Strong winds of almost 100 kilometres per hour have battered South Australia since Saturday, with Port Augusta among the worst-hit areas. The State Emergency Service was called to about 60 jobs in 24 hours, mostly involving fallen trees and damaged roofs and fences. In Hyde Park, a tree limb crushed the back of a parked car at a cafe. SA Power Networks said about 12,000 customers lost power, with around 500 still without electricity on Sunday morning. Wild weather is expected to ease as the system moves east.
New and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas in remote South Australia are now open for use. A new rest stop at Pimba, beside Spud's Roadhouse, and an upgraded site at Arcoona along the Stuart Highway are complete. The $4.25 million project was funded by the federal and state governments. Both sites can accommodate four triple road trains at a time, with separate parking for light vehicles. Officials say fatigue is a major contributor to serious heavy vehicle incidents. From 2020 to 2024, 51 crashes on a section of the Stuart Highway caused four deaths and eight serious injuries.
Councils across South Australia will share $5 million in funding for 16 cycling infrastructure projects. Announced on 12 October, the latest round of the State Bicycle Fund provides grants of up to $200,000 for construction, upgrades and design work. Projects span metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas. They include new shared-use paths, safer pedestrian crossings and upgrades to existing cycling routes. The funding aims to support safer walking and cycling for people travelling to work, school and public transport.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned Sydney and Brisbane could face their most significant storm activity on Tuesday. Widespread thunderstorms are likely across New South Wales and Queensland on Monday and Tuesday, before a cold snap sends temperatures sharply lower. Sydney is forecast to reach 33C on Monday but only 20C later in the week. Senior meteorologist David Crock has warned severe storms could develop around Alice Springs, bringing damaging winds. Melbourne could drop to 14C on Wednesday, with the risk of late-season frost in southern areas.
