Black balls washed ashore at Gordons Bay in Sydney in October 2024.

Source of ‘disgusting’ grime balls that closed Sydney beaches revealed

The state’s environmental watchdog has blamed Sydney Water’s ageing sewerage network as the likely source of thousands of the greasy black spheres.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons

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Erosion at The Entrance after huge swells,shared by local MP David Mehan.

Ocean swells erode beachfront properties on Central Coast

A huge surge has caused landslips underneath beachfront properties at two communities at the heart of a heated debate over plans to build seawalls.

  • Jessica McSweeney andCaitlin Fitzsimmons
Shark netting is set to finish.

Why Sydney’s shark nets have been removed a month early

A growing number of swimmers and councils have objected to the nets,but politicians have so far proved reluctant to end the program.

  • Nick O'Malley andCaitlin Fitzsimmons
How premiums for home insurance have climbed since 2020,by Sydney LGA.

The maps that reveal how climate disasters are driving up insurance premiums in Sydney

The accelerating risk of climate disasters including floods,bushfires and storms means Sydneysiders in some parts of the city are paying over three times more for home insurance than others.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Former WIRES volunteer Tracy Dods has been found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty over a kangaroo in her care.

Verdict over injured kangaroo to send ‘shockwaves’ through animal rescue community

A woman who cared for hundreds of kangaroos over five years as a volunteer for wildlife rescue service WIRES has been found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Liz McLeod,care co-ordinator at the Friends of the Koala rehabilitation centre,with Troppo,a 10-month-old joey found at the base of a tree.

Alfred knocked koalas out of trees and swept a kangaroo into a drain

Wildlife rescue groups have reported an influx of injured native fauna and are planning a search-and-rescue mission for koalas across forests in northern NSW.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
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Beach erosion at Park Beach,Coffs Harbour,on Saturday.

From Coffs Harbour to Noosa,some of our most famous beaches have been lost

Authorities will bring sand to tourist hotspots,but the affected stretches will take months to recover. Environmental experts are more worried about damage to dunes.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
The ex-tropical cyclone is making its way north-west at a speed of 6km/h and brings intense rainfall.

Dozens of NSW towns still in storm’s crosshairs after Alfred makes landfall

The weather bureau has warned that Sunday could bring the heaviest rainfall,heightening fears of major flooding across northern NSW.

  • Carrie Fellner,Amber Schultz andCaitlin Fitzsimmons
Weatherzone image of Cyclone Alfred at 9.30pm AEDT on Friday.

Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred as it happened:Storm finally makes landfall,heavy rainfall batters Brisbane,Gold Coast;body found as NSW Northern Rivers region begins to flood

Queensland authorities have ordered residents to take shelter as Cyclone Alfred nears,while the NSW Northern Rivers region is already experiencing flooding. Follow our live coverage.

  • Rachel Clun,Penry Buckley,Cloe Read,Ellen Connolly,Ying Xiang Tan,Amber Schultz,Caitlin Fitzsimmons andAlex Crowe
Cyclone Alfred

Cyclone Alfred as it happened:BoM forecasts storm to hit just north of Brisbane as heavy rainfall,strong wind batters the east coast;Lismore likely to flood tomorrow morning;PM to push election to May

Residents in more regions of northern NSW towns have been told to evacuate as Cyclone Alfred makes its way to the east coast. Follow our live coverage.

  • Riley Walter,Sarah McPhee,Kayla Olaya,Ellen Connolly,Ying Xiang Tan andCaitlin Fitzsimmons