Good morning and welcome to your morning wrap of news, sport, and weather around Sydney for Thursday, December 28. It should be warm and sunny today with temperatures around 29 in the city and up to 36 in the west.
NBN cut-off date approaching for almost 100,000 homes and businesses
Almost 100,000 Australian homes and businesses will be disconnected from their internet and landlines in January if they haven’t moved over to the national broadband network.
Next month, premises across the country will be reaching the 18-month NBN cut-off date, with potentially 95,590 homes and businesses affected if they have not yet made the switch.
Usually, when an area is declared “NBN ready” a resident has a year and a half to choose a provider and a plan and to move onto the network before their home or business is disconnected. Read more
Parramatta Road traffic delays expected after car hits power pole
Motorists have been warned to expect delays along Parramatta Road after a car crashed into a power pole at Homebush.
The crash happened about 4.30am at Parramatta Road and Bridge Road, bringing down power lines across the road and knocking out traffic lights, a spokesman for the Traffic Management Centre said. Read more
Sisters fight for life after losing parents in fiery tragedy
Grief-stricken relatives are holding bedside vigils for two sisters who were pulled from the wreck of their family car after it was involved in a horrific head-on collision on Boxing Day.
Annabelle Falkholt, 21, and her actress sister Jessica Falkholt, 28, were seriously injured in the crash, which claimed the lives of their parents and a 51-year-old man driving the other car. Read more
Sydney man burns 12 pigeons to death
A man has been charged after a pigeon coop was torched, killing 12 birds in Sydney's south.
A Rosebery resident was woken by a neighbour telling him his bird coop was on fire on Wednesday morning. Read more via SMH
Bike sharing companies have three months to comply with new council rules
An alliance of six Sydney councils has imposed new guidelines on dockless bike sharing companies.
Inner West Council is leading the charge, giving the share bike companies three months to comply or they could face punitive action. Read more
Wild Oats XI lands record Sydney To Hobart win
Wild Oats XI overhauled LDV Comanche in the Derwent River late Wednesday night to claim a thrilling line honours Sydney to Hobart victory, shaving more than four hours off Perpetual Loyal's race record.
But second-placed LDV Comanche has launched a protest against the now nine-time race winner following a near collision between the two yachts just outside Sydney Heads shortly after the start on Boxing Day. A time penalty may still not be enough to overturn the placings. Read more