Children looking for fun these holidays will be spoilt for choice. The City of Sydney has some of the best parks, playgrounds and community facilities in the state.

The City has nine libraries in Circular Quay, Glebe, Green Square, Haymarket, Kings Cross, Newtown, Surry Hills, Ultimo and Waterloo. Each host a range of fun activities for children of all ages during the school holiday period. Highlights include a summer reading club, movie nights, art and craft workshops, interactive storytelling and much more.

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ explore/libraries

The City also has toy libraries at Glebe, Waterloo and Surry Hills libraries, which will be open over the Christmas period. Check the branch details on our website:cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ explore/libraries/collections/ toy-collection

Playgrounds

Libraries

Summer is a great time for inner-city kids to make use of our fantastic swimming pools, which are open every day these school holidays except Christmas Day.

All have free entry for kids up to three years.

• Prince Alfred Park Pool, Surry Hills, princealfred.org

• Victoria Park Pool, Camperdown, vppool.com.au

• Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Woolloomooloo, abcpool.org

There are two-week intensive swim programs in January at:

• Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Pyrmont, itac.org.au

• Cook+Phillip Park Aquatic Centre, cookandphillip.org.au

The City has over 80 playgrounds. Favourites include:•Pirrama Park, Pyrmont;•Sydney Park, St Peters;•Victoria Park, Camperdown;•Redfern Park, Redfern; and•Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills.

We are constantly upgrading our playgrounds to make sure they are innovative and exciting places to play.

Jubilee Park playground in Glebe will soon be reopened with two new double swings, a new slide, nature play-hill with logs, planks and twig paths, toddlers sandpit, boardwalk, climbing ropes, cubby house and slide;

Fitzroy Gardens playground in Kings Cross is being upgraded with new equipment, a pole forest, labyrinth game and chalk drawing wall.

Check out our playground map to find out more: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/ parks/playgrounds

Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts has tennis camp from 9am to 3pm with tennis tuition, activity games, arts and crafts, nature walks, soccer/touch football and tennis tournaments. Before and after camp care is available. For more information, call 02 9357 7332.

KGV Centre, The Rocks Our two indoor basketball courts are open until 11.30pm every Friday night. There’s also an early bird basketball session from 3pm to 8pm. The sessions are open to all ages and skill levels. For more information, call 02 9244 3600.

Sports/Fitness Swimming

pools

Children from five to eight years can get started in the basics of printmaking, colour paper collage, poster art and ceramics. Nine to 12 year olds can explore creative techniques in more depth with classes in pastels and paint, ceramics, digital art and printmaking. Classes book out quickly, so check the website for details: pinestreet.com.au

The City’s community centres have started organising excursions for children aged five to 12 years. Activities include swimming at Botany Pool, Cook+Phillip Park and Prince Alfred Park pools. Other programs include urban jungle high-rope courses, bowling, movies, cooking workshops and sporting programs including archery, skater HQ and boot camp.

Contact your local community centre to find out more information about booking: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services/community-centres

Pine Street Creative Arts Centre,Chippendale

Children’s vacation care program

Surry Hills Library and Community Centre.

Pirrama Park.

Sydney Park playground.

Prince Alfred Park Pool.

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Pine Street Creative Arts Centre.

Prince Alfred Park Pool makes a splash

The City’s newest outdoor public pool has attracted more than 50,000 visits in its first five months of operation – and a handful of awards.

Prince Alfred Park Pool in Surry Hills won a major architecture award at the 2013 Sydney Design Awards and was highly commended at the World Architecture Festival Awards.

The 50-metre heated outdoor pool, with accessible entry, is the first major building designed by Potts Point-based Neeson Murcutt Architects.

The new $20.5 million pool completes the most extensive upgrade to Prince Alfred Park in 50 years. It includes five new, international-standard tennis and basketball courts, an exercise circuit and two children’s playgrounds.

Live music action planThe City is seeking feedback on a new action plan to encourage live music in Sydney.The Live Music Matters report is the work of an 11-member taskforce set up by the City to revive Sydney’s live music and performance scene.

For many years, Sydney enjoyed a reputation for extraordinary live performers and bands. But poker machines, large sports screens in pubs and tough regulations have all put pressure on live venues, resulting in fewer opportunities for live music.

Now, out of 2,200 venues with liquor licences in Sydney, only 143 of them, just six per cent, have a live music licence.

This nationally significant plan aims to create new opportunities for musicians and performers. It tackles issues such as regulatory barriers, the availability of space to rehearse and perform, developing new audiences, and providing opportunities for young people to enjoy and play live music.

The plan is on exhibition for 60 days. View the plan and give your feedback at sydneyyoursay.com.au

Oxford Street roller grantsNew child care

coming soonThe City is fast-tracking a $55 million program to deliver six new child care centres across the inner city to tackle long waiting lists that are a growing problem for parents.

A recent child care needs analysis study, conducted by independent community planning and child care experts, found parents are struggling to find places for children aged up to five living in the City of Sydney local government area. Parents of children under two are especially affected.

The study showed a current gap of 3,104 places. If no further supply is found, this gap will increase as our resident and workforce populations grow.

High land costs in central Sydney have held back new child care providers from setting up. For many residents, the high cost of care is also a significant barrier.

The City is doing what it can with plans for six new centres, but we need all other levels of government to also play their part.

The City owns and leases centres providing 24 per cent of all current available places in the city area and ensures that fees are in the low to mid-range compared to other centres.

For more information on our child care centres, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services/children/child-care

Our successful shopfront improvement grants, which launched in Redfern in 2010, have been extended to Oxford Street.The program provides funding to local businesses for the removal of roller shutters from their shopfronts. The grant is aimed at improving the appearance and safety of our village high streets.

More than 23 shops in Redfern, Darlington, Chippendale, Alexandria and Waterloo have been involved over the past three years.

Now, we are offering Oxford Street retailers up to $6,000

to make their shopfronts brighter and more attractive.

Instead of closed shutters at night, pedestrians and motorists will see colourful window displays, which will encourage them to come back and visit when the shop is open.

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/business/business-support/grants-and-sponsorship/shopfront-improvement-grants

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Surry Hills Library and Community Centre.

A very Sydney

ChristmasWelcome to Christmas in Sydney! We’ve got a calendar filled with events so you can enjoy this special time with your friends and family.

For everything Christmas in the city, including special events, retail promotions, exciting competitions and much more, visit sydneychristmas.com.au

MARTIN PlACe CHRISTMAS TRee

from Thursday 28 November

The Martin Place Christmas Tree has always

drawn huge crowds, but this year we’re taking

it to a whole new, interactive, level. Bring your

mobile phone, text a festive message to our

tree and your words will travel up the ribbon

for all to see.

BRIGHT WAlK

from Thursday 28 November

Our new self-guided walking tour highlights

all of the city’s festive sights and sounds,

with stops at Hyde Park, Pitt Street Mall,

Martin Place, George Street, Queen Victoria

Building, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Square

and Darling Harbour.

INFINITe CHOIR from Thursday 28 November

Pitt Street Mall will have a new interactive installation of sound and light. Walk through alone and hear a single choral voice, or in a crowd when a full choir will burst into song.

MARTIN PlACe CHIlDReN’S CONCeRT AND TRee lIGHTING Thursday 28 November (6pm–8.30pm)

Packed with entertainment the whole family will love, the celebration includes Hi-5, Kate Ceberano, Don Spencer, Justine Clarke, a costume show from looney Tunes, carols from the Sydney Children’s choir with MC leah Purcell, Santa and fireworks.

CHRISTMAS ON THe GReeN, HyDe PARK Thursday 28 November (6pm–8.30pm)

With plenty of space to spread out, join host Abi Tucker and be entertained by dirtgirl, Bananas in Pyjamas, Sam Moran, Darren Percival, the Australian Girls Choir and of course Santa.

VIllAGe FAMIly CONCeRTS

Reg Bartley Oval, Rushcutters Bay Saturday 30 November (6.30pm–8.30pm)

Turruwul Park, Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery Sunday 1 December (6.30pm–8.30pm)

Alexandria Park Oval, Power Avenue, Alexandria Saturday 7 December (6.30pm–8.30pm)

Prince Alfred Park, Chalmers Street, Surry Hills Sunday 8 December (6.30pm–8.30pm)

CHRISTMAS AT SyDNey TOWN HAll Tuesday 17 December 2013

The magnificent Grand Organ makes this very traditional affair of carol singing, festive music and

readings a memorable night for the whole family. Tickets sell out quickly.

INSTRuMeNT DONATION DAy, BAy STReeT DePOT Sunday 1 December (9am–3pm)

Donate your pre-loved instruments this Christmas. Instruments will be collected for redistribution to disadvantaged children and youth across Sydney via our charity partner, Australian Children’s Music Foundation. (The foundation is unable to accept broken instruments or upright pianos.)

SuPeR SATuRDAy Saturday 7 December

On Saturday 7 December, Westfield will lead the charge with Super Saturday, offering promotions, gift wrapping and entertainment. David Jones, Myer, and stores within the Queen Victoria Building, Strand Arcade and The Galeries will also be making special Christmas offers.

CHRISTMAS PROJeCTIONS from Thursday 28 November (8.30pm–1am)

A stunning Christmas animation will illuminate the southern façade of Sydney Town Hall, along with our

traditional projections seen from George Street.

CHRISTMAS IN THe VIllAGeS

local retailers will offer some great in-store promotions and events in the lead up to Christmas.

These include shops and boutiques in Paddington (5 December), Surry Hills (7 December), Darlinghurst

(12 December), and Potts Point (15 December).

Principal Sponsor

Media Partners

Supporting Sponsor

Charity Partner

How to contact Council Visit: City of Sydney, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney Post: GPO Box 1591, Sydney NSW 2001 T: 02 9265 9333 Email: council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Online: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Your councillors are Clover Moore (IND) / Robyn Kemmis (IND) / Robert Kok (IND) / John Mant (IND) / Jenny Green (IND) / Irene Doutney (GRN) / Edward Mandla (LIB) / Christine Forster (LIB) / Linda Scott (ALP) / Angela Vithoulkas (LIV SYD)

To subscribe to Sydney City News online: cityofsydney.nsw.gove.au/subscribe

Should you require this information in an alternative format please contact:

City of Sydney: 02 9265 9333council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.auTranslating & Interpreting service (TIS): 13 14 50

How to contact Council Visit: City of Sydney, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney Post: GPO Box 1591, Sydney NSW 2001 T: 02 9265 9333 Email: council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Online: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Your councillors are Clover Moore (IND) / Robyn Kemmis (IND) / Robert Kok (IND) / John Mant (IND) / Jenny Green (IND) / Irene Doutney (GRN) / Edward Mandla (LIB) / Christine Forster (LIB) / Linda Scott (ALP) / Angela Vithoulkas (LIV SYD)

To subscribe to Sydney City News online: cityofsydney.nsw.gove.au/subscribe

If you require this information in an alternative format please contact:

City of Sydney: 02 9265 9333council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.auTranslating & Interpreting Service (TIS):13 14 50

Multi-million dollar energy savings

Work begins on Kent Street

Sydney’s major commercial office landlords are saving more than $25 million a year on their electricity bills, thanks to more energy-efficient buildings.The Better Buildings Partnership, which includes the owners of more than half the commercial office space in central Sydney, was established by the City in 2011 and based on similar schemes in London and Toronto.

Members have reduced their emissions by an average three per cent each year since 2005/6, despite a 14 per cent increase in the amount of space leased over the same period.

Some buildings have even achieved cuts of up to 70 per cent, thanks to innovative measures like energy-efficient lighting, plant upgrades and co-generation and tri-generation schemes that produce low-carbon electricity and hot water for heating and cooling.

The program is a great example of business and local government working together to achieve our goal of reducing the City’s emissions by 70 per cent by 2030.

For more information, visit sydneybetterbuildings.com.au

Work has started on the extension of the busy Kent Street cycleway, completing a long-awaited link from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Chinatown.The NSW Government gave the green light to the project in its City Centre Access Strategy, which sets out a long-term plan for transport in the city centre. Our recently approved city cycleway network

closely aligns with the government’s plans.

It includes cycleways on sections of Liverpool Street, Castlereagh Street, Pitt and Park streets.

The work on Kent Street will complete the route by linking Druitt Street to Liverpool Street, and connect the northern end of the cycleway to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It’s fantastic news for the growing number of bike riders cycling across our city every day.

The latest independent counts show cycling trips have more than doubled in three years. An average 2,000 bike trips are already made every weekday on the Kent Street cycleway.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-2014. Work to provide a safe cycleway connecting the north side of the city with Darling Harbour will start as soon as possible.

For more information, visit sydneycycleways.net

Union Street Cycleway.

Artist’s impression Steel Street, Surry Hills.

The NSW Government has released an environmental Impact Statement (eIS) on the South east light Rail project. A new information centre on the ground floor of 388 George Street, Sydney has also opened.

Feedback wanted on light rail

saved on electricity bills for Sydney’s major commercial office landlords

more than

$25 million

The Lord Mayor with members of the Better Building Partnership from Brookfield Office Properties Australia, Investa Office, DEXUS Property Group and AMP Capital Investors.

Five community meetings will also be held. These include:

• eastern Suburbs Masonic Centre, 199 Anzac Parade, Kensington Saturday 23 November, 10am–2pm

• State library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney Tuesday 26 November, 4pm–8pm

• Randwick Town Hall, corner Avoca and Frances streets, Randwick Saturday 30 November, 10am–2pm

• Sydney Boys High School, Gate 9, Anzac Parade, Moore Park Thursday 5 December, 4pm–8pm

• Surry Hills library, 405 Crown Street, Surry Hills Tuesday 10 December, 4pm–8pm

The EIS outlines the key features of the project and assesses potential environmental impacts during construction and operation. Importantly, it also outlines how impacts will be minimised and managed.

People are encouraged to visit the information centre to learn more about the construction and operation of the project, and to give feedback.

The new light rail line will be capable of carrying 18,000 people an hour and will link Circular Quay with Central railway station and then Moore Park, Randwick and Kingsford, taking in the University of NSW, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Cricket Ground and Randwick Racecourse.

The NSW Government has said the project will create 10,000 jobs and give the state economy a $4 billion boost.

The project will also help reduce local congestion, provide significantly improved public transport links and an improved environment for pedestrians.

The EIS is on public exhibition until 16 December. The EIS and details on how to make a submission can be found at majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

The City has transformed the 132-year-old heritage-listed Baptist Tabernacle into a modern 200-seat theatre and creative arts centre.Tiered seating focuses on the stage with good sightlines and acoustics. The space underneath houses the box office and a bar. There is a new backstage area for dressing rooms and offices for the resident Darlinghurst Theatre Company.New stairs and a lift to improve accessibility have been included. The building’s heritage character has been preserved, while making the building more sustainable with energy-efficient lighting, rooftop solar panels, and rainwater collection and reuse.The $7.9 million transformation makes the Eternity Playhouse the first major theatre to open in metropolitan Sydney since Carriageworks opened in Eveleigh in 2007. This contributes to our Oxford Street cultural initiatives supporting artists, designers and performers.For more information, visit darlinghursttheatre.com

Creative City, our discussion paper, inspired thousands of you to share your ideas with us about broadening Sydney’s cultural life.last year, the City directly invested $34 million to support Sydney’s creative scene.

We support festivals and events including Sydney New Year’s Eve, Art & About Sydney, Sydney Festival and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. We also support small and local creative projects like Chippendale’s BEAMs festival and the Newtown Festival through our grants and sponsorship program.

We invest in new public art and ensure design excellence for all our projects.

you’ve told us music matters, so we established a taskforce to investigate why live music and performance is disappearing in Sydney and to come up with a plan that would

balance the amenity of local residents and support a revival of live music and performance.

New City of Sydney facilities are encouraging creativity to flourish. eternity Playhouse is now open, giving Darlinghurst Theatre Company a state-of-the-art home.

It’s an important addition to the performing arts precinct, which is developing on the eastern side of the city. The area includes Oxford and William Streets, where we are hosting a number of innovative and creative start-ups in City-owned buildings.

Investing in culture is an investment. Creative industries are currently expected to contribute $14.9 billion this year to our economy.

@CloverMoore

We want Sydney to be a vital city for all ages and phases of life. We also want to promote a distinctively Sydney culture that is as much a part of our city as our amazing harbour.

It is a culture that could exist nowhere else but in Sydney.

On behalf of the City of Sydney, Councillors and staff, I wish you a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

To keep up-to-date with all Sydney events, sign up to our What’s On newsletter at whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

CHRISTMAS 2013

Creative Sydney

Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” at Eternity Playhouse.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore jamming with the High-tails at the launch of the Live Music & Performance action plan.

Sydney’s newest theatre, Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst, has opened its doors