Councillor Jess Miller | Politician
Councillor Jess Miller
Phone: +61 2 9246 7501
Reviews
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25.01.2022 This year for many has been utter BS. Many of us are not ok, so what do you do when you ask the question, and the answer is 'no'? Today, on R U OK Day it's all about there being more to say after 'RUOK/' things like:... "What are you feeling?" "How long have you been feeling like this?" "I'm here to listen" "What can I do to support you?" We've all been under varying amounts of pressure, change and riding a wave of different feelings of anxiety, stress, highs and lows. So more than ever, we need to keep an eye on each other, offer support, kindness and understanding R U OK Day has some great resources and to help you figure how you can be a good and supportive friend as well as where to turn to if you're not feeling great. There are lots of things we can do to take care of ourselves and one another. Lord Mayor Clover Moore keeps reminding us to 'go outside, get lots of fresh air and sunshine and listen to good music'. There are also great apps like like @Calm Smiling Mind or Headspace to help with sleep and anxiety (Hello Sunday Morning and The Alcohol Experiment are also good resources for understanding how alcohol affects your mood) as well as loads of excellent walks (check out @timeoutsydney for some ideas on where) and parks to take some time out and get a dose of nature and cute dogs So ask, ‘RUOK?’, skill up on what to do next, and if you’re having a hard time reach out and tell someone xxx #mentalhealth #ruokday #covid19 #ruok at RUOK Day 2019
24.01.2022 Our recent storms, drought, and of course the catastrophic bushfires have been a severe warning to us all that we urgently need bold action on climate change. This article and a new report puts a dollar amount next to it - something I often bring up in conversation as a way to convince the naysayers. The figures are frightening, but this isn't going to go away if we just ignore it. I hope to see more articles like this. Perhaps if people understand it from an economic and jobs perspective, they might get behind meaningful action. Because, truthfully, what will it really cost us if we keep ignoring the climate emergency? https://www.smh.com.au//damage-bill-from-natural-disasters
24.01.2022 Here’s something to look forward to!!! The City of Sydney is working super hard to make sure that there is a vibe this summer in the city - especially the CBD. This means it’ll be loads easier or have a beer on the street (how civilised) while listening to music ... The Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been working with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister Victor Dominello MP to figure out how we can safely enable creative vibe, business activity and (OmG) fun back into the city. I am very very very excited - and more than ready to bust a love and listen to a BAND #IRL Really hoping this gives our city bars and hospitality crews a glimmer of hope - can’t wait to see the details xx
22.01.2022 My mate Mel Fyfe, Co-Founder of Blakthumb and City of Sydney Innovation Grant recipient, will be chatting to my other good mates at Committee for Sydney today. They'll be discussing 'Cities that feed us' - a landmark report that unpacks Urban Farming and presents a plan to help Australia become global leaders in urban food production. Register below and make sure tune in at MIDDAY TODAY.
21.01.2022 This one from a few weeks back made me laugh. "It fills my pedal-shaped heart to see so many more cyclists on the roads. Really, it does." But how are all our of new cyclists going? Before "we see mass, lycra-infused road rage," Gary Nunn has some rules for you. ... https://www.theguardian.com//welcome-to-our-roads-new-cycl CC City of Sydney
20.01.2022 As well as NAIDOC, it's been National Recycling Week in Australia. My mate Clare Press has put together a fantastic list of what's NOT being recycled, but could be - including everything from old make-up and bedding, to batteries and printer cartridges. Do yourself a solid and take a moment to bookmark the article. It's a great resource (and also, Rihanna has some BIG YIMBY ENERGY in this hero pic). Find the list here: https://thewardrobecrisis.com//your-questions-answered-whe
18.01.2022 A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of talking to Tessa de Josselin for her podcast, The Nature Between Us. The episode is called Liveable Cities & The Power of Trees: two things I'm wildly passionate about, obviously! In Australia, 71% of the population live in a major city - but how sustainable is this? And what exactly makes a city liveable? These are fun things to ponder over breakfast on a Saturday morning. You can listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via the Whooshk...aa link here: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/755890 See more
18.01.2022 We're on the verge of something great here, Sydney. Costa Georgiadis Official, Kate Nightingale and I talking greening urban spaces and the myriad of benefits for The Guardian today. Read the full story here: https://www.theguardian.com//how-to-grow-a-verge-garden-si
17.01.2022 Remember shopping? In shops. Ogling beautifully designed works of art, and watching a show? With cautious optimism (and absolute delight) it appears that the businesses we know and love are, with the support of the City, ever so slowly recovering. Late last week, together with @LordMayorCloverMoore, I got to sit down with a number of the small business recipients of the City of Sydney Covid-19 creative grants.... We stopped in at Grand Days - Books, Records & Collectables, on William Street, to chat with co-owner Tom. Gotta say it's pretty outstanding being able to try on clothes in a gloriously renovated shop and there are some absolutely amazing treasures here (tie-dyed coveralls, original King Gee terry-towelling shorts, and much much more). The grant helped Tom and Tamara renovate the shop during their closure so that it's better set-up for after-dark events, live music and performance, for starters, as well as finally green-lighting their online store. (If you can't make it IRL, then definitely check out their Instagram, @grand_days) The folks at Dulcie's Kings Cross, meanwhile, have been able to keep staff on by offering a new at-home cocktail delivery service replete with the Dulcie's soundtrack. Keep an eye out for forthcoming small-scale events. We also met the amazingly talented Liz Payne - lizlpayne and Glenn Barkley who are undertaking residencies at the Australian Design Centre and again, fell in love with all of the absolutely beautiful things at the gallery (especially the Chloe Goldsmith and Fiona Booth Planters and 'Plant Swag'). Through these grants, the City has been able to support 654 businesses and organisations with a total of $8.85 million. There'll be lots more good news stories to come from this. Watch this space.
17.01.2022 This one is just *a little* dear to my heart (). Some of my all-time favourite things have been bought at garage sales, secondhand markets, car boots and vintage emporiums. (And that's before we even start digging into Council cleanups ). There is treasure to be had, people. Sell and make money, shop and save money, it's win-win. Register your garage sale for the Garage Sale Trail, Recovery Edition, today! The Trail takes place November 21 and November 22. #garagesaletrail #reuserevolution https://www.garagesaletrail.com.au/
16.01.2022 "Over the past few years I've been trying to think of little ways that I can make a difference or decolonise my way of thinking," says Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail. Including Traditional Place Names in addresses is just one of the "little ways" you can make a difference this NAIDOC week and beyond. Show your respect. It's powerful stuff. https://www.abc.net.au//push-for-indigenous-place/12645756
15.01.2022 Like many of this year's best festivals, spring's epic Grow It Local has gone digital. Running until 30 November, the program has been curated by master grower Paul West (of River Cottage Australia fame). There's a whole buffet of awesome weekly sessions; each one giving us tips and tricks to take our gardening and growing next level (or even just started!). You might not be able to travel right now, but a session with Tassie's The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery (co-founder Rodney D...unn, pictured) will make you feel like you did. I'm equally as excited by online events with Costa Georgiadis Official, The Urban Beehive, Three Blue Ducks and Kitchen by Mike. The September schedule is now live and open for registrations on growitlocal.com, with October and November announcements being added this week. Run don't walk. Photo: Rodney Dunn, The Agrarian Kitchen by Luke Burgess
15.01.2022 Here's a different kind of takeaway to what you're probably snacking on right now. It comes courtesy of the folks at Fight For Planet A via The World's Biggest Garage Sale. "It's estimated that a quarter of greenhouse gases come from food and food production." Fight For Planet A held a 250g/250ml challenge, and you might be surprised by some of the results (from highest to lowest below). 1. Asparagus (from Mexico)... 2. Beef 3. Lamb 4. Cheese 5. Pork 6. Kangaroo 7. Chicken 8. Beer 9. Tomatoes 10. Milk Yes it's spring, but look for asparagus that's from the land of Oz! Shop small and local where you can, and do your best to support Aussie farmers. God knows they're doing it tough with drought, floods, fires and now Covid. City of Sydney is lucky to have some incredible farmers markets around town: Carriageworks Farmers Market is back and firing every Saturday morning, along with Kings Cross and Marrickville markets, and many others. Can happily report hitting the markets is a lovely day out, whether you're filling your basket, stopping by for coffee or taking the dog for a stroll. Photo by Jacquie Manning at Carriageworks
15.01.2022 "In New York City, where indoor dining is banned, venues have taken over great swathes of sidewalks for temporary outdoor dining. London’s famous Soho district has pedestrianised the neighbourhood and reclaimed outdoor streets for furniture and other activations. San Francisco is welcoming restaurants to take over parking spaces with little formal infrastructure." I honestly couldn't love this more, Committee for Sydney. Today, the NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is meeting w...ith key stakeholders including leaders in hospitality, as well as Lord Mayor Clover Moore, for a Summer Summit. They are getting together to brainstorm creative ways to attract people workers, visitors and locals back into the City centre to help boost business. "The NSW Government is ready and willing to put money on the table and if we see projects and initiatives with real benefits we will invest," he said. Chippendale's Kensington Street and part of George Street in The Rocks have been pedestrianised on a temporary basis to help ensure social distancing and support hospitality and small businesses (not to mention inspire a little more conviviality). But this is just the beginning. Our team at City of Sydney has SO MANY brilliant plans and ideas to help breathe life into our CBD and neighbourhoods, not only this summer, but for good. Do you have suggestions for ways to help revitalise our city, and support the businesses doing it tough? Please share your suggestions below. Let's do our best to make things like outdoor dining, live performance, food trucks and street festivals the rule and not the exception! Photo: Feb 2019, when the City activated the Chairs in Squares program due to the Sydney Metro and light rail construction.
15.01.2022 Melbourne friends! This one looks like a goodie! It's running as part of #UrbanAgricultureMonth - please go for me! April 22. More details here: https://events.humanitix.com/feminism-in-urban-farming
14.01.2022 It’s a good time for bold ideas like having a tinnie under a tree - yes, Jo Tovey
13.01.2022 I would like to make a disclosure of interest: I can see this building from my office window! In short: please make it fantastic! Artists, photographers and designers, you can find out more about wrapping this building in your artwork, here. You have until 10am Tuesday 20 April to apply. Get on it.
13.01.2022 RHS : The 'vision' of a street as a shared/community space. LHS: The final few words required the idea to be endorsed by council to make it a reality. Not pictured:... The community concept & petition. The initial notice of motion. Community consultation. Minor setback, some confusion. Design work. Waiting. Sight pester. The traffic assessment. Engineering assessment. Committee meeting with transport and police. Local Traffic Calming, Cycling and Pedestrian committee meeting (#1) Site visit with police. Waiting. Slight pester. Local Traffic Calming, Cycling and Pedestrian committee meeting (#1) Committee meeting. And Monday - the council meeting. The actual work to instal temporary measures. Changing things for the better takes time and effort, and there are lots of steps between 'why don't we?...' to something that is real. Big ups to the Morehead St community and CoS staff for your time, effort, skill and patience making this happen.
12.01.2022 Time to share peeps! C’mon, please leave your feedback and share around (the golfers certainly will).
12.01.2022 We all know what a transformative power clothing can have. Not only to the way we look, but the way we feel and how we are in the world. Yesterday Lord Mayor Clover Moore , Adam Worling, Clare Press, Mike Galvin from Darlo Darlings - Darlinghurst and Surry HillsPostcode 2010 (and some new friends like Sarah & Jana) and I had wonderful day, starting with the official opening of Thread Together clothing hub on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. For those who don't know, a Th...read Together hub, smack bang in the heart of Sydney, will help to provide many homeless, unemployed and other vulnerable people with NEW clothing they need, when they need it. Solving not only a landfill issue, but a social one - the experience of walking into a retail shop and having the freedom to chose brand new clothes is not one that many vulnerable people often have the chance to experience. Local service providers will refer people to the retail store to redeem vouchers, and there are also beautifully fitted-out vans doing the rounds of the local community as well. I'm so impressed by the work that this organisation does and it was an honour to see them open on one of Sydney's most cherished streets. It's undoubtedly the result of much collaboration and care, and is sure to be an enormous success. The more people that know about Thread Together, the better. Please help spread the word.
10.01.2022 Ever wondered who is behind the much loved Newtown Festival or Newtown Markets? Well that'd be the even more amazing Newtown Neighbourhood Centre Everything the NCC does is to ensure that Newtown is kept as diverse, vibrant and inclusive as possible; they do a brilliant job of it, but would love to see more of the community getting involved. Right now they're offering free membership for 2020/21. You can sign up at www.newtowncentre.org/membership, and for the early birds, they are giving away free 2019 festival t-shirts and water bottles. I reckon we'll all be wearing our favourite festival tees a lot more now, thanks to Covid!
09.01.2022 Your move, Coles. https://www.smh.com.au//green-power-woolies-fortescue-sign
08.01.2022 Ever wondered where all that stuff ends up? I joined Zero Co on their barge on Sydney Harbour this morning where Diver Dean has for almost 24 hours non-stop, been pulling up waste from our beautiful marine harbour. Among the trash were glass bottles from 1909, loads of plastic, old shorts, and a huge haul of soft plastic.... The simple way to avoid these types of Herculean cleanups is to avoid using single use plastic as much you can. Businesses like Mike's, where you subscribe for the hard plastic once, and continue to use up-cycled refills, has got to be the way to go. To find out how Dean is doing down below tune into the ZeroCo FB Live and check it out on Instagram @zeroco.com.au #circulareconomy #plasticwaste #sydneyharbour #sydneydoesntsuck
08.01.2022 From a waste and sustainability viewpoint, the #blackfriday sales are the worst. That’s why I’m supporting Sydney-based fashion label Citizen Wolf and their sustainable riff on it - Black Fridye instead. Instead of buying a bunch of new stuff (you may or may not really need) Citizen Wolf is encouraging you to find something in your wardrobe that needs some love and they will dye it black, and send them back to you. Dye your clothes. ... Love them longer Make an impact. The top I'm wearing in this shot is an absolute favourite. Originally a ‘fast fashun’ (ahem, Target) special. I acquired it from designer/creative extraordinaire Georgia Perry second-hand at her Garage Sale Trail circa 2011 for $5. Because I’ve had it so long it is super soft and definitely comfort clothing. I wear it over pretty much everything, with great frequency so it has accumulated a couple of stains - most noticeably some bleachy patches on the front. That makes it my contender for a Fri-Dye. It’s not a jacket, not a jumper and much more than just a shirt. There are buttons (even on the cuffs) and structurally it is sound - so with a new colour, I reckon it’ll go for another 10 years at least. Get involved. And watch this space for the After shot! Black Fridye
06.01.2022 Last week we had the Cycling Advisory Committee meeting. I was so excited by some of the stats we discussed in regards to the uptake of cycling across the City. There's now a whopping 42,000 City of Sydney residents using the pop-up cycleways. Of the 150+ people who have taken up the City's free 2-hour one-on-one sessions, 97 per cent said the course was a great way to get to know the cycleways and 100 per cent (!!!) said they'd highly recommended it. I can't encourage you more to get outside and hop on a bike. Right now is the perfect time to make use of these great City services, skill up and explore the cycleways. Give me a bell if you see me out and about! https://youtu.be/vsBak0oCgdY
05.01.2022 The pandemic has seen more and more people taking up bike riding - whether it be as a more socially distant way to get to work, or purely for our mental health and daily exercise. Ofcourse, I'm thrilled to see it. Cycling is a huge passion of mine and when I'm working from the office, the joy that riding to work brings to my week is immeasurable. If you're yet to hop on a bike, "Biketober" could be just the time, especially if you can do it with the help of your workplace, fr...iends or colleagues. It's a great excuse to give it a go, and free to register. You can read more about how to get involved here: https://www.lovetoride.net/nsw/pages/info?locale=en-GB CC @BIKESydney SydneyCycleways Liv Cycling Sydney Cycling Club NSW SAFE Cycling Sydney Cycling Sisters Sydney Bike Commuters (Regular and New)
05.01.2022 Heartbreaking, hopeful, a must-read. Damien Cave of The New York Times on the looming bushfire season and how folks on the NSW south coast are navigating it. "After last year’s blazes burned through 46 million acres, a chunk of Australia larger than Syria, brick chimneys are all that sit on spacious lots where homes used to welcome laughing children. Animals appear in smaller numbers. Hillsides once lush and green are now covered with trees as dead as matchsticks, and even the rivers are choking with ash. A landscape once so welcoming and majestic now feels forever threatening." There is no returning to normal; there is no normal, he said. We just have to change.
05.01.2022 After chipping away at this for years, it would appear that is looking more promising than ever... https://www.smh.com.au//streets-laneways-and-parking-spots
04.01.2022 Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out... Nearly 40 years ago, the Cancer Council Australia launched its ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ campaign to prevent skin cancer. Inspired by its staying power, the Night Time Industries Association (one of the key lobby groups who helped end the lockouts in NSW) has launched ‘Check. Check. Check’. Covid-19 has taken a massive toll on the hospitality sector in NSW, and another lockdown would be crippling, as we’ve seen in Melbourne," says Mich...ael Rodrigues, Chair of the NTIA. The venues can only do so much; we as punters, need to do our bit so that these businesses can stay open, safe and buzzing. CHECK in with your correct details at the venue. CHECK your hands, regularly wash and sanitise, And keep your physical distancing ‘in CHECK’. Venues can register to join the campaign and download campaign materials at: checkcheckcheck.org.au/venues#register.
04.01.2022 Put the kettle on. Earlier this week I joined Colin Hesse bright and early on Skid Row Radio Station to talk to him about the #GenderPlayGap. Thanks to Colin for being interested in this motion, and for his thoughtful questions about how we can both design, and get better value out of our public spaces for girls, female teenagers, young women and those who identify as gender non-binary. I described our next steps as, "acupuncture, not surgery," i.e. nothing to be scared of, folks!) You can stream our discussion here: https://soundcloud.com//is-there-a-gender-play-equity-prob
03.01.2022 Between my work at City of Sydney and Republic of Everyone, I work with some pretty remarkable, trailblazing women. (In fact, just this week, City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone was recognised as a "champion of change" at the Government News Awards. She started working in local government after having a discussion about climate change with her young daughter. What a legend.) The work to break down gender stereotypes, encourage employment diversity and see more women in leadership positions, is never done. But a few accounts doing great work in this space include: Future Women, The Sydney Women's Fund, Women for Election and The Bravery Is Here. Give them a follow.
03.01.2022 Don't miss out on this, gang. TEDxSydney is returning (albeit digitally) and I know you have some incredible ideas that should be, no WAIT, that NEED to be heard! Submissions for their famous 30-seconds or less "Fast Ideas" segment close at 6pm, Wednesday October 7. Six lucky thinkers will be chosen to present/record their idea on the main stage, w/c October 19. Go on. Let's help turn 2020 around...
02.01.2022 The City of Sydney Sydney City Farm City Farm has been a little quiet of late (COVID etc. etc.) but now that it's high spring, things are cranking up again. Anyone can learn a little practical horticulture/urban agriculture by volunteering. If you're not sure that it's your thing, perhaps check out a herb propagation workshop or session to suss it out. ... https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au//herb-propagation-
02.01.2022 This morning's listening comes courtesy of ABC Radio National Life Matters. Take a deep dive into various community solutions for tackling climate change and most importantly how to start with Michael Mackenzie and guests Craig Reucassel (Fight for Planet A - Our Climate Challenge) and Good For The Hood co-creator Jo Taranto. Jo reflects on her own journey brilliantly, summing up that all behavioural change has to start somewhere. Be curious rather than furious; an actio...nist, rather than an activist. "I've changed completely the way I live my life, and it started with looking at a coffee cup," she says. "People say, 'well that's not the issue?'. Well, of course it's not. But it's the gateway drug to all things environmental. Suddenly when your eyes are open to that, you start thinking about the way we live, and why we live that way. And that's when we start taking action." You can listen in here: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational//lifematters/talkback--community-solutions-for-addressing-climate-change/12655902
01.01.2022 Where would we be without small businesses? They keep our city vibrant in countless ways; one of my favourites (which will come as no surprise!) is in the often unnoticed ways they go about supporting local sporting teams. Times are tough for everyone, but when we lift up the people around us, band together and #golocalfirst, our community is stronger for it. For teams or community groups struggling, it's worth noting that The City of Sydney has an incredible Quick Response P...rogram that provides small-scale initiatives, individuals and teams experiencing financial hardship with one-off support grants. You can read more about the criteria here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au//commun/quick-response Photo: Perry Park Recreation Centre, Alexandria.
01.01.2022 A rare silver lining, perhaps... Coronavirus restrictions have caused Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions to fall to their lowest level since 1998. While this is good news, with the year we've had (not to mention the restrictions on travel), how can we hold onto these stats in a way that's sustainable? New South Wales’ Liberal premier Gladys Berejiklian said that reaching net zero emissions by 2050 is achievable and "it doesn’t take much." But we all need to play our part.... What can we all do today, to help tomorrow? The City of Sydney was the first government in Australia to be certified as carbon neutral in 2011 and in June, we made the switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity. If more organisations and businesses do the same, perhaps a net-zero carbon future is achievable. https://www.theguardian.com//australian-greenhouse-gas-emi
01.01.2022 I had the most brilliant morning with the @ZeroCo gang. Diver Dean has gone DEEP on this one - he's been underwater pulling trash (and even a bit of treasure) from Sydney Harbour since midday YESTERDAY. You can watch the LiveStream here, and catch our chat on the barge from about 1h 10m.
01.01.2022 So much goodness has come out of the City of Sydney's Food Scraps Recycling Trial this past year. In 12 months, the trial has resulted in the creation of 6,502kg of fertiliser; generated 53,313kWh of energy; and avoided the equivalent of 366t of CO2, just for starters. The trial has been such a success that the City has decided it will not only continue it, but will expand it, too! Phase 2 which includes an extra 700 houses and 150 apartment buildings will begin this ...month. You can read more about how to get involved here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au//waste-and-recycling/f
01.01.2022 Are you an artist, creative, work in hospo, run a small-business? You might be eligible for a City of Sydney Covid Recovery Grant. The City has released three grants programs to assist local businesses to twist, turn, side-step, sashay, shimmy, cartwheel or whatever else it is they have to do, to get through this mayhem. They're running a free webinar to share info and FAQs on how to apply. This Thursday November 12, 12-1.30pm! Find out more here: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au//covid-recovery-gr
