Latest news with #HowardCollins
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Ferries return to Balmain West for first time in over a decade
More services could run from a newly reopened ferry wharf in Sydney's Inner West if enough commuters use it, according to the state's public transport agency. Ferries began running from the Balmain West wharf into the city for the first time in over a decade on Monday morning, drawing dozens of patrons looking for a new alternative to avoid the busy main roads during peak hour. The morning service includes just four ferry services running between Chiswick and Circular Quay, while four afternoon peak services will run from 3pm from the city. The Balmain West ferry wharf was closed in 2013 by the Coalition government due to low patronage. At the time, just 48 passengers were using the wharf in a day. Transport NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said more services might be added if patronage lifted. "We are encouraging people who live locally to look at [this] alternative to get into the city pretty quickly," Mr Collins said. "If the locals find it's a useful service, then we will encourage the operator to run more services." The service will only run on weekdays, although Mr Collins flagged a possible weekend service in summer if demand rose. "I think [in] summer, this will be a spot people will want to come to," Mr Collins said. Locals campaigning to bring the ferry service back had been citing recent construction of apartments near the wharf, along with increased traffic congestion heading into the city after the opening of the Rozelle Interchange. Coincidentally, a three-vehicle crash on the Anzac Bridge forced two eastbound lanes to close on Monday morning, forcing heavy traffic through Rozelle. ABC Radio Sydney counted four passengers on the very first service boarding at the wharf at 6am, while nine boarded at 7am before a swathe of 43 passengers boarded at 8am. David Howard-Jones, who lives around the corner, boarded the first service to the city with his son. He was happy to see the return of the ferries. "It's wonderful. I love travelling by public transport and the ferry — what beats it in Sydney?" Mr Howard-Jones said. "I don't drive into the city because the [Rozelle] interchange is mad." Also on board the first service was Victor Young, who was the architect for the Balmain West wharf when wharves on the Parramatta River were upgraded for the Sydney Olympics to have accessible ramps. "It's looking a bit old and tired but it makes me happy," Mr Young said.
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
‘Stay home': Warning to millions of Sydney workers as freak ‘cyclone bomb' sparks commuter chaos
Millions have been told to stay home amid the freak 'cyclone bomb' staring down the NSW coastline, which has sparked commuter chaos on ferries, buses, trains and airplanes. The intense weather event is lashing down on NSW, causing flash flooding and destructive winds. Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins warned commuters to stay home if they had that option. 'The advice for people using our public transport and roads is you don't have to travel, stay indoors as your recommendations are,' Mr Collins told the ABC. 'If you're an essential worker and you've got to get home or to work, please take your time. 'They may well be more disruption. So if you are planning to get home, leave early. Take your time. Don't leave it till late in the evening because that's when disruptions occur.' The storm has caused mass disruptions across the state's transport network. More than a dozen roads have been flooded in areas including Byron Bay and Jervis Bay. In the state's capital the Pacific Highway has flooded in St Leonards with two of four southbound lanes closed. Also in Sydney's suburbs Euston Rd has flooded in Alexandria with one southbound lane closed. Serious flash flooding has swept through Newcastle with Coxs Ln and Mungo Brush Rd flooded and a warning issued to drivers. 'Never drive through floodwater, avoid the area, stay away,' the warning read. The affected areas include the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, the Illawarra and South Coast. Anyone preparing to commute or drive through those areas has been urged to stay informed and most importantly drive to the conditions. Mr Collins said: 'Whether you're travelling by car or catching public transport please allow plenty of extra time to get to your destination. 'Don't drive, walk or cycle through flood waters, watch out for storm debris on the road, and if weather conditions become too severe, find a safe place to stop and wait until it passes. 'Passengers on public transport should take the time to hop online and check timetables before they set off and stay across any updates during their trip.' Transport for NSW warned travellers to expect delays and disruptions as the extreme weather lashes the region. Multiple ferry services have been cancelled in Sydney with F9 Watsons Bay Wharf closed due to high winds. â›´ï¸� F9 Watsons Bay Wharf has been closed due to high winds. F9 Watsons Bay ferries are not running between Rose Bay and Watsons Bay. â�• Consider alternative transport btwn Rose Bay & Watsons Bay. — Sydney Ferries Info (@FerriesInfo) July 1, 2025 Replacement buses are operating. Mr Collins warned that there is 'a lot of risk of the harbour going above four metres', which may mean that ferry services continue to be suspended. NSW Maritime has advised boaters to stay ashore and avoid any non-essential boating amid the hectic weather. NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said boat owners should be prepared for dangerous weather to continue to Thursday morning. 'We are advising everyone to stay off the water over the next couple of days, and boaters should check moorings and secure any items on board,' Mr Hutchings said. Some wild weather hitting Sydney - for those in my community please note the following stay at home orders. — Kellie Sloane MP - Member for Vaucluse (@kelliesloane) July 1, 2025 'Large and powerful waves are expected, which can cause coastal bars to change quickly and without warning, and pose a serious risk to those on the water.' Air travel has also been significantly disrupted with Sydney Airport moving to single runway operations. This is expected to lead to delayed and cancelled flights at least until 11pm Tuesday, and possibly into Wednesday. At least 20 flights have been cancelled across airlines, with guests encouraged to keep an eye on the status of their flights. In a statement a Virgin Australia spokesman said the airline regrets the 'impact of this on guests' travel plans' and it is working to help travellers reach their destination.
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Flooding, road closures and rising rivers wreak havoc
Torrential rain and flash flooding is wreaking havoc across greater Sydney with some residents preparing to evacuate and others told to cancel plans to attend the city's Vivid light festival. Flooding across the river network has prompted the SES to warn people living in parts of Cobbitty, close to the Nepean River and Chipping Norton to prepare to leave as floodwaters rise. Meanwhile, heavy rain has flooded tracks, closed Sydney railway stations and blocked major roads. Train services were thrown into disarray on Friday, as floodwaters halted services in the city loop, Blue Mountains, Mittagong, Cockle Creek and Sandbridge. Commuters along the T8 airport line were forced to take buses for the majority of the day before the flooded train line reopened just after 2pm. Passengers trying to travel by air or water did not fare much better with several ferry services cancelled or stopping early and Sydney Airport briefly closed two runways. The widespread transport mess prompted Transport for NSW's Howard Collins to tell people to consider not attending the opening night of the Vivid Sydney light festival on Friday. Authorities are also keeping a close eye on the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Warragamba rivers with minor flooding in the Hawkesbury and Colo river systems expected. Sydney Water has warned of likely overflow at Warragamba Dam, which was at 96 per cent capacity by 3pm on Friday. More than 200mm of rain fell in Richmond, about 90mm in Camden, more than 50mm in Katoomba and at least 75mm at Sydney Airport in the 24 hours to 9am on Friday. Parts of the Illawarra copped more than 200mm, including Clover Hill, causing localised flooding on the coast. But the trough, which also left 50,000 people isolated across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions earlier in the week, was beginning to lose intensity, the Bureau of Meteorology said. "Whilst the rainfall is significant today, it won't match the 200-300mm we were getting earlier in the week," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said. "We don't expect the rivers to peak too much higher than what they are at the moment ... hopefully starting to come down today or through the course of the weekend." Torrential rain and flash flooding is wreaking havoc across greater Sydney with some residents preparing to evacuate and others told to cancel plans to attend the city's Vivid light festival. Flooding across the river network has prompted the SES to warn people living in parts of Cobbitty, close to the Nepean River and Chipping Norton to prepare to leave as floodwaters rise. Meanwhile, heavy rain has flooded tracks, closed Sydney railway stations and blocked major roads. Train services were thrown into disarray on Friday, as floodwaters halted services in the city loop, Blue Mountains, Mittagong, Cockle Creek and Sandbridge. Commuters along the T8 airport line were forced to take buses for the majority of the day before the flooded train line reopened just after 2pm. Passengers trying to travel by air or water did not fare much better with several ferry services cancelled or stopping early and Sydney Airport briefly closed two runways. The widespread transport mess prompted Transport for NSW's Howard Collins to tell people to consider not attending the opening night of the Vivid Sydney light festival on Friday. Authorities are also keeping a close eye on the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Warragamba rivers with minor flooding in the Hawkesbury and Colo river systems expected. Sydney Water has warned of likely overflow at Warragamba Dam, which was at 96 per cent capacity by 3pm on Friday. More than 200mm of rain fell in Richmond, about 90mm in Camden, more than 50mm in Katoomba and at least 75mm at Sydney Airport in the 24 hours to 9am on Friday. Parts of the Illawarra copped more than 200mm, including Clover Hill, causing localised flooding on the coast. But the trough, which also left 50,000 people isolated across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions earlier in the week, was beginning to lose intensity, the Bureau of Meteorology said. "Whilst the rainfall is significant today, it won't match the 200-300mm we were getting earlier in the week," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said. "We don't expect the rivers to peak too much higher than what they are at the moment ... hopefully starting to come down today or through the course of the weekend." Torrential rain and flash flooding is wreaking havoc across greater Sydney with some residents preparing to evacuate and others told to cancel plans to attend the city's Vivid light festival. Flooding across the river network has prompted the SES to warn people living in parts of Cobbitty, close to the Nepean River and Chipping Norton to prepare to leave as floodwaters rise. Meanwhile, heavy rain has flooded tracks, closed Sydney railway stations and blocked major roads. Train services were thrown into disarray on Friday, as floodwaters halted services in the city loop, Blue Mountains, Mittagong, Cockle Creek and Sandbridge. Commuters along the T8 airport line were forced to take buses for the majority of the day before the flooded train line reopened just after 2pm. Passengers trying to travel by air or water did not fare much better with several ferry services cancelled or stopping early and Sydney Airport briefly closed two runways. The widespread transport mess prompted Transport for NSW's Howard Collins to tell people to consider not attending the opening night of the Vivid Sydney light festival on Friday. Authorities are also keeping a close eye on the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Warragamba rivers with minor flooding in the Hawkesbury and Colo river systems expected. Sydney Water has warned of likely overflow at Warragamba Dam, which was at 96 per cent capacity by 3pm on Friday. More than 200mm of rain fell in Richmond, about 90mm in Camden, more than 50mm in Katoomba and at least 75mm at Sydney Airport in the 24 hours to 9am on Friday. Parts of the Illawarra copped more than 200mm, including Clover Hill, causing localised flooding on the coast. But the trough, which also left 50,000 people isolated across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions earlier in the week, was beginning to lose intensity, the Bureau of Meteorology said. "Whilst the rainfall is significant today, it won't match the 200-300mm we were getting earlier in the week," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said. "We don't expect the rivers to peak too much higher than what they are at the moment ... hopefully starting to come down today or through the course of the weekend." Torrential rain and flash flooding is wreaking havoc across greater Sydney with some residents preparing to evacuate and others told to cancel plans to attend the city's Vivid light festival. Flooding across the river network has prompted the SES to warn people living in parts of Cobbitty, close to the Nepean River and Chipping Norton to prepare to leave as floodwaters rise. Meanwhile, heavy rain has flooded tracks, closed Sydney railway stations and blocked major roads. Train services were thrown into disarray on Friday, as floodwaters halted services in the city loop, Blue Mountains, Mittagong, Cockle Creek and Sandbridge. Commuters along the T8 airport line were forced to take buses for the majority of the day before the flooded train line reopened just after 2pm. Passengers trying to travel by air or water did not fare much better with several ferry services cancelled or stopping early and Sydney Airport briefly closed two runways. The widespread transport mess prompted Transport for NSW's Howard Collins to tell people to consider not attending the opening night of the Vivid Sydney light festival on Friday. Authorities are also keeping a close eye on the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Warragamba rivers with minor flooding in the Hawkesbury and Colo river systems expected. Sydney Water has warned of likely overflow at Warragamba Dam, which was at 96 per cent capacity by 3pm on Friday. More than 200mm of rain fell in Richmond, about 90mm in Camden, more than 50mm in Katoomba and at least 75mm at Sydney Airport in the 24 hours to 9am on Friday. Parts of the Illawarra copped more than 200mm, including Clover Hill, causing localised flooding on the coast. But the trough, which also left 50,000 people isolated across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions earlier in the week, was beginning to lose intensity, the Bureau of Meteorology said. "Whilst the rainfall is significant today, it won't match the 200-300mm we were getting earlier in the week," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said. "We don't expect the rivers to peak too much higher than what they are at the moment ... hopefully starting to come down today or through the course of the weekend."
7NEWS
23-05-2025
- Climate
- 7NEWS
Four people dead, one missing in NSW floods as transport warnings revealed for Vivid Sydney opening night
Deadly flooding continuing across NSW will also affect transport to Vivid Sydney on Friday. Opening night of the annual festival will go ahead despite the severe weather, but warnings have been issued for those in the state still considering travel. While weather conditions are improving in some areas, flooding is still expected to affect other parts of the state into the weekend, with the southbound trough set to deliver even more hairy weather to the south coast. Four people have already died in the floods, and another person is still missing. A total of 6383 incidents have required help from the NSW SES since the floods began, and 728 rescue missions have been launched, NSW NSES told In the northern areas alone, including the Hunter region and the Mid North Coast and Nambucca Heads, there have already been 1110 incidents, with 5780 in the Metro area which includes the Hawkesbury. In the last 24 hours, there have been 1887 incidents and 168 rescues. Travel warning ahead of Vivid Sydney opening Despite the weather, large crowds are expected in Sydney on Friday night, for the first night of Vivid Sydney But Transport for NSW Co-ordinator General Howard Collins said: 'I'd ask people to think about the fact that Vivid does go for three weeks.' 'The weather has come down towards Sydney, and that has had an impact on both our roads and our rail network.' Collins said that while catching the first night of the festival is a great opportunity for Sydney locals, using unimpacted light rail and bus services, several rail services are still affected — he urged those travelling from outer-city areas to consider their plans. 'Services late into the evening may be disrupted because of the previous and certainly ongoing weather issues ... do think about that,' he said. 'Please stay safe, do not travel in flood affected areas ... if you don't need need to travel this afternoon, don't.' Because road closures and parking restrictions are in place around all the festival precincts, Transport for NSW has urged motorists to remember that 'the city is no place for cars during Vivid Sydney'. The warning extends beyond those travelling for the festival. 'Floodwater is extremely dangerous, especially for drivers. If the road is flooded, forget it,' it said. Collins described the weather conditions as 'very dynamic and changing' and said that 'just because you've had a glance at the internet and then set out in your car, the situation may change'. Some also noted that some road ferries are are closing, including Sackville. He urged drivers to check the latest Live Traffic updates, and public transport users to check the latest information from Transport for NSW. Airport line affected Flooding stopped services on the T8 Airport and South line, the Central Coast & Newcastle Lines. Services are also impacted by the weather on the T2 Leppington and the T3 Liverpool and Inner West Line, the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Lines, the Hunter Line, the Southern Highlands Line and South Coast Lines. On the T8 line, Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said: 'We've got flooding in the Bexley North area, we've got tracks underwater. The good news is that the water is currently receding.' The T8 trains are now back running but with limited and slower services. On the Central Coast & Newcastle Lines, 'we've got flooding through the area around Cockle Creek', and a 'number of minor landslips in the Cardiff areas. There has also been a 'substantial landslip' between Kotara and Cardiff, Longland said. 'It's likely that the Newcastle Line will be affected into the near future, certainly throughout the remainder of today.' Sandgate has flooded on the Hunter Line, and nine replacement buses are running between Maitland, Dungog and Scone. Trains between Picton and Moss Vale have also stopped on the Southern Highlands Line due to flooding, and shuttle trains are running between Campbelltown and Picton. The flow-on delays and the slower speed of services still in operation mean that huge wait times are being experienced by travellers on the network's active lines. 'Please take extra time when travelling, avoid rushing for services,' Longland said. Flood warnings still in action Emergency warnings urging people to evacuate their homes, or to seek shelter, still remain for people in many locations across the state. On the Mid North Coast, warnings are in place from Bellingen in the north to Paterson in the south. For the Central Coast and Newcastle flood warnings are in place at Wollombi, Bulga, Raymond Terrace, Dora Creek, Yarramalong and Dooralong, Chittaway Point and Tuggerah Lake. Rainfall is expected to ease on Saturday morning. For the Sydney, Metro and Blue Mountains areas, there is still a real risk of flash flooding in the next 24 hours, with heavy rainfall totals between 60 and 100mm possible. Warnings are in place for Colo, North Richmond and surrounds, Milperra and surrounds, Liverpool, and Tempe Bridge. For the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, and Snowy Mountains, heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout Friday. Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat could all be affected. And in Western NSW, minor flooding is expected to continue for several weeks.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sodden commuters and flooded stations as Sydney cops a drenching
Transport for NSW was monitoring the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line closely due to heavy rainfall, which caused minor delays it said could worsen on Friday. Several morning ferry services between Circular Quay and Manly were cancelled due to large swell in the harbour. Elsewhere on the network, a substantial land slip at Cardiff Station in Newcastle caused significant delays and closures, which Longland described as an 'evolving situation'. 'They've had very heavy rainfall overnight and over the last 24 hours. We won't know the detail around that damage until those assessments are complete.' Passengers were advised to avoid travel on affected lines where possible, and to leave extra time, with some trains left stationary at platforms or between stations for long periods of time. The rail chaos came days after a live wire falling on a train at Strathfield caused major delays earlier in the week. Co-ordinator General Howard Collins said the weather situation remained 'very dynamic and changing', and advised road users to avoid any unnecessary travel heading out towards 'the west, south, and north of Sydney'. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) recorded huge rainfall totals overnight after a coastal trough that had brought record-breaking rains to the Mid North Coast and the Hunter, claiming the lives of four people, began to move south overnight over the Southern Hunter, Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands. More than 179mm was recorded at North Richmond, north-west of Sydney, between 9am Thursday and Friday morning, with minor flooding occurring along the Hawkesbury River in the area. There was a risk of minor flooding along the Nepean River around Menangle late on Friday morning. Between 60 and 100 millimetres of rain fell overnight across the wider Sydney area; 170mm fell at Robertson, south-west of Wollongong. On Friday, the weather bureau issued an updated severe weather warning, with heavy rainfall expected for parts of the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Tablelands, with possible six-hourly totals of 60 to 120 millimetres. NSW Premier Chris Minns told Sydneysiders to continue to monitor SES and BOM advice, as the movement of the coastal low began to bring some relief for residents in the upper Hunter and the Mid North Coast. 'I think it's fair to say that the weather system is moving south,' Minns told 2GB. 'What we're a little bit concerned about early next week is wind that would affect electricity.' Sydney Airport returned to normal operation at 7.30am on Friday, but a spokesperson said it was experiencing delays as a result of the closure. 'Sydney Airport's east-west runway was operating earlier, but we are now back on two parallel north-south runways,' they said. Flights operated by Qantas scheduled to arrive from Dubbo, Orange and Armidale were also cancelled due to poor weather. The airport advised passengers to check with individual airlines regarding other cancellations. Meanwhile, a spill at Warragamba Dam in south-west Sydney was unlikely on Friday after WaterNSW said less rain had fallen than expected overnight. Loading Spokesman James Yousif said WaterNSW would not remove a warning issued on Thursday until later on Friday if rain continued to ease. 'WaterNSW will continue to monitor dam inflows and rainfall throughout the day and will keep the community updated on any expected impacts on Warragamba Dam,' he said. Speaking to 2GB, Minns said the risk at Warragamba appeared to have reduced. 'We can't guarantee it, but even if it did top it's unlikely that the river network would result in evacuation. But I have to temper all of this because that's our best guess. 'If circumstances change, we'll let people know straight away.'
