Latest news with #CityofSydneyCouncil
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.
The Age
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
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.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney suburbs falling out of love with fast food
KFC last year faced similar community opposition over its plans to launch an outlet on King Street in Newtown, with the proposal sparking concerns the outlet would 'erode the unique character' of the shopping strip. Some residents, in submissions to the City of Sydney Council, argued King Street was already home to five chicken shops and the addition of a sixth would 'undermine the culinary diversity and community atmosphere that makes King Street so special'. Meanwhile, Guzman y Gomez was forced to scale back plans for a 24/7 outlet in Mosman after concerns were raised by council planners regarding the possible impact of noise. In May, the City of Sydney Council rejected plans for a 24-hour McDonald's in Redfern following resistance from residents and police. The planning battles come as new figures show fast food companies are rapidly increasing the number of outlets across Australia, with Guzman y Gomez opening 27 restaurants in 2024, followed by KFC with 23, McDonald's with 19, Domino's with 18 and Hungry Jack's with 16. The figures, published by ANZ in its food, beverage and agribusiness insights report, estimated there could be at least 30,000 quick service and fast food outlets in Australia by 2030 – the equivalent of one restaurant for every 1000 Australians. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou has criticised the opposition to fast food applications, arguing the refusals can rob consumers of choice. 'For a restaurant to be refused over noise and crime is wrong – these stores employ a lot of people and if there's demand, they should be able to operate,' he said. In a statement, a spokeswoman for McDonald's said the company is 'committed to engaging with councils and communities to ensure we're listening to feedback'. Loading 'This includes limiting the impact of common concerns such as traffic, noise, and waste, and promoting our potential to contribute as a local employer and a business committed to giving back to the neighbourhood,' she said. McDonald's has not ruled out challenging the Northern Beaches Council's decision to refuse its application in the Land and Environment Court. 'We will take our time to review council's decision and feedback before considering next steps,' the spokeswoman said.
The Age
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
The Sydney suburbs falling out of love with fast food
KFC last year faced similar community opposition over its plans to launch an outlet on King Street in Newtown, with the proposal sparking concerns the outlet would 'erode the unique character' of the shopping strip. Some residents, in submissions to the City of Sydney Council, argued King Street was already home to five chicken shops and the addition of a sixth would 'undermine the culinary diversity and community atmosphere that makes King Street so special'. Meanwhile, Guzman y Gomez was forced to scale back plans for a 24/7 outlet in Mosman after concerns were raised by council planners regarding the possible impact of noise. In May, the City of Sydney Council rejected plans for a 24-hour McDonald's in Redfern following resistance from residents and police. The planning battles come as new figures show fast food companies are rapidly increasing the number of outlets across Australia, with Guzman y Gomez opening 27 restaurants in 2024, followed by KFC with 23, McDonald's with 19, Domino's with 18 and Hungry Jack's with 16. The figures, published by ANZ in its food, beverage and agribusiness insights report, estimated there could be at least 30,000 quick service and fast food outlets in Australia by 2030 – the equivalent of one restaurant for every 1000 Australians. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou has criticised the opposition to fast food applications, arguing the refusals can rob consumers of choice. 'For a restaurant to be refused over noise and crime is wrong – these stores employ a lot of people and if there's demand, they should be able to operate,' he said. In a statement, a spokeswoman for McDonald's said the company is 'committed to engaging with councils and communities to ensure we're listening to feedback'. Loading 'This includes limiting the impact of common concerns such as traffic, noise, and waste, and promoting our potential to contribute as a local employer and a business committed to giving back to the neighbourhood,' she said. McDonald's has not ruled out challenging the Northern Beaches Council's decision to refuse its application in the Land and Environment Court. 'We will take our time to review council's decision and feedback before considering next steps,' the spokeswoman said.
