Kalbarri State Emergency Service deputy Steve Duncan said the town was as prepared as it could be for Narelle\u2019s arrival in the early hours of Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of the town was here for (Cyclone Seroja in 2021),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one benefit of past events, people are more aware.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1341.jpg\")
The tracking map for Narelle at 1am AEDT. Illustration: Bureau of Meteorology<\/p>\n
Seroja flattened the coastal town of about 1,500 people after it crossed the coast as a category three system.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are still quite jumpy,\u201d Duncan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite a traumatic event for the town, so people are very wary on any potential cyclone Impact in the area, which is quite understandable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read our report here:<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.11 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n NSW government says new data centres should pay for infrastructure<\/p>\n New data centres should pay for their own infrastructure requirements and be more sustainable in their use of energy and water, says the NSW government\u2019s strategy for the sector.<\/p>\n The state government has shared its Data Centre Consultation paper, following the federal government\u2019s release of it expectations for the industry<\/a> this week, as well as announcing 15 data centre projects which will be supported by the state\u2019s Investment Delivery Authority.<\/p>\n Currently data centres in NSW, of which there are 90, pay for direct connections to the electricity to the network, but consumers cover the cost of transmission upgrades upstream. The government says any new projects should cover these costs. It says energy and water use should be more sustainable, including the use of recycled water, but has not provided specific guidance in its strategy.<\/p>\n The Minns government has been under pressure from the opposition, who have accused the government of having no coordinated strategy for the rapidly expanding sector, as well as the Greens, who say the government is allowing for fast-track approvals of data centres without planning for the impacts of their water and energy use. A parliamentary inquiry is looking into data centre developments in the state.<\/p>\n The NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, says:<\/p>\n double quotation markNSW is a premium destination for data centres but we are only interested in working with proponents who have a long-term commitment to both this state and their social licence.<\/p>\n At the same time, we recognise this growth must be managed responsibly. That\u2019s why we\u2019re releasing a consultation paper to inform a Data Centre Strategy that considers energy and water use, infrastructure capacity and the long\u2011term interests of NSW households and businesses.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Two Sydney men will face court today, each charged with allegedly performing a Nazi salute during a rally at Hyde Park in Sydney on 19 October.<\/p>\n In a statement today, the Australian Federal Police said the men, aged 24 and 25, have each been charged with one count of publicly displaying a prohibited Nazi symbol or giving a Nazi salute, a criminal offence that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year\u2019s imprisonment and a maximum penalty of five years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p>\n The team that investigated the men, the National Security Investigations team, was established in October last year, with the AFP saying its intention was to \u201ctarget groups and individuals causing high levels of harm to Australia\u2019s social cohesion, including targeting the Jewish community.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kyle Sandilands arrives at court for hearing over radio sacking Kyle Sandilands has arrived at the federal court in Sydney this morning for the first case management hearing in his lawsuit against ARN Media after the Kiis FM broadcaster terminated his 10 year contract early.<\/p>\n Sandilands\u2019 statement of claim argues the termination of his $100m contract was invalid because he was performing his contracted role with Kiis FM as a \u201crobust character\u201d presenting a \u201cdeliberately provocative\u201d radio program.<\/p>\n ARN Media sacked Sandilands over a dispute that began with an on-air argument between Sandilands and his co-host, Jackie \u201cO\u201d Henderson, over her interest in astrology.<\/p>\n The federal court claim said:<\/p>\n double quotation markOn occasions, the show was confrontational \u2026 Banter and tension between Mr Sandilands and Ms Henderson was a central dynamic to the show. Mr Sandilands generally performed the role of the dominant and abrasive personality who was deliberately outrageous and often offensive, whilst Ms Henderson played a moderating role as a warmer and more emotionally attuned character.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.06 EDT<\/p>\n Hundreds of calls for help as storms hit Sydney and NSW coast<\/p>\n New South Wales State Emergency Service responded to 400 calls for help overnight as storms hit the coast, with 223 incidents reported in the Sydney area alone.<\/p>\n An SES spokesperson told Guardian Australia the highest proportion of calls were in the in the Warringah and Pittwater areas of the Northern Beaches, with 56 incidents. They included a flash flood in Brookvale, where a driver was rescued after their car was caught in rapidly rising floodwaters triggered by the intense rain.<\/p>\n In Dubbo, where a large storm hit mid-afternoon, there were 46 incidents including fallen trees and leaking roofs. (Footage on the ABC yesterday<\/a> also showed a crane on a construction site partially collapsing in the storm.)<\/p>\n The SES expects to be busy today, too, with damaging to destructive winds of 100km\/h and gusts up to 125km\/h forecast from the South Coast up to Seal Rocks bringing the risk of falling power lines and trees.<\/p>\n The other major risk for coastal communities is large and powerful surf, which the SES expects to continue for the coming days and could lead to coastal erosion, especially on south-facing beaches bearing the brunt of the southerly swell.<\/p>\n A fallen tree in Sydney\u2019s Manly area amid the storms overnight. Photograph: NSW SES Manly UnitHeavy rain caused flash flooding in Manly. Photograph: NSW SES Manly UnitShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.49 EDT<\/p>\n Malcolm Turnbull laments \u2018tragedy\u2019 of Aukus and calls for \u2018self-resilience, independence\u2019<\/p>\n The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been digging the boot into the government over Aukus on ABC News Breakfast this morning, though he did seem to be in accord with government that it was probably the best to let Trump\u2019s most recent comments \u201cgo through to the keeper\u201d and that it was wise not to get into a \u201cverbal slanging match with Donald Trump\u201d.<\/p>\n On Aukus, Turnbull lamented \u2013 not for the first time<\/a> \u2013 the nature of the submarine deal:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe tragedy of Aukus is it made us vastly more dependent on the United States at a time when the United States is becoming vastly less dependable \u2026<\/p>\n The tragedy of Aukus and, you know, frankly, much of our national security policy since the Morrison government, has been a constant sacrifice of sovereignty for the sake of security but in reality we\u2019re going to end up losing both. So we have to be able to stand on our own two feet.<\/p>\n If ever there\u2019s one message that comes out of these events at the moment, it is events at the moment, it is sovereignty, self-resilience, sovereignty, self-resilience, independence, patriotism. We\u2019ve got to get off our knees.<\/p>\n Former prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says \u2018we have to be able to stand on our own two feet\u2019. Photograph: Anna Kucera\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.31 EDT<\/p>\n Power outages in Sydney after storms hit city overnight<\/p>\n Power outages continue across Sydney this morning after heavy storms battered the city and surrounding areas overnight.<\/p>\n More than 10,000 sites were reportedly affected by power outages last night after lightning, hail and wind gusts of up to 80km hit the the city.<\/p>\n As at 8am this morning, Ausgrid were reporting 3,789 sites affected by unplanned outages, while 670 Endeavour energy customers were affected.<\/p>\n Lightning strikes over the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque in western Sydney on Thursday evening. Photograph: Dean Lewins\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.18 EDT<\/p>\n Storms batter parts of Victoria and NSW with damaging winds and rain<\/p>\n Storms battered parts of Victoria and New South Wales overnight and continue into this morning in some areas, with winds reaching over 100km\/h and heavy rain.<\/p>\n Victoria\u2019s State Emergency Service received more than 190 requests for assistance statewide, including 97 for fallen trees and 46 for building damage. Requests were spread across the state busiest units were in Moorabbin with 14 requests, and Heidelberg with 10.<\/p>\n There are power outages across Victoria this morning, with around 3,400 customers affected in the state\u2019s east, according to Ausnet, and another 390 in the west, per Citipower.<\/p>\n Severe weather warnings are still in place for areas of Victoria\u2019s north-east, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds battering east Gippsland, rainfall of between 60mm and 80mm and flash flooding expected over elevated areas today.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll bring you updates from NSW shortly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.56 EDT<\/p>\n Government will \u2018focus on what\u2019s in Australia\u2019s national interest\u2019, Watt says<\/p>\n The environment minister, Murray Watt, has just been on the airwaves, on ABC\u2019s RN, where he was also asked about Trump\u2019s criticism of Australia.<\/p>\n Watt kept to almost exactly the same lines as Marles:<\/p>\n double quotation markWell, as we\u2019ve said many times, we\u2019re not going to give a running commentary on the various statements of President Trump. What we\u2019re going to do is focus on what\u2019s in Australia\u2019s national interest.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been very widely reported that we\u2019ve delivered the support that we\u2019ve been asked for, which is a defensive support for the UAE. I heard you say that you\u2019ll have the ambassador from the UAE on the program shortly and he\u2019ll be able to tell you more about the support that we\u2019re providing to defend the UAE from incoming attacks from Iran.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the request that we\u2019ve received. That\u2019s the request that we have agreed to. And I\u2019m not aware of any further request having been made of Australia.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.59 EDT<\/p>\n Marles won\u2019t give \u2018running commentary\u2019 on what Trump has said<\/p>\n The defence minister and deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, has been speaking to ABC News this morning in the wake of US president Donald Trump\u2019s comments overnight that Australia had been \u201cnot great\u201d.<\/p>\n Marles says Australia has not rejected any requests from the White House and refused to comment directly on the president\u2019s statements.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe are looking at the requesting we get from countries around the world, including the United States and obviously we answer them in the context of our national interest \u2026<\/p>\n The last thing I\u2019m going to do is give a running commentary on what the president has said. All we can do is respond to this situation, respond to the requests that are made of us, but doing so with a focus on what is our national interest. That is what we are doing.<\/p>\n Deputy prime Minister Richard Marles. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.58 EDT<\/p>\n Controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands is expected to make his first appearance in court today in a showdown with a $100 million contract on the line, Australian Associated Press reports.<\/p>\n The top-rated host is suing his former employer ARN in the federal court in Sydney, alleging the termination of his contract with the company was invalid because there was no act of serious misconduct.<\/p>\n He also claims the termination breached Australian Consumer Law.<\/p>\n ARN, the parent company of KIIS FM, which previously broadcast Sandilands\u2019 show for more than a decade, said on Monday it disputed the claims and would defend them.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Thank you so much Martin for kicking us off this morning! I\u2019m Stephanie Convery and I\u2019ll be with you from now until early afternoon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.27 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018I was a little bit surprised they said no\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the first time Donald Trump has made a comment like this; a week ago he was asked by an Australian journalist what he wanted from Australia in the Iran conflict and said \u201cWell, they should get involved, and I was a little bit surprised they said no, because we always say yes to them\u201d.<\/p>\n In response, the defence minister, Richard Marles, said Australia had not been asked to send military support to the strait of Hormuz, and the prime minister said Australia had already sent a plane, defensive missiles and supporting personnel to the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.14 EDT<\/p>\n Trump says ‘Australia was not great’ after US hit Iran<\/p>\n In today\u2019s press conference at the White House, the US president has taken another swipe at Nato, the UK and Australia for not being more involved in his war against Iran.<\/p>\n We have covered the Nato comments here:<\/p>\n But Australia got a little mention too, late in the press conference, in response to a question about his phone calls with UK PM Keir Starmer.<\/p>\n Trump said:<\/p>\n double quotation mark[Starmer] did something that was shocking: he didn\u2019t want to help us.<\/p>\n And maybe in particular that country, you know, the longest bond, the longest ally.<\/p>\n Australia, too, Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia.<\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t say anybody was great, other than the five countries in the Middle East. We never really had very much support.<\/p>\n Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House. Photograph: Will Oliver\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.13 EDT<\/p>\n Narelle bears down on WA coastal towns<\/p>\n A series of isolated coastal towns are in the firing line as a powerful tropical cyclone barrels towards Australia\u2019s west coast, Australian Associated Press reports.<\/p>\n Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which was upgraded yesterday to a severe category 4 system off Western Australian packing winds up to 250km\/h, is on track to cross the coast late on Friday between Carnarvon and Kalbarri as a degraded category 3 system.<\/p>\n It was tracking parallel to the coast around Exmouth overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology said<\/a>, and would affect Coral Bay and Denham before crossing the coast in the Shark Bay area.<\/p>\n Kalbarri State Emergency Service deputy Steve Duncan said the town was as prepared as it could be for Narelle\u2019s arrival in the early hours of Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe majority of the town was here for (Cyclone Seroja in 2021),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one benefit of past events, people are more aware.\u201d<\/p>\n The tracking map for Narelle at 1am AEDT. Illustration: Bureau of Meteorology<\/p>\n Seroja flattened the coastal town of about 1,500 people after it crossed the coast as a category three system.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are still quite jumpy,\u201d Duncan said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was quite a traumatic event for the town, so people are very wary on any potential cyclone Impact in the area, which is quite understandable.\u201d<\/p>\n Read our report here:<\/p>\n![\"Penry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774564630_153_Penry_Buckley.png\")
Penry Buckley<\/p>\n![\"Amanda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774564631_335_Amanda_Meade.png\")
Amanda Meade<\/p>\n![\"Stephanie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774564631_704_Steph_Convery.png\")
Stephanie Convery<\/p>\n