometres in length, was built around the horseracing course. This new track was used for speedway racing by both cars and motorcycles, and quickly became a favourite spot for fans of high-speed racing.

On 6 October 1908, the first motor racing meeting was held at Victoria Park. This was the start of an era of motor racing that would last for over a decade, and attract some of the most skilled and daring drivers of the time. The speedway at Victoria Park became known for its thrilling races, as drivers competed at breakneck speeds on the clay-and-cinder track.

During the Second World War, the site was repurposed as an aircraft factory, but after the war ended, it was transformed into a horse training course in 1945.

However, this was short-lived as British businessman Lord Nuffield purchased the racecourse in 1947 and converted it into a motor vehicle assembly facility in 1950.

Photo credit: CC0/Ross Brothers – Sydney/Wikimedia Commons

The site was utilised by Nuffield Australia for vehicle production, which continued under the successors BMC Australia and Leyland Australia until the factory’s closure in 1975.

Read: Locals Continue Fight Against Privatisation Of Explorer St Public Housing

Today, the area is undergoing transformation into a master-planned community that encompasses a variety of functional community spaces and parklands, along with a range of housing options including affordable housing and live/work apartments. Additionally, there will be various shops to cater to the diverse needs of the community.

Published 25-April-2023

Tracing the Troubled Past of the Waterloo Incinerator in Zetland

Photo credit: anSICHThoch3 from Pixabay

The Waterloo Incinerator, also known as the “Zetland Monster”, was a source of controversy and public outrage in the Sydney suburb of Zetland for over three decades. Built in the 1960s, the incinerator was finally closed down in 1996 after being found to be operating in serious breach of international pollution standards.

Spewing pollution and foul odour 24/7, the incinerator owned by Waverley and Woollahra councils was found to have violated international pollution standards for dioxin/furan and heavy metal emissions, as per a 1990s report by the NSW EPA, leading to its closure.

The site of the Waterloo Incinerator became a topic of debate among developers, councils, and residents after its closure. In 2007, the incinerator was demolished to make way for the Green Square town centre, a large urban renewal project by the NSW Government.

The Waterloo Incinerator: A Controversial History

The history of the Waterloo Incinerator is rife with controversy and public opposition.

In 1965, Waverley and Woollahra councils applied to build an incinerator in Botany Road, Waterloo, but the City of Sydney Council refused the application.

The case went to the Land and Valuation Court in 1966, and the incinerator was approved. It opened in 1973, but a year later residents began demonstrating against the odour, dust, and air pollution.

The South Sydney Council sought an injunction against the owners, and the State Pollution Control Commission (SPCC) ordered the plant closed by November 1974.

Opposition and Closure Campaigns

There were several campaigns launched by the community to close the Waterloo Incinerator due to its harmful effects on the environment and public health.

The incinerator underwent a major overhaul and reopened in July 1976, but the problems did not end there.

In 1989, tests found dioxins in emissions 30–60 times above global standards, causing public outrage. In 1990, SPCC said there was no threat to public health, but ZCAG campaigned to close the incinerator.

Then in 1992, additional tests discovered dioxin levels up to 153 times beyond overseas standards. Greenpeace blockaded the incinerator for a day in August, of that same year. However, the environment minister permitted the incinerator to keep running after an upgrade was completed to meet German dioxin emission requirements.

The owner councils established a Community Liaison Committee in April 1993 to garner community support for the incinerator’s upgrade. In August of the same year, the Department of Planning launched the Green Square Strategy for an urban village to be built on old industrial land just east of the incinerator, accommodating up to 30,000 new residents.

In September 1994, South Sydney Council and ZCAG started a campaign to close the incinerator, followed by the establishment of a “dioxin hospital” by Greenpeace and ZCAG in November. The Community Liaison Committee was later abandoned.

In March 1995, Environment Minister Pam Allan pledged to phase out the incinerator, and the Eastern Suburbs Waste Management Inquiry was formed in June. Despite the inquiry recommending shutting down the incinerator within two years, the owner councils suggested upgrading it.

However, in 1996, the EPA deemed the incinerator ash hazardous and sent it to a landfill in western Sydney. Additionally, internal reports indicated that the incinerator required $2.5 million in urgent repairs as it was on the verge of collapsing.

By May, tenders for upgrading the incinerator lapsed, and the owner councils abandoned their upgrade plans.

Allan intended to shut down the plant before the operating license expiration deadline. However, the EPA director-general extended the license and proposed upgrading the incinerator again.

Published 18-April-2023

Neighbour Outbids First-Home Buyers to Secure Redfern Terrace for $1.86M

Photo credit: Google Maps

A Redfern terrace has been sold to a neighbour for $1.86 million. The winner outbid several other investors, first-home buyers and builders at a hotly contested bidding that began at $1.3 million and quickly increased to $1.5 million.

The auction, which had five active bidders, was held 25 March 2023. The bidding war quickly came down to bids between a first-home buyer couple and an investor who owned a neighbouring property.

One of the bidders who bowed out of the race said that they’re conscious of avoiding a situation where they might overstretch their budget for a property purchase, particularly in light of recently publicised struggles of some individuals who have found themselves in difficult circumstances, necessitating a lifestyle change to maintain their mortgage payments.

In the end, the neighbour won the auction and secured the 130-square-metre block at 815 Bourke Street, along with DA-approved plans for a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home. The house last changed hands in 2012 for $825,000.

The single-level floor plan boasts three bedrooms, generous living space, and a courtyard escape, making it suitable for both up-sizers and downsizers.

The property has a classic central living area with a green marble fireplace, an arch in the hallway, rich hardwood floorboards, and pressed metal ceilings in the lounge and bedroom 3.

The eat-in kitchen has been renovated and now features stylish timber benchtops and subway tiles. It also has modern lighting pendants, mirrored built-in robes, internal laundry with storage, and pedestrian access from the rear lane.

This Redfern terrace is an impressive property that offers ample space, character, and convenience and is just 400 metres from Surry Hills and local amenities.

Moreover, it is located in close proximity to city buses, a light rail station, Waterloo supermarkets and Danks Street cafes and restaurants.

Published 10-April-2023

Alexandria Office Space with Multi-Level Warehouse Development to Proceed

Photo Credit: Charter Hall/YouTube

Did you know that there could soon be a new, multi-level warehouse development in Alexandria?

Located at 520 Gardeners Road and named Ascent on Bourke, the development will replace a former hardware and building supplies store as it no longer meets the requirements of modern industrial uses.

Charter Hall, one of Australia’s leading property investment and fund management groups, has received approval to proceed to redevelop a redundant site as a new multi-level warehouse and distribution centre, operating 24/7.

Urbis, a leading planner, stated that the site’s location makes it ideally suited for freight logistics and last-mile facilities, given its strong tenant demand and access to major infrastructure hubs. This is part of a broader trend of increasing demand for logistics facilities, driven by the growth of e-commerce and the need for fast, reliable delivery.

Once operational, Ascent on Bourke should provide 659 jobs, a significant boost to the local economy. The development is part of the Southern Enterprise Area, which has seen progressive renewal over the past 5 to 10 years.

Published 4 April 2023

How New Restrictions Have Drastically Impacted the Eveleigh Hotel

It’s far from business as usual at the Eveleigh Hotel in Redfern, after incessant noise complaints from the neighbourhood prompted local officials to impose certain restrictions.

Read: Coloured Diggers March: Commemorating the Contributions of Aboriginal War Veterans

Based on planning restrictions proposed by the Sydney City Council on 27 January 2023, future live music will be banned and outdoor seating up to 8:00 p.m. will be reduced to a maximum of six people on two tables.

According to the hotel, these new restrictions are having an adverse impact on the hotel’s business which could be detrimental to the future viability of the family-run enterprise.

Hoping to reverse Sydney City Council’s proposed restrictions on outdoor seating and live music at The Eveleigh, the hotel’s shift manager Danny Leyland has launched an online petition, which already received over 3,000 signatures out of the target 5,000 in just three weeks since it started.

“Actions taken by the council have caused great damage to the essential character of The Eveleigh Hotel. It is difficult to explain in this petition the degree of stress and anxiety experienced by the staff who, as one member of the front of house team put it, ‘feel constantly on edge’ as a result of the ever-anticipated complainant,” the petition reads.

According to Mr Leyland, the incessant complaints they have been receiving for the past year or so from a neighbour is considered to be both unfounded and fair.

The pub insisted that the only live music they present is distinctly family-friendly, both in noise levels and character. Their live jazz events take place on Saturday afternoons and finish at around 7:00 p.m.

Read: William Redfern: Get To Know the Man Who Lent His Name to Redfern

Customers were also alleged to have caused disruption outside, including drinking in the street, shouting, and smoking in anti-social areas. As a result, the hotel is already on a final warning.

“We at The Eveleigh Hotel completely and utterly reject these proposals, and we hope that you – the public – will help support us in this action,” Mr Leyland wrote.

Published 20-March-2023

18-storey Redfern Student Accommodation Building Gets Green Light

An 18-storey purpose-built student accommodation building will soon rise at Regent Street in Redfern after its Singaporean developer received the go-ahead for the project.

Read: Locals Continue Fight Against Privatisation Of Explorer St Public Housing

The subject site, located at 104-116 Regent St, Redfern spans 1,366 sqm and was once a service station. Singapore-based Wee Hur acquired the site from BP Australia for $46.1 million through Sydney investment management group Intergen Property Group.

Designed by Antoniades Architects, the student accommodation building being planned for the site will feature 409 student beds in 307 studio rooms, 37 two-bedroom rooms and 21 ensuite rooms. It will have communal facilities such as BBQ, outdoor cinema, seating and tables.

It is easily accessible to tertiary institutions such as the University of Sydney, University of Technology and TAFE NSW.

The approval came from the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) who stated that the project would facilitate the renewal of one of the last remaining sites within Redfern Town Centre.

Community Feedback

Council initially opposed Wee-Hur’s plan, with some concerns about the potential oversupply of student accommodation in Redfern and its construction and amenity impacts.

The project site adjoins another Wee Hur-owned property, located at 13-23 Gibbons Street, which is another student accommodation development.

student accommodation building — Photo credit: Wee Hur/DPE

In total, DPE received 16 submissions, comprising three public submissions (all objecting), an objection from Council, and advice from 12 Government agencies.

Key issues raised in the public submissions related to the student accommodation land use, construction impacts, amenity impacts from operations, and a range of design and technical matters.

Developers eventually amended their plans, which include removing a section of rooms above the podium to increase the northern tower setback and building separation, incorporating external privacy louvres into the northern facade, and reconfiguring the ground floor to improve activation and increase retail floor space.

They will also step up the height of the podium to follow the site’s photography and will provide a public art zone on the southern elevation of the tallest, northern tower.

Read: Consortium Selected For $230M Elizabeth Street Renewal Project

The tower, which is expected to cost $53 million, is predicted to generate up to five operational jobs and 220 construction jobs.

Published 28-March-2023

Have Your Say: New Resilience Strategy

Photo credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Have your say on developing a resilience strategy that will strengthen the city’s ability to prepare for, withstand and adapt following major disruptions.

Published in 2018, Resilient Sydney is a collaboration of all 33 metropolitan councils of Greater Sydney that aims to develop a city-wide resilience strategy. The strategy provides the framework and guidance for councils to develop a local area-specific strategy.

The new resilience strategy the City of Sydney is developing describes the challenges communities face and opportunities for action across five areas:

An inclusive and connected community – How we address homelessness, perceptions of safety, lack of affordable housing, access to food, digital inclusion, social cohesion, loneliness and isolation.
A climate resilient city – How we adapt to a changing climate including heat, drought, storms, flooding and rising sea levels, and create solutions for those who are most impacted.
Places, buildings, and infrastructure for resilience – How we manage our infrastructure and buildings to withstand shocks and stresses and improve community resilience.
A prosperous local economy – How we build the wealth of our communities through diversity, inclusiveness and revitalisation of our city.
A prepared community – How we’re working with communities and government to prepare organisations, services and people to respond to and recover from shock events.

To give your feedback you can:

Visit the interactive map
Complete a survey
Come to a drop-in session
Green Square Library, Anything Room – Tuesday 21 March, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Juanita Nielsen Community Centre – Thursday 23 March, 10 am – 1 pm
Redfern Community Centre – Wednesday 5 April, 3 pm – 6 pm
Glebe Library lawn – Thursday 6 April, 10 am – 1 pm
Email of post your feedback
give feedback by email to sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or post to:
Senior Project Manager
City Engagement
City of Sydney
Town Hall House
Level 7, 456 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Talk to a City of Sydney officer

Leonie Hancock
SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Phone: 02 9265 9333
Email: sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Consultation is open until 21 April 2023.

Feedback received from this consultation will be combined with information from technical reviews and evidence-based research. A draft strategy and action plan will be developed for public consultation later in 2023.

Published 21-March-2023