Information stay: flights between Brisbane and Sydney cancelled on account of climate; NSW man dies after contracting uncommon virus from bat chunk

A person in his 50s has died after contracting the first case of Australian bat lyssavirus in New South Wales.

On Thursday afternoon, NSW Well being expressed “sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss”.

Whereas this can be very uncommon to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there isn’t any efficient therapy for it.

NSW Well being reminds the neighborhood to keep away from touching or dealing with bats, as any bat in Australia might carry lyssavirus. Contaminated bats can transmit the virus to people when its saliva enters the physique through a bat chunk or scratch.

It’s essential that anybody bitten or scratched by a bat search pressing medical evaluation.

Australian bat lyssavirus is an in depth relative to the rabies virus, NSW Well being stated, which has been present in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats.

Communities are coping with fallen timber and powerlines, dam spillage and flying trampolines within the aftermath of a wild climate system that battered Australia’s east coast and is now bearing down on a preferred small island, AAP experiences.

The downpour was pushed by a “vigorous” east coast low, which the Bureau of Meteorology predicts will transfer into the Tasman Sea on Thursday.

The “complex and rapidly deepening” system will proceed to bringing rain, storms, windy circumstances and elevated seas in coming days.

Residents on Lord Howe Island, within the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, have been warned to organize for the storm, with waves hitting greater than 5 metres.

Sixth era Islander Anthony Riddle, who runs a gin distillery enterprise, stated it was all a part of the anticipated climate patterns throughout winter, with the roof of the police station blowing off the one notable casualty to this point.

“The island’s quite resilient because you’ve got a lot of trees, and part of the building code on the island here is all the houses have to be built below the tree line,” he advised AAP on Thursday.

There’s no homes on the foreshore, so we received’t have any homes affected by any coastal erosion. It’s enterprise as typical.

With 380 residents, the island has a cap of 400 on the variety of vacationers allowed to go to at anyone time and winter is the season when it’s at its lowest.

Virtually 2,000 claims lodged over east coast low, Insurance coverage Council of Australia says

There have been simply shy of two,000 insurance coverage claims lodged from the east coast low that has hit New South Wales this week, the Insurance coverage Council of Australia has confirmed.

Showing on ABC Information, Matthew Jones from the council stated this week’s injury had been “relatively modest” when it comes to insurer losses.

The council nonetheless had individuals on the bottom for hard-hit communities in far north Queensland for the February floods, components of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, and the mid north coast and Hunter areas of NSW after final month’s flooding.

For ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, we’re really seeing round 50% of claims have already been resolved, which is a good consequence. That’s partly as a result of, though we concern the worst, it wasn’t as dangerous as everybody anticipated, and a whole lot of these claims have been for fairly minor injury they usually have been in a position to be resolved shortly.

On the mid north coast and Hunter areas, that’s a way more latest occasion and we’re solely simply beginning to see claims being finalised. Round 10% of these claims are finalised at this level.

9 flights have been cancelled at present between Brisbane and Sydney on account of climate circumstances in New South Wales, Brisbane airport has confirmed.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) stated wind gusts of as much as 81km/h have been recorded at Brisbane airport yesterday night – the strongest for the month of July since information started 26 years in the past.

The BoM has a gale wind warning in place for the Macquarie coast, Hunter coast, Sydney coast and Illawarra coast, whereas a hazardous surf warning can also be in place for New South Wales.

A extreme climate warning additionally stays lively for Lord Howe Island because the complicated low strain system strikes eastward by means of the Tasman Sea.

The BoM stated damaging surf with waves above 5 metres have been anticipated within the surf zone till this night.

These circumstances might produce localised injury and coastal erosion, significantly about northwest going through seashores. Seashore circumstances in these areas may very well be harmful and folks ought to keep properly away from the surf and surf uncovered areas.

Handing over the weblog now to Caitlin Cassidy.

Lisa Cox

Extra on hearth ants nest detected at Tweed Heads

The agriculture minister, Tara Moriarty, stated the fast response highlighted the success of labor to coach communities in northern components of the state in regards to the risk posed by hearth ants.

However the Invasive Species Council’s advocacy supervisor, Reece Pianta, stated the detection of a nest at Tweed Heads was regarding and needs to be a “wake-up call for governments about the ongoing gaps in the national eradication program” and extra funding was wanted in suppression of fireplace ants and neighborhood training contained in the biosecurity zone:

We now have been warning governments for 18 months that, with out pressing motion to ramp up funding for suppression and neighborhood outreach in Queensland, it is just a matter of time earlier than hearth ants are found in Tweed Heads.

He stated the council had confidence within the NSW authorities’s response to the most recent detection however held considerations it was one other occasion of the invasive pest making its manner over the border from Queensland in service supplies.

Lisa Cox

Fireplace ants nest detected at Tweed Heads

A hearth ants nest has been detected at a property at Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales, prompting the Invasive Species Council to warn about “ongoing gaps in the national eradication program”.

The NSW authorities stated a biosecurity staff responded to a report late Tuesday and handled and destroyed the nest on Wednesday morning.

The agriculture minister, Tara Moriarty, stated the nest was an immature nest, which suggests it’s a non-reproductive nest, and employees had surveyed the quick 500 metres surrounding the nest to test for any additional hearth ant exercise.

A genetic evaluation has commenced of the specimen of fireplace ant to attempt to decide the supply.

Moriarty stated:

The NSW Authorities is dedicated to proactive early detection surveillance, specializing in high-risk areas and using superior monitoring and modelling strategies.

Extra to return within the subsequent put up.

Driver appeals sentence over lethal marriage ceremony bus crash

A marriage bus driver impaired by an opioid throughout a horror crash that killed 10 individuals has appealed in opposition to his 32-year jail sentence.

Brett Button, 60, had been driving too quick and engaged in risk-taking behaviour earlier than the lethal crash, which additionally injured 25 individuals, within the NSW Hunter Valley area in June 2023. He was sentenced in September to a most jail time period of 32 years with a non-parole interval of 24 years.

On the time, NSW District courtroom Choose Roy Ellis stated he was unaware of some other case that had such a devastating impression on so many individuals.

Button has filed a problem to his sentence which was briefly heard within the NSW courtroom of legal attraction at present. A listening to has been scheduled for 3 October.

Prosecutors count on voluminous proof to be tendered, together with sufferer impression statements from the households of those that died or have been injured within the crash. The courtroom will contemplate a psychological report for Button and a number of other references testifying to his good character.

The bus driver is not going to be interesting in opposition to his conviction.

He pleaded responsible within the District courtroom to 10 costs of harmful driving inflicting demise, 9 counts of driving inflicting grievous bodily hurt and 16 counts of inflicting bodily hurt by wanton driving.

– Australian Related Press

Nick Evershed

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall hit giant swathes of the New South Wales shoreline this week on account of a vigorous coastal low offshore.

Right here you may see the extent of the rainfall over the week in addition to the areas affected by flooding in maps:

Petra Inventory

Extreme NSW climate beings to ease, however 32 warnings stay in place

Emergency warnings remained in place throughout New South Wales, because the heavy rain began to ease, however authorities remained on watch as a result of ongoing danger of untamed winds, flooding and damaging surf.

The NSW State Emergency Service stated 32 warnings have been nonetheless in place, together with 4 emergency warnings on account of coastal erosion in Wamberal and North Entrance.

The NSW SES Deputy Commissioner, Debbie Platz, stated volunteers and emergency employees had responded to greater than 4,000 incidents as a result of complicated low-pressure system this week.

We’re seeing a whole lot of particles on our roads, and there are nonetheless timber down round some roads which have prompted some closures. So what we’re asking individuals to do now’s to be very cautious, to plan the place you’re driving to and be sure that it’s accessible and to drive slowly to the highway circumstances to keep away from having any impacts with different automobiles

As we close to the conclusion of this occasion, are you able to please take a while to go and test in your neighbors and be sure that they’re all protected

The best variety of incidents have been in Sydney, the south coast and Illawarra space, and the mid north coast and Hunter.

A lot of the injury was on account of timber and energy traces falling on automobiles and homes, in addition to 12 flood rescues.

Pictures allegedly fired at Harmony residence in a single day

Investigations are below manner after pictures have been allegedly fired at a house and a automobile was discovered burnt out in Sydney’s interior west.

Police have been known as to Davidson Avenue in Harmony about 1.10am Thursday morning after experiences of pictures fired at a home, NSW police stated in an announcement. Harm to the entrance of the house “consistent with a projectile” was discovered.

There was nobody residence on the time of the incident and there have been no experiences of accidents, the assertion stated.

Emergency providers have been known as to Stuart Road, Burwood, with experiences of a automobile hearth a short while later. Fireplace and Rescue NSW officers extinguished the hearth however the automobile was destroyed.

“The fire is being treated as suspicious and initial inquiries have led police to believe the two incidents may be linked,” the assertion stated.

Detectives are additionally investigating whether or not the home concerned was the supposed goal of the capturing.

Donald Trump ‘keen’ for a gathering with Anthony Albanese, says Penny Wong

Sarah Basford Canales

The international affairs minister advised Sky Information on Thursday Australia was “very flexible” about when such a gathering between the leaders would happen however stated US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, indicated the Trump administration was “keen” to reschedule it.

The prime minister has stated, you already know, we’re clearly very versatile about these preparations. The president is a really, very busy man. However I used to be happy that Secretary Rubio made clear that, you already know, clearly, that they’re eager for a gathering – they need to reschedule it. It was disappointing, as he stated, that they needed to reschedule as a result of the president needed to return [to the US] as a consequence of what was occurring within the Center East.

The feedback observe days of hypothesis about when Albanese would lock in a gathering and whether or not it could happen within the White Home. On Tuesday, Albanese recommended there can be many alternatives on the finish of the 12 months throughout summit season.

Qantas clients discover out if their information uncovered

Qantas clients are discovering out if their private data was uncovered in a cyber-attack, as they’re warned to be on excessive alert for scams.

The airline revealed a cyber incident on a third-party platform utilized by the airline’s contact centre that uncovered the small print of six million clients. Names, cellphone numbers, dates of beginning and electronic mail addresses are among the many information believed to be uncovered.

However Qantas reassured clients’ monetary data, passport numbers, bank card particulars and frequent flyer Pin codes weren’t accessed.

In an electronic mail late final evening, Qantas started informing the frequent flyer clients who have been affected:

I’m writing to tell you that we consider your private data was accessed in the course of the cyber incident we lately skilled.

Clients have been urged to remain on excessive alert within the coming months as a result of they could expertise focused phishing scams.

Qantas warned to stay alert for “unusual communications” claiming to be Qantas or emails asking for private data or passwords.

“Remember, Qantas will never contact you requesting passwords, booking reference details or sensitive login information,” it stated.

– Australian Related Press

1,400 incident experiences to NSW SES inside final 24 hours

There have been 12 flood rescues throughout this climate occasion, the NSW SES deputy commissioner, Debbie Platz, says. She is giving a stay replace:

We now have had greater than 2,000 NSW SES volunteers and our emergency companions working extraordinarily exhausting all week. Throughout this time they’ve responded to over 4,000 incidents. Within the final 24 hours alone, 1,400 incidents have been reported to us … energy traces falling on automobiles and homes.

Throughout this occasion now we have seen 12 flood rescue activations, and that is the place now we have seen individuals driving automobiles and discovering themselves in flooded water. Once more, it’s a well timed reminder, this can be very harmful on our roads, [we are] significantly asking individuals to not drive by means of, play or stroll in any flooded areas. We’re additionally seeing a whole lot of particles on our roads and there are nonetheless timber down round some roads which have been prompted some closures.

Some NSW emergency warnings downgraded as water begins to recede

The SES and the Bureau of Meteorology are giving an replace on the vigorous coastal low.

The NSW SES deputy commissioner, Debbie Platz, says “in some areas where the water is receding, emergency warnings have been downgraded”.

She doesn’t anticipate there shall be any important flooding farther downstream of the Warragamba Dam after it commenced spilling final evening.

“We work closely with WaterNSW and the Bureau of Meteorology and we will continue to monitor this spill,” she stated.

The appearing chair of Artistic Australia, Wesley Enoch, has apologised to Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino, after the humanities physique rescinded their contract to symbolize Australia on the 2026 Venice Biennale in February saying it needed to keep away from a “divisive debate”.

Talking on ABC RN earlier this morning, Enoch stated “sometimes there is a mischaracterisation of the art”:

I’m an Aboriginal theatre-maker. I do know typically I speak racism to be sure that I can deconstruct it and say to an viewers, this isn’t proper. And I believe that every one artists have highly effective sorts of engagements with the storytelling of the nation.

This work isn’t about terrorism. It’s not in regards to the glorification of terrorism in that manner … Those that mischaracterise the work aren’t being trustworthy to the intention of the work or the apply that this artist has, who’s an extremely peace-loving artist in the best way that they assemble their pictures.

Enoch went to say: “To Khaled and Michael – I’ve completed it in particular person, however to say it right here very publicly, I need to apologise to them for the damage and ache they’ve gone by means of on this course of.

Although we shall be stronger as a sector due to it, I do know it’s come at a private price, not simply to them, but in addition to a complete vary of individuals within the arts sector. And I really feel that we, as Artistic Australia, want to assist the entire sector study a few of these classes going ahead.

After an impartial exterior overview of the choice, Artistic Australia reinstated the pair final evening.

Luca Ittimani

Australia’s large 4 banks not making it simple for patrons to get bonus curiosity regardless of watchdog’s calls

Australia’s large banks haven’t applied a number of suggestions designed to assist clients qualify for bonus rates of interest on financial savings merchandise, greater than 18 months after the regulatory recommendation was issued.

Two in three clients of bonus accounts miss out on the headline rate of interest and as an alternative obtain a much smaller base fee, an Australian Competitors and Shopper Fee inquiry present in late 2023.

Learn the complete story: