News Brief

Barangaroo questioning
The State Government looks less likely to steal Council rates from the Barangaroo development following admissions from Local Government Minister Donald Page.
Mr Page said in Parliament last week that he has received no approach for a proposal to change legislation to allow the State Government access to Council funds.
Responding to questions from Greens MP David Shoebridge the minister for Local Government would not confirm his party’s future commitment to leaving the council funds alone.
However he did say he was philosophically opposed to changing legislation relating to the reduction in autonomy of Local Government.

Do you love dancing and dragons?
The City of Sydney is calling for performers to be involved in the City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Twilight Parade.
Council is holding auditions for groups or individuals over the age of 18 in the categories of hip hop dancers, circus performers, cyclists, prop and signage carriers and others.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said: “Sydney is home to the biggest and best Chinese New Year celebrations outside of mainland China, something we are immensely proud of.”
“We’re preparing to kick off the Year of the Dragon with a bang and want to hear from enthusiastic Sydneysiders who want to get involved in one of our City’s favourite annual celebrations.”
The annual parade is watched by over 100,000 people and in 2012 it will include 2,300 participants, including 130 performers from Chengdu, the City’s Chinese New Year partner city in south-western China.
Twilight Parade Director, Gill Minervini said: “This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in our festivities as we enter the Year of the Dragon.”
“You don’t have to be a professional performer – all levels of experience are welcome, and for some roles no experience is necessary.”
A Registration and information day is being held on Sunday November 13.