City Hub 11 January 2018

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city hub 11 JANUARY 2018

Backpacker backlash Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city.

Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677.

Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.

ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Editor: John Moyle, Alec Smart Contributors: Jade Morellini, John Moyle, Louis Nowra, Isobel Rushe, Alec Smart Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Karl Krticka Cover Photo: Supplied by Lisa Trujillo Active Wear. Lisa Trujillo Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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BY JOHN MOYLE The warm weather is here and just like birds chasing an eternal summer, backpackers arrive in Kings Cross to complete their migratory rite of passage to party, party, party.

Or at least that is how it appears to some residents living near Kings Cross’s backpacker central in Victoria Street.

Recent months has seen them united against what they say are ‘noise and behavioural problems’ emanating from hostels located near residents in Victoria Street and on a ridge behind the hostels.

The un-named residents’ group raised a petition against backpackers in general, and lodged an objection to a Development Application (DA) from the Original Backpackers and Zing Hostel at 156-162 Victoria Street, to build a three-storey addition over a rear courtyard.

The Original Backpackers is something of an icon in the backpacking community, with claims that it was the first backpackers’ hostel in the area when it opened in 1980.

The DA is for The Original Backpackers and Zing Hostel to carry out alterations and extensions, including a new addition to accommodate six new hostel rooms, communal lounge and kitchen, bringing the total number of guests to 249, to be accommodated in 77 rooms across the premises.

For the past 15 years a company directed

by Daniel Harrison has operated the hostel complex. Mr. Harrison said, “Most of the neighbours haven’t looked at the plans,” and says that they will result in less occupants as new State legislation requires an increase of bed space from 2.5 sqm to 3.5 sqm.

Ms. Patti Skenridge, a resident living on the Potts Point ridge above the hostels, is citing a

The Original Backpackers in Kings Cross has raised neighbours concerns over plans to build a three-storey addition over a rear courtyard.

Photo: John Moyle

lack of consultation with the community and anti-social behavior associated with the hostels in the area for her opposition.

“The guests in these hostels consume large amounts of BYO alcohol on the premises and in front of the hostels on Victoria Street, where they gather every evening and party until the early hours of the morning, disturbing residents,” Ms. Skenridge said.

“It is not unlike living next to a very noisy pub/club combined,” she added.

A City of Sydney spokesperson said, “There are currently 18 backpacker premises in Potts Point registered with the City of Sydney, and existing backpacker premises must comply with their development consent, and noise is regulated using the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act.” Mr. Harrison said that in 2016, Kings Cross Police carried out sound monitoring in the area to check on noise relating to the hostels at the request of residents.

Sam Donni, Senior Constable, Crime Prevention, Kings Cross Police, confirmed the monitoring.

“We did some sound monitoring from some of the residents’ places in Springfield Avenue and the trouble was not so much in the courtyards, but with backpackers leaving the hostels and going out into the streets,” he said.

Mr. Harrison claims that the new addition will alleviate any sound problems coming from the courtyard as “most of the new structure will be enclosed, and we are thinking of putting in a retractable roof that can be open during the day and enclosed at night.”

The combined hostel businesses will also be installing fire doors on all of the Earl Street exits that will prevent guests from leaving and re-entering from the street.

They also plan to install a single office desk that will be manned by a non-backpacker during the evenings as a way of further monitoring rowdy behaviour.

The DA was on display until 7 December, 2017, and is currently under consideration.

Backpackers have been in the Kings Cross/ Potts Point area longer than most of the people making complaints and make valuable contributors to the local, state and national economy.

For the year ending June 2017, there were a total of 645,000 backpacker visits nationally, accounting for eight per cent of all visitors to Australia, spending an average of $5338 each, which contributed $4.5 billion to the economy.

Backpacker hostels overall can do more to control unruly behaviour on their premises, and local residents can be a little less sensitive to backpackers, because, in most cases, they were there first.

city hub 11 JANUARY 2018

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Drone rangers save lives

BY JADE MORELLINI The Northern Beaches Council have implemented a new initiative to make their beaches safer, using two Westpac Little Ripper drones to aid lifesavers with saving struggling swimmers.

In a partnership between the Northern Beaches Council, The Australian Lifeguard Service and Westpac Little Ripper, these drones will have the ability to drop floatable devices to swimmers in a matter of seconds, relay warnings and instructions, and it has new shark detecting technology.

Mayor of Northern Beaches Council, Michael Regan, said, “While it is early days in the trial, the Little Ripper drone technology is proving to be a useful additional tool for lifesavers and lifeguards patrolling our beaches.”

These roving drones will be located between Freshwater and South Curl Curl beaches and another at Bilgola, thanks to the generous donation of benefactor Marcus Blackmore AM. With the flying laws tight for recreational flyers, some are concerned about their privacy at beaches, especially with the implementation of drones in an area where many are exposed.

Frequent beachgoer Angelica Watson said, “Is flying drones at beaches legal? I think the initiative is great, but it might encourage other drone flyers to fly their drones at the beach and I’m not comfortable with that and I’m sure I speak for others too, especially considering pretty much everyone is in nothing but their swimmers.”

According to the Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority (C.A.S.A), drones must not fly within 30 metres of people, unless the people are essential to flying the drone or have given consent.

Drones used by lifesavers on Sydney’s Northern Beaches could also be deployed on Eastern Suburbs beaches such as Bronte. Photo: Alec Smart

On 29 September 2016 the amended CASR Part 101 (Civil Aviation Safety Regulation 1998) came into effect. Part 101 was amended primarily in response to the rapid expansion in the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems

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(RPAS), also commonly known as drones or unmanned aircraft.

An important change in the regulation is the ability for an approved operator who holds a Remote Operator’s Certificate - ReOC

(previously Unmanned Operator’s Certificate or - UOC) to operate between 30 and 15 metres of a person who has given consent.

Beachgoer Jacob Navan said, “I saw a drone flying at Freshwater Beach, it was pretty high up but I’m not too sure if it was the Little Ripper or just someone flying for fun.”

Mayor Michael Regan said, “In relation to privacy, the drones are being trialled over the ocean only to help protect swimmers and people fishing from rocks and there has been minimal to no impact on the privacy of individuals.

It is illegal for private individuals without appropriate authorisation from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to operate drones over populated areas, such as beaches.”

On top of this, recreational flyers may be deterred from flying at the beach due to fear of interrupting the official council initiative.

Experienced drone flyer, Brendan Sit said, “I’d be more worried as a recreational flier...

I wouldn’t want to interfere with official ops.

This is the future, I work in IT and this is classic digital transformation. I love what the council is trying to pioneer here.”

Steven Pearce from Australian Lifeguard Service said lifeguards were excited to have another potentially lifesaving tool on hand over summer.

“This really is an exciting opportunity to make use of 21st century technology to enhance our traditional beach services,” he said.

“In those emergency situations where a child is caught in a rip or a rock fisher washed over the shelf, the Westpac Little Ripper could literally be the difference between life and death while lifeguards get to the location or other lifesaving services arrive to extract the person from the water.”

City Councillors’ NY resolutions

By ISOBEL RUSHE and visit Sydney. I want people to feel confident As the City of Sydney Councillors re-enter office moving around the city with well-designed public after the holiday period, its time to look at their New spaces and transport routes,” she said.

Year’s Resolutions and plans for council in 2018.

Christine Forster, City of Sydney Liberal With the Council predicting big things for Councillor, is passionate about Sydney and this year, like always we are interested to see committed to helping make it the world’s best if these predictions are achievable and what place to live, work and visit. Councillor Forster each individual council will bring to the table believes open communication is most important themselves. entering this New Year in order to achieve Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “This excellence in all council matters. Cr Forster has is shaping up to be an enormous year. There is so played an active role in the bike share scheme but much on the agenda - our focus is on continuing to believes this needs revisiting this year in order to CHANCES TO WIN UP TO 1 MILLION DOLLARS. THAT’S. . . stand against8the NSW Government’s destructive make the most use of government resources.

WestConnex project and their wasteful plans to ‘Ensuring that the Lord Mayor is accountable knock down and rebuild Allianz Stadium, both and transparent will remain my highest priority. of which threaten trees, open space and our But I also think we need to focus on finding a community.” much better balance in terms of the roll out of Ms Moore is Sydney’s longest serving Lord bike share schemes,” she said.

Mayor.

Councillor Jess Scully is the founding curator The Lord Mayor’s focus is primarily around of Vivid Ideas, the creative industries stream construction and sustainability; her wish is to of this festival of music, light and ideas, and is remain consistent in these areas to ensure that the now entering her ninth year working on Vivid best facilities are provided for initiating progressive Sydney. However, Cr Scully’s council goal in solutions to complex city social problems.

2018 is to create a more inclusive council to public “We will continue to deliver on Sustainable relationship in which residents feel that they have Sydney 2030, our overarching set7of JUNE goals to – 3 AUGUST 2017 a say in local government decisions. transform the way we live, work and play, and She said; “My council goal for 2018 is to help New Year’s celebrations bring new resolutions - city councillors included. Photo: Alec Smart make Sydney as green, global and connected as more people understand how council works, how possible by 2030,” she said. more City action on the three big issues facing “As councillors we are about to have decisions it impacts on their lives, and how they can have Labor Councillor for the City of Sydney, Linda out City for the future: climate change; affordable on planning matters removed from us, and their say. I know a lot of long-term city residents Scott, is also committed to ensuring Council housing and the provision of infrastructure and therefore limiting our residents and business are right across this, but I’d love to help younger invests in community services and infrastructure to green spaces for our growing population,” she said. owners on having input on development that could people and new city residents participate in local improve the lives of all the City’s communities.

Second Term Independent Councillor at negatively impact the lives and how they make government.”

“As a Labor Councillor, I am committed to the City of Sydney, Angela Vithoulkas, is an their living. Bring planning back to councillors!”

On a more personal level, Councilor Linda working to create a City that is a fairer, safer and active member in Sydney’s small business and Councillor Professor Kerryn Phelps AM, an Scott, like many of us out there, has also said she’d more fun place to live for all of our residents. start up community. Angela has voiced concern Australian medical practitioner and a public health like to join a gym and actually go.

I will continue fighting for the needs of all our that councillors don’t have enough control over and civil rights advocate, says her 2018 Council So, indeed this year is shaping to be a big one communities, and continue to stand up for equality planning matters, and with the Government goal is to focus on a safer and healthier city. with many council goals to be achieved. City Hub and fairness in our City. removing their ability to have decisions on such “I would like to see our city safer for the look forward to seeing these goals put in place in “In 2018, my priorities are togiving ensure weyou take a golden matters sheopportunity will aim to work on in 2018. pedestriansdollars, and cyclistsevery who liveweek in, workfor in 8 weeks, order toamake a better Sydney.

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Very Cross Louis Nowra, author of Kings Cross: a biography, opposes the demolition of buildings along Victoria Street in The Cross.

Photo: John Webber

BY LOUIS NOWRA Cities are about change. The new replaces the old. There can be no better example than what is happening to Kings Cross. At the moment the Omnia apartment block now being built on the former Crest Hotel site will provide 135 luxury apartments once it’s finished. Part of its plans is to develop the western section of Darlinghurst road with cafes and restaurants. A few doors up, the Porky’s strip club and associated buildings will become an office block.

Perhaps the most extensive development proposed for the eastern side of Darlinghurst Road is the demolition of buildings from the El Alamein Fountain to the former Les Girls nightclub, Empire Hotel, taking in the Bourbon and Beefsteak site. This space will be replaced with an eight-storey building with 83 ‘luxury’ apartments. The proposal is being put forward to the City of Sydney with obscene haste, using the holiday period of January to avoid considered criticisms.

Those people who have voiced their dismay have indulged in nostalgia for what the Bourbon and Beefsteak and Les Girls once represented at the height of their popularity thirty or so years ago. I’ve never been one for nostalgia because essentially it’s about one’s youth and remembered happiness. This can’t be reclaimed, just as the former potency of the earlier Kings Cross can’t be.

Since 2000 the area has been dramatically redeveloped, with hotels turned into apartments and former iconic venues like the Bourbon transformed into a yuppie venue or demolished like Barons. Strip clubs and night clubs have closed and the lock-outs mean that young people have decided to go elsewhere.

The City of Sydney, led by the Lord Mayor Clover Moore, has pushed these changes, because as Moore has stated, she wants the area to become a village like Paddington. When she wanted to transform the Fitzroy Gardens a few years ago (a proposal that was thankfully defeated by locals), she wanted it to be not so much a park as a thoroughfare for up market apartment owners.

Once the area was celebrated for its heterogeneous and tolerant mixture of people. Bohemians, lawyers, prostitutes, sly groggers, nightclub patrons, gays, the wealthy and the poor lived side by side. It was a relief from the conformity of the suburbs. As the Cross has changed, its population has become homogenous. The well-off and well-heeled have become the norm. Those who have bought into the area want it transformed into a comfortable and conformist principality. In other words, they want to suburbanize it.

Families want it safe, regulated and the past removed. Kings Cross is a name loathed by both the real estate agents and the new inhabitants.

Now it’s called Potts Point South. The developer of the Bourbon site refers to it as ‘The Kings Cross area of Potts Point’. The very name and former spirit of the Cross is in the process of being obliterated.

I’m not against the new. My criticisms of the proposed Fitzroy Gardens was that it was a terrible design, out of character with the place and it failed to appreciate the social importance of the Gardens. One just has to look at the proposed building that will replace the Bourbon and Empire to be appalled at the anemic and banal design. This is a building without character, without shame. It’s very blandness is not only visually offensive, but signals its existence as merely a money making exercise, reminiscent of those terrible designs intended for the area during the early 1970s, many of them not built thanks to the Green Bans.

You’d think that at least someone in the City of Sydney organization would know something about architecture and its relation to the spirit of a place and its past but it seems not. The City of Sydney is very excited by these rushed developments because they want to obliterate the unsightly, the disadvantaged, and the different. They want the whole area to become Potts Point.

What will happen once Omnia and the new development up the road are completed, there will be a concerted effort by the new apartment owners, that is, those who can afford these ‘luxury’ units, to have the last vestiges of Kings Cross removed. They’ll want the name gone and with it the Injecting Centre and the Wayside Chapel. They will then have the bland, middle-class homogeneity they aspire to and have paid a fortune to avaricious property developers for.

Louis Nowra, author of Kings Cross: a biography and Woolloomooloo: a biography.

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The rise and fall of the Empire

BY JOHN MOYLE It’s amazing how one day a community is complacently going about its business and then the next all hell breaks loose, as it did when news of a major overdevelopment along Darlinghurst Road was broken by the City Hub and later picked up by the dailies.

People are angry, mobilising and discussing how best to tackle the proposal.

Even old enemies are uniting, to fight the biggest and ugliest development proposal in the Cross since the Victoria Street Green Bans of the mid-seventies.

The development calls for the demolition of the buildings from Blakes Pharmacy, near the El Alamein Fountain, through to the Empire Hotel.

The plan with no planning provides for 83 apartments and 101 car spaces with access from Barncleuth Lane, a narrow one way street that even with its current low volume vehicular traffic is problematic.

Construction is set to take three to four years, after which developer Iris Capital says the area will be ‘revitalized and heading into a renaissance’.

Iris Capital CEO Sam Arnaout, claims that the development is “well considered” and that Iris is “more than happy to talk and consult with the community.”

Play it again Sam, because not a peep out of you or your cohorts so far, and we question your consideration.

While still reviewing the proposal, local MP Alex Greenwich has seen enough when he said, “The question is whether this is the tipping point for the Cross, where venues that added to the diversity and vibrancy of our city are being replaced with large residential developments.”

Helen Crossing, convenor 2011 Residents’ Association said, “The proposed building is not in keeping with those currently existing in the area, or what we think Council ought to be considering as part of its vision for Kings Cross.”

Developer Sam Arnaout also claimed that he had been “working closely with Council over the past 12 months to come up with a plan that will integrate into the area very well.”

Firstly the plan will decimate the area, not integrate with it on any level, and secondly, his claim to have worked ‘closely with Council’ raised even more alarm bells.

When the City of Sydney was questioned about just how closely they were working with Arnaout, their spokesperson replied, “Prior to the lodgement of this application, the City was contacted by representatives of the applicant to comment on the project,” before adding, ”The City gave initial preliminary feedback and expressed interest in discussing the project, but requested further detailed information to better inform futures discussions.”

The City of Sydney spokesperson added these ‘future discussions’ have not occurred”, but if local Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage and Residents‘ Society President, Andrew Woodhouse is correct in his assessment of the DA, then there is plenty to discuss.

Citing 40 development breaches overall, Woodhouse said, “My main objections are a loss of heritage, including the important remnants of the Bourbon; the height,

which is nine stories compared to the restrictions of five; the loss of streetscape value; and the design itself, which I believe will have an adverse impact on local businesses and residents.”

And the new plans will strip the street of drinking and eating spaces as the plans calls for a reduction of licensed spaces from 5,000sqm to 1,395sqm.

Local resident, cultural historian and author, Warren Fahey, said, “Streetscapes do change, but Darlinghurst Road is more than just a road. Development is expected as long as it salutes heritage, is in proportion and gives something back to the community. The current DA gives nothing more but a slap in the face.”

And more than just Darlinghurst Road will be impacted, as the demolition and construction phases will have to be conducted via Ward Avenue, Barncleuth Square, Barncleuth Lane and Roslyn Street.

Located at 20 Darlinghurst Road, Blakes Pharmacy has serviced the area for 35 years but is now marked for demolition.

Current proprietor, Jennifer Manning, had a single thought on the development when she said, “It will kill the area.”

Above Blakes is the Fountain Medical Practice, which offers the area services in women’s, men’s and children’s health, general practice, psychology and podiatry.

“We are the only doctors in the area that do home visits for a lot of the older people in the area,” a spokesperson said.

Owners of rental properties in the five-building apartment block behind Darlinghurst Road, and shops and apartments along Roslyn Street, will find themselves with un-rentable premises and occupiers will be driven out and into the hands of Iris Capital or some other developer, just as they intended.

The DA for Darlinghurst Road is an

The Kings Cross development calls for the demolition of the buildings from Blakes Pharmacy through to the Empire Hotel.

Photo: Supplied

Roslyn Street resident of 29 years, Rhonda Reilly, said, “It will impact badly on everybody as all the business and apartments will be covered in dust and nobody wants to sit near a construction site.” She added, “Not happy, Jan.” For years Barncleuth Lane has been much neglected and is choked with overflowing garbage bins, trucks and tradie vehicles.

Part of the problem is that it is a narrow laneway between the Darlinghurst Road clubs and apartments, and a block of apartments buildings on the other side.

The proposed development in any scale will also strip residents near Barncleuth Lane of their already minimal parking residential parking spaces.

In addition, any extra laneway traffic will affect the operations of the Kings Cross Police as they use the Roslyn Street entrance to the Kings Cross Police Station for prisoner drop-offs, and Barncleuth Lane as a rapid entry onto Roslyn and Ward.

Those living on the western side of Barncleuth Lane and Roslyn Street will be affected immediately works commence and will experience dust, noise, truck fumes and possible explosions, along with plenty of builders’ banter.

“People facing Barncleuth Lane will wake in fright every morning with the sound of jackhammers, cranes and cement trucks,” Woodhouse said.

ambit claim, and will quickly be modified in height with a new jack-in-the-box design, in the hope of mollifying the community, but a development of any size will still lead to the destruction of heritage and the quality of life on a massive scale.

“Kings Cross is in transition and the time is right for Council to be looking at a masterplan, because what is happening at the moment does not take into account the considerable heritage values, and no thought has been given to the character of the area,” Councillor Christine Forster, City of Sydney, said.

There used to be one voice that spoke for the Cross, but in recent years has been missing from any debate about the area’s direction and future.

As Louis Nowra points out in his City Hub piece this week, the last time Clover Moore was active in the Cross was during her failed attempt to turn Fitzroy Gardens into a parking lot for the Australian white ibis.

“Clover is snubbing the community, and her lack of planning for Kings Cross is a two fingered salute to the community,” Woodhouse said.

Indeed, where are you Clover, or is it over between you and the Cross?

Objections can be lodged to City of Sydney until January 24th.

A public rally is planned for 2 pm, Saturday, February 24th at the El Alamein Fountain.

Speakers to be announced.

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Marrickville not Mirvacville Massive high-rise developments on the south side of Cooks River look certain to be repeated on the north side and throughout the inner west. Photo: Alec Smart

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For a limited time Panza Muay Thai residents, leading to traffic gridlocks and public “People are asking questions about how this Boxing Gym is offering all new clients transport unable to cope with the increase in sort of increase is being planned for and the an opening special of 3 x 45 min one on numbers. answer is simple, it isn’t. one training sessions in a fun and friendThe planning department of the Inner West “It’s very hard to properly plan for this sort of Council (IWC) has been inundated with 15you a increase andopportunity clearly NSW government is falling ly environment learn the art offor Muay We’re giving golden to win up to 1 million dollars, toevery week 8 weeks, a sumptuous rezoning proposals that aim to develop industrial short in this vital area. Look at the recent surveys Thai and Boxing with our head trainer. selection red-hot which foodshow offers for $12.50, decadent truffle infused dishes, and an array of colourful sports sites – former factories now used byof light how people are feeling about this Our trainersbig are equipped withbig over 20 industry and arts projects – and commercial land events. scale of development and how to it is be impacting It promises a winter that swaps chills for thrills. into apartments, many of them high-rise. on communities throughout Sydney. Planning is years of knowledge and experience, in At least 5864 dwellings are currently proposed, woeful but the huge developments keep coming both training and as professional fightwith the fears of many more in the works. at us.”

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Government’s planning department, who retain affected. As a result, we’re seeing areas marked the right to veto IWC’s objections. for large-scale rezonings with seemingly scant Whether you wish to increase self-confiPlans include a multi-storey development on regard for preserving what people love about dence, learn self-defence, lose weight or Parramatta road, Ashfield; five new residential their neighbourhoods (which presumably will increase body strength our programs are buildings with over 320 apartments and a be what would attract people to want to live in ideal for you. redeveloped gaming venue on three blocks of apartments being built here). land owned by Petersham RSL Club south of “Of even more concern, we’re seeing these We invite you to come in and give it a go!

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‘Marrickville, not Mirvacville’, criticizing the “Developers have got the message that they Grilled Angus beef Char-grilled eye,with council Battered Chicken schnitzel 300g, All your Asian principle developer behind the scheme. only have to 220g pretend rib to engage and flathead fish, burger, with FUEL’s crumbed withthrough salt and vinegar with chips and creamy favourites, at IWC Councillor Pauline Lockie told City withthe communitycalamari before pursuing approval , “The original impetus for those posters, rings, Hubsecret a gateway at the earliest opportunity,” sauce. chipsprocess & herb gravy. chips and coleslaw. mushroom sauce. a great price. and the growing concern about development IWC Mayor Darcy Byrne told Fairfax Media. in Marrickville, was the announcement of “At the same time the Sydenham to Bankstown the Berejiklian Government’s Sydenham to and Parramatta Rd strategies — even before Bankstown ‘Urban Renewal Corridor’. From they are adopted into law — are being used as memory, these plans would see Marrickville justification for developers to submit massive go from around 4,000 dwellings (houses or proposals that would never have been considered apartments) today to around 10,000 over the next before. / T H E S TA R 80 PYRMO N Ttactic S TisRbeing E E T, S Yout D Nacross E Y the | T H E S TA R S Y D N E Y.C O M . AU | 15-20 years.

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FEATURE

New Year, New You!

By Rita Bratovich It’s that first bin night of the new year when you roll out the recycling bin clinking with empty champagne/wine/beer/spirit bottles and the garbage bin brimming with bacchanalian detritus, that you remember your hastily scribbled resolutions and decide to take action.

If you’re anything like most goal-setters your list probably consists of various “new me” stylings, including getting fit (or at least, making your pre-Christmas wardrobe fit); learning a new skill; pampering yourself; becoming spiritually robust and exploring your creative side.

Thankfully, there are loads of options in Sydney to cater to every predilection - in some cases, all in the one place.

City East Community College is like a one-stop-shop of new experiences. Established as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in 1952, it has built a menu of diverse, affordable short courses that continues to expand. Let your inner artist emerge through a painting class, photography, mosaic or weaving. If you’re musically inclined, how about learning the piano, violin or harmonica - or the instrument you were born with: voice. They say learning a language helps stimulate brain activity, so why not give Dutch or Indonesian a try? Expand your culinary skills, discover mindfulness or be more sustainable by using worm farms and composting.

If you’re wanting to change or improve your career, there are a number of business courses available, some with accreditation. City East Community College offers courses in a number of locations in the Eastern suburbs and inner Sydney area.

Many people who resolve to get fit will invariably toy with and then reject the idea of joining a gym. This is often because they’re wary of rigid contracts or they find the hours and location

If you prefer fresh air, point scoring and something a little more traditional, perhaps a spot of tennis?

Marrickville Tennis Club, handily located on the edge of Henson Park, is a friendly, relaxed sports club where you can get coaching, play a social game or two, or get serious and enter competitions.The extremely reasonable yearly membership fee ($8), entitles you to discount rates on court hire and other services as well as access to club facilities.The friendly vibe will give you incentive to follow through on your goal.You can’t fault that.

Lisa Trujillo. Image supplied by Lisa Trujillo Active Wear.

inconvenient. Snap Fitness slaps down those excuses by offering flexible membership options, 24/ 7 access and member’s entry to any of its 2000 plus gyms around the world. Snap Fitness is one of the fastest growing fitness franchises, which means it’s always up to date with the latest equipment and trends whilst the qualified instructors will help keep you on task and make sure you don’t hurt yourself.

Lisa Trujillo Active Wear has solved one of the biggest problems many people face when first joining a gym. Founder, Lisa, a personal trainer and gym instructor found that a common complaint from her female clientele in particular was that they struggled finding good quality tights that looked great, performed well during training and made them feel confident as well.

From this the her active wear line was born, the high waist of the tights allows for the stomach to be tucked in, a major concern for women and the signature cut of the tights helps to emphasise the tone and look of the legs. Lisa also runs special bootcamps around NSW so keep an eye out for those if you’re looking to get out of the gym every once and a while.

Rex Dupain. ‘Silk Shawls’ Bondi, 2016.

Were ‘try something different’ and ‘gain new skills’ on your list of resolutions? Do both at Sydney Trapeze School.The St Peters based indoor facility will help you realise your childhood fantasy of joining a circus. Experience the exhilaration of swinging high above the ground, then leaping off the trapeze and grasping the arms of a trusty catcher - all with a safety harness and net of course!

Catering for beginners through to advanced, the school offers a variety of courses in trapeze, silks, trampoline and body conditioning. They also have a cool street circus program where you can learn to juggle, ride a unicycle, walk on stilts or balance on a barrel. This could be the career change you’ve been looking for.

embrace the new year embrace your wellbeing

If you prefer to have two feet on the ground shoulder width apart with fists clenched and close to your chest - then it sounds like you’d prefer to learn a martial art. Sydney Karate Club teaches mixed martial art styles in an un-intimidating environment with expert instructors and classes for all levels. There are many benefits to learning a martial art: it’s an effective method of self defence and as such, helps build your confidence and self assurance; it improves stability, fitness, flexibility and strength; it sharpens concentration and clears the mind; it is steeped in traditions of honour and respect.

Sydney Karate Club is a not-for-profit organisation with rates aimed at making it accessible to most people. They offer a free first lesson for any of their classes, so why not try your hand at it and see if you’ve got the chops?

Another martial arts option is Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, which is great for the competitive types as it offers opportunity for local and international competition. myBrazillian Jiu Jitsu Academy (myBJJ) is a world wide organisation with studios in Camperdown and other Sydney locations. They have classes in traditional Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, self defence, open mat from beginner to advanced, as well as special programs for kids and women only.

With so many opportunities to learn and experience new things in this big city, there’s no reason not to turn your new year’s resolution into a new you revolution! www.cityeastcc.com.au www.snapfitness.com.au www.lisatrujilloactivewear.com www.marrickvilletennis.com www.sydneytrapezeschool.com www.sydneykarateclub.com.au www.mybjj.com.au

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city hub 11 JANUARY 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Backbone Circus company Gravity & Other Myths may be the newest kids on the circus block in Australia but are also quickly becoming the newest stars of circus. Their new show Backbone premiered at the Adelaide Festival, earning them national praise, and three Helpmann Awards nominations (Best Choreography, Best New Australian Work and Best Lighting).

Formed in 2009 in Adelaide the ensemble creates and directs their own works with an emphasis on an honest approach to performance which moves away from the traditional circus and theatre models and towards a fusion of acrobatic physical theatre.

The ensembles newest show has

Tonsils and Tweezers

their director Darcy Grant overseeing a muscular high-concept performance with no showy flourishes. This show has no props, no glitz and no safety nets, the 14-strong crew use their pure strength, balance and agility to flip, toss and catch each other in staggering displays that make your stomach lurch and jaw drop.

They just may be some of the craziest of acrobats in the world today.

Both frenetic and joyful Backbone sees a disciplined troupe of acrobats exploring the limits of the human physique. (JA) Jan 16-21. Riverside Theatres, Corner of Market & Church Street, Parramatta. $36-$56+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au

Hannah Gadsby - Nannette Australian award winning comedian Hannah Gadsby gained a well earned reputation in stand-up comedy by making multiple appearances on TV and performing in many local and international festivals. At 39 she has announced her retirement from the stand up circuit and is doing her final swan-song tour with the show, Nannette.

Nannette won best comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival where Gadsby was the first-joint winner with John Robbins. The show is humorous but also delves into a very personal account of her life and explores her thoughts on discrimination towards the LGBTIQ+ community and the ugly side of patriarchy.

Nannette is a timely show especially when Australia is voting on marriage equality. Gadsby’s 10-year run in standup comedy has given her fans plenty to laugh about and while some might think it is too soon for her to retire at the height of a fantastic career, it is a personal choice and one that she thinks is right for her at this time. She will be leaving the stage with a final bang, entertaining audiences with her raw comedy but also shinning a light on important issues that are affecting society at large. (DJ) Jan 20. Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $59.90–$64.90+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Puss In Boots “Through the years I have been known by many names. Diablo Gato, The Furry Lover, Chupa Cabra, Frisky Two Times and then The Gingerhead man. But to most, I am Puss in Boots, outlaw.” - Puss In Boots.

Puss In Boots is an ideal treat for a holiday outing this summer. It will captivate little ones and entertain the whole family. Join the journey of Harry and Puss through the dark woods, past the angry ogre in his castle, all the way to the King’s palace to meet Harry’s true love, the beautiful Princess Lill.

The director Jo Turner says “Our Puss In Boots will be a fun, fast-paced contemporary retelling of the classic

a&e

old theatre tale. Performed by a small but highly skilled cast of comic actors with minimal, but beautiful, sets and props.”

Puss In Boots shows, guarantees music, subversive humour and good oldfashioned audience interaction which promises laughs for the whole family.

This is an entertaining musical is packed with captivating tunes that will have children and adults, dancing and clapping.

(MG) Jan 12-13. City Recital Hall, 2-12 Angel Place, Sydney. $35-$40+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.cityrecitalhall.com or Ph: (02) 8256 2222

19 STAGE 10 Sounds 11 SCENE 11 SCREEN

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @CityHubSyd

Set on the afternoon of a 10 year high-school reunion, two friends must face the unnerving reality that one of them is on the verge of the unspeakable.

Both fast paced and darkly humorous, this play transports the viewer to a strangely familiar place where friendship must be questioned around a room corrupted by an array of fake smiles and white teeth on parade. Amongst all this is a broken young man looking to outsource his pain.

Tonsils and Tweezers have been inseparable in high school but a freak accident 10 years ago has resurfaced and continues threatening to tear them apart. Often breaking the fourth wall, the audience are immersed in the story. The dialogue is fastpaced and takes the audience on a comical roller-coaster ride until the play takes a more serious note and explores themes of trust,

loss, jealously and forgiveness.

“The play was written just prior to my own 10 year highschool reunion. I began to imagine who would be there and who wouldn’t. It also probably tries to capture how at least one of my friendships began, not by having things in common but by having a common enemy.” said scriptwriter Will O’Mahony.

The play asks audiences to reflect on their own friendships including those they have and still cherish and those which ended.

“It’s almost a lover-letter in that way,” said O’Mahony.

“All of my writing is personal and Tonsils and Tweezers is just one of my plays which explores growing up.” (EB) Jan 12-27. KXT Kings Cross Theatre, Level 2, Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William St, Kings Cross. $27.55-$37-75+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.kingsxtheatre.com

Contributors: Barbara Karpinski, Craig Coventry, Emily Shen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, James Harkness, Joseph Rana, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Zeiya Speede, Jade Morellini, Alex Eugene, Manuel Gonzalez, Tommy Boutros, Riley Hooper & Taylor Martin, Mohsen Dezaki, Daniel Jaramillo. city hub 11 JANUARY 2017

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Green Day’s American Idiot Almost 12 months ago Brisbane hosted the Tony and Grammy Award winning musical American Idiot, which features the music of Green Day with lyrics by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong.That particular run in Brisbane was widely praised and thus essentially became a testing ground ahead of a national tour this year.

The explosive new musical tells the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9/11 Trumpian suburbia, discovering love, loss, sex, drugs, and rock and roll along the way.

Once again reprising her role as Whatsername is Phoebe Paneratos, who

received a Helpmann Award nomination for her performance in Brisbane. “[The show] wasn’t on long enough in Brisbane so when it came up that we would be touring I was really keen to do that and really keen for more people to see this show.” said Paneratos.

For this new national production all of the elements of the show have been ramped up to make it bigger and better.

“This show is not a conventional musical,” explained Paneratos, “I think a lot of people come along thinking they will just see the Green Day songs sung well with a cool band but they leave

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

Phoebe Panaretos (centre). Photo: Dylan Evans

surprised by this beautiful, touching story.”

American Idiot is a show that both draws in new audiences as well as being suitable for regular theatre patrons.

“It’s loud, bold, aggressive and gritty, it’s not pretty which makes it quite realistic in that way.” said Paneratos,“Come for a night where you’re going to see something that you’ve never seen before but will still relate to.” (JA) Jan 11-14. Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $69.90-$159.90+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project Future Of The Left

By Jamie Apps

Gyroscope: Have been in the ether since 2010 but with their new double A-sided single Crooked Thought/DABS the group are set to return to the forefront of the Australian music scene. These new recordings were designed for the live show so head out and check them out tomorrow night.

Fri, Jan 12, Oxford Art Factory Felix Bornholdt & Band: SIMA’s Trigger initiative spotlights an outstanding young jazz talent on the brink of their professional career, whose calibre of improvisation and composition has stood them apart.

Felix has performed with Anthony Pateras, Sandy Evans and maintains a busy touring schedule as keyboardist for extremely successful pop outfit Lime Cordiale. For his live-recorded Trigger performance, Felix plays with highly established jazz musicians, Clayton Thomas and Laurence Pike.

Sat, Jan 13, Seymour Centre Jarface: It’s been a long journey to Now They See for Jarface. Despite the long development behind the record, Jarface have crafted a strong showcase of post-grunge that defines and sets the band apart.This weekend Sydneysiders have the chance to witness the new record live.

Sat, Jan 13, Frankies Pizza Future Of The Left: On their fifth tour of Australia, Future Of The Left will forge a deluge of tense, confrontational and bloody furious rock music for eager Australian ears.

Crackling with animosity, Future Of 10

city hub 11 JANUARY 2017

The Left’s live appearances are typically driven by frontman Andrew ‘Falco’ Falkous’s salient social commentary and nihilistic humour.

It’s addictive suff.

Sat, Jan 13, Oxford Art Factory Glassjaw: The Long Island, New York Post-Hardcore legends will be gracing Sydney with their presence early next week. The influential and revered outfit are renowned for their intense live shows and their bombastic and hard-edged music.

Mon, Jan 15, Metro Theatre Parcels: Return home for their first run of live shows since relocating to Berlin, signing with mega-hip Paris label Kitsuné and creating waves of buzz across Europe with their harmony rich, funk-pop sound.

Mon, Jan 15, Selina’s Sam Smith: Acclaimed UK singer-songwriter Sam Smith returns to Australian shores for a very special show at one of the country’s most stunning and iconic venues, those lucky enough to attend this intimate show will be among the first in the world to hear tracks from Smith’s much-awaited second album The Thrill Of It All. Tue, Jan 16, Sydney Opera House Stick To Your Guns: Merging socially conscious and outspoken lyricism with hardcore energy and hammering metallic force in their live show fans can expect a blistering, no-holds-barred performance.

Tue, Jan 16, Factory Theatre

Photo: Serge Thomann

By Jamie Apps To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Treaty (Filthy Lucre Remix) three of Australia’s most important live acts are coming together for a special one night only event.Taking to the stage will be;Yothu Yindi And The Treaty Project,The Herd and last but certainly not least Baker Boy. With these three acts Gavin Campbell of Filthy Lucre hopes to be able to create a platform to raise awareness and bring young talent through.

“You have no idea how nice this feels.There are messages that need to be said by both the young and the old so being able to bring them together for this show is so special.” Campbell explained.

Sadly last year the world lost Doctor Gurrumul Yunipingu which many would think could have tempered the excitement levels for this show.

According to Campbell however Doctor G Yunipungu’s passing has actually added a new level of spirituality to the show.

“Yirrmal Marika and Ania Reynolds have written a tribute song to Doctor G which isn’t as dancy as the rest of the show but it may actually be the show stopper.” Campbell told us before adding, “If anything I think Doctor G’s passing has enhanced the spirituality and connection of the show as he is very much at the forefront of the show.”

Whilst this show is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Filthy Lucre remix of Treaty there has also been a brand new set of remixes created.

“We’ve remixed six or seven classic Yothu Yindi songs,” explained Campbell, “They’ve all

been created by respected and mature producers though so they have a sophisticated sound rather than simply being loud electronic dance music.”

In order to showcase the new remixes/songs in the best way possible this show will bring together a truly unique mixture of artists and cultures.

“The show includes modern live musicians on keyboards, guitar and bass alongside traditional Aboriginal musical elements and ceremonies.”

If you’re in or around Sydney on Friday evening this is one concert experience certainly worth going out of your way to see.

Jan 12. Enmore Theatre, 130 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $69.90+b.f..

Tickets & Info: www..ticketek.com.au

Tonight Alive - Underworld The latest offering from Tonight Alive, who are now a four piece, is driven by vocalist Jenna McDougall’s powerful lyricism and vocals.

Throughout the record the group offer up a selection of pop-rock which occasionally verges on pop-metal. Jenna McDougall’s powerful female vocals provide the record with a truely unique sound in the genre.

Beneath McDougall’s vocals though the other members of the band have created

an equally powerful rock/metal soundscape which is satisfying for fans of the genre but also inviting for new listeners.

Lead single Temple is the ultimate standout from Underworld thanks to its incredibly personal lyrical nature as it dives into McDougall’s battle with depression.

Underworld is a great introduction to the heavier music genres for any music fan and well worth checking out. (JA) WWWW

THE NAKED CITY

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!

With Coffin Ed Tune into any evening news bulletin on either commercial TV or the ABC or SBS and you’ll soon realise how the various stations prioritise their news. A major incident like a terrorist attack in London will nearly always be the opening story but on a quiet news day the different stations reveal their true agendas.Take Channel 7 for instance who seem to devote an inordinate amount of space to the Royal Family.

When Harry announced he was getting hitched their opening item on the gushing couple ran for what seemed like an eternity in the usual 15 to 20 second slabs of evening news.

Over on the ABC and SBS there is more of a focus on ‘serious’ news, with both a national and global perspective. However one rather unfortunate attribute that is common to all stations is the regurgitation of the same old stories year after year.These are the ‘stocking fillers’ of the evening news broadcast, the Groundhog Day of daily news and it’s about time they were purged. Here’s just a few glaring examples of items that need to be culled.

Anything to do with the British Royals: Wishful thinking indeed as 2018 promises an avalanche of regal weddings, babies and hopefully even a death or two. Let’s not be disturbed by vision of the Rohingya refugee camps when all the focus is on a $75,000 wedding dress and another heart-warming display of pomp and pageantry.

The Elvis Train to Parkes: It’s a great bit of escapism for all Elvis fans but we have seen it all before as predominantly porky Elvis impersonators ham it up before the train pulls out of Central, often with a bubbling news reporter on board.

The Start of the City To Surf: Sorry this one has to go as well as the sight of thousands of people bounding up William Street is pure

The Commuter

It was probably bad timing, but with the common theme of a train and a mystery, The Commuter felt like a darker version of Murder On The Orient Express. The action film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and stars Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Jonathan Banks and Patrick Wilson to name a few.

The story revolves around commuter Michael McCauley (Neeson), who on his train ride home is joined by a stranger that suggests to him a

hypothetical offer that turns out to be dangerously true.

On a race to identify a passenger before the last train stop, Michael soon realises he is caught in the middle of a criminal conspiracy.

The Commuter held a good storyline filled with action and suspense and did not make it easy to guess the identity of the passenger. A good performance by Neeson and overall an entertaining movie. (RH) WWW1/2

cliché as is the segue shot of those doing it tough on Heartbreak Hill.

Any Newborn Animal at Taronga Park: It’s always great for the Taronga turnstiles when a baby elephant or hippo joins their menagerie. It’s a feel good story but maybe we would be better highlighting the desperate plight of much of our local fauna due to loss of habitat and the impact of feral imports.

Melbourne Cup Day at Royal Randwick: All the real interest is at Flemington so why are we regularly treated to vision of a largely inebriated crowd of job truants and suited yobs at Randwick watching the famous race on a big screen?

The Summer Nats in Canberra: Seen one donut, seen them all! Watching a set of tyres

disintegrate in front of an army of self-confessed bogans is about exciting as removing chewing gum from the sole of your shoe.

Easter and Christmas at the Sydney Fish Markets: Guess what, people buy a lot of fish and prawns at the Fish Markets just prior to the year’s two most important religious holidays.The ABC in particular seems obsessed with crossing to the venue at the drop of a lobster to interview some exuberant fishmonger telling us all that demand has never been bigger. Spare a thought for those of us who don’t eat fish.

The Boxing Day Sales: It’s often hard to find a good news story on Boxing Day but as sure as the sun rises a camera crew will be on hand in the Pitt Street Mall to film the somewhat indecent charge of cashed up bargain seekers as the doors are thrown open at the major department stores. Unless somebody is actually trampled to death this news item does not rate.

The New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Why waste money on sending an entire crew out to capture the ‘excitement’ of NYE cracker night when the display is essentially the same every year.

Just screen last year’s multimillion dollar extravaganza and nobody will know the difference.

All The Money In The World

Based on the book Painfully Rich by John Pearson, All The Money In The World is a crime drama that depicts the kidnapping and negotiation of the grandson of billionaire J. Paul Getty. With the refusal of cooperation by Getty to pay the ransom, the boy’s mother is joined by the Getty’s advisor, embarking on a mission to find the money to save her son.

Directed by Ridley Scott, the film features a star line up including, Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Christopher

Plummer, Romain Duris and Charlie Plummer. The film originally starred Kevin Spacey in the role of J. Paul Getty senior but was refilmed with Plummer in his place.

The story was adapted well and the performances

by Charlie Plummer and Williams were exceptional.

A little less action then expected but the suspense worked in the films favour. A movie you can watch twice.

(RH) WWWW

Brickman Awesome Jam-packed full of a huge record breaking LEGO models, this exhibition is for the young and the young at heart.

Brickman Awesome totals more than 1.5 million bricks and has taken over 4,500 hours to complete.

‘We all worked such long hours on it so it would be very nice to have a break and watch people enjoying the fruits of our labour’ said Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught. This will mark his third LEGO exhibition.

That being said, all LEGO artists must start somewhere.

Ryan laments about his first ever experience with LEGO, “It was my third birthday and I got a little blue ship set from my grandmother. It cost 29 cents from Coles!”

His latest exhibition has already broken LEGO records, showcasing the tallest LEGO model in the Southern Hemisphere - a NASA SLS rocket which is 7.5m tall and built from over 450,000 bricks. There is also the life-sized Australian saltwater

crocodile which weighs over 60kgs.

“We’ve got a whole series of Australian animals in the show including a roo, koala and even a platypus so having a croc was a natural extension” said Ryan.

People from all walks of life can also add and contribute to the exhibition with their own creations on display next to the models.

“That’s the coolest part of what we do, our job isn’t really to build LEGO, it’s to inspire kids (and big kids!) to show what creativity, patience, perseverance and persistence can achieve!” (EB) Until Feb 4.The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, 14 Darling Dr, Sydney. $25-$35 Tickets & Info: www.ticketek.com.au

The Post that dealt with the Watergate scandal The Post centres on the newsroom tumult at the Washington Post after discovery of The Pentagon Papers, confidential documents that reveal government deception around the Vietnam War. Streep plays Katherine Graham who became the first ever female publisher after reluctantly inheriting The Washington Post.

Graham is a socialite who feels awkward and intimidated in the male dominated world of newsprint. Hanks is the ink-in-the-veins editor, empathetic, principled, but a newsman through Directed by Stephen Spielberg and through. and starring Meryl Streep and It has a first rate supporting Tom Hanks - it’s the stuff of cast, impressive cinematic Oscar nominations! And to sequences and some delightful, be sure, it’s an elegant film quirky scenes, but the tension with impeccable performances is a little lacking. telling an historical story that It’s a very good film, if not a is very relevant today. In short, great film, but certainly worth it is utterly…adequate. seeing if only for it’s parallel In what could be considered to current White House a prequel to All The Presidents shenanigans. (RB) WWW Men - the landmark film city hub 11 JANUARY 2017

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AUSTRALIA DAY. THE STAR WAY. Ice-cold frosé, gourmet BBQ, chilled beats and Harbour views – Sky Terrace rooftop bar is making your Australia Day Long Weekend just that little bit more fabulous.

FRI 26 – SUN 28 JAN See thestarsydney.com.au for details The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol.

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city hub 11 JANUARY 2017