Heads we win: acrobat takes firm stand

Tough nut ... Hemlock Mejarne gives Sydney councillors an impromptu performance of the busker's art.

Photograph by ANDREW TAYLOR

By PAOLA TOTARO, Urban Affairs Writer

The salubrious rooms of Sydney's historic Town Hall are rarely associated with the high-jinks of acrobats, fire eaters and street musicians.

But last night, at a briefing before an extraordinary council meeting, two of the city's most colourful street performers had their say on the proposed new busking policy - and impressed stunned councillors with an impromptu head stand on the table.

Hemlock Mejarne, wearing a sober business suit rather than his usual flamboyant acrobat's costume, told councillors that he spends his summers performing in Circular Quay, but flees to Darwin in winter.

According to Mr Mejarne, however, it is in the streets of the Northern Territory capital where he makes most of his money - in the wake of a council ban on busking in Circular Quay. Better regulation of buskers to end the street "anarchy" of the past was welcome, he said, but too much red tape was not - consultation with performers was essential.

His colleague, street performer and mime artist, Dom Ferry, said the ban had affected many people's livelihoods: "If we are going to have regulation, OK - let's sit down though and work a plan out properly."

The council is considering introducing a licensing system for buskers in the city centre, including payment of a $130-a-year permit and mandatory identification such as an ID card or Busker's Badge.

The draft policy was created in the wake of complaints from businesses. In January, the council banned buskers between Wharves Two and Seven at Circular Quay.

• The council rejected a move to allow the developers of East Circular Quay to lodge a new application designed to change the outside of the building. This would have allowed them to use purple tinged glass, which has been universally criticised. Members voted for further discussion over possible external changes, including balconies and sunshades.