Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Blog Review:
Wireless House, on the blog High Riser

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Blog Review:
Loving the Glebe Noodle House, on the blog Life in Chippendale

Monday, October 19, 2009

Blog Review:
Opening: The Egg and Soldier Milk Bar, on the blog rabbitears.cc

Friday, October 16, 2009

Blog Review:
Astor Espresso - An Ode to My Local Cafe, on the blog About the Food

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Harold Park community brainstorm

by Marie Sansom, Sydney Central

"About 250 people gathered at St Scholastica’s College, Glebe, last Tuesday to discuss the future of the Harold Park site, one of the largest in the Inner West.

Their responses will flow back to Sydney Council and the Central Sydney Planning Committee, which will decide the site’s future.

Harness Racing NSW plans to move to Menangle and the club has put Harold Park up for sale, expecting it to raise at least $150 million.

When locals were asked to come up with a grand plan for the site, certain themes were raised repeatedly including: maximising public open space; making the site accessible; keeping building heights and densities to an acceptable level; and rejuvenating the tram sheds. There was little enthusiasm for any retail, above what would serve those living there.

While there was broad support for housing, many people highlighted the need to consider traffic, parking and public transport links. The site is near a light rail station but there is a steep hill leading up to Glebe Point Rd.

There was also enthusiasm for any homes to be sustainable, and for the site to become a hub for creative industries and artists. Other suggestions included community gardens, a city farm and bird habitat.

There will be more consultation later this year."

Read the full article from Sydney Central here.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Dirty eateries escaping shame

by Rhys Haynes, The Daily Telegraph:

"THEY are some of Sydney's filthiest kitchens and they remain a secret to the city's diners.
Thanks to a loophole in the State Government's name and shame list, the "worst of the worst" restaurants that are shut down immediately rarely make it to the Food Authority's official list.
Instead, they are either re-opened after passing further examinations by inspectors or added to a separate "prosecutions" list, if they are convicted and fined in court.
The Daily Telegraph today lists those restaurants that have eventually made the prosecutions list - most of which never made it to the name and shame list since it came into law in July 2008.
There have been more than $500,000 worth of fines handed down since January 2008, with most recording a shocking list of infringements including filthy equipment, live rodents or pests in kitchens and one even serving a bread roll with a cockroach embedded in it. ...
Lavera Pizza and Pasta in Glebe was fined $50,000 and prosecuted for a string of nine food safety offences including serving a salad containing a cockroach. ...
Sources have told The Daily Telegraph the current system allowed inspectors to issue a prohibition order, for example, when a restaurant was not deemed fit to remain open. They could then allow the restaurant to be re-opened after a further inspection, with the name of the establishment never made public.
Councils said they had no authority to publish the information and would hand it to the Food Authority if asked.
The Government's Food Authority said it was considering "enhanced publication of inspection information" but further legislation might be required.
"The majority of prohibition orders lead to further enforcement action such as penalty notices or court prosecution," a spokesman said. "As in all legal proceedings there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
"Businesses alleged to have broken the law can challenge fines." "

Read the full article from Sydney Central here.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Blog Review:
The Egg and Soldier, on the blog peoplefood

Friday, October 2, 2009

Blog Review:
Well Connected, on the blog "What I Like About Sydney"