Latest news with #InnerWest
Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Outraged priest blasts huge hypocrisy after locals and council turn against his plans to install new set of church bells in ritzy suburb: 'Unacceptable noise'
Locals have hit back at a century-old church over plans to install a new set of bells, claiming it will be too noisy despite already living next to a loud pub. St Augustine's Church in Balmain, in the Sydney 's Inner West, has come up against a flurry of complaints from residents who fear the bells will result in a 'loss of sleep'. The application includes increasing the number of church bells it rings out during Sunday masses and religious events such as weddings and funerals. However, Balmain residents have lodged concerns of the noise impacts this development could have on the local area. The 119-year-old Catholic church has applied to increase the number of bells inside it's 38-metre tall bell tower from one to a set of eight. Bell-ringing would take place between 8.30am and 9pm for up to 20 minutes at a time for a maximum of five sessions a day, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The plans submitted by the church to Inner West Council claim the new bells would 'preserve the acoustic tradition' of bell-ringing. St Augustine's also noted in the plans the new bells will remind local residents to cherish community spirit in 'an era of increasing digitalisation and detachment'. But the plans have been met with objections from neighbours who claim the new set of bells could result in 'unacceptable noise' disturbances. In submissions to the council, some residents have claimed sleeping babies, living in homes as close as 20 metres away from the church, could be disturbed by the bells. Parish priest Father Peter Smith has shut down critics of the proposal and shared his disbelief at some of the complaints. 'The church is 100 metres from a noisy pub that goes all night, so for people to say the bells will wake babies or will keep people awake at night is a bit of a stretch,' he said. He argued the existing bell in the church has rung for more than 100 years and residents who moved into the area would have been aware of the bell tower. 'Places like Balmain are noisy places and I think that's part of the charm of living here,' he added. However, residents' concerns have been echoed by the council during the early feedback stage of the application. Inner West Council has also raised concerns over potential noise disturbances and how this could impact the local area. Praxis Acoustics, which carried out noise modelling on behalf of the church, slammed the council's early feedback and claimed it was using noise restrictions that wouldn't typically apply to the area surrounding the church. The church bells were funded through donations from The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers, which plans to use the new bells for training. Daily Mail Australia contacted Inner West Council for comment.
Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Food offerings see pub revenues spike
Whether it's a counter meal at the bar or a weekend catch-up with mates, pubs have long played a key role in Australian culture. But in the past 20 years, there's been a notable shift in who's coming and why. A growing number of Australians are heading to the pub to eat, not drink. This change is being driven by a decline in alcohol consumption and a post-Covid uptick in social gatherings, especially among families and couples. RELATED:The franchise kings and queens of Aus Celeb chefs' shock new venues exposed 'A good food offering is a huge social magnet,' says Ben McDonald, Vice President, Pubs Australia at investment management company, JLL. 'It's what keeps people coming back.' Two decades ago, bar sales accounted for 70-80 per cent of revenue in metro pubs and up to 90 per cent in regional ones, according to Deloitte's Australian Hotel Market report. Today, food accounts for 40-55 per cent of metro revenue and 25-45 per cent in regional areas. 'Food has become increasingly important, not just for revenue, but for the overall appeal of a venue,' McDonald adds. 'Venues with strong food and beverage offerings are far more sought-after.' Neighbourhood hubs In Sydney's Inner West, The Henson has become a standout example. Owner Ray Reilly of Reilly Group saw untapped potential when they acquired the pub in 2013. 'We saw value in creating something truly unique for the community,' says Reilly. 'We relicensed it as a restaurant, then secured a takeaway alcohol licence. That's how we launched the 'Grocery and Grog' concept.' They added a deli offering sliced meats and cheeses, a bottle shop, and an Asian- and Indonesian-inspired menu; an unusual move at the time. 'We just tapped into the local community — grassroots sports clubs, the Addison Road Centre, and the Marrickville markets down the street.' At Sydney Park Hotel, another Reilly Group venue, the team essentially started from scratch. 'There wasn't even a kitchen. We turned a garage into a takeaway cafe for commuters, then transformed it into a pop-up kitchen at night doing pies and sandwiches. Eventually, we built a kitchen upstairs.' EXPOSED: Costco's hidden detail in stores Shock kitchen hack saves $300k Next on the list: a rooftop bar and pool hall. The group's latest addition, the Friend in Hand in Glebe, opened in May 2025. 'Since opening, we've had to pivot constantly, tweaking the offering to build the business,' says Reilly. 'We've always liked using 'no-names' – dishes listed by ingredients rather than generic names like 'burger' – but people came in asking for steak. So, we added it. Same with kids' meals. We're not trying to be a family pub, but we are a community pub. If the community asks, we listen.' Diverse portfolio At Solotel, co-owned by award-winning chef Matt Moran, the emphasis on food is equally clear. With a portfolio of 30 venues across Sydney and Brisbane, including fine-diners like Aria and local favourites like The Clock, food plays a core role in every acquisition. 'Opportunity is what drives acquisition, and food is one of the fundamental pillars of any of our pubs,' says CEO Elliot Solomon. 'Whether we're improving an existing venue or building a new concept, it's always shaped by the community.' Solotel's expansion into Brisbane reflects this thinking. Riverbar and Kitchen, with its 180-degree riverfront view, channels the iconic appeal of Sydney's Opera Bar, another Solotel venue. Meanwhile, Goro's in Fortitude Valley emulates the group's Surry Hills late night venue — complete with cocktails, Japanese snacks, and a late-night vibe. MORE:What's next for Australia's most underused areas 'We don't try to turn a great pub into something it's not,' Solomon adds. 'If it's known for drinks, we let food complement, not compete.' Food at the heart of hotel growth Harvest Hotels, CEO and Co-founder Chris Cornforth sees the importance of a solid food program when renovating underperforming hotels throughout regional NSW. 'We focus on both capital and operational improvements,' says Cornforth. 'Enhancing the food offering plays a big role in expanding our customer base.' At The Woy Woy Hotel, Harvest redesigned the interior to feel more inviting, added a spacious beer garden and kids' play area, and revamped the menu to feature pub classics alongside fresh local seafood. 'The changes drew in families, tourists and local business owners who hadn't previously visited. Food revenue is now a primary contributor to earnings,' he says. As Australian pubs continue to evolve, it's important to remember that community is the core of pub culture. It's the publicans that acknowledge the increasing trend of plate over pint that will keep the neighbourhood local going strong for years to come.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Food offerings see pub revenues spike
Whether it's a counter meal at the bar or a weekend catch-up with mates, pubs have long played a key role in Australian culture. But in the past 20 years, there's been a notable shift in who's coming and why. A growing number of Australians are heading to the pub to eat, not drink. This change is being driven by a decline in alcohol consumption and a post-Covid uptick in social gatherings, especially among families and couples. 'A good food offering is a huge social magnet,' says Ben McDonald, Vice President, Pubs Australia at investment management company, JLL. 'It's what keeps people coming back.' Two decades ago, bar sales accounted for 70-80 per cent of revenue in metro pubs and up to 90 per cent in regional ones, according to Deloitte's Australian Hotel Market report. Today, food accounts for 40-55 per cent of metro revenue and 25-45 per cent in regional areas. 'Food has become increasingly important, not just for revenue, but for the overall appeal of a venue,' McDonald adds. 'Venues with strong food and beverage offerings are far more sought-after.' Neighbourhood hubs In Sydney's Inner West, The Henson has become a standout example. Owner Ray Reilly of Reilly Group saw untapped potential when they acquired the pub in 2013. 'We saw value in creating something truly unique for the community,' says Reilly. 'We relicensed it as a restaurant, then secured a takeaway alcohol licence. That's how we launched the 'Grocery and Grog' concept.' They added a deli offering sliced meats and cheeses, a bottle shop, and an Asian- and Indonesian-inspired menu; an unusual move at the time. 'We just tapped into the local community — grassroots sports clubs, the Addison Road Centre, and the Marrickville markets down the street.' At Sydney Park Hotel, another Reilly Group venue, the team essentially started from scratch. 'There wasn't even a kitchen. We turned a garage into a takeaway cafe for commuters, then transformed it into a pop-up kitchen at night doing pies and sandwiches. Eventually, we built a kitchen upstairs.' EXPOSED: Shock kitchen hack saves $300k Next on the list: a rooftop bar and pool hall. The group's latest addition, the Friend in Hand in Glebe, opened in May 2025. 'Since opening, we've had to pivot constantly, tweaking the offering to build the business,' says Reilly. 'We've always liked using 'no-names' - dishes listed by ingredients rather than generic names like 'burger' - but people came in asking for steak. So, we added it. Same with kids' meals. We're not trying to be a family pub, but we are a community pub. If the community asks, we listen.' Diverse portfolio At Solotel, co-owned by award-winning chef Matt Moran, the emphasis on food is equally clear. With a portfolio of 30 venues across Sydney and Brisbane, including fine-diners like Aria and local favourites like The Clock, food plays a core role in every acquisition. 'Opportunity is what drives acquisition, and food is one of the fundamental pillars of any of our pubs,' says CEO Elliot Solomon. 'Whether we're improving an existing venue or building a new concept, it's always shaped by the community.' Solotel's expansion into Brisbane reflects this thinking. Riverbar and Kitchen, with its 180-degree riverfront view, channels the iconic appeal of Sydney's Opera Bar, another Solotel venue. Meanwhile, Goro's in Fortitude Valley emulates the group's Surry Hills late night venue — complete with cocktails, Japanese snacks, and a late-night vibe. 'We don't try to turn a great pub into something it's not,' Solomon adds. 'If it's known for drinks, we let food complement, not compete.' Food at the heart of hotel growth Harvest Hotels, CEO and Co-founder Chris Cornforth sees the importance of a solid food program when renovating underperforming hotels throughout regional NSW. 'We focus on both capital and operational improvements,' says Cornforth. 'Enhancing the food offering plays a big role in expanding our customer base.' At The Woy Woy Hotel, Harvest redesigned the interior to feel more inviting, added a spacious beer garden and kids' play area, and revamped the menu to feature pub classics alongside fresh local seafood. 'The changes drew in families, tourists and local business owners who hadn't previously visited. Food revenue is now a primary contributor to earnings,' he says. As Australian pubs continue to evolve, it's important to remember that community is the core of pub culture. It's the publicans that acknowledge the increasing trend of plate over pint that will keep the neighbourhood local going strong for years to come.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘They let go of the four of us': Team of Sydney medical receptionists replaed by AI
A Sydney medical receptionist has described the dreaded moment she and others on her team were replaced by artificial intelligence, marking a concerning leap in AI from job-threatening to job-taking. Katherine, 24, worked as a medical receptionist at a clinic in the Inner West of Sydney. Four days before Christmas her and three young co-workers were called into a meeting where they were informed their roles were being replaced by AI. 'They basically brought us in and said, 'thank you so much for all your work here, unfortunately we found a system where we can now use AI to put through the phones that will be on hold to a natural computer AI so no one else has to pick up the phone unless they have a free moment,' she told Staff were told emails would be automatically filed into separated mailboxes and patients would be greeted with a generic computer-generated message, saying 'thanks so much, we'll get back to you shortly'. 'It was very organised, but we wouldn't be doing much. So they let go of the four of us,' Katherine said. Adding insult to the incident, management waited until the six-month-long probation period for new employees was almost up before letting them know just four days before Christmas – then amazingly asked the employees for help setting up the systems that would be replacing them. Katherine was set to go on holiday over the Christmas and New Years break but said the knowledge that she didn't have a job to come back too weighed heavily on the trip. 'I don't think on a Friday afternoon before Christmas, four days before Christmas, was the right time to tell people they were getting let go. I remember I called my dad afterwards and I was like 'yikes'.' 'He was livid. He works in tech and he's head of IT for an insurance fund. So he said, 'that's wrong.
If they want AI, they should bring in somebody who actually knows how to code rather than telling people that their job, that is being taken over by AI, is something that they're actually going to have to do themselves'.' Katherine said that even though she was 'quite upset' by the news and the manner in which it was delivered it was her younger co-workers who were most affected. 'They had never been let go of a job, or they had never been sort of in this type of area where you sit down and have a serious conversation,' she explained. 'They didn't realise that this is kind of how life works. So they were upset and were like, 'this isn't fair'. 'I kind of sat there, thinking 'I understand, but I don't necessarily think the way you've done this was appropriate'. 
 'I think it should have been a conversation one-on-one with a few of us rather than as a group setting. 'I think that was very unprofessional. 'To sit there and say, 'we're letting you all go'. Obviously, you're going to get an uproar from four young girls sitting in a room together.' Katherine said the experience had 'absolutely' changed the way she thought of AI but it was something that people were going to have to get used to. 'I'm very aware of how technology is moving and I'm very aware of how fast it's moving,' she said. 'And AI, unfortunately, is part of our new normal. You speak to anybody at a finance firm and they are all using ChatGPT in their emails. 
 'As a society, we need to be learning how to work with it rather than against it because you're not going to get away from this. 'It's a learning experience, but I'm still frustrated because I believe that in the healthcare industry (using AI like this) is completely inappropriate. 'These are people's lives; these are medical certificates, these are X-rays that are showing maybe they might have cancer.' 'It's very personal and private, and if those things are leaked or if they're lost or misread, that's not okay. That's somebody's life in jeopardy. So I do have a big hatred towards that being used in the healthcare industry.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Newington College student loses bid to challenge the elite school's move to coeducation
A student of a prestigious Sydney school has lost his bid to challenge the school's controversial move to coeducation. Newington College in Sydney's inner west announced in 2023 the school would accept both boys and girls over a staged move from 2026 onwards. The school, which boasts yearly tuition fees of up to more than $45,000, will accept girls to kindergarten and year 5 from next year, while the senior campus will accept girls in year 7 and year 11 from 2028. The decision immediately sparked controversy among the school's community, prompting a current student to take the matter to Sydney's Supreme Court. The student, who can only be known as Student A, filed a lawsuit in December 2024. The case hinged on the terminology in the school's 1873 Deed of Indenture, with the statement of claim arguing the words 'an efficient course of education for youth' is 'limited to the advancement of education of boys and young men'. Justice Guy Parker handed down his final judgment on Tuesday afternoon, finding that the terminology was used 'in a gender neutral sense'. '(I have) concluded that the word youth … was used in a gender neutral sense and does not mandate male-only enrolment at the College,' Justice Parker told the court. The statement of claim also argued the use of the College's property 'for coeducation would be a breach of (Newington's) trust', which Judge Parker ordered be dismissed. Student A was ordered to pay the legal costs. Tuition for the elite school spans up to $45,369 for those in years 11 and 12, with the fees for those in years 5 and 6 reaching $35,487. The decision to move to a co-ed model was reached after consulting with members of the school community, the judgment states. However, it 'remained controversial among some parents and alumni'. 'In particular, it was claimed that assurances had been given in the course of fundraising that the college would remain a single-sex school,' the judgment states. 'Those particular allegations are not relevant for the purpose of these proceedings. The litigation before the court is concerned only with the council's power to introduce coeducation, and not with the merits of that decision.' Newington's headmaster said the school 'remain excited to build on our rich history and traditions by taking Newington into our next era' in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon. 'We are optimistic that today's determination will now pave the way for our community to move forward together,' the statement read. 'We thank our staff, students, and families for their ongoing support and faith in our direction and leadership. 'We look forward now to uniting around our future vision for Newington College as a respected, modern and dynamic school for boys, girls, young men and young women from next year and into the future.'
