Latest news with #SouthPerth
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council divided over trees blocking 'million-dollar views' after residents complain
A major Australian council has found itself at odds with locals over six newly-planted trees, with some insisting that when fully grown, they'll block the "million-dollar view" of the CBD. The City of South Perth council last week voted 4-3 to remove the trees, recently planted near Lake Douglas in the winter of last year, after locals complained they would obstruct lucrative views. Local Nic Coveney put forward the proposal. He also argued that, in addition to the potential blockage, turtles regularly make their way from the lake up to residents' fences, but the increase in trees has attracted more birds, which in turn has led to fewer turtles surviving. Councillors Andre Brender-A-Brandis and Jennifer Nevard, and Mayor Greg Milner voted against the trees being removed, but ultimately were outnumbered. But now, Nevard is calling for a review into the decision. The revocation motion — a formal request to cancel or undo a previous decision — called for the CEO to organise a workshop with elected members to create a policy that sets a consistent approach for handling tree removal requests on public land. Debate intensifies in South Perth over 'obstructive' trees Milner said no removal decisions would be made until that policy is in place and stated he supports the revocation motion. "[It] will provide council with the opportunity to reconsider the decision from the July council meeting," he told PerthNow, adding that the matter will now be reviewed in August. If the revocation fails, the council will proceed with removing the six trees, allocate $30,000 in its mid-year budget to plant 130 square metres of nearby shrubs to offset the lost canopy, and begin developing a policy for tree planting on public land. Coveney said he had suggested using smaller species instead, but those alternatives were rejected by city staff. He pointed out that last year, the City spent $25,000 removing 40 public trees in Karawara after residents claimed they were obstructing views. Deputy Mayor Bronwyn Waugh argued it would be inconsistent to now disregard similar concerns, simply because they're coming from a different location. "This situation deserves the same courtesy," she said. "The environment is dynamic, and so to is our planning responses. Trees can and should be removed, replaced or redesigned in line with science, good design and community needs, not just for principle sake." But Milner said the proposal went against key policy documents. "It undermines the City of South Perth's foreshore strategy and management plan," he said. Concerns rise over city's canopy cover The debate comes as Perth continues to grapple with widespread tree loss caused by the polyphagous shot-hole borer, an invasive beetle that bores into and kills a wide range of trees. Since the pest was first detected in 2021, more than 4,000 trees have been removed across affected suburbs in an effort to contain its spread. Councils in the metro area have been forced to clear infected trees and implement strict quarantine zones, with many popular street trees, including maples, willows and box elders, especially vulnerable. Council's 'horrendous' move to give waterfront homes 'a better view' Trees destroyed in beachfront suburb in 'bloody disgusting' act 'Sad' attempt by vandals to improve waterfront views The mass removals have fuelled concerns about declining urban canopy cover, with environmental groups warning that Perth is already lagging behind other Australian capitals in shade and tree protection. Urban forests play a critical role in cooling cities, supporting biodiversity and improving residents' wellbeing, particularly as climate change drives up summer temperatures. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
ABC News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
South Perth council votes to remove trees on public land after complaints about obstructed views
The City of South Perth will rip up six small trees planted last year on the Swan River foreshore parkland, after complaints they would eventually block residents' "million-dollar views" of the city skyline. The council planted the saplings in Sir James Mitchell Park last winter, but on Tuesday night voted in favour of removing the trees on behalf of residents whose homes face the park and the city skyline beyond. Speaking at the meeting, Cr Nic Coveney said residents on Jubilee Street were simply seeking to protect the value of their homes. "What these residents are asking for is consistency to maintain a similar vista as to when they purchased their property," Mr Coveney said. "They are not seeking to remove mature trees. They are seeking to move juvenile trees before they become mature and which they say were planted without any consultation. "Whilst some may disagree, I don't think it's unreasonable to buy a house or an apartment on the foreshore with a significant view and have an expectation of maintaining that view. "To do otherwise would deny the very real and direct effect of views on property values and amenities." In the council agenda documents, the council staff said views were taken into consideration when the trees were planted and were positioned in alignment with the dividing property boundaries, not directly in front of properties. It also said the species chosen would also help mitigate waterlogging, a problem that appears in the park for extended periods during winter. Most of the young trees were expected to grow to heights of four to 10 metres, and one of the trees, a corymbia calophylla, could eventually grow to 15 — 30 metres tall. Mayor Greg Milner was one of three council members to vote against the motion, telling the meeting many residents had voiced support for keeping the trees. "Cr Coveney tells us that he's been contacted by over a dozen residents on Jubilee Street who are concerned about losing their million-dollar views of the Perth CBD skyline," Mr Milner said. "But I do note that we've all received correspondence from many, many, many other residents. Bronwyn David, co-convenor of the South Perth Tree Canopy Advocates group, slammed the council's decision. "People might think, well, it's just six trees. What does six trees matter?" Ms David said. "But it's the precedent. We are preferencing the views of a very small number of people over the whole of our community, which frankly needs more tree cover to survive. Ms David was also critical of the waste of resources involved in the decision. "It may be that we have just thrown away a lot of money in the City of South Perth, both in putting these trees in the ground to begin with, and then the labour and effort to remove them, find somewhere else and put them in the ground a second time, only to have them die." The City of South Perth declined a request for comment.
News.com.au
27-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Aussie masseuse bans men after repeated inappropriate behaviour
An Australian masseuse has banned male clients from her studio after repeated inappropriate requests and comments from current and prospective male clients. Kessley Ham, 39, the owner of Eternal Energy Healing and Wellness in South Perth, told that moving forward, her business will only serve women, including trans women and non-binary clients. It all started earlier this week when she was venting to two of her team members about the 'relentless' stream of inappropriate booking requests she had received online. She said requests for 'sensual' or nude massages were common, despite it being clear on the studio's website and Instagram that it's not that kind of business. 'To my shock, both staff then shared their own experiences of inappropriate behaviour from clients in our studio,' she said. The decision to ban male clients Some of these incidents included a male client groaning on the massage table and 'writhing' around, 'orgasm-style', and another person who wanted to discuss their sex life with the masseuse. Another involved a male client repeatedly commenting that his underwear was 'uncomfortable and twisted' during the massage. 'That was the moment I knew I had to take action. My team's safety is non-negotiable. No one should feel unsafe or uncomfortable in their workplace — especially in a space dedicated to healing,' she said. The need for women-only spaces She chose not to pursue other approaches to combat the lewd behaviour – as 'this wasn't about business strategy' or retaining clients, but a pressing safety issue. 'Women deserve spaces where they can fully relax, physically, emotionally, and energetically, without being on high alert,' Ms Ham said. 'Unfortunately, the reality is that the biggest threat to a woman's safety continues to be men. That's not an opinion, it's a fact. Women-only spaces offer something rare: a full nervous system exhale.' Overwhelming support After sharing the news on her Instagram account, Ms Ham said the response has been overwhelmingly positive from women. 'I feel so sad for your staff … how unfortunate they had to encounter this. Well done for looking after them,' read one comment on the post. 'This is shocking to read,' said another. 'Power to you'. However, there have been a few predictable reactions from men who take issue with the change. Some women have even used the 'not all men' argument, suggesting Ms Ham should run her business on a 'recommendation' policy so the 'good men' can still come. Media 'redirecting' the narrative One media outlet apparently derailed an interview with Ms Ham about her decision by suggesting that this issue highlights 'how hard it is for men to find a massage that doesn't offer sexual services'. But Ms Ham emphasises that this isn't the issue here. 'The issue is the inappropriate and unsafe behaviour directed at women — including myself and my staff — in what should be a professional, therapeutic setting,' she noted. 'Redirecting the narrative to men's discomfort only highlights the need for women-only spaces even more.'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Masseuse takes drastic step to deal with gross act from one particular group of customers
An Aussie massage studio has outright banned male clients after repeatedly getting inappropriate calls and comments about whether it would offer sexual services. Eternal Energy Healing and Wellness owner, Kessley Ham, 39, announced on Wednesday the South Perth business would only cater to women going forward. She said some of her workers, in their 20s, had been made to feel uncomfortable while working alone at night in the Charles Street studio, and it had got to the point where her staff were complaining of feeling 'sick'. Ms Ham told Daily Mail Australia staff had grappled with the issue alone until she opened up about men calling to make lewd comments and inappropriate requests. This led to uncomfortable discussion between all of her staff and the new rule. 'I've been receiving some pretty frequent calls and (men) just message you and ask for a sensual massage or, like not a lot of them say it directly, and they often come with a bunch of other questions first and then at the end say something inappropriate,' she said. 'And you're just like, 'oh God, I just wasted like how long talking to this person when they were just after a rub and tug'. 'From my website and Instagram, it's pretty clear that is not the type of business that I have. Those types of businesses are really easy to find, I don't understand why you would be contacting me instead.' Ms Ham said she confided in another staff member earlier in the week after becoming fed-up with the calls and beginning to blame herself for 'sounding too nice'. Her staff then informed her they had been made to feel uncomfortable in the studio during late-night sessions while the other businesses in her building were closed. 'There was apparently someone who groaned for the entire massage and like writhed around on the table, you know orgasm style,' Ms Ham said. '(He) kept making weird comments about his underwear being uncomfortable and being twisted and was just saying it over and over again. '(He) then wanted to speak to his massage therapist about his sex life – and this was at night time when all the other businesses in our building are closed and there's no one else there.' She said the therapists on Tuesday reported other unprofessional interactions which had taken place during massages and decided it had gone 'too far'. 'You can enjoy a massage without making it sexual and it's just it's not the kind of thing that I want myself to have to deal with,' she said. 'It was literally the next day that I was like that's it.' She said the comments were 'relentless', and the allusions were the kind that just makes you 'tense up'. The studio received multiple daily inquiries for 'sensual massages', Ms Ham said (pictured, the business's announcement on Wednesday) Eternal Energy Healing and Wellness opened about a year ago. It deals in specialised massage techniques. The treatments include ASMR-style sessions and massages drawing on Ms Ham's Ayurvedic background. Ms Ham said she would still honour current bookings for male clients. Gift cards that had already been purchased would also still be honoured. Ms Ham announced the ban in a statement posted to social media. 'Due to the relentless inappropriate requests I receive online and some incidents in the studio that have made my staff feel uncomfortable and unsafe I have made the decision to make Eternal Energy a Women's only establishment,' it read. 'We are still welcoming of trans women and non-binary individuals.'
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
XCF Global and Continual Renewable Ventures Announce Memorandum of Understanding to Launch New Rise Australia, a SAF and HVO Platform Powered by XCF
Parties negotiating terms of definitive agreement Agreement intended to launch New Rise Australia as a SAF and HVO platform driven by XCF's patent-pending site design and configuration Agreement expected to include equity stake, license fees, and exclusive rights to the Australian market Intended partnership in line with announced strategy regarding international expansion HOUSTON, TX and SOUTH PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / XCF Global, Inc. ("XCF") (NASDAQ:SAFX), a key player in decarbonizing the aviation industry through Synthetic Aviation Fuel ("SAF"), and Continual Renewable Ventures Pty. Ltd. ("Continual"), an Australian-based company with a focus on advancing SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil ("HVO"), also known as renewable diesel, today announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") that seeks to launch New Rise Australia Pty. Ltd. ("New Rise AU"), a venture dedicated to the development and commercialization of synthetic aviation fuel projects across Australia. New Rise AU is expected to operate under a licensing agreement that leverages XCF's integrated SAF platform - including patent-pending site design, configuration, and layout that shortens development timelines and improves capital efficiency. Designed for rapid deployment and scalable growth, the first Australian facility is expected to follow the blueprint of XCF's New Rise Reno facility. "This partnership underscores the strength of XCF's platform and validates our unique, capital-efficient approach to facility development. Our patent-pending site design and modular configuration give ventures like New Rise AU a strategic head start in high-demand markets," said Mihir Dange, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of XCF Global. "The Australian market is primed for SAF growth, with strong regulatory support, rising demand from the aviation sector, and a focus on cutting emissions. We're excited to bring our blueprint to the region and proud to work alongside a team that shares our ambition to accelerate the clean energy transition." Renzo Petersen, Director of Continual, added: "We chose XCF because of their innovative approach to SAF and HVO facility design, which enables faster, more efficient deployment at scale. This partnership gives us a head start in building Australia's next-generation SAF and HVO infrastructure. We're proud to collaborate with XCF to bring SAF and HVO solutions to Australia. Together, we're laying the foundation for a scalable, commercially viable platform that supports Australia's decarbonization goals and positions New Rise AU as a regional leader in sustainable fuel." Today's announcement marks a key milestone in XCF's international expansion strategy and builds on the company's momentum following the recent commissioning of its New Rise Reno facility in Reno, Nevada and listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Definitive agreements are expected to be completed in the coming months, with legal, technical, and commercial diligence already underway. However, there can be no assurance that the parties will enter into definitive agreements in a timely manner or at all, or, if definitive agreements are reached, that the terms will be consistent with the terms outlined in the MOU. About XCF Global, Global, Inc. is a pioneering synthetic aviation fuel company dedicated to accelerating the aviation industry's transition to net-zero emissions. XCF is developing and operating state-of-the-art clean fuel SAF production facilities engineered to the highest levels of compliance, reliability, and quality. The company is actively building partnerships across the energy and transportation sectors to accelerate the adoption of SAF on a global scale. XCF is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trades under the ticker, SAFX. To learn more, visit About Continual Renewable Ventures Pty. Renewable Ventures Pty. Ltd. is an Australian-based company committed to building the infrastructure required to support the long-term decarbonization of the transportation industry in Australia. With a focus on advancing SAF and HVO projects, the company brings together an experienced team of seasoned entrepreneurs, engineers, and Indigenous business leaders who are united by a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic development. Forward-Looking StatementsThis Press Release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "expect", "intend", "will", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "predict", "potential" or "continue", or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. These forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding XCF Global's expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Business Combination, estimates and forecasts of other financial and performance metrics, and projections of market opportunity and market share, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by XCF Global and its management, are inherently uncertain and subject to material change. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; (2) unexpected increases in XCF Global's expenses resulting from potential inflationary pressures and rising interest rates, including manufacturing and operating expenses and interest expenses; (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of negotiations and any agreements with regard to XCF Global's offtake arrangements; (4) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties to the Business Combination Agreement or others; (5) XCF Global's ability to meet Nasdaq's continued listing standards; (6) XCF Global's ability to integrate the operations of New Rise and implement its business plan on its anticipated timeline; (7) XCF Global's ability to raise financing in the future and the terms of any such financing; (8) New Rise's ability to produce the anticipated quantities of SAF without interruption or material changes to the SAF production process; (9) XCF Global's ability to resolve current disputes between New Rise and its landlord with respect to the ground lease for the New Rise Reno facility; (10) XCF Global's ability to resolve current disputes between New Rise and its primary lender with respect to loans outstanding that were used in the development of the New Rise Reno facility; (11) costs related to the Business Combination and the New Rise acquisitions; (12) the risk of disruption to the current plans and operations of XCF Global as a result of the consummation of the Business Combination; (13) XCF Global's ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination and the New Rise acquisitions, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of XCF Global to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (14) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (15) risks related to extensive regulation, compliance obligations and rigorous enforcement by federal, state, and non-U.S. governmental authorities; (16) the possibility that XCF Global may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (17) the availability of tax credits and other federal, state or local government support; (18) risks relating to XCF Global's and New Rise's key intellectual property rights; (19) the risk that XCF Global's reporting and compliance obligations as a publicly-traded company divert management resources from business operations; (20) the effects of increased costs associated with operating as a public company; and (21) various factors beyond management's control, including general economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in XCF Global's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the final proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination filed with the SEC on February 6, 2025, this Press Release and other filings XCF Global makes with the SEC in the future. If any of the risks actually occur, either alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, or XCF Global's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that XCF Global does not presently know or that it currently believes are not material that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect XCF Global's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this Press Release. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing XCF Global's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this Press Release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. While XCF Global may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, XCF Global specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. ContactsXCF Global, Inc.:Chris Santa Cruzinvest@ For Media:Fatema Bhabrawalafbhabrawala@ SOURCE: XCF Global, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
