Sydney news

The NSW government is being urged to do more to address the source of particle pollution, as new data shows the impact of pollution in mining regions.

The powerful storm that hit the Darling Downs last week has caused up to $50 million of damage to crops and farm infrastructure.

Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick is furious about the Mariners' Roy O'Donovan's headbutt on Manny Muscat in Central Coast's 3-1 win on New Year's Eve.

The oldest Surf Lifesaving Club on Queensland's Sunshine Coast celebrates its centenary. The Maroochy Club once sat among beach shacks, now it's surrounded by million dollar high rise apartments. But Club loyalists say one thing hasn't changed: its community service ethos.

Three men who escaped from a Townsville correctional facility are taken into police custody in Gympie.

Travis Head has smashes an out-of-this-world century to guide the Adelaide Strikers to an improbable five-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers in a classic Big Bash clash.

Six buildings are destroyed by a bushfire in South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula despite crews stopping the spread of the dangerous blaze, the Country Fire Service says.

A 44-year-old man is in police custody after a shooting in the town of Seymour on Tasmania's east coast, which police say was sparked by a family dispute.

Take a look back at who and what made headlines in Western Australia over the past 12 months.

The Central Coast Mariners win a fractious encounter against the Wellington Phoenix, triumphing 3-1 in their A-League clash in Gosford.

An air and sea search for a surfer missing off Main Beach at the Gold Coast is suspended until first light on Friday.

The threat from a fire burning in stubble near Currency Creek on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula which had threatened 15 homes eases, the Country Fire Service (CFS) says.

A man is in police custody after he allegedly opened fire on his neighbours in the town of Seymore on Tasmania's east coast.

A boy is flown to a Perth hospital after a boating accident off Rottnest Island left him with serious injuries.

Easing weather conditions provide short relief for firefighters battling an out-of-control bushfire on Victoria's south-west coast, authorities say.

The players' union has been informed by four A-League clubs that their outstanding player payments have been made, which they hope to confirm early next week.

A 26-year-old Indigenous man has died in custody at Sydney's Long Bay prison, the NSW Department of Corrective Services confirms.

Fire crews are mopping up after a blaze forced the evacuation of an apartment complex in the western Perth suburb of Nedlands.

The respected Aboriginal elder Aunty Josie Agius has died at the age of 81.

Easing weather conditions provide short relief for firefighters battling an out-of-control bushfire on Victoria's south-west coast, authorities say.

Perth's rescue helicopter is sent to Longreach Bay on Rottnest Island following a boating accident that has left a teenager with serious injuries.

West Australian livestock saleyards report strong cattle prices and smaller sheep sale yarding in 2015.

Four people are charged with drug-related offences at the Falls Festival in Tasmania, as the state prepares to usher in the new year.

Three men who escaped from a central Queensland prison farm are believed to have evaded police in a stolen car.

A man in his 20s dies after being shot in the face in a drive-by shooting in Lalor, in Melbourne's north.

South Australian farmers reflect on the drought and 2015 crop and livestock prices.

The death of a woman whose body was found by a member of the public at Smithfield Plains school in northern Adelaide is no longer being treated as suspicious.

A fire burning in stubble near Currency Creek on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula is causing a risk to lives and homes.

A ship that was stranded off the Perth coast with thousands of live sheep and cattle on board docks at a Perth port for repairs.

Australia selectors will have a Test tour of New Zealand and Twenty20 World Cup in the back of their minds when they pick a squad for the upcoming ODI series.

Fire crews are at the scene of a blaze in an apartment complex in the western Perth suburb of Nedlands.

The northern New South Wales city of Lismore plays host to the largest LGBTI event in the Southern Hemisphere outside Sydney's Mardi Gras.

Instagram sensation Lucky, left orphaned when his marsupial mother was run over in September, is learning how to be a wombat thanks to a carer and a fellow orphaned joey.

Another extremely woolly sheep is rescued in south-eastern Tasmania by a farmer who says it may have avoided the shears for seven years.

Western Australia has followed suit with the rest of the country and become the last state to ban the commercial use of tanning beds.

A fire burning in stubble near Currency Creek on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula is causing a risk to lives and homes.

Tourist numbers to Mackay and the Whitsundays grow during the festive season.

An air, sea and land search is launched for a surfer missing off Main Beach at the Gold Coast, after a fisherman sees him go under a wave and fail to resurface.

"It was about being free and not being crazy hot."

On the eve of the year 2000, about 200 people in Darwin partied in the nude.

On the eve of the year 2000, about 200 people in Darwin partied in the nude.

On the eve of the year 2000, about 200 people in Darwin partied in the nude.

On the eve of the year 2000, about 200 people in Darwin partied in the nude.

Hot weather and a strong field are behind Maria Sharapova's belief that the Brisbane International is perfect for her to prepare for the Australian Open.

The Northern Territory Government has released a new plan for cattle producers to manage wild dogs.

The Tasmanian Fire Service downgrades bushfire alert to "advice" level after earlier issuing a watch and act message for residents in the Pipers River area in Tasmania's north east.

As Central Queenslanders wait to ring in the New Year with fireworks, barbecues and music, a Rockhampton venue is putting a traditional Japanese spin on the celebrations.

'African Queen' Sophie Singh

World number two Andy Murray describes the Hopman Cup as the ideal preparation in his bid for his first Australian Open title and pursuit of Serb Novak Djokovic.

Up to 500,000 people are expected to ring in the New Year in Melbourne's CBD in extreme heat.