Moore! Moore! Moore!
Time Out invited its readers to tell us what they wanted to ask the Mayor of Sydney. Here are the results. Photography Daniel Boud
Clover: the woman with the golden choker. The human dynamo. The independent Member of Parliament for Sydney who, in 2004, came from nowhere and stole the mayoral race from Labor, after they amalgamated City of Sydney and South Sydney Councils in what Moore considered a blatant grab for power.
More than five years since she took on her second job, we're here at City Hall, ready to put Moore through her paces. Under Time Out's arm, a barrage of queries from readers, eager to grill the Lord Mayor on the issues that concern them. First, however, we sat down with Clover to ask a few friendly warm-up questions.
What was your first political act?
Leading my kindergarten class over the fence and down the road aged three.
Were you politically inclined as a kid?
My reputation was for trouble and non-comformity. Every week my mother was dragged into the headmaster's office because I was about to be expelled.
Was politics a dangerous game back when you moved to Redfern in the late 70s?
The most dangerous thing was running for South Sydney council three weeks after Peter Baldwin [who was investigating ALP corruption] had his face rearranged.
Do you remember your first public meeting?
It was an ugly scene. My students stood at the door because they thought I was sure to get bashed up. When I was elected, nasty things started happening - phone calls in the dead of night with heavy breathing... our little dog tossed over the fence with great gashes... shit smeared over the windscreen of our car... a Greek real estate agent threatening to chop my legs off. I was an innocent!
Did you ever have a wild side?
Standing in trendy cinema queues, I was offered stuff I didn't dare take it. The whole pot thing passed me by because I was scared of my addictive personality.
So what do you do to relax?
I find time for myself every morning walking with the dogs in Moore Park. I commune with nature, say hello to my locals and have conversations with God.
Still, MP and Lord Mayor... How does that impact on one's marriage?
My husband is my soulmate and he believes in what I do. He has to, because I've dedicated my life to Sydney.
Environment and sustainability
What happened to the Live Green Festival this year? Louise Jordan, Surry Hills
Clover says "Rather than just have Live Green as a one-day annual event, it will now become part of every City of Sydney event to reach more people for a longer period of time. Information, education and examples of practical action people can take to reduce their environmental impact will be provided at events such as the Danks Street Festival and our Christmas celebrations."
I admired your Sustainable Sydney vision. But where are Sydney's market garden co-ops? Edie Fontanella, Redfern
"Community gardens are a great way to encourage residents to use organic and locally produced goods. Sustainable Sydney 2030 set a target for a fresh food market within 10 minutes of every resident and the City recently expanded our community gardens from ten to 13, all of which are run by community members for growing herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruit, and conserving rare plants and seeds."
Councillor John McInerney has said he wants to extend the idea of fresh food markets beyond the market at Carriageworks. Where do you think he might make prime sites? Simon, Darlinghurst
"The City supports fresh food and farmers markets at Kings Cross, Eveleigh, Paddy's, and the Entertainment Quarter. We also trialled a Hawkesbury Harvest market at Cook & Phillip Park last year and a volunteer-run employee Community Garden is being planned for the Marconi Terrace at Town Hall House."
Transport
Car-free days were announced for the city but where are they? Veronica Hilts, Rosebery
"Sydneysiders enjoy many car free events, including the City to Surf and Festival First Night. Our Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan is for a walkable city centre, which is not dominated by cars. To achieve this we need to create more green spaces, improve public transport with an integrated public transport system, develop our cycleways and discourage the use of private cars in the city centre."
Can't the council come up with quicker ways to roll out bike lanes and green corridors? S King, Glebe
"We're committed to getting a cycleway network up and running as soon as possible but we need to coordinate with Government agencies to ensure safety and good design and unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all approach as each street has individual characteristics that need to be considered. Once we get the design right we'll roll them out across the City."
Why can't we pull down the blight on Sydney that is the Cahill Expressway? Therese Van Mil
"The Cahill Expressway must go and it's quite shocking that it blocks our City's views and access to the harbour!"
Parks & recreation
As a lot of people use Sydney city parks to exercise, would it be possible to have more drinking fountains installed? Alexandra Mitchell, Sydney
"We have already installed 95 drinking fountains in our beautiful parks and open spaces. We are going to ensure new drinking fountains are installed as part of our ongoing parks upgrade program. This will include dog bubblers."
Could there be a barbecue/communal area erected in Sydney Park? Katrina Smit-Eadie, Erskineville
"A new toilet and kiosk open seven days a week with outdoor seating has recently been completed near the all-abilities playground at Sydney Park. There are also barbecues and picnic shelters beside the wetland lake at Euston Rd and Campbell St.
I believe the children are our future. But where are the kids' playgrounds in the heart of the City? Martin Reeves, Waterloo
"The City's Needs Study 2007 recommended a City Playground be built in the short-to-medium term. Until then, children's playgrounds in the City can be found at: Trinity St, Millers Point; Clyne Reserve, Millers Point; Yurong Parkway, East Sydney (Cook + Phillip Park); Albert Sloss Reserve, Palmer St East Sydney; Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (owned by SHFA); James Hilder Reserve, Campbell St, Surry Hills."
Much has been made of the dearth of public swimming pools south of the city. Any plans to put some in? David McGahn, Waterloo
"We are renewing the pool in Prince Alfred Park and are committed to building a health and recreation centre in Green Square, which will include a swimming pool. Residents also have access to Victoria Park Pool."
Companion animals
Can you confirm that council workers pick up deceased pets, scan them for a microchip and notify owners before taking the body to the rubbish tip? Lee, Pet Search
"When deceased pets are found in the City, City Rangers check if the deceased pet is microchipped. If it is, or if the pet is wearing a collar with its owner's contact details, all efforts are made to contact the owner."
Small Bars
Where are the Small Bars? What's your fave watering hole? Jonas Dimitrous
"There are 13 small bars currently at some stage in the Development Assessment (DA) process. Right now, Small Bars that are already operating are Drink Station on Erskine Street, Small Bar on Erskine Street, Grasshopper in Temperance Lane, CBD and Ching a Lings at 133 Oxford Street. A number of other café/bars have opened similar to The Hive in Erskineville under Primary Service Authorisation, without the need for a DA.
"There has been significant interest in small bars and I get enquiries every week. Three small bar seminars hosted by the City were booked out in advance.
"So far my favourite small bar is Small Bar, but I'm looking forward to new and innovative businesses that will add to the cultural life of our city."
Personal
Your love of chokers is famous. When did it begin and what's the fashion appeal? Jean Luke, Moore Park
Clover says "The Elizabethan era possibly attracted me to the look. As part of the launch of National Recycling Week in 2008 I swapped one of my chokers for a pair of red shoes for the CEO Monica Barone which she wore to New Year's Eve celebrations."
I recently saw a photo of you on the hustings in the 1980s in denim cut-offs! What outfit or phase of your life represents your worst fashion disaster? Nadia Peyne, The Rocks
Clover says "That's for others to decide!"
In all your years in parliament, what's been your biggest regret? Arianne Li, Kensington
Clover says "I have no regrets about Parliament, I use it as an opportunity for positive change. I'm still optimistic that we will see improved public transport, same-sex relationships recognised and better regulation of animal sales."
I want you!
In the past five years, my Lord Mayoral Salary Trust has directed over $650,000 to 34 valuable projects helping those in need. I set up the Trust to honour my commitment not to accept the Lord Mayoral salary, which is paid into the Trust. Cr Marcelle Hoff is also donating her Deputy Lord Mayoral fees to the Trust.
With the help of Time Out, I now encourage charitable organisations seeking funding for innovative projects to apply to the Trust. These can be:
* community environmental and sustainability initiatives;
* projects that enable people who are mentally ill, drug and alcohol dependent or socially disadvantaged to rebuild their lives;
* assist homeless people or young people at risk; or
* promote animal welfare.
To see how Time Out and the Lord Mayor are rewarding Sydney's heroes go to www.timeout.com/sydney and read the story of Monica's Doggie Rescue to whom the Trust awarded $25,000 to train staff and volunteers and run community education programmes for people who rescue neglected, abused and abandoned dogs from "death row" in pounds and find them loving homes.
Find out more about the Trust and download application forms or the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP Salary Association Incorporated, Locked Bag 510, Balmain Post Office, Balmain NSW 2041.
