Australia Weather News

Pubs want more customers

The hotels industry is hopeful there will be a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions "within the coming days" to allow pubs to to get more people through the doors in the lead up the Christmas.

The Premier announced an easing of rules yesterday for smaller hospitality venues but the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) says it mostly benefits bars, restaurants and cafes and very few pubs.

"So what we're looking for are further relaxations such as one patron per two square metres and lifting that 300 cap," John Green from the AHA said.

"We've actually got some venues that have a capacity for 1,500 to 2,000 people that currently have 300 people only inside their venues. We're looking for further measures that allow us to re-employ the many people that we're currently got stood down."

Electricity bill passes

After 30 hours of almost non-stop debate, NSW Parliament's Upper House has passed the State Government's electricity bill.

The legislation is integral to the Government's renewable energy plan as it changes the rules for setting up electricity transmission.

One Nation's Mark Latham put forward almost 250 amendments to the bill that prompted a marathon sitting through the night.

None of Mr Latham's amendments were successful.

Heatwave on its way

The first major heatwave of the season is about to hit NSW with temperatures expected to climb into the high 30s and mid 40s over the next few days.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Summer conditions are imminent.

The heat will begin to affect the western parts of the state from today, before moving towards the east coast tomorrow.

The rising mercury has prompted warnings around increased fire risk, with authorities urging residents to monitor the situation closely.

ARIA music awards

Psychedelic pop band Tame Impala and hip hop artist Sampa the Great were the big winners at last night's ARIA music awards in Sydney.

The event, which was live-streamed from an empty convention centre, also honoured Indigenous artist Archie Roach, who was inducted into the hall of fame.

Amy Shark won the award for best pop release and Sydney band Lime Cordiale took home the award for breakthrough artist.

Tones and I, Emma Donovan, Delta Goodrem, Mo'Ju and others collaborated on a version of Helen Reddy's US number one hit I Am Woman, introduced by former prime minister Julia Gillard, who spoke of the song's significance as a feminist anthem.

Sailors wanted for blue water classic

With international travel on hold, crews competing in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race say sailors are in short supply.

It is just four weeks until the annual blue water classic which has 89 yachts competing — nearly half the number of entrants from last year.

Just two super maxi's, InfoTrack and Black Jack, are competing for line honours, down from five in 2019.

InfoTrack came second last year and skipper Christian Beck said normally the vessel's crew was made up of the best sailors from around the world, but not this year.

"So flying them to Australia has proven to be largely impossible. We had a few Spaniards and various other people last year that we just don't have, so we've got local people who are very good but it's not as proven as it was the previous two years," he said.