City News

Bikie gangs will be banned from owning tattoo parlours and wearing their colours in licensed Kings Cross venues, as the NSW government tries to stop tit-for-tat shootings in Sydney before a bikie war spirals out of control. The changes come after two more drive-by shootings overnight, this time in the city’s northwest, linked by police to an ongoing dispute between rival gangs, the Hells Angels and Nomads.

A police van was also torched outside an inner-west tattoo parlour, which reportedly has links to the Nomads.

A record South Sydney home crowd at ANZ Stadium were treated to a well contested Good Friday afternoon clash between the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs which the Rabbits took out 20 points to 10.

Both sides started strongly in attack and defence to make for an enthralling contest. It took a rare first half mistake to create the opportunity needed to open the scoring. The scoring was opened by some good second man play from the Bulldogs to put Turner in to score in the 12th minute.

Few political announcements ever get a united response from all sides but the decision to tear down Sydney’s monorail has been met with near universal acclaim, with the one-time novelty described as an ugly eyesore long past its use-by date. More >

Sydney Water’s claim for a substantial increase in water and sewage charges has been rejected in a draft determination by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). More >

RESIDENTS in parts of Sydney’s northwest have been told to prepare for evacuation as the Hawkesbury River floods. The State Emergency Service (SES) issued evacuation warnings for people in Richmond Lowlands, Pitt Town and Gronos Point at 6.30am (AEDT).

Several caravan parks on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, between Windsor and Sackville, were also put on high alert.

A Sydney abattoir is under investigation after video footage emerged last night containing “horrific” images of animal cruelty. The video, taken secretly inside the Hawkesbury Valley Abattoir at Wilberforce and aired on Lateline, shows pigs being beaten with what appears to be a metal bar before they’re slaughtered.

The NSW Food Authority has closed the abattoir in Sydney’s far north-west after reviewing the footage. The RSPCA has also examined the video and is launching an on-site investigation today into possible breaches of animal cruelty laws.

Sydney FC substitute Sebastian Ryall snatched a last-gasp equaliser to reignite his club’s season and further frustrate Melbourne Victory with a 2-2 draw at AAMI Park.

Not for the first time this season, Victory coughed up a 2-0 lead, deservedly as they inexplicably sat back and let the much more enterprising Sydney to dominate the second half.

Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka says it’s “like a grand final” but the Sky Blues may be without marquee star Brett Emerton for Sunday’s A-League clash with Gold Coast. Emerton was rested from training on Friday after aggravating a lingering ankle problem in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Perth Glory in Campbelltown.

Lavicka said the Socceroos star would make his own call on whether to play at the Sydney Football Stadium but hinted he could sit out and be saved for Thursday’s blockbuster against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

Sydney FC midfielder Nick Carle denies their A-League season is on the line when they play Central Coast at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday. More >

Australia brought Ryan Harris into their squad for the second Test against India on Friday, adding a fourth pace option a day after bowling their way to victory in the opening match against the tourists.

The injury-prone Harris joins James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus in the 12-man party for the second match in the four-Test series, which starts on Tuesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Pattinson, playing in only his third Test, edged Siddle and Hilfenhaus to Man of the Match honours in Melbourne after all three played key roles with both bat and ball in the 122-run victory.