Summary
Thanks for following along the blog on a rather quiet final Friday for the year.
Here are the main takeaways:
Brisbane is the most expensive city for petrol, according to an NRMA analysis of 2023 petrol prices across the nation. Perth was the cheapest, followed by Adelaide.
Refugee health is “two to three times worse in offshore detention”, according to a new research paper in the International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care.
New Year’s Eve could be a wet one for parts of eastern Australia, with more severe storms forecast for NSW over the weekend. Meanwhile, northern Australia can expect fierce heatwave conditions.
Queensland’s power demand is expected to spike again as a heatwave rolls in. This comes after the state had one of its heaviest days for power demand yesterday, with supplies nearing record levels, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.
And for the year the ASX200 was on track to finish up 7.8%, after losing 5.5% in 2022.
That is all for today – have a lovely evening and new-years-eve-weekend.
Updated
Storm insurance claims top 18,000 as catastrophe-declared region expanded
The severity of this summer’s thunderstorms has prompted the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) to expand the region declared as an “insurance catastrophe”.
It now includes New South Wales and Victoria along with Queensland for the storms since 23 December.
The ICA said in a statement:
This decision reflects the escalating severity of the situation, the high volume of claims already received, and the anticipated impact of further extreme weather events forecast for the coming days.
The declaration typically means the industry has stepped-up resources to cope with a flood of claims, including expediting support for affected communities.
As of earlier today, insurers had received 18,174 claims related to the storms across the three states, with 10,716 claims in the Gold Coast region alone.
Ongoing power outages had also hampered access to storm-hit areas, the ICA said, so presumably the tally will increase once electricity is restored.
Updated
Two dead and dozen injured after multi-vehicle crash in NSW
Two people have died and about a dozen others are being treated for injuries after a multi-vehicle crash in the New South Wales Central Tablelands, according to NSW police.
About 12.50pm today, emergency services responded to reports of a five-vehicle crash along the Great Western Highway, Wallerawang, about 15km north of Lithgow.
Two people have been confirmed dead. About a dozen others are being treated by NSW paramedics for various injuries.
Emergency services are on the scene of the crash. Officers from Chifley police district have established a crime scene and are awaiting the arrival of specialist police.
The Great Western Highway is closed in both directions and is expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time. Motorists are urged to avoid the area.
Updated
Brisbane nears 38C with power demand expected to spike at day’s end
As noted in an earlier post, Queensland’s electricity demand spiked yesterday as the big heatwave rolled on.
The Australian Energy Market Operator said today’s electricity demand could be the state’s fourth-highest on record, and slightly higher than yesterday, as we note in this article that’s just gone live:
Brisbane’s temperature has hit 37.8C so far, and parts of the state have reached 45C, Bureau of Meteorology data shows.
Queensland’s energy minister, Mick de Brenni, said the state’s power system “remains secure, and available supply exceeds demand”.
“Queenslanders have a power system with more than adequate supply because they own it, and the Miles government will keep it that way – owned by Queenslanders,” de Brenni said.
During the ongoing hot conditions across our state, our number one concern is that Queenslanders keep safe – this means staying out of the sun and keeping cool and well hydrated.
Meanwhile, 750 Energex crews have restored power to more than 100,000 customers across the south-east, which is a lot of workers in the field. There are 27,400 customers still to have their power switched back on, the minister said.
Looking across the nation, all states and territories – save Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT – have hit 40C or higher today.
Updated
The beauty and mystery of Sydney harbour’s islands
Sydney boasts “the finest and most extensive harbour in the universe” – or so the first fleet chief surgeon, John White, rhapsodised in 1790.
Less trumpeted, though, have been the harbour’s islands. Once numbering 14, there are now only eight. Five (Garden, Bennelong, Darling, Glebe and Berry) were connected to the surrounding shores by the European colonisers, while two were joined to form what is now Spectacle Island.
Many might be familiar with Cockatoo Island, known to First Nations people as Wareamah. Regular services now ferry visitors to tour the substantial remains of what was once a convict jail and then a shipyard, now often the site for art exhibits. Camping is available for overnight stays.
The other seven islands are more obscure but offer their own attractions – even if the closest you’ll get is by paddling or sailing or (more rarely) swimming by.
In their 2000 book The Islands of Sydney Harbour (a key source for this summary), Mary Shelley Clark and Jack Clark note that their beauty and appeal was recognised as early as 1878, with the legislative assembly of New South Wales proclaiming Clark, Rodd and Snapper islands places of public recreation.
Here is what you may find on the seven islands, moving roughly from east to west down the harbour:
Rough conditions test Sydney to Hobart yachts
Squally weather and inconsistent winds have played havoc with the Sydney to Hobart fleet, with beaten-up equipment and broken ribs among the damage.
There were 81 boats still at sea at 1pm on Friday.
NSW entrant Salt Lines, a veteran of 22 Sydney to Hobart races, and 52-footer Gunshot pulled the pin overnight because of damage to their sails.
The retirement tally stands at 16 from 103 starters, with just six yachts having finished in Hobart.
A strong wind warning is in place for waters off Tasmania’s east coast, where a chunk of the fleet is tracking south.
Robbie Fisher, skipper of 66-footer Helsal 3, reported a broken mainsail rope, torn sail and “other little things”.
We have a minor injury to a crew ... our navigator was on deck, slipped, and cracked a couple of ribs.
We copped a beating across [Bass] Strait. We had over 30 knots and it was pretty bad. We have persevered, though.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore Arthur Lane said winds of 35 knots and 4.5-metre seas were expected later on Friday.
It is certainly slower than the last few years and that is because of the wind. It is an uphill race.
It’s going to be a very uncomfortable night.
Hong Kong entrant Antipodes, crewed by Lindsay May in his 50th race, is among about a dozen yachts slated to finish on Friday.
“We’ve had some down time ... with breeze holes that our competitors didn’t get,” crew member Brad Kellett said.
We’ve got a tear in the new mainsail to repair. We blew out our J2 headsail.
– AAP
Updated
Australian shares set to finish year up 7.8%
Local shares are dipping this morning in the final day of trading of 2023, pulling back from the brink of a new all-time high.
At noon AEDT on Friday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 31.7 points, or 0.42%, to 7,582.6, while the broader All Ordinaries was 30.6 points lower, or 0.39%, to 7,821.8.
For the year the ASX200 was on track to finish up 7.8%, after losing 5.5% in 2022.
For the month, the index was on track for a 7.0% gain, its best monthly performance since a 10% rise in November 2020.
It was also up 7.6% for the quarter, its best quarter in a year. And it was set to close up 1.1% for the week, its fifth straight week of gains.
Every sector was lower except telecommunications, which was basically flat.
Mining was the biggest loser, down 0.6%, with goldminers among the worst performers even as the price of the yellow metal hovered near an all-time high, at $US2,070 ($3,025) an ounce.
Newmont was down 2.3%, Northern Star had dipped 1.7% and Gold Road Resources was 2.5% lower.
Elsewhere in the sector, BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue were all down 0.5%.
The Big Four banks were mostly slightly in the red, with Westpac down 0.4%, ANZ down 0.3%, CBA down 0.2% and NAB flat.
The Australian dollar was buying 68.41 US cents, from 68.45 US cents at Thursday’s ASX close.
– AAP
Updated
Australian Open tennis prize money up by $10m
Prize money at next month’s Australian Open has been significantly boosted with the world’s best players sharing a record pool of $86.5m and the singles winners receiving more than $3m each.
Tournament organisers announced on Friday prize money at Melbourne Park had been increased by 13% – $10m – for 2024.
The biggest boost goes to players who bow out in qualifying and in the early rounds of singles and doubles.
Players will collect $31,250 – up from $26,000 – just to make the first round of qualifiers while first-round losers in the main draw will net 13% more than this year, earning $120,000.
Semi-finalists will net $990,000, losing finalists $1.725m and the singles champions will receive $3.15m each – an increase of $175,000.
Prize money has more than doubled from the $40m back in 2015.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said:
We’ve upped prize money for every round at the Australian Open with the major increases in qualifying and the early rounds of singles and doubles.
We want to ensure Australia remains the launch-pad for the global tennis season and the players and their teams have everything they need to help them perform at their best and continue to enjoy the Happy Slam.
– AAP
Updated
Ukraine envoy pleads for support as eyes turn to Gaza
Ukraine’s ambassador has called for sustained support as his country pushes for victory against Russia’s invasion.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko has called on leaders to not forget his nation’s struggle as the focus shifts toward Israel’s war in the Middle East and international aid for Kyiv dwindles:
If evil goes unpunished, it will proliferate – it creates a dangerous situation globally. At the end of the day, it’s not charity, it’s an investment in your own security.
He highlighted the breaking of international norms, where nations would feel emboldened to invade others:
We cannot allow authoritarianism to rule over democracy.
The envoy has requested Australian coal to help Ukrainian power stay on through the cold winter months but is yet to hear back from the federal government:
Will you have electricity or will you not have electricity? It makes it very difficult for the Ukrainian population to survive without it.
– AAP
Updated
Tributes flow for ‘talented and dearly loved’ teenage surfer killed by shark in SA
A teenage boy killed in a shark attack off the coast of South Australia has been remembered as a talented and dearly loved member of the surfing community.
The 15-year-old, identified by friends and a family member as Khai Cowley, was mauled by a suspected great white while surfing off the remote Ethel beach on the Yorke Peninsula west of Adelaide about 1.30pm on Thursday.
Emergency services rushed to the popular surfing spot in Innes national park but were unable to save the boy, who was from Maslin Beach in Adelaide’s south, police said.
Surfing SA paid tribute to the talented surfer on Thursday night:
We are devastated to learn that a young, talented and dearly loved member of our surfing community was the surfer involved in the attack at Ethel Beach, and are absolutely shattered to hear that the incident was fatal.
Our utmost deepest sympathies are with his family.
Read the full story from AAP here:
Updated
Sydney hospital says it is continuing to investigate cyber attack
St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney has given an update on last week’s cyber attack.
It said that on Tuesday, the day of the attack, the incursion had been contained and external security experts, CyberCX, had been engaged. It had also notified the relevant governments. “No cyber criminal activity” had been detected on its networks since the next day.
Butevidence was found that “cyber criminals had removed some data from our network”:
St Vincent’s continues to investigate this cyber crime. Our experts are working around the clock to ascertain the contents of the data copied and stolen from us. This is a complex and highly technical activity.
Should we discover that any sensitive data has been stolen by cyber criminals, we will do all we can to contact those affected and give them information about the steps they can take to protect themselves and support them through that process.
The hospital has confirmed that the cyber attack has “not impacted the ability of St Vincent’s to deliver the services our patients, residents, and the broader community rely on across our hospital, aged care, and virtual and home health networks”.
Updated
Paraglider dies after crashing into Victorian paddock
A paraglider has died after crashing into a paddock in Towong, Victoria police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the area on Murray Valley Highway about 2.40pm yesterday. Despite paramedics working on the man, he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
The death is not believed to be suspicious and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Updated
To the bin it goes.
You can be forgiven for wanting to put #2023 in the bin. A failed referendum, rising interests rates, a cost-of-living crisis and news that major corporations are raking it in left Australians bitter and exhausted. Take a look back on the highlights and lowlights of 2023. pic.twitter.com/BLUC4Nq4hv
— Guardian Australia (@GuardianAus) December 29, 2023
NSW storm warnings
Eastern NSW can expect storms that may become severe this afternoon, potentially bringing large hail and damaging winds, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Thunderstorm forecast today: Chance of thunderstorms in many parts. Some storms in the east may become SEVERE this afternoon and evening, with potential for LARGE HAIL (> 2cm), DAMAGING WINDS (> 90 km/h), and HEAVY FALLS. Monitor warning https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/1GKz7Pv17n
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 28, 2023
Severe storms are also likely tomorrow in the north-east of the state (with the BoM concerned that these will also bring destructive winds, giant hail and intense rain).
Storm forecast (Saturday): SEVERE STORMS LIKELY in the NE, with LARGE HAIL (>2cm) DAMAGING WINDS (> 90 km/h) HEAVY RAIN all concerns. VERY DANGEROUS STORM possible in the far NE with a risk of DESTRUCTIVE WINDS/GIANT HAIL/INTENSE RAINFALL. Monitor warning https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/WKGGpAg3tQ
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 29, 2023
Updated
Doritos’ seasoning sparks ‘worker safety concerns’
Factory workers claim they are having difficulty breathing and experiencing skin irritation after dealing with the seasoning used to make “flamin’ hot” Doritos, a union says.
SafeWork SA is looking into the claims after the United Workers Union alleged employees at a local Smith’s Snackfood Company factory raised significant safety concerns about the “improper handling of strongly irritating substances”.
In a report sent to the workplace regulator, the union said “flaming hot seasoning” dispersed across the factory production area every couple of weeks from a seasoning machine.
“After interviewing 13 workers from the afternoon shift, 11 reported various effects, including sneezing, coughing, eye and skin irritation, runny nose, sore throat, chest discomfort, and difficulty breathing,” the union’s report said.
The union alleged Smith’s failed to maintain safe systems of work and, in another claim, said the factory’s waste hall was unsafe.
PepsiCo, which owns The Smith’s Snackfood Company, was contacted for comment.
– AAP
Updated
NSW ambulance chiefs will be addressing media at 1pm to deliver a water safety message, after a number of drownings across the state. We will bring you more updates on this then.
Updated
Refugee health ‘two to three times worse in offshore detention’
The health of refugees and asylum seekers held in Australia’s offshore detention centres in the Pacific has been found to be two to three times worse than for those detained on mainland Australia.
The conclusion was reached in a research paper published in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care.
Successive Australian governments since 2013 have held asylum seekers in Nauru and on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, before it was shut down by court order in 2017.
Since 2013 quarterly health reports have been produced by detention health provider International Health and Medical Services for the government that include information about the number of medical appointments and the reasons for them.
University of Greenwich researchers Ryan Essex and Erika Kalocsányiová used reports from 2014 to 2017 to create a longitudinal data set to compare onshore and offshore detention, and how they changed with time.
They used metrics that measured psychological distress, the number of appointments and prescriptions each quarter, and found offshore detainees generally needed far more medical attention.
Offshore detainees were more likely to raise a health-related complaint, access health services and be prescribed medications, often at two to three times the rate of those onshore.
Essex said the results substantiated the anecdotal evidence that had come from detainees and in a number of inquiries that offshore detention was far more detrimental to the health of refugees than onshore detention.
– AAP
Updated
Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop is a multibillion-dollar vision for a ‘city of centres’ – but how long will it take?
When Dan Andrews’ Victorian government released the business case for the Suburban Rail Loop in 2021, in the middle of yet another Covid-19 lockdown, much of the coverage focused on the cost – $34.5bn for the first stage alone.
But contained within the 400-page document was also a new vision for the city of Melbourne. It read:
SRL is much more than a transport project.
It will transform Melbourne into a ‘city of centres’ – supporting vibrant precincts outside the central business district that will provide more high quality jobs, greater housing options, and green and open space in attractive, well-connected neighbourhoods.
After the release of draft vision papers this month, it’s becoming clearer how the project will reshape the first six areas along the SRL East line: Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill.
Here’s what we know so far:
Updated
Queensland’s power demand expect to spike again as heatwave rolls on
Queensland is set for another scorching day as the sunshine state more than lives up to its moniker, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Queensland is in the midst of a multi-day heatwave, with temperatures tipped to rise into the mid-40C range in some inland places on Friday. Brisbane's maximum is forecast to reach 37C, with nearby towns nudging 40C. (Source: @bom_au) pic.twitter.com/7jVmEO02oC
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) December 28, 2023
Actually, it’s not just Queensland but also much of northern Australia that is roasting in unusually hot weather. (And while some people will say, “this is just summer”, it’s worth noting that native species have their thermal limits, as we’ve seen in past heatwaves.)
Across northern Australia, some high 40C temperatures may be reached in the next couple of days. (Marble Bar may be among the hottest with a 10-day stint of 45C+ days possible, including 48C forecast for Saturday.) pic.twitter.com/M8v1gnToPV
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) December 28, 2023
The Christmas-new year period is typically one of relatively low electricity demand because most of industry is taking a break, and roof-top solar and solar farms are harvesting that sunshine.
So it was interesting to see Queensland had one of its heaviest days for power demand yesterday, with supplies nearing record levels, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.
Electricity demand in Queensland looks to have peaked yesterday at above 9800 megawatts, or not far short of the state's record of 10,119MW set in March 2020. (Sources: @AEMO_Energy, @WattClarity ) pic.twitter.com/JTgklFrFdh
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) December 28, 2023
Given that today looks likely to be hotter than yesterday in the populated south-east of the state, it’s not surprising that Aemo is forecasting power demand to peak a bit higher.
According to @AEMO_Energy's forecast, power demand may be higher again later today. pic.twitter.com/KEgMHCnij1
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) December 28, 2023
Paul McArdle, an energy expert at Global-Roam, noted on his Watt Clarity website that the demand jump comes even as about 50,000 households remain offline because of the Christmas Day storms across parts of the state. (Media reports this morning put the number at about 35,000.)
As McArdle notes, we’re lucky the heatwave isn’t happening a bit later in the summer:
Imagine what would have happened to the demand levels had this same weather pattern hit us late in January or early February 2024 with industry and commercial industrial energy users back at work!?
He added that the state would “surely” break the all-time demand record of 10,119 megawatts if such heatwaves return then.
Updated
‘Only now are we starting to see some relief’
The price of petrol spiked globally after Saudi Arabia, Russia and Opec announced they would deliver sustained production cuts.
Record levels of oil production from the US and other non-Opec nations, coupled with ongoing uncertainty about the Chinese economy, has helped force downward pressure on prices and delivered petrol pump relief for Australian motorists this Christmas.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said Australia’s exposure to the volatility of world oil prices was painfully apparent:
Fuel prices – and in particular diesel – have had a negative impact on the budgets of Australian families and our nation’s economy throughout much of 2023 and only now are we starting to see some relief.
Australia’s economy runs on diesel with so much of our goods and services delivered by heavy freight. It also drives key industries like agriculture, mining and manufacturing so higher diesel prices throughout 2023 have reverberated across all sections of our society.
– AAP
Updated
Australia’s most expensive cities for petrol revealed
Drivers in Brisbane bore the brunt of record petrol prices this year with the Queensland capital the nation’s most expensive city to put fuel in the tank.
Regular unleaded cost on average 193.4 cents a litre, an NRMA analysis of 2023 petrol prices across the nation revealed.
It was a different story for Perth, which had the lowest average for regular unleaded at 183.9 cents a litre, cementing the city’s place as cheapest or second cheapest capital since 2017.
Adelaide, which has one of the strongest concentrations of independent service stations in the country, recorded the second cheapest price for the year at 186 cents a litre.
Sydney’s average of 190.7 cents a litre made the harbour city the fourth cheapest capital, despite being the nation’s largest market.
Record petrol prices and a continuation of highly volatile movements in global oil prices in 2023 contributed significantly to the nation’s inflation crisis and rising interest rates.
In September petrol prices reached the highest on record in Australia.
– AAP
(More to come on this one … )
Updated
Man accused of exposing himself to children at Melbourne beach
A 52-year-old man has been charged with lewd behaviour in front of teenage girls at St Kilda in Melbourne’s south-east.
Detectives arrested the man at Preston in Melbourne’s north-east yesterday after Victoria police in October called for the public’s help to find the person behind incidents in the St Kilda area on Boxing Day 2022 and January 8 2023.
Both allegedly involved a man approaching teenage girls then exposing himself and performing a lewd act.
The first took place on Beaconsfield Parade at Middle Park and the second happened near the water on the popular St Kilda beach, police alleged.
Officers raided a home at Heidelberg Heights in Melbourne’s north-east and seized a number of items before they arrested the man, who was charged with a total of 13 offences.
The charges included performing a sexual act in the presence of a child, directing sexual activity at another person, sexual exposure and committing offences while on bail.
The 52-year-old was granted bail to face Melbourne magistrates court today.
– AAP
Updated
Alive primed to claim Sydney to Hobart overall win
Tasmanian yacht Alive is in the box seat to take out Sydney to Hobart yacht race’s overall honours, with skipper Duncan Hine confident the 66-footer has a winning time on the board.
Hine and his crew finished the 628-nautical-mile blue water classic yesterday afternoon as clubhouse leaders on handicap time.
Alive is no stranger to success, having claimed the overall win in 2018 and fourth spot in 2019. Hine said:
It’s a waiting game. We’re looking good, though. I believe we could do it again, but the reality may be different. Now we wait with bated breath to see if anyone can beat our time.
Alive was one of just six yachts to have crossed the River Derwent finish line by last night, with more than 80 still at sea.
– AAP
Updated
How Hobart and Adelaide are bringing in 2024
The Hobart waterfront is expected to be packed as spectators celebrate 25 years since the city’s first New Year’s Eve river fireworks.
Lord mayor Anna Reynolds said the $127,000 event would include two nine-minute shows from multiple barges on the Derwent.
In Adelaide, revellers can enjoy 9pm and midnight fireworks coupled with live music at a Riverbank event.
– AAP
Updated
What’s in store for Brisbane’s NYE
Brisbane’s official New Year’s Eve event has not been altered despite heatwave conditions in the days beforehand.
An event at South Bank Parklands will include two fireworks displays along the Brisbane River, one at 8.30pm and one at midnight.
Gold Coast council was yesterday considering cancelling some events, with a possible risk of fire amid heatwave conditions and emergency services continuing to respond to storm-damaged homes.
But it continued to list fireworks events on its website, including at 8pm at Coomera Sports Park and Broadwater Parklands, 8.30pm at Lake Orr Varsity Promenade and 9pm at Paradise Point Parklands.
– AAP
Updated
Western Australia’s NYE festivities
WA will celebrate the New Year with community events, parties and fireworks displays across the state.
Perth city will be treated to two explosive displays, one at 8pm from a barge on the Swan River and a second at 11.59pm, when fireworks on top of buildings dotted across the city announce the arrival of 2024.
New Year’s Eve fireworks are also planned in Karratha, Esperance, Albany and Pemberton, on Rottnest Island and the Cocos Islands, at Rockingham, Mandurah and a handful of other Perth beach and riverfront suburbs.
– AAP
Updated
What to expect from Melbourne’s NYE
In Melbourne, a similar New Year’s Eve crowd to 2022 is expected, when a record 475,000 people flooded the CBD.
A midnight fireworks display will showcase more lasers and projections than previous years, lighting up the skyline from 27 rooftops.
The City of Melbourne has designated four “celebration zones” where families can watch the 9.30pm fireworks, and measures will be in place to avoid pedestrian “pinch points”, including closing the Elizabeth Street underpass, lord mayor Sally Capp said:
We are expecting a safe and sparkling New Year’s Eve for hundreds of thousands of Melburnians and Victorians who will come into the city to celebrate.
Thousands of police officers will be out in force and conducting an operation to find people carrying weapons on New Year’s Eve.
Across Victoria, public transport will be free from 6pm on New Year’s Eve to 6am on New Year’s Day.
– AAP
Updated
How Sydney is welcoming the new year
New Year’s Eve revellers across Australia are preparing to farewell 2023 with multiple cities set to sparkle with fireworks, light shows and illuminations.
Sydney will be one of the first major cities in the world to celebrate the start of the new year and will set the tone with 20 minutes of fireworks in two displays, a smoking ceremony, AI-driven projections on to the Harbour Bridge and illuminated boats on the water.
People wanting to celebrate from one of many non-ticketed foreshore vantage points are being urged to use public transport rather than travel by car. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure their spot.
– AAP
(Keep an eye out for a few posts to come on other cities and their celebrations!)
Updated
Fierce heatwave conditions to scorch northern Australia
Temperatures are expected to soar across most of northern Australia over the coming days.
Parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia face extreme to severe heatwave conditions from today, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Winton in Queensland’s west is expecting 43C, while temperatures up to 37C are forecast for Gympie in the state’s storm-ravaged south-east.
Highs up to 36C are predicted in Brisbane today, while Longreach in the state’s west is forecast to reach to 47C at the weekend.
More than 42,000 people remained without power across south-east Queensland yesterday as the state recorded higher than average temperatures.
In the Northern Territory, temperatures today are predicted to reach 40C in Katherine and 43C in Tennant Creek.
Marble Bar in WA’s Pilbara region may reach 49C tomorrow and temperatures up to 45C are expected there for the next six days.
– AAP
Updated
Emergency alert for Port Douglas, Mossman and Newell beach
Residents of Port Douglas, Mossman and Newell beach in Queensland have been urged to conserve water and cease non-essential water use in an emergency alert issued by the Douglas shire council.
Residents are advised that water infrastructure in the area has been affected by a landslip, which has resulted in a lower rate of water production, according to a Queensland fire emergency service statement:
Water storage is currently at critical levels.
Updated
More severe thunderstorms forecast across NYE weekend
New Year’s Eve could be a wet one for parts of eastern Australia, with more severe weather forecast for the weekend.
(Meanwhile, northern Australia can expect fierce heatwave conditions – more to come on that.)
The Bureau of Meteorology says widespread showers and possibly thunderstorms are to return to NSW and Queensland from today.
North-east NSW will bear the brunt of the rain in the state, with isolated and possibly severe thunderstorms into Sunday. Scattered showers are forecast for the remainder of the coast, with the chance of storms.
Severe thunderstorms return to parts of eastern Australia from this weekend, including on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings, particularly heading into the final weekend of 2023. pic.twitter.com/WxR06TxKn6
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 28, 2023
Queensland is also expected to be hit by wet weather, with isolated showers and thunderstorms forecast across much of the state tomorrow, apart from the far south-west. Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully says:
Severe thunderstorms are possible ... between St Lawrence and Redcliffe, although activity will not be as widespread compared to previous days.
Isolated gusty thunderstorms are also possible over western South Australia, alongside showers and storms for eastern South Australia and northern Victoria.
There is a risk of severe thunderstorms around Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter region.
– AAP
Updated
Good morning
This is Rafqa Touma, and here are the headlines that rolled in overnight.
As the new year approaches, heatwave conditions will spread across northern Australia, while the east coast can expect more thunderstorms and showers. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rain will probably have cleared for midnight firework celebrations in major cities, with Brisbane set to be the wettest.
Tents and caravans were swept away during 30-minute deluge that inundated Buchan campsite, with holidaymakers describing the terrifying moment a wall of water inundated the popular camping site in regional Victoria on Boxing Day, leaving two people dead and millions of dollars’ worth of damage.
A teenage boy died after a shark attack near Ethel Beach in South Australia and a kayaker has died in waters off Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
I’ll be rolling the blog through the day – if you see anything you don’t want us to miss, send it my way on X, formerly Twitter, at @At_Raf.
Updated
