Golf ball-sized hail battered parts of NSW’s Central Coast yesterday, with severe storms threatening Sydney, the Gold Coast and parts of Victoria in a third consecutive day of wild Christmas weather. 

There was high drama on a gloomy harbour at the start of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, with the official start of the 78th race kicking off with a near-collision. 

To Victoria now where an area 24 times the size of Docklands will be put under state control to allow high-rise development as part of the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop project. 

Thunderbirds legend Emily Beaton is flying high in her new role as summer weekend weather presenter for 7NEWS Adelaide