Good morning and welcome to the Morning Buzz for Tuesday, February 21. It’ll be another sunny day with a max temperature of around 27 in the city and 30 in the west.
News Buzz
HSC REWRITE: All year 12 students will have to study grammar and dramatically improve their writing skills as part of the most significant changes to the state's HSC in decades, which will see fewer topics studied in favour of "less breadth and more depth" in all subjects.
COUNTING THE COST: Insurers have received about 17,500 claims in the aftermath of Saturday’s hail storms across Sydney, with estimated insured losses of $42 million | Calm after storm batters the Hills area.
HOUSING PRICES: The Coalition MP tasked with tackling Australia's housing affordability problems has said a "highly paid job" is the "first step" to owning a home during an interview on Monday night.
SUNDAY RATES: The Turnbull government would likely feel an electoral backlash in marginal seats if Sunday penalty rates are cut, polling suggests.
ON THE MAP: Former The Hills councillor Andrew Jefferies has applauded the state government’s decision to include Carlingford as part of the first Parramatta Light Rail route.
FOUR YEAR TERM: A member of the Turnbull government has prepared a private members bill to introduce fixed, four-year terms to mend what he says is the one "glaring" structural weakness in our political system.
BIG SALE: Neighbours in Sydney’s north-west are becoming more than good friends – they’re turning into millionaires, as developers shell out tens of millions for their homes. The latest of these sales – a lot of eight stand-alone houses in Castle Hill – has potentially secured each owner up to 10 times what they originally paid for their homes.
ACTION NEEDED: Blacktown’s biggest employer needs serious transition to remain competitive, according to the latest research out of Blacktown Council. The council teamed up with Western Sydney University over the past 18 months to conduct an in-depth study on manufacturing in the local government area.
DOORS CLOSING: Abbey Engraving & Gifts, which is believed to be the longest operating small business in Westfield Miranda, will close its doors for the last time on March 31.
GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT: The state government has officially given the go-ahead for a controversial 136,000-plot cemetery in Macarthur’s Scenic Hills. The proposal had been strongly objected to by nearby residents, Campbelltown Council and local MPs.
Sports Buzz
NORMAN’S LESSONS: Through the deafening noise, it was the silence from coach Brad Arthur that rung loudest. Corey Norman isn't afraid to tell his coach when he disagrees with him. Nor does Arthur fear telling his star playmaker when he's in the wrong.
NRL LAUNCH: They've been sworn enemies for more than a decade, but Paul Gallen and Cameron Smith will put aside a long-standing rivalry to launch the 2017 NRL season on Thursday.
IPL AUCTION: Cricket stars go under the hammer.
