Latest news with #MoniqueHarmer
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Road tolls to rise on iconic bridge to address brutal Sydney divide
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Tolls on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tunnel will rise for the second time in 16 years to help bridge the brutal divide forcing Western Sydney commuters to fork out up to $39 for round trips to the city. A weekday peak hour return trip from Liverpool or Campbelltown to the CBD costs commuters about $39.10 in tolls, while those travelling from Blacktown to the city are similarly out $38.03. Road tolls are set to rise on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tunnel. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer It will mark the second time the tolls have risen on the bridge since 2009. Picture: Newswire / Gaye Gerard Back in 2009, the same trips cost about three times less. The fees are in stark contrast to those travelling return from Neutral Bay to the city, who pay just $4.41 to cross the iconic bridge — only a $0.41 increase since 2009. The NSW government have now announced tolls on the Harbour Bridge and tunnel will rise for the second time since 2009 in a bid to give motorists hit hard by the road fees some relief. The peak hour weekday toll to use the key road in the CBD will rise by about 14 cents from July 1. Commuters travelling on weekdays between 6.30am and 9.30am, and 4pm to 7pm will be $4.41 out of pocket when the change comes into effect, compared to the current toll of $4.27. The toll hike is set to provide relief for commuters in the western suburbs. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer The extra cash collected will go towards the government's $60 toll cap. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer All extra cash collected will be put into the government's $60 toll cap, which allows eligible drivers to pay a maximum of $60 per week on tolls. NSW Transport Minister John Graham said the move would provide much needed relief to those in Western Sydney, who pay the highest tolls. NSW Transport Minister John Graham said tolls have gone up in Sydney's west quarterly or annually. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer 'A toll rise on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel remains a rare occurrence, with this marking only the second time in 16 years since they have gone up,' Mr Graham said. 'In our city's west they have gone up every quarter or every year. 'We are focused on delivering a fairer tolling network and this inflation-linked increase will go into toll relief that has become so important to motorists who pay the highest toll bills in the suburbs of Western Sydney.' The $60 cap, introduced in January last year, is set to expire at the beginning of 2026. Originally published as Road tolls to rise on iconic bridge to address brutal Sydney divide
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Dire sign from Aldi ski sale
In what has been dubbed the latest recession indicator, a hugely popular shopping day has gone unsold, despite offering huge discounts on a number of products. Aldi's iconic annual ski gear sale was met with chaotic and crowded scenes, with customers lined up out the door before the supermarket chain even opened its doors. Inside, shoppers were seen urgently rifling through piles of ski jackets searching for their sizes. But in the weeks that followed, interest declined. Popular TikToker Bec Brewin highlighted that despite the buzz around Aldi's much loved sale, none of the items were actually sold out. Aldi's popular ski sale was not a sellout this year, which one TikTokker has claimed is 'the latest recession' indicator. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia 'Do you remember when the ski gear at Aldi used to sell out?,' she said. 'Well apparently this is the latest recession indicator because none of this has sold out and it's been there for a while.' 'I can't afford to go skiing and I certainly can't afford knee surgery after I fall over what would be the easiest run on the mountain.' Aldi has been contacted for comment. AMP economist My Bui told NewsWire the situation is consistent with the broader issues facing the Australian economy. 'This is playing out in Macroeconomic data. 'I looked at the NAB Business Sentiment Survey …. it shows conditions have still been deteriorating even when consumer confidence has been improving,' she said. Ms Bui's comments come after Australia's longest hit to living standards since the Second World War officially ended in March 2025, with households getting out of their per capita recession. Mortgage holders might be on average $200 better off a month but businesses say they are still feeling the brunt of cost-of-living pressures. But that doesn't mean households are spending, with Q1 retail sales figures released by the ABS showing retail volumes on a per capita basis fell 0.4 per cent after growth in the previous two quarters. Robert Ewing, ABS head of business statistics, said 'Retail sales volumes were flat this quarter and reflected subdued spending. This comes after sustained promotional activity boosted discretionary spending in late 2024.' Ms Bui agreed saying unlike the post covid years, businesses have less power to increase prices and have turned to promotions in order to clear stock. 'Retailers have less pricing power compared with before,' She said. 'Businesses had the power to raise prices. Right now, if you look at input costs and even when these costs increase, businesses do not feel they can raise their prices.' 'When you look at retail sales every single month there are more promotions than usual, but that is not a sign of strengthening as it is only driven by promotions, so it's actually a sign of weakness. ALDI ski sale at Chatswood. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia The store was crowded when doors opened, but interest has since declined. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Bui said despite the overall outlook improving, it is coming off a relatively low base. The call comes just weeks after footage showed shoppers queuing up outside Aldi in Chatswood before opening to get ahead of the Snow Gear sale. The popular retailer has launched a premium range describing it as their 'coolest collection' to date, with more than 65 products under $100. 'We know our Aussie customers look forward to our annual Snow Gear Special Buys sale, and we're blown away by the overwhelming response by shoppers every year who line up before the store opens to get their hands on the range,' an Aldi spokesperson said at the time. 'The momentum we have seen over the last 20 years is reflective of the high quality and low price point Aldi's Snow Gear presents. 'Our customers continue to be excited about the release of the range each year, and we look forward to being part of their snow holiday plans with top quality gear at low prices in 2025.'
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Perth Now
Aussie arrested over cocaine in Bali
Not Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia A man has been arrested by Bali police for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.5kg of cocaine into Indonesia. The man was apprehended by the drug squad in an apartment in Canggu, south Indonesia, on Thursday. An Australian man has been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine into Bali. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia The NT News reports the man received a suspicious package from Thailand, with police allegedly locating the illicit substances after conducting an X-ray on the package upon arrival in the country. NewsWire has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment. More to come
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Fears as major dam nears capacity
Sydneysiders are being warned to remain alert as Warragamba Dam nears capacity, after earlier fears the dam would spill following relentless rains. The capital is expected to cop an estimated 90mm of rainfall through Friday, as the system that has caused devastating - and deadly - flooding across NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions moves further south. More than 118mm of rain was recorded at Sydney Olympic Park in the 24 hours up to 9am on Friday, with 108mm at Belrose and 104mm in Parramatta. Sydney has been smashed with rain as the system that has caused deadly floods in parts of NSW moves further south. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Warragamba Dam - which is Australia's largest concrete dam and services much of Sydney - had reached 97 per cent as of late Friday morning, with the catchment recording 55mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 9am Friday and 76.3mm in the past week. WaterNSW had warned on Thursday - while the dam was at 96 per cent - that it was at risk of overflowing and spilling by Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. Warragamba Dam was at 97 per cent capacity before midday on Friday. NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia 'The exact timing and volume of a spill will depend on catchment rainfall and the resulting inflow into the dam,' a statement read. 'Under the more likely forecast scenario, the dam would begin to spill later Friday or into Saturday morning.' NSW Premier Chris Minns told ABC Radio Sydney on Friday morning that no evacuation alerts had been issued in the Hawkesbury region, though conditions could still change. 'The truth is 40 per cent of floodwaters don't come over the top of Warragamba Dam, they come through the Colo, South Creek, Nepean and other river systems on the north of that river end,' he said. The most recent update from WaterNSW, released later on Friday morning, said there was now less chance the dam would spill over. 'A spill at Warragamba Dam is now less likely after overnight rain over the catchment came in below the highest forecasts,' the statement read. 'WaterNSW will continue to monitor dam inflows and rainfall throughout the day and will keep the community updated on any expected impacts on Warragamba Dam.' Several regions in Sydney have recorded more than 100mm of rain in the past 24 hours.. NewsWire / Damian Shaw Credit: News Corp Australia The dam was predicted to overflow after NSW residents were hit with a three-day barrage of rains in June last year. The rains are not quite over yet for those in Sydney and NSW, with the Bureau of Meteorology's Dean Narramore saying on Friday morning that severe warnings had been issued for regions from the Illawarra to the Snowy Mountains. Some areas were tipped to receive six-hourly totals of up to 100mm. The SES has warned of heavy rainfall extending further south to the Southern Tablelands and inland South Coast, which will affect Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat for the rest of Friday.
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Reason behind insane line in Sydney
Insane lines have built up as foodies race to get their hands on a taste of a cult US restaurant chain roosting down under for the first time. Wingstop opened their new flagship store in Kings Cross on Saturday – with a queue wrapping around the block during Sydney's bout of miserable weather. Wingstop has launched its very first Aussie store in Kings Cross, leading to massive queues. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia The restaurant chain is renowned for its buffalo-style chicken wings. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia It marks the first store in Australia for the buffalo-style chicken wing giant, which was founded in 1994. Customers can be seen donning puffer jackets amid the brisk temperature, in a bid to become one of the first 500 guests who would receive free samples from the restaurant's exclusive menu upon opening. Crowds lined up around the block to get a taste. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Itish Vinayak tucks into a meal at Wingstop's Australian Launch in Potts Point. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Wingstop became a certified heavy-hitter in the fast food industry thanks to its popular food offering – with the chain now boasting over 2563 stores in the world. 'We're not in the wing business. We're in the flavour business. It's been our mission to serve the world flavour since we first opened shop in '94, and we're just getting started,' Wingstop's investor toolkit reads. Crowds are expected to last at least till the end of Saturday. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia '1997 saw the opening of our first franchised Wingstop location, and by 2002 we had served the world one billion wings. It's flavour that defines us and has made Wingstop one of the fastest growing brands in the restaurant industry. The company has recorded 21 consecutive years of sales growth and currently trades for $321.08 on the NASDAQ. There are 12 different flavours for Aussie to try, on varying levels of spiciness. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Founded in Texas, Wingstop offer 12 different flavours, ranging from lemon pepper to the extreme 'atomic' seasoning, which uses habanero peppers. A Wingstop spokesperson said the opening of the Australia store represented the company wanting to 'satisfy the flavour demands' of Australians. 'Wingstop has big plans for Australia, and we're excited to see how fans embrace our flavour,' the spokesperson said.
