Latest news with #Leichhardt
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Mystery as arsonists target items left out for collection in Inner West suburb
A Sydney suburb has been targed in a series of arson attacks after locals left out items for a local giveaway group. Locals in Leichardt, in the city's Inner West, took to a community social media group to reveal items classified as 'street bounty', including a couch, boxes and a mattress, had been set alight. It is understood there were up to three different incidents on Sunday. One woman warned others to be careful where they place pay-it-forward items out. 'Anyone with things outside their house as bounty or council pick up items: beware, I just had some small items set alight outside my house in Leichardt,' she wrote. 'The fire brigade was called and they said it was the 3rd one this afternoon. 'Then another pile of things was (sic) alight around the corner.' A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW told NewsWire there was no information on how the fires started but the most likely cause was deliberate. Just after 3.40pm firefighters responded to a lounge on fire on the side of the road on Percival Street. A nearby vehicle was damaged by the heat. A short time later, at about 4.30pm, they extinguished a rubbish fire on Albert Street and at 4.50pm, another on National Street. Police confirmed they attended the fires to determine whether they were suspicious. Numerous residents said they had also seen sporadic fires across the streets of Leichardt. 'I walked past a house tonight where someone had set alight the council pickup,' one resident said. 'The homeowners had just arrived home to find it.' A second added: 'We saw some boxes alight this afternoon after soccer on MacKenzie Street.' '(A) bag of stuff was on fire in (the) park on the corner of Elswick and William St,' another wrote. 'It looks like a mattress or something has been set on fire on the footpath at the top of Hill St near Balmain Rd,' a fourth said. 'Dumped office chair and a bag of junk set alight on corner Albert/Elswick this afternoon,' another local said. 'The Firies said they had just put out another similar fire and there were more yesterday.' Many were shocked to see that items that had been left out in acts of goodwill, had been destroyed. Others saw the lighter side of the situation, writing: 'Someone's been arson around'.
ABC News
11-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Are cash vs card-only businesses the future? Here's the impact on consumers
Notes and coins aren't just favoured at this inner west Sydney restaurant — they're king. Nestled near the gelato booth lies an ATM machine inside the Leichhardt venue, with "cash only" signs on display. Cash has been the primary source of payment here since 1952. "We're just continuing a legacy," Bar Italia owner Con Damouras said. There's no chance of skim, light or soy milk in your coffee either. Mr Damouras prefers the "old school trattoria" approach. The business doesn't take credit cards. Instead, an in-house ATM is available, which has a $2.50 withdrawal fee, or there are other outlets along Leichhardt's main strip. Post-pandemic, Mr Damouras installed an online payment form customers can use instore, though cash remains the predominant payment method. "Some days people come in and say to you, 'Oh you're a tax thief, you're not paying the right tax'. It doesn't work that way when you've got a high-profile business like this … we always have done the right thing," he said. "We keep our prices low, and we don't want to pay bank fees." Since 2017, Pablo & Rusty's Sydney CBD venue has been cashless. "Initially there was some curiosity around it … questions around our motivation," operations manager and co-owner Chris Tate said. "I think the majority of customers understood there was a degree of speed and convenience that resulted in us going cashless." "Efficient service", no awkward cash handling and counting at the till and hygiene influenced the decision as well as operational challenges associated with holding cash, Mr Tate said. "It's safer for our staff … we're not having to hold cash on site and send staff to the banks at the end of the shift." While visitors can use cash on their first visit if unaware of the rule, it's ultimately a card-only business model. Surcharges aren't passed onto takeaway orders, but for those who dine in, there are "small fees attached" for using the table ordering app service, Mr Tate said. "We understand this can be a sensitive issue for some customers. It's not about making a political statement. It's a practical and pragmatic one." Lyla Zhang, associate professor in Macquarie University's Department of Economics, said while cash use had decreased, it still served a critical purpose. "Cash use has declined to about 10 per cent of transactions in Australia — especially for older Australians or people living in remote areas," she said. "It all comes to people's preferences and their circumstances. When it comes to cash benefits, Dr Zhang said it helped people stick to a budget and avoid withdrawal transaction fees. Convenience wise though, card payments are the more streamlined option — but come with a catch. "The card offers convenience, transparent transactions, rewards programs but it exposes people to overspending and surcharge fees," Dr Zhang said. "Let's say the average household spending in Australia is around $3,000 per month. If the surcharge is only 1 per cent, this still means $30 per month for the family. "This sounds very small, but over time they can accumulate." The Reserve Bank of Australia estimated Australians lose nearly $1 billion in surcharges a year. Although the use of digital-only payments is likely to lead to paying more fees, Dr Zhang said consumers should simply "be aware" of surcharges. "As an experimental and behavioural economist, I think we should all make informed decisions about which type of payment we want to to choose. For Mr Damouras, he carries both card and cash when shopping or dining, aware that "if that's their policy" either way, he will follow it. Mr Tate added that it should continue to be up to individual businesses to choose what currency they primarily accept. As Ms Zhang said: "There's no one-size-fits-all solution." In November , the federal government announced it would mandate that businesses must accept cash when selling essential items from 2026 onwards. While details are to be ironed out post-election, Mr Tate remained unsure if his cafe would be deemed "essential" and therefore subject to the rule. "If we're having to cover the additional cost of handling cash … that poses significant challenges for small businesses," he said. In a statement an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) spokesperson said that currently "businesses can choose which payment types they accept" though transparency is key. "Businesses should be clear and up-front about the types of payments they accept, any applicable payment surcharges, and the total minimum price payable for their goods and services."
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NRL star's dad sounds alarm bells over the future of one player in the wake of Wests Tigers thrashing by Melbourne
Wests Tigers fans have been left sweating on the future of one of their key stars, following their 64-point demolition by Melbourne Storm on Sunday. Jarome Luai arrived at the footy club in the off-season, putting pen to paper on a $6million deal that will keep him at the Leichhardt Oval until 2029. But on Sunday, his dad, Martin, appeared to raise alarm bells with a comment he published on Instagram following the Tigers ' defeat. 'Get out clause activated,' Luai's dad wrote on his Instagram story, adding an 'eyes' emoji and a 'face palm' emoji. The post has since been deleted. While speculation has arisen that Luai could walk from the club after just two seasons, thanks to the inclusion of a player option in his five-year bumper deal, Tigers fans will be comforted by his recent commitments to staying at the club. 'When it came out, I thought, 'I haven't even played a game in the colours yet and we're talking [about potentially leaving]?',' the former Penrith man said to The Sydney Morning Herald, speaking on his contract clause. 'I think I've become a bit of a realist. I'm not looking that far ahead. Five years is a long time. 'Coming from a great club and my comfort zone, to step out of that and come here and test myself and test what I can bring to a new team [is the challenge]. 'The biggest goal for me is to help these guys get in a position where they can compete for a title this year. That comes with a lot of work.' But interestingly, the social media post comes after Luai has been embroiled in the Lachlan Galvin saga, notably taking to Instagram himself to publish a thinly veiled swipe at the Tigers youngster following his announcement that he wanted to test himself on the open market. Luai last week added that he and his halves partner Galvin 'didn't have to be mates' in order to work together. Luai has also come out to defend Benji Marshall following the Galvin saga but, after today's defeat, Marshall was critical of his players. 'We've got to be better than that, we've built standards that we want to live by and today we didn't live by any of them,' the coach said. 'Everyone's disappointed, embarrassed, probably a few other words you could use. 'There's losing the game and then there's being beaten, and we actually got beaten today. 'We've got a team that usually fights for everything, and I just didn't see the same fight today.' Ryan Papenhuyzen has given NSW State of Origin selectors a timely reminder of his value, helping Melbourne deliver a Mother's Day massacre with a crushing 64-0 win over a hapless Wests Tigers. The Storm raced to a 34-0 lead by halftime in their Sunday afternoon clash at AAMI Park, then answered coach Craig Bellamy's demand to keep their opponents scoreless. A record-breaking Papenhuyzen was almost untouchable as he scored three times in the opening 17 minutes, using his game smarts and speed to cut the Tigers' defence to shreds. The electric fullback then crossed for his fourth try in the 46th minute to equal his previous best try tally. Papenhuyzen's goal-kicking brought up a personal tally of 36 points, breaking Matt Geyer's 26-year-old record for the most points by a Storm player in a match. The result also equalled Melbourne's biggest ever win, which coincidentally came against Wests Tigers in 2001. The Tigers have now won five and lost five games at the start of the 2025 season, moving to 10th in the league Still waiting to make his Origin debut, Papenhuyzen put his hand up to wear the NSW No 1 jersey or for a utility role when the squad is named next week. Coach Marshall was part of the most recent Wests Tigers side to beat the Storm, back in 2018, with lock Alex Twal the only player remaining from that line-up. But those celebratory times were a distant memory as Melbourne gave the Tigers, who entered the match on the back of two wins, a premiership reality check. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, one of only two Storm players remaining from the 2018 side who suffered a one-point loss to Wests, had a barnstorming game off the bench with eight tackle busts. Playing only his second match of the season due to suspension, concussion and then fitness issues, the giant prop gave the Tigers' right-hand side defence nightmares, then charged over for a second-half try. The Storm hit the 50-0 mark with 20 minutes left on the clock, with second-rower Eli Katoa running on to a Cameron Munster pass. Full-time couldn't have come soon enough for the visitors. But Melbourne weren't done, with tries by Munster and Bronson Garlick adding to the misery as the hosts sought to make a statement after blowing a likely victory over Canberra last round due to poor discipline. Coach Bellamy was delighted they kept their opponents from crossing the line, as well as their points spree. 'For me, it's always probably the defensive game, and we probably haven't stood up to those standards that we probably expected earlier in the year,' he said. 'It's only one breath, but it was much improved as the Tigers can throw plenty at you, so that was the most pleasing thing for me, but I thought we scored some really good tries as well. 'It was a pretty complete performance.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Resident hits out at EV issue taking over Aussie suburbs after new $2,200 fines introduced
As councils race to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Australian suburbs to keep up with growing demand, prime parking locations are being snapped up for the new infrastructure – and some locals aren't happy about the disappearing parking options in their community as a result. This is the case in one inner-city suburb of Sydney, where a resident claims two EV-designated parking bays are consistently vacant. Seeking the opinion of others in a local community group, he complained that he often has to park further away and walk to amenities, only to pass the parking bays which are frequently sitting empty. "Day four of two electric vehicle-only spots not being used," the Leichhardt resident posted online. "Two key parking and drop-off spots for residents, small businesses and most importantly right out the front of a local GP and pathology." After legislation was introduced in November 2022, it became a fineable offence for drivers of petrol engine vehicles to park in allocated charging bays, with a potential fine of up to $2,200. The practice is often referred to as 'ICEing'. With parking availability becoming increasingly more limited in urban areas, the introduction of EV-only bays is exacerbating the already existent disdain some drivers have towards the cars. Yahoo News has previously reported on the limited parking in Leichhardt, with some residents choosing to illegally reserve on-street parking in a bid to secure a spot outside their home. However, the local council remains steadfast that it is required to provide infrastructure for EV drivers. A spokesperson for the Inner West City council told Yahoo it has "rolled out the largest number of kerbside EV charging stations of any council in the nation" and there will be "more to come". The local council touts itself as the "EV capital of Australia" and currently has installed 102 public EV chargers, with 34 more to be rolled out by the end of June. 😲 Travelling dad's 'amazing' find on Aussie road stops traffic for 20 minutes 🔋 Big shift on Aussie roads as electric car market hits 'major milestone' 👋 Little-known traffic light hack to hit coveted 'green wave' There are many considerations when choosing the location of an EV charging bay, including the power grid capacity of the site, safety considerations, locations of other chargers and adjacent land uses. When the council was questioned about the perceived prioritisation of parking for EVs over non-EVs, the spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo a council review will commence to gather insight into whether their strategy has worked, and how it can be improved moving forward. "This data is not currently available. However, a utilisation study is intended to commence six months after the final charger is operational," the spokesperson said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Debt for millions to soon be wiped under Anthony Albanese's promise
On Sunday, newly re-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was pictured absolutely beaming on the streets of Sydney as he popped into a St Peters brewery before sipping a coffee and serving ice cream at Leichhardt and topping it all off by petting some fluffy pooches on his way out. What a blissful Sunday, well deserved following an intense few weeks. After securing a landslide – and historic – victory against Peter Dutton, Mr Albanese has much to smile about. However, he has a lot of work ahead of him to please Australians. Along with modest tax cuts, cheaper doctor visits, more subsidised childcare, electricity bill rebates and thousands of new homes just for first-time buyers, Mr Albanese also promised a 20 per cent reduction in student debt. Now it's time to deliver on those key promises. $16 billion slashed for 3 million Aussies Effective from June 1, 2025, the government will implement a 20 per cent reduction on all student loan debts, including HELP, VET Student Loans, and Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans. It is expected to eliminate approximately $16bn in student debt, benefiting around 3 million Australians. A graduate with an average HELP debt of $27,600 will see about $5520 wiped from their outstanding loan. This builds on the Government's announcement that from 1 July next year it will reduce the amount Australians with a student debt have to repay per year and raise the threshold when people need to start repaying. Starting in the 2025-26 financial year, the minimum income threshold for compulsory student loan repayments will rise from approximately $54,000 to $67,000. Additionally, repayments will be calculated based on the portion of income above this new threshold. For example, an individual earning $70,000 will pay around $1,300 less per year in repayments under this new system. 'I will always fight for every young Australian to have access to a good education,' Anthony Albanese said of the debt cuts when they were announced in November. 'My Government will make sure our education system is fairer and affordable for every Australian and we won't delay unwinding the damage caused by the former Coalition Government. 'We're already fixing indexation and today, we are going further by taking 20 per cent off student debt – for everyone with a student debt. 'This will help everyone with a student debt right now, whilst we work hard to deliver a better deal for every student in the years ahead.'
