Famous beaches closed as monster swells lash coast
Huge waves have smashed Australia's east, closing beaches and causing damage along the coastline.
Disaster and Accident
Hitting the brakes: hybrid sales clouded by tax cut end
A tax concession for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles has come to the end of the road and experts say it could affect future car sales and emissions.
Floods cut off communities for weeks, livestock at risk
Authorities in several states are warning flooding could isolate some residents for weeks with hundreds of roads cut off and thousands of livestock at risk.
‘Naive’ science fan faces jail for plutonium import
A fast-food worker and collector is set to learn his fate after shipping nuclear material to his parent's suburban unit, sparking a major hazmat incident.
Australia-Bali flights resume after volcano eruption
Flights to Bali have resumed after the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano spewed a column of ash thousands of metres into the air, disrupting travel.
Cyclone’s blow to budget as food, building costs hit
The full impact of the destruction wrought by Cyclone Alfred is being assessed, with grocery and construction prices under pressure.
Director faults firefighters over toxic recycling blaze
A former company director once responsible for processing 60 per cent of Victoria's recyclable waste has partly blamed firefighters for a major toxic blaze.
Three-year payout row: flood victim’s insurance warning
A flood victim who waited three years for her insurance payout warns the thousands of people making claims over ex-tropical cyclone Alfred to brace for a fight.
‘Insurance catastrophe’ declared, 3000 claims so far
Thousands of insurance claims have been made during ex-tropical cyclone Alfred's assault but its still early to estimate the total damage bill.
‘I’ll never forgive’: survivor, as boys’ killer jailed
A large sentence discount has been awarded to a man behind the deaths of two young brothers, found in a crumpled car still dressed in their school uniforms.
Locals not waiting for cyclonic rain to flee floods
Facing the prospect of another catastrophic flood, many residents did not need to be told to leave, as people prepare for a looming cyclone, and its aftermath.
Rescued rower ‘in awe’ after emotional return to land
An audacious naval rescue mission in cyclonic conditions has ended with a happy family reunion for a Lithuanian rower, who feared he would die at sea.
‘Sick of waiting’: community relaxed before cyclone
It was hard to imagine a tropical cyclone was approaching after people at a coastal community walked their dogs, played in the park and even went to the movies.
Dozens injured after army trucks crash in flood zone
Dozens of army crew have been rushed to hospital after two trucks collided while on the ground to respond to rising floodwaters following a tropical cyclone.
Green fuel cash injection prepares market for take-off
A $250 million investment in sustainable fuels could tell the rest of the world that Australia is ready to turn its farm waste into flights.
PM pushes for fixed terms amid election date talk
Questions about the timing of the federal election, as cyclone Alfred looms, have prompted the prime minister to reignite his push for fixed poll dates.
Thousands urged to evacuate ahead of five days of rain
Residents in areas previously devastated by record floods are anxious as a tropical cyclone approaches, with thousands losing power as others are told to flee.
Cyclone triggers anxiety in town ‘dragged out of mud’
People still reeling from recent floods are bracing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which will affect a region where some are still living in temporary homes.
Magnitude 4.4 quake rattles Queensland coast
Seismologists say a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Townsville has been felt by residents along the coast of Queensland.
Seaplane engine tear-down could offer fatal crash clues
The engine of a seaplane that crashed near a tourist island, killing three passengers, will be deconstructed in the hope it will shed light on the cause.
Brave neighbour tried to save residents in deadly blaze
Scenes of shock and panic have been recalled by neighbours near a fire that killed a mother and her young daughter as investigators work to determine its cause.
‘Super black’: warning for coast as cyclone approaches
A destructive cyclone with winds of more than 300km/h is expected to impact Australia's coast, with a "super black" sky warning of the potential danger ahead.
Regional hub spared as Cyclone Zelia brings rapid gusts
Tropical Cyclone Zelia has crossed the Australian coast, unleashing strong winds and heavy rain but a key mining hub has been spared the worst of the impact.
Towns face flood threat after escaping worst of cyclone
Residents in northwest Australia who escaped the worst of a tropical cyclone now face the possibility of being isolated by rising floodwaters.
Flooding, road closures persist after powerful cyclone
Floodwaters are not expected to subside any time soon and roads remain closed as an ex-cyclone continues dumping heavy rain and teams visit damaged stations.
Dutton weighs in on RBA amid banana price rise warning
Floods in Australia's north are expected to cut economic output and nudge up banana and sugar prices, as the opposition weighs in on a forecast rate cut.
Storms loom in southern states as Qld copes with floods
Multiple states are bracing for severe weather with forecasters predicting heavy rain in parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Body found after boy swept away in fast-flowing river
Drones, sniffer dogs and boats have been used to find the body of a 16-year-old boy, who disappeared after getting washed away while swimming with friends.
Firefighters rush to contain blazes ahead of heatwave
A few days of hot weather poses fresh risks for firefighters battling blazes and nearby communities.
Fire-ravaged state on high alert for ‘killer’ heatwave
There will be no reprieve from a summer heatwave for several days for residents of a bushfire-ravaged state as conditions fuel blazes.
Homes lost, fire crew’s lucky escape from burning ute
One of 114 fires started by dry lightning has destroyed two homes and a shed, while another blaze engulfed an emergency vehicle as wild weather lashes a state.