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PUCC News

May News

Uni students rally outside Plibersek's office

University students are gathering in numbers to protest the Federal Government's $2.3 billion cut to higher education to fund primary and high school education, as part of the Gonski reforms.
Three rallies were held at UNSW, UTS and out the front of Federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek's office in Ultimo.
A national day of action has been planned on Budget Day, May 14, where universities across Sydney will unite in protest against the funding cuts. A protest was also held yesterday at the University of Sydney.
Students have voiced their concern about the cuts – aimed to save the government $900 million – may lead to reductions in student services and courses, as well as increased class sizes. There is also concern due to increasing debt levels that students face and over potential cuts to start-up scholarships.

History, heritage and the secrets of your home

People living in some of Sydney's oldest homes can learn how to restore them without jeopardising their heritage status at two City of Sydney workshops during the National Trust Heritage Festival.
Heritage 101 at Customs House on Thursday 16 May will go through the processes for undertaking heritage restoration and tips on making sure everything runs smoothly.
The workshop will be introduced by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, with MC Adam Ford, host of ABCTV's Who's Been Sleeping in My House?. Speakers include architects and heritage building specialists Peter Phillips, Otto Cserhalmi and Gary Waller.
For more information, visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/history/archives

Budding gardeners putting their patch on the map

Urban gardeners are literally putting their vegie patches and window boxes on the map.
As part of a drive to increase local food production and reduce waste, the City of Sydney and Grow It Local are calling on growers to put their vegie or herb patches on an interactive map of locally grown produce.
The campaign aims to encourage more residents and businesses to grow their own herbs and vegetables and register 500 patches on the map in the central Sydney area.
The City runs regular sustainability workshops on how to grow food in small spaces, with the next one in Waterloo on Saturday 25 May 2013. See www.greenvillages.com.au for details.

April News

talkbiz Finding your software solution

When it comes to software, SMEs are particularly sensitive to cost. Small businesses may face challenges around software selection, and spend countless hours researching what tools are right for their business needs.

At the next Let's Talk Business event, Online Tools to Boost your Productivity and Profit, you'll hear from the experts. Learn from Larry Bloch, successful entrepreneur and CEO of Netregistry, Carlos Mora, Collaboration Principal at Salesforce, and Balachander Ganesh, Research Lead from Silicon Valley Start Up Credii.

Tuesday 16 April, 6 to 8:30 pm, Sydney Town Hall

Cost: $55 including drinks and canapés. Note: Chamber members receive a 30% discount, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for discount code.

Public transport review
Pyrmont residents have called for an increase in public transport, led by community group Pyrmont Action. The group called for the state government's light rail plans to extend into Pyrmont in light of Sydney's soon-to-be scrapped monorail service, which will cease operating on June 30.
"We need a bus that links Pyrmont with Broadway Shopping Centre, Glebe and the Fish Markets, travelling back to Pyrmont via Pyrmont Bridge Rd," said Pyrmont Action Convenor Elizabeth Elenius.
State Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian, said the government is conscious of Pyrmont's transport concerns and is looking at improving its bus service. In October last year she announced a review of Pyrmont bus services.
Public transport beyond buses will be virtually non-existent for Pyrmont after the monorail service is removed. There are no current plans for light rail to be extended in Pyrmont.

Pedestrian improvements
The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is developing a proposal to improve pedestrian safety at the notorious intersection of Paramatta Rd and Wattle St at Broadway.
In coordination with the City of Sydney Council and Sydney Buses, the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has identified the intersection as a pedestrian danger zone. The move comes in the wake of years of complaints from pedestrians, UTS students and Ultimo residents.
In the five years to June 2012, there were 32 reported crashes at the intersection of Wattle St and Parramatta Rd, four of which involved pedestrians. Cars currently turn left from Parramatta Rd onto Wattle St without any traffic lights or pedestrian crossing.
The new Central Park urban development across the road from the intersection is expected to increase pedestrian traffic in the area.

March News 2013

Living in Harmory

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Watch Persian martial arts, make delicious Chinese and Spanish sweets or take part in a multilingual poetry slam as part of Sydney's annual celebration of cultural diversity, the Living in Harmony Festival.
More than 28 events will run until 30 April, produced by the City of Sydney in collaboration with more than 35 community groups.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Poetry Has a Thousand Faces multilingual poetry slam at Customs House on Thursday 21 March, timed to coincide with World Poetry Day.
In Ultimo at the Sweet Harmony, learn recipes and taste traditional desserts from China, Spain, Malaysia and other countries at this sweets workshop, which features demonstrations from 'grand-master' chefs. (Wednesday 20 March from 2 to 4 pm, Ultimo Community Centre, 40 William Henry Street. Free, bookings essential on 9246 7823.)
At TAFE Ultimo there will be a screening of Bran Nue Dae starring Jessica Mauboy, Missy Higgins, Deborah Mailman and Geoffrey Rush. Directed by Rachel Perkins, this coming-of-age musical comedy celebrates family, forgiveness and reconciliation. (Tuesday 19 March from 4 to 6 pm, Turner Hall (building b), Level 1, TAFE NSW Ultimo College, corner of Harris and Mary Ann streets. Free. Bookings essential on 02 9217 4620 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
The two-month long Living in Harmony Festival also hosts exhibitions, film nights and dozens of workshops, all celebrating the vibrant culture and collaborative spirit of our diverse communities.
For more information, visit www.livinginharmonyfestival.com.au

Affordable housing in Pyrmont and Ultimo

To help combat homelessness, at least 900 new affordable housing units have been built or are being built, including around 550 under the City's affordable housing levy scheme in Ultimo, Pyrmont and Green Square.
The number of people sleeping rough is expected to rise this winter as two of the main 'street-to-home' housing initiatives reach capacity. Preliminary figures from February's annual summer street count found there were 269 people sleeping rough in the city's streets, parks and public areas between 1 am-3 am, a decrease from the 310 people counted in February last year.
The City has a target to ensure 15 per cent of all homes in the local government area are classified as affordable or social housing by 2030.
The City's Affordable Rental Housing Strategy will help provide 3,000 affordable new homes, through planning tools, financial initiatives, strategic partnerships, community development, advocacy and leadership.
The street count aims to track changes in the numbers or people sleeping rough as a way of monitoring the success of inner-city homelessness initiatives, including the City's own programs.
For more information visit: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-support/homelessness.