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NSW Outlaws ‘Convenient’ Killing of Shelter Animals

Here’s a win for animal welfare advocates. The act of killing shelter animals is now considered a crime in New South Wales.

In February 2022, both houses of parliament in NSW passed into law a bill banning the convenience killing of animals. The new legislation comes after dogs and puppies were shot by Bourke Shire Council last year even as two rescue organisations offered rehoming for the animals.

The council said that they didn’t want rescuers to travel to collect the dogs in light of the state-declared COVID-19 lockdown. RSPCA, the NSW Ombudsman and Office of Local Government conducted an investigation on the incident, however, they cleared the council of any liability since there were no laws in place at the time that would make them accountable for such actions.

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst who put forward the legislation, Companion Animals Amendment (Rehoming Animals) Bill 2021, said that the shooting of the dogs should not have happened but existing laws are weak leaving the “atrocity” unpunished.

Ms Hurst added that the law aims to stop “unnecessary killing” of animals for the sake of convenience, which the community will never accept, and mandates pounds to work with rescue groups in finding them homes. Under the new law, councils are required to give written notice to at least two rehoming organisations and advertise the animal as available prior to euthanising.

Independent Alex Greenwich, who carried the bill to the lower house, congratulated Ms Hurst on her legislation and said that the passing of the bill was a sign of respect for the crossbench legislator.
Each year, some 200,000 shelter animals across Australia are euthanised in animal shelters and between 2019 and 2020, there have been about 4,00 dogs and 8,000 cats killed in NSW pounds.

Sketch Collective: New Surry Hills Gallery Focuses on Affordable, Original Art

Did you know that you can find affordable, original artwork from the Sketch Collective, a new art gallery in Surry Hills?

Read: Surry Hills to Welcome Beau Wine Bar and Deli Soon!

Part art gallery and part integrated agency, Sydney-based marketing agency Sketch Collective launched the brand new art space to showcase original works from a plethora of up and coming artists and also operate as a marketing business.

The team, headed by artistic director Caroline Heslop, aims to support democratising art by both highlighting emerging artists and providing original works starting at as little as $250 with nothing more than $5,000.

“The hope is that more people are able to access art and have a place where they know they can get an entry piece to start collecting or expanding existing collections with exciting new works,” said Ms Heslop, founder and director at Sketch Collective.

Ms Heslop wanted to create a space that combined her dual passions and experiences in art and marketing. The gallery will focus on celebrating, promoting and growing the domestic emerging art scene as well as educating newcomers to the world of art and collecting original works.

Driven by her vision to make art more accessible, Ms Heslop has spent the best part of 2021 curating a roster of emerging Australian based artists. Sourcing talent through a range of traditional and novel routes, the team secured artists by scrolling on Instagram and striking up conversations on the street.

“I love what Sketch Collective is doing with this and offering the opportunity to emerging artists like me – giving us a platform to continue to grow and hopefully attract new audiences,” said Morus Quin, whose work was featured during the first showing at the gallery.

“I am still fairly new to exhibiting work so having exciting opportunities like this will prove hugely beneficial to my career,” she said.

If you want to see the works of art or buy to grow your collection, you can visit the Sketch Collective Gallery on weekdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 420 Crown Street, Surry Hills.

You can follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @sketchcogallery for updates.

Speeding In NSW: How A Trip From Surry Hills To Sydney’s West Can Cost Motorists Thousands Of Dollars

Photo credit: JESHOOTS.com/Pexels

Did you know that travelling just 10km/h over the speed limit from Surry Hills all the way to Sydney’s west could cost you as much as $1,860? If you think that’s crazy, read on.

Read: Longest Escalators in the Southern Hemisphere at Sydney Metro’s Central Station

Based on NSW’s road regulations, light vehicles exceeding 10km/h and under should pay a fine of $124, but with more than a dozen cameras placed from Surry Hills to Blacktown, motorists committing a speeding offence could pay that fine 15 times more.

Aside from paying a fine, offenders will also receive one demerit point. Those who hold a learner or provisional licence will receive at least four demerit points.

At present, there are six red light cameras and nine speed cameras along Parramatta Rd, the M4 motorway and Prospect Highway.

Red light cameras are installed at high risk intersections where there are traffic lights. These cameras also detect and record when a vehicle crosses the white stop line after the traffic lights have turned red.

nsw speed cameras — Photo credit: NSW Speed Camera Locations/Facebook

In Surry Hills alone, there are a total of five red light cameras including one along Cleveland Street and Chalmers Street, which is a school zone.

Other roads with red light cameras include Cleveland Street and South Dowling Street; Crown Street and Albion Street; Foveaux Street and Crown Street; and South Dowling Street and Fitzroy Street / Moore Park Road.

nsw speeding — Photo credit: Cameron Yartz/Pexels

Speed cameras, which can be either fixed or mobile, are used at locations where there is high risk of crashes, such as tunnels. Fixed speed cameras are also used at school zones, where increased fines and demerit points apply if speeding is committed.

If caught speeding by a fixed or mobile speed camera, the camera will clearly show the colour, type, make and number plate of the driver’s vehicle.

Surry Hills Speed Limit

The NSW Government reduced the speed limit in parts of Surry Hills, from 50 km/h to 40 km/h to ensure a consistent speed limit on side streets and main roads.

nsw speed limit — Surry Hills Reduced Speed Zone Map (Photo credit: NSW Government)

There are a total of 201 red light cameras installed at intersections throughout NSW, generating millions of dollars in fines revenue for the State Government.

In 20221, Service NSW’s overall revenue from people failing to pay their fines reached $11 million. It includes money collected from all penalty infringement notices, including driving offences.

Still, authorities continue to remind road users to slow down as well as pedestrians to always use pedestrian crossings, obey traffic signals, look both ways before crossing and are not being distracted by phones or music.

Surry Hills to Welcome Beau Wine Bar and Deli Soon!

Photo Credit: The Cru / thecru.agency/cultured

Beau, a new wine bar and deli by the same group behind Nomad is set to open its doors on Reservoir Street on Surry Hills in the first half of 2022.

Coming off the heels of its Nomad Melbourne opening in late 2021, Nomad Group announced that they will also be opening a 100-seater wine bar and deli at 52 Reservoir Street, by the side of a private laneway and just a few blocks away from its flagship diner. The venue’s design is courtesy of Smart Design Studio and will feature a private rooftop for events, communal seating along a large, long central bar with banquette seating surrounding the bar’s perimeter.

Beau, short for Beaujolais, will feature manoush, which is a traditional flatbread with toppings commonly enjoyed across the Levantine. The classic manoush will be topped with za’atar – a savoury blend of thyme, oregano and/or marjoram which may also include sumac and toasted sesame seeds – delicately prepared by executive chef Jacqui Challinor and team.

Beau Deli will also offer choices of dips, pickles and marinated vegetable and manoush toppings like spiced Margra lamb shoulder and green chilli zhoug. The wine bar, on the other hand, will dish up some of NOMAD’s popular selections including housemade charcuterie, cheeses, along with a cold seafood bar.

Moreover, NOMAD Group’s beverage director, Ged Bellis said that the wine list will focus on Australian producers and experimental boutique wines on tap along with cuvées sourced from different parts of the globe.

Nomad Sydney reopened 13 October 2021 | Photo Credit: Nomad / Facebook

In late 2019, Nomad Sydney was hit by fire forcing them to launch a temporary pop-up shop, “Up the Road”, whilst its Surry Hills premises on Foster Street was undergoing reconstruction. A bigger and better Nomad was reopened in October 2020.

“The NOMAD Group mission is to consistently create experiences that bring together great food, local produce, great wine and service, that is both friendly and professional in spaces that are immersive and make you want to stay. This is a space that we couldn’t say no to, we just don’t want to leave,” co-owner Rebecca Yazbek said.

“With our unique and shared challenges over the last two years, we have seen demand for our side projects grow and the support from our local community remain unwavering. Beau and Beau Deli is about serving the local community with everything they’ve asked for and loved over the last few years.”

Beau Deli will be open for breakfast and lunch whilst the Wine Bar will serve lunch and dinner.

52 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

Longest Escalators in the Southern Hemisphere at Sydney Metro’s Central Station

Did you know that the longest escalators in the Southern Hemisphere, can be found at Sydney’s Central Station, one of Australia’s busiest transport hubs?

Nine connected escalators, each spanning 45 metres long and weighing 26 tonnes, are now securely in place at the new Metro station box underground, which will link the rails, suburban trains, and the metro lines that have yet to be completed.

This new set will form part of the total 42 escalators to be installed at Central, stretching 955 metres from end to end, per Sydney Metro.

Currently, the longest escalator in the Southern Hemisphere is installed at the Parliament Station in Melbourne, which is 30 metres long. A Russian metro station in Saint Petersburg holds the title for the longest escalator in the world at 138 metres. Some commuters take books to read when they go up and down these long escalators.

Photo Credit: SydneyMetroNSWGov/Facebook

In addition to the escalators underground, a new 80-metre Central Walk for pedestrians was also completed for platforms 16 to 23. Transport Minister David Elliott said that the first phase of this construction is ready for its opening sometime in 2022.

“When complete, this underground link will make it easier for customers to connect with train, bus light rail, and metro services,” Mr Elliot stated during a press conference with Premier Dominic Perrottet as they inspected the installation.

Mr Perrottet, on the other hand, said that the progress of this $955-million infrastructure project has been “the biggest improvement to the station in decades.”

“This new development is in keeping with the aesthetics and the beauty of the most iconic station in the country,” he said.

The escalators will also link to the new Sydney Metro City and Southwest Metro lines that are scheduled to open in 2024. Once fully operational, travel time from Central to Martin Place’s station is estimated to take under four minutes, whilst it will take 15 minutes to get to the Chatswood Station in the Lower North Shore.

Ricos Tacos: From A Food Truck To A Store In Chippendale

Photo credit: @ricostacotruck/Instagram

From serving tacos from a food truck at Gelato Messina Rosebery’s car park and at The Grifter Brewery Co, Ricos Tacos has levelled up and opened a permanent venue along Meagher Street in Chippendale.

Read: Meet ‘Jane,’ The New Degustation Restaurant At Surry Hills

Taco lovers can now expect new dishes and flavours from the shop. Check out their tortas -– Mexican sandwiches filled with a wide variety of ingredients including different types of meats.

tortas sandwiches — Tortas (Photo credit: @ricostacotruck/Instagram)

At Ricos Tacos, tortas are served on soft milk buns and filled with their house-made chorizo, black beans, charred tomato salsa, pasilla mayo, and fermented chilli. Those who are not big fans of chorizo can opt for beer battered fish for the filling, served with some mayo, salsa roja, and salted cabbage.

breakfast tacos — Photo credit: @ricostacotruck/Instagram

For those who feel like munching on tacos for breakfast, owner-chef Toby Wilson has prepared chorizo which are made in-house every week, greens (kale, leek, silverbeet, cabbage, potato); and beef and pinto bean (braised in adobo).

Aside from tacos, which are the star of the restaurant, Ricos Tacos’ Chippendale taco shop also offers crispy-brown hash browns, and pancakes topped with chorizo syrup and butter. Other interesting menu items include chorizo and potato quesadilla, coupla fish tacos, smoked franks poached in beer with pasilla mayo and salsa roja.

ricos tacos sydney — Photo credit: @ricostacotruck/Instagram

Like a traditional Mexican taqueria, Ricos Tacos’ interiors are full of colours and have a warm, comfortable feel. Customers will be greeted with a mural by Mike Delaney, Chef Wilson’s former business partner. Another very Mexican practice here is the pairing of hibiscus iced tea with tacos.

ricos tacos chippendale — Photo credit: @ricostacotruck/Instagram

For his new venture, Chef Wilson is planning to move breakfast into brunch and introduce a dinner menu, where beers from The Grifter Brewing Co and seltzers from Cantina OK! will be served. For now, customers can check them out at the Gift Brewery every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for an evening chill.

To stay updated about Ricos Tacos in Chippendale, follow them on Instagram @ricostacotruck. The store is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays.

Giant Dwarf: Comedy and Cabaret Surry Hills Venue Shuts Down For Good

After fighting to thrive for the last eight years and after struggling to stay afloat during the past two challenging years, Giant Dwarf, the comedy and cabaret theater on Cleveland Road in Surry Hills, has announced its permanent closure.

Giant Dwarf is no stranger to challenges as a small theatre relying on funding and public support for its presentations to feature up-and-coming talents in Sydney. In March 2020, the theatre almost shut down after its former home, just down the road in Redfern, increased its rent by 40 per cent.

The group, however, was able to secure a new but short-term lease in a smaller venue in Surry Hills that dropped its audience size from 290 to 160. Despite the adjustments, Giant Dwarf continued to deliver its trademark cabaret shows, drag king shows, and storytelling nights.

At that time, managing director Bec Annetts, program producer Moira Kennedy, and producer Jess Gordon, were encouraged to remain positive that Giant Dwarf will continue to entertain the public and showcase the talents of the next generations.

In July 2021, Giant Dwarf was forced to temporarily close due to the COVID-19 lockdowns as public venues were not allowed to operate.

“Taking this time to rest, to reflect and to recover, because without that creativity can’t come through. I think it’s about not being so hard on yourself because really we’ve done it once and we can do it again. We are experts now and we will stay creative and connected no matter what. We live in an age where we have the resources to do so,” the operators said.

However, in a statement on Facebook in late January 2022, Bec, Moira and Jess announced the venue’s door will no longer open.

“The second lockdown really hit us hard and we have been unable to find a way to continue. Even with a reduction in rent during the lockdown period, it is so difficult to continue in such uncertain times and very little funding support. We simply cannot survive through this ongoing pandemic,” the trio wrote in their statement.

“We fought as hard as we could for almost 8 years and we are so proud that we even made it as far as we did and of what GD became. This decision was not an easy one to make and we can assure you, we have thought it through.”

The sound stage of the Giant Dwarf in its original home in Redfern was designed for ABC TV’s “The Checkout,” which was cancelled in 2018. Its members were also part of the production as studio assistants, art directors, equipment operators, and talents in the editing room. The independent theatre is located within the soundstage that is also hired for mounting larger productions in TV or music videos.

Milkrun: New Surry Hills Grocery Delivery Bags $75-Million Investment

Milkrun, the fledging Surry Hills startup that opened in September 2021, has bagged a $75-million investment to expand its 10-minute grocery delivery service in other areas across Sydney and potentially in Melbourne.

Founder and chief executive Danny Milham, who was also the co-founder of Koala, the online mattress store, closed the deal with U.S. investor Tiger Global just six months after securing an $11 million seed round to open the essential business along Bourke Street.

With a total capital investment of $86 million, Milkrun has been operating in more than 35 suburbs in Sydney, up from just 26 in December 2021. It has established over 45 dispatch sites and a series of “dark stores” or warehouses that stock supermarket, meat, and fresh produce to provide more than 2,000 common items on its mobile app.

Since its launch, Milkrun has been flying under the radar compared to other established platforms. However, that could soon change as Milham sees a lot of potential in widening its reach knowing that many customers make as much as four grocery orders within a day. The Milkrun app promises faster grocery deliveries without the inflated delivery cost compared to services like Deliveroo or UberEats.

As it expands its services, the company will also hire more riders on e-bikes adding to its current pool of 500 staff. Milkrun workers are not hired as gig workers but as casual, part-timers, or full-time staff with benefits like superannuation, health insurance, and sick leaves.

Follow Milkrun on its Instagram page to know which suburbs they cater to and see what grocery deals are on offer.

“We just ordered some groceries and they arrived in under 6 minutes! How?! We’ve use Milkrun 3 times now and every time had an amazing experience and it arrived so fast. The future of convenience food shopping!!!”
Katie Cummings

“I have no idea how but every single time I’ve ordered, my items have been delivered in less than 10 mins. Blows my mind every time. Not only that, each of the Milkrun bikers who have delivered my order have been SO lovely and professional – probably because Milkrun is one of the first business’ to offer their delivery partners full time, salaried jobs – it’s so nice to know that I’m ordering from a business that truly cares about their staff and service. Incredible.”
Dominic Coze

“In isolation and running out of groceries. Friend recommended Milk Run and just made an order that was delivered within 10 minutes. Amazing! Thank you!”
Johanna Lindholm

Woman Almost Rented Surry Hills Townhouse With ‘Creepy’ History

Photo credit: Google Maps

Would you move into a house with a rather “creepy” history? A Sydney student was excited about renting this ‘super renovated’ townhouse on Kippax Street, Surry Hills … until she found out why it came so cheap.

A young woman shared on social media her experience in looking for a house to rent near the CBD. Under the handle @emdeebs, she captioned her post, “Why are the only houses that I can get haunted?“.

In her video clip, she said that she found a nice three-bedroom house on Kippax Street in Surry Hills and was very impressed with it. The property which she described as “super renovated” was available for $900 a week.

“All the bedrooms were of good size. Living and kitchen, good as well, and I was like, ‘Sweet!’.”

@emdeebs
why are the only houses that i can get haunted? seriously though if anyone is leaving a 3 bedroom in surry hills or paddo lmk xx #fyp #housetok #rentalproperty #rent #greenscreenvideo
♬ original sound – Deebs

It seemed like a perfect deal until she looked up the address on the internet and “accidentally” clicked on the news tab. And that was when things turned 180 degrees.

“…and I found out that a woman died in the house and I was like, ‘Okay, maybe this isn’t the one for me’,” she said.

The young woman further explained that the remains of the deceased woman weren’t discovered until after eight years.

“So, I think I’m going to remove my application,” she concluded.

What other users say

A few users who have viewed her post claimed to have lived in the said property but didn’t mention any ghostly experience.

“I lived here two years ago it was a shared house and I got her room!! I was shocked when I found out. Never heard from her so it’s safe,” one said.

“Omg I used to live here lmao. I was one of the first tenants,” another claimed.

Some, however, claimed to have had some eerie experiences whilst staying in the house.

“I lived there for 6 months! Stuff would disappear and reappear without reason. Now her name pops up on the weirdest occasions (tv/books/articles),” one said

“I lived there mid-2019. Natalie always played pranks on me,” another claimed.

But others are not at all bothered by its past.

“You’ll never get a house that nice for that price in Surry hills again. I’d go for it,” one user commented.

Another seems to agree, saying, “Honestly, still a bargain by Sydney standards.”

“I wouldn’t be too concerned I’m sure somebody has died in every house at some point in time,” reassures another.

There were also some who commented that the property’s history should have been disclosed to the prospective tenant since it was a “material fact”.

The “woman Sydney forgot”

Woman Almost Rented Surry Hills Townhouse with ‘Creepy’ History — Video Still Credit: Deebs (@emdeebs) / TikTok

The property at 139 Kippax Street, Surry Hills has a rather horrifying past and made headlines years ago. It used to be the residence of Natalie Jean Wood who had laid dead in her home for almost eight years.

It was not until 5 July 2011 when Ms Wood’s skeletal remains were discovered on her bedroom floor, just a month before her 87th birthday. She was presumed to have died sometime in February 2004. She was last seen on 30 December 2003 buying medicines at a local pharmacy.

Ms Woods was said to be a bit “recluse” and would not just open her door to any person. She was dubbed as the “woman Sydney forgot” because nobody had tried to check on her well being from the time of her passing to the discovery of her skeletal remains.

The rundown Surry Hills townhouse underwent renovation after it was sold at an auction in 2016 for $1.1 million. It was last sold in 2020 for $1,650,000 million.

Boutique Office Tower Planned at Surry Hills Liquor Warehouse Site

Photo credit: Clifton Development Group / clifton.com.au

Did you know that an existing liquor warehouse site on Brisbane Street in Surry Hills could soon become a $50-million office tower?

Designed by Grimshaw, the proposed six-level boutique office building will be situated at 9-13 Brisbane Street, Surry Hills. The corner site is currently occupied by a Surry Hills liquor warehouse.

Clifton Development Group, a newly formed property development arm of AltX, purchased the 444-sqm block in an off-market transaction in 2021, with plans to convert the site into a premium workspace.

The Brisbane Street site would have a total floor area of more than 2,000 sqm and will include a 36-sqm ground floor cafe.

transparent facade of proposed Brisbane St office tower

Photo credit: City of Sydney / online2.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/DA

The office tower will feature a transparent facade with end-of-trip facilities, a ground floor lobby and cafe, and parking space for 17 bicycles. Levels 1 to 5 will contain office spaces and rooftop outdoor terrace, meeting room, and external plant and equipment area.

A composition of three elements make up the design of the building: an opaque edge on the southern, a glazed core for the office space, and a translucent edge on the northern side.

“The current building proposal includes a translucent fluted glass façade to the northern portion of the building facing Wemyss Lane. This location offers the opportunity for the artwork to wrap around the northern end of the building and be viewed from both the street and internal sides of the facade,” the Public Art plan said.

Artist's perspective Surry Hills office tower — Photo credit: City of Sydney / online2.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/DA

About Clifton Development Group

Sydney-based Clifton Development Group is property developer which specialises in boutique residential, commercial and mixed-use property on Australia’s east coast. The company is part of AltX, a non-bank investment platform that offers wholesale investors access to real estate debt investment. Since 2012, AltX has funded more than $2billion worth of debt deals.