News Brief

Oasis gets big bucks after parking meter bungle
City of Sydney will donate $5,400 to the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network after a software problem caused parking meters to overcharge motorists.

The money became available after a number of the City’s parking meters did not adjust to public holiday rates on Anzac Day. Council repaid a number of motorists who were overcharged but $5,400 was left unclaimed.

Vanessa Birch, fundraising and communications manager from Oasis Youth Support Network said Oasis was surprised and thrilled to get such a substantial donation.

“The Oasis Youth Support Network is absolutely thrilled to receive this generous donation from the City of Sydney,” she said. “This money will go directly to supporting the Oasis Young Parents Program.”

The Young Parents Program offers assistance to single parents at risk of social isolation and disconnection for support services.

Accidental Archaeology in Pyrmont
A routine Anzac bridge inspection has uncovered a historic sandstone wall from under the earth.

The Road and Traffic Authority (RTA) were running maintenance on the Anzac Bridge on Bank Street in Pyrmont when they accidentally dug into the 1.7 metre wall.

An RTA spokesperson said: “While digging a trench to lay electrical cables for the site compound, the RTA found a section of a sandstone wall. A heritage consultant was engaged to comprehensively record the finding.”

The RTA is seeking approval from the Office of Environment & Heritage to continue work on the site without harming the discovered wall.

Great Gatsby comes to White Bay
The grandeur and glamour of the 1920’s will soon come to White Bay as Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby adaptation starts filming in the bay’s foreshore.

The set for the Fitzgerald classic began construction last Monday and will continue through to mid October until a complete 1920’s feel is achieved.

The Great Gatsby features young Sydney based actor, Callan McAuliffe, and Victorian College of the Arts graduate, Elizabeth Debicki. The two will act alongside film stars Joel Edgerton and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The production Bazmark Film has assured nearby residents and business owners that the impact will be minimal.