Sydney Now: What you need to know on Monday, December 19, 2016

Good morning

Cloudy with a top of 24C in the city and Parramatta today. The bureau reports deceptively powerful surf conditions are expected and warns swimmers and rock fishers to take care.

Nudge, nudge

Saving money by keeping appointments. Photo: Tanya Lake

There are people in Sydney whose job it is to give you a "nudge". They work in the Behavioural Insights Unit at the Department of Premier and Cabinet  Recently they made a simple change to a text message reminder has slashed the no-show rate at St Vincent's Hospital's outpatient clinic and saved it $66,000. Now they have more projects in their sights. Read Matt Wade's report here. 

The drug lord, his wife, and a witness who talked

Kristen Moukhallaletti was arrested in November. Photo: NSW Police

A woman who was caught allegedly threatening her drug lord husband's co-accused as well as laundering the proceeds of his crimes has claimed she will lose her job with the Department of Family and Community Services if she does not get bail. You can read Kate McClymont's report here.

$1.5b and climbing

Artist's impression of St Peters Interchange which of part of the WestConnex M5 project. Photo: supplied

The annual bill for taxpayers of refunding motorists who drive on the M5 South West is set to exceed $100 million this financial year, pushing the total cost of the scheme to $1,5 billion. Report here.

ICYMI

Maria Claudia Lutz and her children.

Ava Benny-Morrison's account of the deaths of the Manrique family from Davidson  was the most read story on the weekend at smh.com.au. If you haven't yet read it, you can do so here. 

Public transport changes

Extended services on the Manly ferry. Photo: Christopher Getts

Buses will replace the light rail between The Star and Central from December 26 to January 23 for light rail intersection work on George and Hay streets

The intersection of  Bridge and Grosvenor streets will be closed for light rail construction from January  2 to January 16.

Additional Manly ferries are running until January 26.

Trading hours

Christmas shopping crowds. Photo: Paul Jeffers

Our summer intern Vicky Ticha has put together a list of trading hours for major centres in the lead-up to Christmas. You can view it here. 

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