Latest news with #CircularQuay
SBS Australia
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Black women rising: new bronze sculpture for Circular Quay
Sydney's Circular Quay will be home to a new sculpture that celebrates First Nations Women. At 5.5 metres high, Badjgama Ngunda Whuliwulawala, meaning Black Women Rising in the Dharwal language, is a bronze sculpture of an Aboriginal woman rising powerfully from water. 'She's in a body of water, and she's almost forming as she's coming out of country," artist Alison Page said. 'She rises in a way that gives her a lot of sorts of spiritual potency and a lot of energy, but it just makes it more spiritual." Page, an award-winning Dharawal and Yuin artist, developed the work in conversation with curatorial and cultural advisor Rhoda Roberts, culture and heritage expert Rowena Welsh-Jarrett and members of the Sydney Coastal Aboriginal Women's Group, made up of more than 20 women from La Perouse and Redfern. 'I wanted to do a woman coming out of the earth, but it had to ... represent all women," Page said. 'I didn't want it to be an individual, like the way white fellas represent their figures in history, in bronze. "It was a decision of the Coastal Women's Group very early on to make this work about all women.' The figure's design also represented the deep connection Aboriginal people have to Country. 'We went camping on Cockatoo Island (in Sydney Harbour) and we started talking about this figure and it was important that she become part animal and part woman," Page said. 'We decided to focus on the whale, which is our totem, the Dharawal totem, and so she's got the belly of a whale." Badjgama Ngunda Whuliwulawala will be unveiled outside the Waldorf Astoria Sydney hotel at Circular Quay next year. Page wanted to create a sculpture that embodied a figure coming through layers of steel, glass and concrete, while being both a part of and extensions of Country. 'And to also be there on such a permanent level like we can never be erased again," she said. "It's just a moment of huge pride for our women. 'What we're really marking is our survival, our continued connection to Country, and also our female power in a white man's world."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Fancy Sydney restaurant sparks outrage over detail that's easy to miss on the bill: 'Don't accept that crap'
A Sydney restaurant has come under fire after a customer discovered a tip had been added to the bill without their consent. The customer had visited Lana Dining, a fine dining Italian restaurant located in Sydney's Circular Quay. In a Reddit post on Friday, the customer shared a photo of their bill, revealing that a seven per cent gratuity had been added to the total. The original bill was $221 for the 12 items ordered, but it increased to $236.45 after a $15.47 service charge was included. 'This is the second occasion I have seen this at a fine dining Sydney restaurant,' the customer wrote. 'Is this slowly becoming a norm? Is the gratuity actually shared with the staff who goes above and beyond?' The customer noted that the seven per cent gratuity was mentioned on the menu, but only in 'very tiny print.' Social media users expressed outrage, calling the restaurant's optional gratuity a sneaky tactic to extract more money. 'Sneaking in a service charge and calling it gratuity is underhanded -especially when it's not clear if the staff even see that money,' one said. 'Tipping should be a choice, not something quietly forced on customers.' 'Places like this should be made famous for scummy tactics of forced gratuity,' a second said. 'I feel like it's questionable to include it on a bill to make it look like it's mandatory - very misleading,' a third said. Others slammed the restaurant for being out of touch with Australian values and claimed hospitality was following the tipping culture often seen in America. 'Don't accept that crap. This isn't America, and they sure as hell better not try to add the cost without telling you,' one said. The restaurant, owned by hospitality giant House Made Hospitality, fired back at the criticism, claiming the optional gratuity was communicated clearly to customers. 'The optional seven per cent gratuity at Lana is communicated at multiple stages during the booking process (on our website, in the booking widget, in the confirmation email), written on the menus, and verbalised again when the bill is presented,' a spokesperson said. 'It is designed to reward our team for their dedication and hard work. It also serves to incentivise exceptional service and support increased tenure within our industry, at a time when experience is hard to find, and living costs are increasing.' The restaurant added the surcharge was not mandatory and a customer is able to opt-out of the gratuity at any point, should they request to not pay it. It added that every dollar of the gratuity goes directly to the team working during the shift, including those in the kitchen. The restaurant's gratuities are managed through a third-party software program, which it said ensured transparency and was the fairest approach for tipping. However, social media users were not convinced with many claiming the restaurant put customers in an awkward position if they wanted to opt-out of the gratuity. 'That is sooo NOT cool. Puts customers in such an awkward position - I guess that's the point,' one person said. 'They're counting on the fact that a good number of diners will feel too awkward to ask for it to be removed,' a second person wrote. A third agreed: 'Exactly, you have to look the person in the eye who won't be getting the extra money. Please venues just pay your staff above award wages and incorporate that into your price'. It comes after another Sydneysider was left fuming when the restaurant he visited added a generous tip onto the bill without asking first. Mark and his wife were eating out at Tilda, a Sofitel Wentworth restaurant in Sydney's CBD, when they were presented with the bill. On his receipt towards the bottom was a 'gratuity' surcharge of seven per cent which meant he was lumped with an additional $18.50 on top of the $142.80 he spent on the meals. Tilda is also owned by hospitality giant House Made Hospitality. Unlike other countries, particularly the United States, tipping isn't expected or mandated in Australia. Restaurants in Australia are permitted to add an automatic service charge or tip to their bills but they must abide by strict legal requirements. If a restaurant chooses to add a gratuity or service charge it must be transparent about the fee and also provide customers with an option to opt-out of the extra cost. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission explains businesses must be transparent about optional charges and ensure customers are not misled. Customers must be able to request the removal of any automatic gratuity before paying the bill.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Turning into America': Sydney restaurant's menu act outrages
A Sydney restaurant has responded after a customer aired their frustration over a tip being added to their bill without their consent – a move that has reignited the debate over whether Australia's tipping culture is becoming more like that of the United States. The discussion was sparked by a Reddit post detailing a visit to Lana, an upscale Italian restaurant in Sydney's Circular Quay, owned by hospitality giant House Made Hospitality. The post included a photo of the bill, which came to $221 before a seven per cent service charge of $15.47 was added, bringing the total to $236.45. The original poster wrote: 'This is the second occasion I have seen this at a fine dining Sydney restaurant. Is this slowly becoming the norm? Is the gratuity actually shared with the staff who go above and beyond?' They also noted the service charge was detailed on the menu in 'tiny print'. Commenters weighed in The thread quickly filled with angry comments from locals who felt the practice was out of touch with Australian values. 'Places like this should be made famous for scummy tactics of gratuity,' said one. Another wrote: 'This isn't America,' while others vowed to avoid restaurants with auto-tips. 'Thanks for the heads up,' said a third, 'I am not okay with paying an auto-gratuity. This is Australia. Once tipping culture takes hold, it will never go away.' Another user called it 'absolutely disgraceful behaviour' and said it 'needed to be called out'. Restaurant responds Lana responded to the backlash, telling 'The optional seven per cent gratuity at Lana is communicated at multiple stages during the booking process (on our website, in the booking widget, in the confirmation email), written on the menus, and verbalised again when the bill is presented, and is designed to reward our team for their dedication and hard work. 'It also serves to incentivise exceptional service and support increased tenure within our industry, at a time when experience is hard to find, and living costs are increasing. 'This surcharge is not mandatory and can be removed at any point, no questions asked nor judgment given, should a guest request it.' The restaurant explained that gratuities are managed through a third-party software program (which it believes is the fairest approach and ensures transparency), and every dollar goes directly to the team working during that shift, including the kitchen. 'Our goal is to deliver a memorable dining experience for our guests while rewarding our team for their efforts,' the spokesman continued. 'However, we fully respect that not all guests may wish to pay the gratuity, which is why it remains entirely optional.' The 'awkwardness' of opting out Despite this, commenters were sceptical that guests would feel comfortable opting out of the charge. 'They're counting on the fact that a good number of diners will feel too awkward to ask for it to be removed,' claimed one. 'You have to look the person in the eye who won't be getting the extra money,' pointed out another. Is this legal? In Australia, restaurants are permitted to add an automatic service charge or tip to bills, but there are strict legal requirements regarding transparency and the option to opt out. The charge must be clearly indicated as optional and displayed in the total price before the payment is made. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that businesses must be transparent about these optional charges and ensure customers are not misled. Diners must also be able to request the removal of any automatic gratuity before paying the bill. Do hospitality workers expect tips? Much of the controversy around tipping is due to the fact that Aussie workers are already paid a fair wage. Australia's minimum wage is $24.95 per hour, as of July 1 – among the highest in the world – while in the U.S., employees often rely on tips as they earn a base wage as little as US$7.25 ($11.32) per hour.
Daily Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Australia's first skyscraper reopens
Australia's first ever skyscraper has undergone an extensive three-year renovation and has now reopened for business. On the steps of Circular Quay, 33 Alfred Street holds a special place in Sydney's history as the first building to break the city's 150-foot height limit and was Australia's tallest building at the time, at 117 metres tall. Since its inauguration by Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies in 1962 it has stood as a testament to the city's post-war growth, architectural innovation and as a hub for business and commerce. The 26-storey building has undergone an extensive three-year restoration and has now been reopened by NSW Premier Chris Minns, completing the Quay Quarter Sydney office and retail precinct. MORE: New blow for those earning less than $290k 33 Alfred Street's original heritage charm and distinctive design features were retained, with the building's iconic golden facade upgraded using 5,000 specially designed panels, increasing natural light, reducing glare and enhancing views of Sydney Harbour. The floors and building services have also been modernised. MORE: Rents fall in one third of Sydney suburbs Insane amount celebs spend on Aussie homes The building has been redeveloped to achieve 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating for the base building and a 6-Star Green Star – Office As Built v3 rating, with the restoration delivered by Dexus as the development manager and Australian-owned contractor Built. MORE: Mystery buyer of Sydney's skinniest waterfront revealed Dexus' group chief executive officer and managing director Ross Du Vernet said it has been a 'privilege to bring this landmark back to life.' 'The reopening of 33 Alfred Street begins a new chapter for this iconic building as a modern, sustainable workplace for more than 2,500 Sydneysiders,' he said. The reopening of 33 Alfred Street, which is co-owned by Dexus Wholesale Property Fund and Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund, has direct access to the now completed Quay Quarter Sydney precinct which also features the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower and Quay Quarter Lanes. Together, these offer city visitors access to more than 35 cafes, bars, specialty restaurants, casual dining options and lifestyle, health and wellbeing outlets. Scott Mosely, Mirvac's chief executive officer funds management said the transformation is an example of their 'commitment to exceptional quality assets with a focus on sustainable design and long-term investment performance.' 'A Sydney icon for over 60 years, this transformation will ensure 33 Alfred Street remains a Sydney landmark into the future.' The building has been transformed into a 'state-of-the-art' office tower spanning around 32,000 square metres. The re-use of the existing structure has minimised landfill waste and extends the life cycle of the building. MORE: Sydney's friendliest neighbourhood revealed Mum with prize home has surprise dilemma
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Australia's first skyscraper reopens
Australia's first ever skyscraper has undergone an extensive three-year renovation and has now reopened for business. On the steps of Circular Quay, 33 Alfred Street holds a special place in Sydney's history as the first building to break the city's 150-foot height limit and was Australia's tallest building at the time, at 117 metres tall. Since its inauguration by Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies in 1962 it has stood as a testament to the city's post-war growth, architectural innovation and as a hub for business and commerce. The 26-storey building has undergone an extensive three-year restoration and has now been reopened by NSW Premier Chris Minns, completing the Quay Quarter Sydney office and retail precinct. 33 Alfred Street's original heritage charm and distinctive design features were retained, with the building's iconic golden facade upgraded using 5,000 specially designed panels, increasing natural light, reducing glare and enhancing views of Sydney Harbour. The floors and building services have also been modernised. Insane amount celebs spend on Aussie homes The building has been redeveloped to achieve 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating for the base building and a 6-Star Green Star – Office As Built v3 rating, with the restoration delivered by Dexus as the development manager and Australian-owned contractor Built. Dexus' group chief executive officer and managing director Ross Du Vernet said it has been a 'privilege to bring this landmark back to life.' 'The reopening of 33 Alfred Street begins a new chapter for this iconic building as a modern, sustainable workplace for more than 2,500 Sydneysiders,' he said. The reopening of 33 Alfred Street, which is co-owned by Dexus Wholesale Property Fund and Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund, has direct access to the now completed Quay Quarter Sydney precinct which also features the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower and Quay Quarter Lanes. Together, these offer city visitors access to more than 35 cafes, bars, specialty restaurants, casual dining options and lifestyle, health and wellbeing outlets. Scott Mosely, Mirvac's chief executive officer funds management said the transformation is an example of their 'commitment to exceptional quality assets with a focus on sustainable design and long-term investment performance.' 'A Sydney icon for over 60 years, this transformation will ensure 33 Alfred Street remains a Sydney landmark into the future.' The building has been transformed into a 'state-of-the-art' office tower spanning around 32,000 square metres. The re-use of the existing structure has minimised landfill waste and extends the life cycle of the building.
