Suburbia to surf … way to go for next wave of nippers
Kim Arlington They are up before the sun, climbing into the car in their pyjamas, still sleepy as they head for the coast.
Latest NSW news
Public housing no bar to property gains
![Housing commission home](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862282/mb_thumb_housing-20131025221904179112-90x60.jpg)
Julie Power Fears that affordable housing for low-income earners will turn neighbourhoods into ghettos or slums are unfounded in 80 per cent of cases, and have little or no impact on property prices.
Air freshener used to conceal mother's death, court told
![Melissa Peacock, whose mother's body was left in a bedroom for six months.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4860830/MOR-melissa-peacock-20131025161933222673-90x60.jpg)
NICK RALSTON 12:08am A woman allegedly left her mother dead in bed in their Sydney home for up to six months, changing sheets and using air freshener to mask the smell while using her money to stay at luxury hotels, a court has heard.
Rule change allows developers to bypass councils' approval
![Shoebridge](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862300/mb_thumb_shoebridge-20131025220303891548-90x60.jpg)
NICOLE HASHAM The O'Farrell government will allow developers to leapfrog councils to get large projects approved under measures that will lead to unwanted, ad-hoc development, community and environment groups say.
Crowds go wild as Princess Mary visits Five Dock school
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrive at the Opera House forecourt on October 24, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Prince Frederick and Princess Mary will visit Sydney for five days and will attend events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House and the Danish architect who designed the landmark, Jorn Utzen. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4857966/th-danishroyals3-90x60.jpg)
DAISY DUMAS 9:31pm From the Opera House to Government House ... to Five Dock Public School.
Unlikely board fellows: the city's great and good vie for a uni place
![USYD](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862427/mb_thumb_usyd_20131025232252523989-90x60.jpg)
DAISY DUMAS Business, media and politicians all want a job at Sydney University.
Thomas Kelly's mother decries 'senseless act' at sentence hearing
![Thomas Kelly](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2012/07/19/3469963/th-654644653-90x60.jpg)
PAUL BIBBY 9:55pm Sydney teenager Thomas Kelly lost his life in a "senseless act of violence and cowardice" that has left those who loved him with "a life sentence", members of his family have told a Sydney court.
Minister makes start on opening state forests to amateur hunters
![Hodgkinson](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862295/mb_thumb_hodgkinson_20131025222743868588-90x60.jpg)
SEAN NICHOLLS Hundreds of state forests are set to be reopened to amateur hunters as early as mid-November after Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson began the redeclaration process.
Reservoir gives up secrets of our colonial past
![An ink well/pot artefact dated 1830-80's found at the Prospect Reservoir site](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862297/mb_thumb_reservior_20131025193258783762-90x60.jpg)
Kim Arlington Beneath the surface of Prospect Reservoir the remains of an early colonial settlement lay hidden for more than a century. Wooden posts traced phantom fencelines under the water. Handmade bricks marked the remnants of wells, fireplaces, stables.
Teacher got harsh treatment: filmmaker
![Mrs Karen Carey](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862284/mb_thumb_carey_20131025222228213989-90x60.jpg)
GARRY MADDOX The director of Mrs Carey's Concert has revealed the film's star music teacher was devastated after being repeatedly criticised and threatened with dismissal before her shock resignation from MLC School.
Still no return to full light rail service and no explanations
![Trams](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862305/mb_thumb_tram_20131025194243166199-90x60.jpg)
JACOB SAULWICK Part of Sydney's light rail line will remain out of action until early next month amid growing frustration with the failure of the operator and government to explain the lengthy suspension of services.
Nuns argue fracking is a habit we can't afford
![Father Greg Burke](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/25/4862292/mb_thumb_nuns_20131025191150400555-90x60.jpg)
NICOLE HASHAM Theirs is a cloistered, holy life far from the whirl of Sydney, where the only sound some mornings is the flap of habits and the squawk of cockatoos.
Defence apologises for starting State Mine fire
![News
The vice chief of the defence force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin announces the finalisation of an inquiry officer report regarding an insider attack in Afghanistan august 2012 resulting in the death of three Australian soldiers
The Canberra Times
25 September 2013
Photo Jay Cronan](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4857347/dn-binskin-th-20131024172633732225-90x60.jpg)
DAVID WROE The military demolition specialists who sparked a massive fire during an exercise last week are suspected of having used too much explosive.
Fate of Electrolux plant decided in Stockholm
![An employee of Electrolux](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4857745/th-fridge-90x60.jpg)
ANNA PATTY The future of more than 500 people in Orange who work for Australia's last refrigerator manufacturing plant may be decided in Sweden.
ICAC chief David Ipp to retire
![ICAC Commissioner the Hon David Ipp AO QC during the opening address of the public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the issue of invitation to Doyles Creek Pty Ltd to apply for mining exploration licence at operations Indus/Jasper/Acacia sites.
18th March 2013
Photo: Wolter Peeters
The Sydney Morning Herald](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4856869/MOR-david-ipp-thumb-20131024151415654824-90x60.jpg)
Sean Nicholls, Michaela Whitbourn The man who oversaw the sensational inquiries into Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald will retire from the ICAC in January.
'We feel like we've helped'
![NCH NEWS
Catherine Hill Bay fire aftermath story
PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS PIC ONLINE UNTIL MIDNIGHT 20TH OCTOBER
Pictured shows RFS volunteers Brothers Josh & Matt Jones-Power with Catherine Hill Bay township in the background.
20th October 2013
NCH NEWS Picture by DEAN OSLAND](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4858090/th-wefeellike-90x60.jpg)
Ashleigh Gleeson A photo from the NSW bushfires has had millions of people across the world using just one this week - heroes.
'Deranged screaming' before balcony fall
![Joshua Rathnell, key witness in the Simon Gittany murder trial, after giving evidence today at supreme court Darlinghurst
Smh news
Photos Ben Rushton
October 24 2013](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4858170/th-777336890-90x60.jpg)
PAUL BIBBY It was the sound of ''deranged'' screaming that allegedly made the young man look up as he walked through Hyde Park on the way to work.
Foley outlines his vision for the west
![AFR USE ONLY. 080414. peak hour traffic travelling west on the M4 freeway. generic traffic , cars , greenhouse , emissions , petrol , fuel , travel , freeway , roads , logistics , infrastructure. Photo by ROB HOMER SPECIALX 82971](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/24/4858509/th-sa-foleyoutlines2-20131024233403952291-90x60.jpg)
SEAN NICHOLLS Labor's planning spokesman Luke Foley has called for a high-powered commission of ''eminent persons'' to oversee Sydney's growth.
Man killed in fire at Botany home
![Fire](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/05/03/4241315/th_fire-90x60.jpg)
MEGAN LEVY Firefighters have found a body after a fierce blaze tore through a home in Sydney's south-east.
Bushfire strategies: Aggressive and high-risk
![Fires threaten to break out across Mountain Lagoon Road near Bilpin.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4854638/_20131023202339631024-90x60.jpg)
Nick Ralston and Sarah Whyte and Peter Hannam A high-risk gamble by firefighters has paid off, with NSW escaping from one of its most threatening bushfire days on record mostly unscathed.
Median
Sydney beats $700,000 price barrier
![House prices](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4854293/1_1_prices320-90x60.jpg)
TOBY JOHNSTONE Sydney house prices have smashed through the $700,000 barrier for the first time, taking the market into ‘‘uncharted territory’’.
Bubble turns head at Sculpture by the Sea
![Sculptures by the sea.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4855019/ab-th-bondi-20131023224907816225-90x60.jpg)
ANDREW TAYLOR A child chewing gum would hardly turn heads among the show-offs of Sydney's eastern suburbs. But Qian Sihua's two-metre-high blood red sculpture of a head blowing bubble gum is a scene stealer.
Opponents fear threats from new bill
![Andrew Stoner.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4855028/ab-th-parks-20131023230550945648-90x60.jpg)
Michaela Whitbourn Legal experts are alarmed by a bill giving the O'Farrell government sweeping powers to approve commercial activities on public land such as parks and beaches.
Chaka Khan to open Sydney Festival for free
![Chaka Khan](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4853765/rw-chaka-th-20131023152502392719-90x60.jpg)
STEVE DOW US singer Chaka Khan will headline a free concert in The Domain on the opening weekend of the 2014 Sydney Festival, as organisers bat away criticism that the festival lacks an opening day of free entertainment.
Trains halted but tourists still come
![Great Western Highway in Blackheath.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4854980/ab-th-trains-20131023214526546600-90x60.jpg)
NICOLE HASHAM Destructive bushfires halted train services and closed a major motorway on Wednesday, but the emergency was not enough to deter curious tourists from visiting the Blue Mountains.
Three emergency warnings issued
![chopper](http://web.archive.org./web/20131025205413im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/10/23/4853014/dh_chopper-20131023120855818061-90x60.jpg)
MEGAN LEVY Strong wind gusts of up to 100km/h are fanning large bushfires already burning across parts of NSW, while new blazes are breaking out in the afternoon's deteriorating conditions.
Royals tour a source of Danish pride
Whisper it: even among the Danes Princess Mary seemed to eclipse Crown Prince Frederik on day one of the Danish royals' tour of Sydney.
Erica Packer keeps up appearances after split
Erica Packer will not divulge the reasons why her six-year marriage to casino billionaire James ended, but she has made it clear she is not about to disappear into obscurity.
Video
Private Sydney: Baz's show blowout?
Rumours circle Baz Luhrmann's latest multi-million dollar production Strictly Ballroom The Musical, claiming the stage show is riddled with delays and budget blowouts, reports Andrew Hornery.
No cooling off for spring auctions
Which auctions will the Domain team be checking out on Saturday?
Glowing embers light up the night
A surreal scene greets Reporter Emma Partridge and photographer Dallas Kilponen on the Bells Line of Road in the Blue Mountains on Thursday night.
Gridlock after fatality on M4
Citybound motorists are advised to avoid using Sydney's M4 motorway after a fatal accident involving a truck and a pedestrian at Granville.
Haunting images of Blue Mountains fires
Photographer Nick Moir captures stunning images of the bushfires raging across the Blue Mountains on Thursday.
Fires upgraded to emergency warning status
The State Mine fire crosses the Bells Line of Road in the Blue Mountains as winds fan a massive blaze near Colo Heights says the Rural Fire Service.
Dame Edna's folly at the Astor
Step inside the apartment Barry Humphries 'illegally' renovated.