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Perth Now
2 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Surprising new face of homelessness
In February 2019, the NSW government signed an end street sleeping agreement with the Institute of Global Homelessness and City of Sydney. This included a commitment to reduce street homelessness by 50 per cent by 2025. Short of reducing or even remaining the same, the number of rough sleepers has instead increased by 67 per cent in the past five years, according to state government counts. One central Sydney volunteer has seen first hand how the face of homelessness has shifted over that time, saying 'it's no longer just those sleeping on the streets, but students, jobseekers, families, and older Australians all slipping through the cracks'. Donna Brooks has been volunteering for homeless assistance charity Orange Sky for more than six years near Central Station in the heart of Sydney. Donna Brooks has been volunteering with Orange Sky for more than six years. Orange Sky Credit: Supplied Over that time, with cost of living becoming increasingly burdensome and people struggling more and more to make ends meet, Ms Brooks said homelessness had shifted from something predominantly affecting those with pre-existing circumstances to everyday people just down on their luck. 'I think some years ago here it was a more common story that (homelessness) was a complex needs situation often,' she said. Complex needs refers to a situation where a person is dealing with several connected issues that seriously impact their wellbeing and ability to function in society. Examples can include intellectual disabilities, mental health concerns and drug addictions. 'Whereas now, I think what we're seeing a lot more is that people have less resources available to them. The cost of living definitely has had an impact on that,' she said. 'The cost of rent, a lot of people are priced out of the market. Some of the people that I've met doing Orange Sky have ended up learning about these services that they had no idea even existed for decades because they had careers and they ran a business and they were in a family. 'Then their circumstances change and they realise that they can't even get a rental and that they're struggling to get employment.' A homeless woman sleeps outside Sydney Town Hall Woolworths. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia Orange Sky provides hot showers and laundry cleaning services via mobile vans and Ms Brooks said the demographics of homelessness she was seeing over the course of her work was becoming 'increasingly diverse'. 'I think it's important to note the diversity of people we see,' she said. 'We're seeing young people, older people, all ages, genders, ethnicities. It's become increasingly diverse. 'I think there are so many pathways and circumstances that people are facing that lead them to seeking out help and services like Orange Sky. 'What we see now is not just necessarily the rough sleepers that people might be familiar with walking past in the inner city or in the streets. There's a lot of people that are being very creative as to how they're surviving without having a secure home.' Ms Brooks said for some people that meant living out of a car, vehicle or couch surfing. But for others, more innovative solutions were required. 'I volunteer regularly near Central Station in Sydney,' she said. 'A lot of the people that come through there, for example, will ride trains and ride overnight trains and late-running trains just to get a bit of shelter and hopefully some safety rather than being out in the open overnight. 'So that's a different kind of homelessness but is very much homelessness nonetheless.' Orange Sky helps provide clean laundry and hot showers to those sleeping rough. Orange Sky Credit: Supplied Speaking to NSW parliament on Friday morning, Premier Chris Minns announced a 10-year strategy targeting homelessness. Mr Minns drew focus to young people and Aboriginal communities 'disproportionately affected' by the issue. In the last census, the total number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing homelessness was up 6.4 per cent from the previous census, making them approximately eight times more likely to be homeless than non-indigenous counterparts. Mr Minns announced a sleeping register would be brought in to develop a 'true picture of the scope and nature of people that are sleeping rough in NSW'. 'This is a real priority for us, an important one for the state, and an important one for Sydney, given we're one of the most expensive cities on the face of the world,' he said. Speaking to NewsWire, Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson said 'the previous government's promise to cut homelessness in half by 2025 simply hasn't delivered'. 'We've heard the reports and seen the statistics, and we need to be honest, past plans by the former Liberal/National Government failed because they were never adequately funded, never strategic enough and never long-term,' she said. Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson said 'the previous government's promise to cut homelessness in half by 2025 simply hasn't delivered'. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia 'This week, we announced our new homelessness strategy, a real and comprehensive approach to tackling homelessness. 'This strategy isn't just about crisis accommodation; it's about addressing the root cause of homelessness, the lack of affordable housing.' Ms Jackson acknowledged in order to solve the crisis a strategic approach was needed. 'The cost of living is hitting hard, and we're seeing more and more everyday people at risk,' she said. 'They're not just the people we've traditionally seen affected. Now, more people, through no fault of their own, are falling into homelessness. They've lost jobs, experienced misfortune, and just can't make ends meet.' Ms Jackson said the previous government's approach lacked 'both the vision and the resources'. 'This is where we are different — we're putting in the investment that's long overdue,' she said. 'We've committed the largest housing investment in the state's history through our Building Homes for NSW program, $6.6bn, and we're implementing once-in-a-generation planning reforms to ensure we build homes where they're needed most. 'Not just for the people already homeless, but for preventing it from happening to more. 'We are taking responsibility. And we are doing it now, with the scale of investment, the whole-of-government strategy, and the long-term vision it takes to make homelessness a thing of the past.' Ms Brooks said in the recent cold and wet months the mood had shifted among the homeless community. 'It really takes a toll. The shift that I do is on a Sunday morning, and by 8.30 in the morning there's often people gathered waiting for us to turn up, and especially when it's been cold and wet, because they're eager to try to get a bit of a fresh start and to maybe have a warm shower and wash their clothes and put on some dry things and sort their bedding out so that they can almost start afresh that day,' she said. 'They will wait eagerly and are so pleased to see us because they can do that. It really takes a toll on people. 'Once you get into that cycle, it is so hard to get out of it. It impacts your health, your wellbeing. If you don't have a place that you can even safely sleep, how do you keep turning up for job interviews to try to get the job, to then try to get the apartment, to then try to get some furniture and a fridge? They're all very linked and it plays on people's health and it's certainly not just physical but mental health as well. It really takes a toll.'
Daily Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Sydney skyline to be transformed with two new towers
Sydney's CBD is soaring to new heights with plans for two new skyscrapers that will eclipse the city's tallest buildings and dramatically transform the skyline. The City of Sydney council has endorsed proposed changes to planning rules which will increase the maximum height and floor space of new buildings. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the proposal is in line with the Central Sydney planning strategy, a blueprint for height and floor space growth – the most significant review of planning in the city centre in over 45 years. The changes will increase the maximum permitted building height on in a precinct on Pitt St to 310m. This would be marginally higher than Sydney Tower – currently the tallest structure in the city. MORE: Sydney tenant slugged with $520k bill The proposal would be for a 70-storey commercial building at 56-60 Pitt St. Included in the proposal would be plans for public spaces and a pedestrian through-site link connecting Pitt St to Spring and Gresham streets. Another proposal to enable a second 300m-plus tower is also being finalised before public consultation. This second tower would be nearby at 1-25 O'Connell St and would be 319m. The 71-storey skyscraper and adjoining development will provide 150,000 square metres of commercial floor space. The space would include a public through-site link and precincts logistics hub, a shared loading dock for businesses in the precinct and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Both sites are located in the northern tower precinct of Central Sydney favoured by financial, legal, property and technology sectors, according to the City of Sydney. MORE: Hidden cost bleeding Aussies of $71 a day 'If we want Sydney to maintain its status as a global city and economic powerhouse, its vital that we safeguard economic floor space whilst allowing residential development to continue in the city centre,' Ms Moore said in a City of Sydney release. The strategy works to allow the skyline to rise at the same time as ensuring sunlight continues to reach popular public spaces such as Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Garden. MORE: $10m blow for pub baron Jon Agdemis after mum's house seized 'It was the product of three years of deep research by City staff, who worked block by block, carefully examining the way our city works and where sunlight falls,' Ms Moore said. According to Ray White Head of Research Vanessa Rader, building skyward is strategic and practical to grow in the city centre. 'Sydney historically has had lower height restrictions in order to keep Sydney Tower as the highest landmark,' she said. 'You look at other cities like Melbourne – they have much higher buildings. 'Sydney Tower is a bit of an ageing building now when you look at the new buildings that are coming up. Just look at Barangaroo and Crown – its great to see that we are competing with the rest of the world in terms of having these landmark structures.' Ms Rader said the development around the CBD and existing public transport also creates hubs which take a leaf out of international cities transport orientated, high density developments. 'We are probably going to go through a period of seeing consolidation of sites – like the one on Pitt Street,' she said. 'A lot of kind of smaller, older style buildings or secondary buildings consolidated into these larger sites in order to cater to these new, beautiful and premium buildings.'
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Sydney skyline to be transformed with two new towers
Sydney's CBD is soaring to new heights with plans for two new skyscrapers that will eclipse the city's tallest buildings and dramatically transform the skyline. The City of Sydney council has endorsed proposed changes to planning rules which will increase the maximum height and floor space of new buildings. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the proposal is in line with the Central Sydney planning strategy, a blueprint for height and floor space growth – the most significant review of planning in the city centre in over 45 years. The changes will increase the maximum permitted building height on in a precinct on Pitt St to 310m. This would be marginally higher than Sydney Tower - currently the tallest structure in the city. The proposal would be for a 70-storey commercial building at 56-60 Pitt St. Included in the proposal would be plans for public spaces and a pedestrian through-site link connecting Pitt St to Spring and Gresham streets. Another proposal to enable a second 300m-plus tower is also being finalised before public consultation. This second tower would be nearby at 1-25 O'Connell St and would be 319m. The 71-storey skyscraper and adjoining development will provide 150,000 square metres of commercial floor space. The space would include a public through-site link and precincts logistics hub, a shared loading dock for businesses in the precinct and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Both sites are located in the northern tower precinct of Central Sydney favoured by financial, legal, property and technology sectors, according to the City of Sydney. 'If we want Sydney to maintain its status as a global city and economic powerhouse, its vital that we safeguard economic floor space whilst allowing residential development to continue in the city centre,' Ms Moore said in a City of Sydney release. The strategy works to allow the skyline to rise at the same time as ensuring sunlight continues to reach popular public spaces such as Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Garden. 'It was the product of three years of deep research by City staff, who worked block by block, carefully examining the way our city works and where sunlight falls,' Ms Moore said. According to Ray White Head of Research Vanessa Rader, building skyward is strategic and practical to grow in the city centre. 'Sydney historically has had lower height restrictions in order to keep Sydney Tower as the highest landmark,' she said. 'You look at other cities like Melbourne – they have much higher buildings. 'Sydney Tower is a bit of an ageing building now when you look at the new buildings that are coming up. Just look at Barangaroo and Crown – its great to see that we are competing with the rest of the world in terms of having these landmark structures.' Ms Rader said the development around the CBD and existing public transport also creates hubs which take a leaf out of international cities transport orientated, high density developments. 'We are probably going to go through a period of seeing consolidation of sites – like the one on Pitt Street,' she said. 'A lot of kind of smaller, older style buildings or secondary buildings consolidated into these larger sites in order to cater to these new, beautiful and premium buildings.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Other places would be delighted to host Paddington's puppet show. No strings attached
Until now, Muppet Show balcony critics Statler and Waldorf had the puppetry quips market cornered. 'Well, they say all good things must come to an end,' Waldorf once remarked as Kermit wrapped up another zany episode. 'What's that got to do with this show?' Statler replied. Cue self-congratulatory laughter. It seems puppet angst lives on – at least it appears so in parts of downtown Paddington. Some residents of the leafy inner Sydney suburb have raised written concerns with the City of Sydney Council over a planned puppet performance at Paddington Reservoir Gardens. The performance, which includes a four-metre puppet called Fauna, explores 'themes of climate change and deforestation' and promotes conservation. The production firm has a record of educational programs and installations in museums and galleries across Australia and New Zealand. According to a selection of the reported grievances, the proposed Paddington puppet show might cause: 'health and sleep disturbances, potential noise impacts, rowdy crowd behaviour, light spill into homes and crime'. Not since the infamous US television show Crank Yankers, featuring impudent prank-calling puppets, has the world of marionettes promised so much while angering and confounding so many. It's enough to raise even the staunchest eyebrows, a la Parker from the Thunderbirds. 'Yes, m'lady.' Loading From the balconies of the comparatively culture-starved reaches of regional NSW, Paddington's problem looks like a solution. The puppet show is part of the City of Sydney's Art and About festival. 'Expect art in any corner of our city, at any time' the blurb reads. The promise of the unexpected, for some in Paddington at least, looks as welcome as the Spanish Inquisition. Here's an idea. How about cities on the edge, literally and figuratively, formally partner with Sydney in something wonderfully original? Imagine an Art and About festival that was truly mobile. Think Uncle Max bringing a puppet theatre to the children von Trapp in the wilds of prewar Austria. Even the Nazis, Marta's sluggish set changes, or men drinking beer with the foam afloat, couldn't stop The Lonely Goatherd: 'Layee odl, layee odl layee-oo'! Imagine taking puppets, unwanted in Paddington, to areas comparatively starved of arts investment. Areas like the Central Coast, the Illawarra or the NSW Central West contend with government arts investment levels, per capita, well below those enjoyed in the eastern suburbs, which has received 23.5 per cent of total federal government arts funding over the past decade.
Sydney Morning Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Paddington locals should open hearts and minds to Fauna the puppet
Until now, Muppet Show balcony critics Statler and Waldorf had the puppetry quips market cornered. 'Well, they say all good things must come to an end,' Waldorf once remarked as Kermit wrapped up another zany episode. 'What's that got to do with this show?' Statler replied. Cue self-congratulatory laughter. It seems puppet angst lives on – at least it appears so in parts of downtown Paddington. Some residents of the leafy inner Sydney suburb have raised written concerns with the City of Sydney Council over a planned puppet performance at Paddington Reservoir Gardens. The performance, which includes a four-metre puppet called Fauna, explores 'themes of climate change and deforestation' and promotes conservation. The production firm has a record of educational programs and installations in museums and galleries across Australia and New Zealand. According to a selection of the reported grievances, the proposed Paddington puppet show might cause: 'health and sleep disturbances, potential noise impacts, rowdy crowd behaviour, light spill into homes and crime'. Not since the infamous US television show Crank Yankers, featuring impudent prank-calling puppets, has the world of marionettes promised so much while angering and confounding so many. It's enough to raise even the staunchest eyebrows, a la Parker from the Thunderbirds. 'Yes, m'lady.' Loading From the balconies of the comparatively culture-starved reaches of regional NSW, Paddington's problem looks like a solution. The puppet show is part of the City of Sydney's Art and About festival. 'Expect art in any corner of our city, at any time' the blurb reads. The promise of the unexpected, for some in Paddington at least, looks as welcome as the Spanish Inquisition. Here's an idea. How about cities on the edge, literally and figuratively, formally partner with Sydney in something wonderfully original? Imagine an Art and About festival that was truly mobile. Think Uncle Max bringing a puppet theatre to the children von Trapp in the wilds of prewar Austria. Even the Nazis, Marta's sluggish set changes, or men drinking beer with the foam afloat, couldn't stop The Lonely Goatherd: 'Layee odl, layee odl layee-oo'! Imagine taking puppets, unwanted in Paddington, to areas comparatively starved of arts investment. Areas like the Central Coast, the Illawarra or the NSW Central West contend with government arts investment levels, per capita, well below those enjoyed in the eastern suburbs, which has received 23.5 per cent of total federal government arts funding over the past decade.
