Latest news with #FlavioBrancaleone
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Pro-Palestine protesters plan first-ever march across Sydney Harbour Bridge
Pro-Palestine protesters will march across Sydney Harbour Bridge for the first time in nearly two years of rallies, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with police. In a statement, the Palestine Action Group said on Sunday it had filed a Form 1 notifying NSW Police of the 'March for Humanity' set to take place at 1pm on August 3. The group called on NSW authorities to 'facilitate' the march, which is in response to the 'extraordinary situation' in Gaza, including mass civilian starvation. 'As Australia's most iconic symbol, a mass march across the Harbour Bridge will send a powerful message to the world,' the Palestine Action Group said. That message, the group said, would be to 'Gaza, to Israel, and to our own government, that we are determined to stand up for humanity'. Camera Icon Pro-Palestine protestors have rallied almost weekly since October 7, 2023. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia The protest is likely to face stiff opposition, with then-NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb previously applying to the Supreme Court to stop a pro-Palestine event. The vigil, held on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks, was ultimately given the green light after a court hearing and 11th-hour discussions with protesters. In NSW, protesters do not need formal approval from police to hold a legal rally following the filing of a Form 1 – but police can oppose it through the court system. The Harbour Bridge is a major thoroughfare in Sydney, but has been closed several times in recent years, including for the filming of the movie Fall Guy. The bridge was also shuttered in 2023 for a World Pride Month march attended by Anthony Albanese. Camera Icon Sydney Harbour Bridge has been the site of several protests. NewsWire / Damian Shaw Credit: News Corp Australia In 2000, the bridge was the site of the Walk For Reconciliation, a rally showing support for Indigenous and non-Indigenous reconciliation attended by 250,000 people. 'It can certainly be closed to stop a genocide,'organisers said. The Palestine Action Group said protesters planned on meeting at Lang Park, near Wynyard station, at 1pm before marching to the bridge. The event marks almost two years of protests following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war on Gaza. Last week, the Prime Minister accused Israel of 'clearly' breaching international law, but fell short of joining ally France in recognising a Palestinian state. NSW Police has been contacted for comment.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Big change for Sydney's NYE fireworks
Revellers taking in Sydney's legendary New Year's Eve fireworks show could soon have to shell out $50 to access a prime viewing spot in a major shake-up to how tourists and locals experience the beloved event. North Sydney councillors will decide next week whether to implement 'ticketed access' to Blues Point, a popular vantage point that fronts Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. The council area boasts three renowned vantage points for the show, namely Bradfield Park, Lavender Bay and Blues Point, with thousands of punters descending on the spots on December 31 to take in the party. But a new report, which will be debated at the council's Monday night meeting, recommends councillors establish an introductory $50 ticket price for Blues Point to recoup costs associated with New Year's Eve. 'The current budget for NYE is $1,086,000,' the report states. 'To introduce ticketing at Blues Point only, additional costs of approximately $95,000 would be incurred including contract staff, equipment, and additional communications support. This would result in a total cost of $1,181,000. Sydney's NYE fireworks shows draws in huge crowd numbers across the CBD and North Sydney. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia 'If 8000 tickets were sold to access Blues Point at $50 per ticket, this would generate $400,000 in revenue, reducing council's net expenditure to manage NYE crowds to circa $781,000.' At the moment, access to all three sites is free. Council costs for the event include providing toilets and bins and crowd and traffic management. Bradfield Park sits just below the northern end of the Harbour Bridge, close to Kirribilli House, while Lavender Bay sits between the park and Blues Point. The report acknowledges introducing tickets could cause some consternation in the community. 'Ticketing for an event which has been free of charge could see large numbers of non-ticket holders arriving at the sites, potentially manifesting in unsettled behaviour near entry gates, dissatisfaction voiced to staff on the ground or complaints to council's customer service centre,' the report states. North Sydney Council takes in the densely populated parts of Sydney immediately north of the Harbour. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia 'This can be managed by regular, targeted communications in the lead-up to the event, along with well-planned operations and thorough briefing of staff prior to the event.' The countdown and fireworks is a hugely popular draw for both Sydneysiders and tourists from across the world. British tourist Ben Scammell, speaking after the 2023-24 show, told NewsWire that he was overawed and did not have words for the spectacle he witnessed. 'That was just … I don't have words for it,' he told said. 'It made the whole coming to Australia so much worth it … it was the pinnacle. 'That moment will last my whole lifetime.' The first batch of fireworks to mark the start of a new year explodes over Sydney Harbour at 9pm, with a second batch at midnight. Earlybird fireworks devotees grab the best spots early in the day. NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Hundreds of thousands of people cram into the CBD and North Sydney to witness the show. The report to North Sydney Council outlines three options for the 2025-26 event. Option 1 involves ticketing across all three spots to achieve 'full cost recovery'. Option 2 involves 'partial cost recovery', with ticketing limited to Blues Point, and Option 3 involves continuing with 'free managed access'. The report recommends the councillors trial option 2. 'Subject to community consultation and feedback following NYE 2025-26, council could then decide whether to change the ticket price for future NYE managed access, expand or maintain the number of ticketed locations or return to free-access options for all managed sites,' the report states. NewsWire reached out to North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker for comment, but she didn't respond by the time this article was published.
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
State's Aussie-first plan for new housing
The NSW government will act as guarantor on up to 50 per cent of approved housing projects in a budget day announcement aimed at getting much-needed building works underway. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey are delivering the Labor government's third budget on Tuesday morning amid a worsening housing crisis. It comes after the bruising failure of the Rosehill racecourse 'mini-city' project, which would have delivered 25,000 new homes but was rejected by the Australian Turf Club. Australian first-home buyers have become accustomed to going to the bank of mum and dad to go guarantor, but in one Australian state the government will soon do the same for developers. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia While Mr Minns' much-touted 'Plan B' did not feature in Tuesday's budget, the government did reveal it would splash millions on getting housing developments off the ground. As part of the budget, the government announced a Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee for developers in which the state will go guarantor on up to 50 per cent of approved projects. The Australia-first program will guarantee residential pre-sales for up to $1bn of housing projects at a time through a revolving fund, with between $5-$50m per project. Applications for the guarantee are expected to begin by the end of 2025, and would require a developer to begin construction within six months of signing the documents. After the projects are completed and the dwellings sold, the government will issue further guarantees for up to $1bn of projects at any one time for a five-year period. If a dwelling remains unsold, the developer will be able to 'call' on the guarantee and the state will purchase it at a discounted rate, to then on-sell, rent out, or use for social housing. Treasurer Daniel Moohkey said in the state government saying it would guarantee the sale of 5000 dwellings, businesses 'can get the confidence to built 15,000 more'. He denied that figure was a 'drop in the ocean' or that it was the state government's 'Plan B' following the failed sale of Rosehill, but was realistic about the challenges ahead. 'A housing crisis that was decades in the making will not end overnight,' Mr Mookhey said. He went on to add: 'So, let us all resolve to keep building. To keep reforming. To make sure that NSW never turns into a state that cannot afford to house its grandchildren.' While a nationwide problem, housing has become an increasing hot button issue in Sydney, one of the world's least affordable cities, after the failure of the Rosehill project. The Australia-first program will guarantee residential pre-sales for up to $1bn of housing projects at a time through a revolving fund, with between $5-$50m per project. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Minns is yet to reveal the state government's so-called 'Plan B' amid concerns about the feasibility of a possible housing project at Glebe Island on Sydney Harbour. In announcing the guarantee program, the state government said securing finance was one of the most common issues cited by developers in getting housing developments moving. Across the board, Labor's third NSW budget focuses on assisting or incentivising developers to build in the state, as well as boosting regulatory bodies and build-to-rent schemes. The state government has already said it will extend the build-to-rent land tax concession scheme indefinitely, and will release its draft guidelines for the Works-In-Kind scheme. The 2025-26 budget also revealed plans for a further $122m to streamline housing delivery, in particular housing approvals, including $84.4m for additional planning resources. Of that, $10.6m will go to continue the work of the Housing Delivery Authority, $20.9m to support regional councils to bring forward critical infrastructure, and $10.1m for water connectivity. A further $145.1m will go towards the state's Building Commission to empower regulators, while tens of millions will be splashed on TAFE and other apprenticeship schemes. The state government said a lack of skilled workers remained a key issue, with regulators also needing to be empowered, including through $7m earmarked for the land audit. It comes after the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, which sets a target of 112,000 new homes across NSW, and the Transport Oriented Development's target of another 230,000. The state government said planning approvals were already 17 per cent faster than in March 2023, with applications to build up 28 per cent on last year, with 70,000 under construction.
Perth Now
17-06-2025
- Perth Now
Huge changes coming to iconic Christmas bash
A strictly enforced booze ban and a greater police presence could be on the way for the legendary Christmas Day bash at Sydney's Bronte Beach. Waverley Council, which takes in the iconic beach and Bronte Park along with Bondi Beach, is expected to vote on Tuesday night for a sweep of new enforcement measures to reduce the scale of rowdiness and rubbish that has marked the beloved celebration in recent years. Thousands of tourists from around the world descend on the beach to soak up the day, often donning red bathing suits. But tensions between residents and visitors boiled over in 2023, when the park the park was left littered with rubbish and broken glass. 'It's basically people sh***ing on our doorstep,' Waverley Bondi Ward Councillor Leon Goltsman told NewsWire on Boxing Day that year. Beachgoers enjoy Christmas Day at Bronte Beach in 2024: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia 'The fact there is still broken glass there, people are cutting their feet, the fact people are still having illegal parties … the fact if anyone gets injured or hurt, we can't even get an ambulance to them because it is all blocked, it's unacceptable.' But from Tuesday night, the council will likely entrench new rules to control the party, including a prohibition on all glass bottles and additional crowd management officers. 'Enhancements following community consultation are recommended, with additional focus on police presence to address anti-social behaviour and preserve public safety, including the implementation of alcohol bans or other alcohol checkpoints, depending on what is most practical given the unfenced location,' the council's June 17 agenda document states. 'Further enhancements include a comprehensive communications campaign to deter attendance and promote positive behaviour. Bronte Park in the aftermath of the Christmas Day bash in 2024. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia 'Further, in this option, council officers will collaborate with various stakeholders including ride share operators, emergency services, traffic management and waste and cleansing services to improve outcomes across those areas.' The 'option three' model was one of five considered by the council to reorganise the Christmas Day event. Other options included putting on a fenced, ticketed event or leaving the park as an open slather with no enforcement mechanisms in place. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, speaking with NewsWire ahead of the vote, said he backed option three and said it was 'highly likely' other councillors would too. 'It's basically an evolving strategy, over two years, to make sure we get the balance right between community expectations and people having fun,' he said. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh argues option three will still allow visitors to enjoy themselves on Christmas Day. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia Alcohol is already prohibited on the beach and in the park, Mayor Nemesh noted, but the vast numbers of attendees meant liquor usually slipped through. The councillors hope a strict ban on glass coupled with a larger police presence will suppress alcohol consumption. 'We want everyone to have fun,' he said. 'Bronte is an absolutely spectacular part of the world. We want to ensure by implementing option three, all people can enjoy the public open spaces, but do so responsibly and respectfully.' 'Option three is sensible and reasonable and a measured approach to dealing with this ongoing issue we have each year at Christmas in Bronte.' The council expects to spend a minimum of $220,000 on the new measures.
Perth Now
11-05-2025
- Perth Now
Iconic Christmas event under threat as Bronte residents demand ban on backpacker party
An iconic Christmas event is under threat as residents demand sniffer dogs, bag checks and an Uber blackout to shut down the rowdy party. Every year on December 25 thousands of people flock to Bronte Beach for the 'Orphan's Christmas' backpacker event. Last year up to 15,000 people, who were largely backpackers and visitors, attended the impromptu beach party, leaving the area trashed the following day. Outrage has been building in recent years over the state of the beach, with the grass area often resembling a rubbish-strewn wasteland everyoxing Day. At a fiery public forum hosted by Waverley Council on Monday night, residents described the infamous Bronte Beach bash as a booze-fuelled 'mass urinal' and demanded urgent action to 'break the cycle' of chaos that unfolds each year, The Daily Telegraph reported. Camera Icon Rubbish left over after the hectic Christmas party at Bronte Beach in 2024. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: NewsWire Ideas, reportedly floated by residents, included banning alcohol entirely, geofencing the suburb to block ride-share pick-ups, and flooding the area with police and drug detection dogs to send a clear message that the beachside suburb would no longer tolerate unruly revellers. One man said that last Christmas, 'a thousand people' bolted up his street within 10 minutes of the drug dogs arriving. The community forum was initially designed to gather feedback on four official options ranging from continuing the event unmanaged, to implementing a paid, ticketed, alcohol-free version complete with a 1km fence at a cost of at least $90,000. However, attendees rejected all of them, proposing instead a fifth solution, to stop endorsing it all together. 'All they want to do is party, so we need to get a message out … we're not going to let them abuse our area anymore,' one resident said. Camera Icon Thousands of beachgoers were seen at Bronte Beach, Sydney, on Christmas Day, 2024: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia Alma Douglas, the chair of the association Bronte Precinct, questioned why locals had to keep tolerating the annual chaos. 'We can get rid of it. Why do we have to have it? Why are we accepting that it has to be here?' she said. Nearby resident Joel Stuhler said the official options only 'condoned the behaviour'. 'There's broken glass outside my home, vomit on my driveway, people making out outside my house, my neighbour got parked in for six hours, it's just mayhem,' Mr Stuhler said. Camera Icon Waverley locals push back against backpacker party they say turns Bronte into a 'mass urinal'. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: NewsWire One man described the laneway behind his house becoming a 'mass urinal', while a woman recounted watching someone get 'knocked out cold' in a fight and then continue drinking after regaining consciousness. At the end of the forum, Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh conceded change was needed. 'Council will look at enhancing increased communication and get the message out there that what has occurred is not sustainable and we will not accept that,' he said. Camera Icon Last year, an estimated 15,000 mostly young international travellers flooded the beach, leaving behind mounds of rubbish. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: NewsWire The public outcry follows years of local frustration over the growing size and cost of the Christmas Day event. Last year, an estimated 15,000 mostly young international travellers flooded the beach, leaving behind mounds of rubbish and sparking calls for state government intervention. Waverley Council spent $60,000 managing last year's Christmas Day party and $75,000 maintaining a police presence during the summer period. The council is now moving to formally request funding support from the NSW Government. Camera Icon Thousands of beachgoers were seen at Bronte Beach, Sydney, on Christmas Day, 2024. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia Mayor Nemesh warned the event is 'currently unsustainable' and that costs for crowd control, lifeguards, rangers, cleaners and security should not fall solely on local ratepayers. Despite this, a NSW Government spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph its position had not changed. 'Waverley Council collects significant revenue from beaches in its local government area including millions each year in parking revenue,' the spokesperson said. 'Every council in NSW manages the maintenance of its beaches including events, and Waverley Council should be no different.'
