Here's what you need to know today.
Police confident in new legislation
NSW's new affirmative consent laws come into effect today.
The state government launched its Make No Doubt advertising campaign last week after it passed the new laws in November.
Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the reforms were designed to change social behaviour and support law enforcement.
"These reforms make it clear that if you want to engage in sexual activity with someone, then they need to do or say something to show consent or you need to do or say something to seek consent," he said.
Some in the legal fraternity, such as high-profile barrister Margaret Cunneen SC, fear the new laws could see an influx of sexual assault cases before the courts.
But NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said police supported the changes.
"The NSW Police Force is supportive of moves to simplify and strengthen consent laws in NSW and a legislative model for affirmative consent," she said.
"The new laws include scope for an evaluation of the legislation by police on investigations, prosecutions, and complainants' experience with the criminal justice system at a later date."
Parramatta Light Rail set to go ahead after report raised doubt
The New South Wales Government will push ahead with the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail, but the future of its other major projects remains unclear.
The independent advisory body, Infrastructure New South Wales, yesterday recommended major projects like the Parramatta Light Rail be shelved in favour of smaller, more manageable projects.
Infrastructure New South Wales' five-year strategy also earmarked the Beaches Link, the M6 Motorway and a Blue Mountains tunnel linking Katoomba and Lithgow as projects which should be reconsidered in light of global labour shortages and economic uncertainty.
The ABC understands the Government is committed to building the Parramatta Light Rail and will make an announcement on the project this morning.
Fifth case of legionnaire's disease
Authorities are warning people who have visited the Sydney CBD recently to be on the lookout for legionnaire's disease symptoms following an outbreak.
Five people have now been confirmed as having the bacteria which causes the disease.
There is no known source of the outbreak but all five people had spent time in the city 10 days before their symptoms appeared.
They had independently visited locations between Museum Station, York Street, Park Street and Martin Place.
All five people have been admitted to hospital for treatment for pneumonia.
Legionnaire's disease is linked to contaminated cooling towers in large buildings.
Its symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and it may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia.
Interest rates hit Sydney house prices
Housing prices across Sydney fell 2.9 per cent last month, according to new figures from property market database PropTrack.
Despite the drop, the median house price in the harbour city is still above $1.25 million.
PropTrack economist Paul Ryan said rising interest rates were having an effect on the market.
"We're seeing housing price growth slow dramatically over the past six months," he said.
"And a lot of that is due to sharply higher expectations for interest rates later in the year."
Prices did grow in regional parts of NSW.
Lightweight plastic bags now banned
NSW has today joined its state and territory counterparts by banning the distribution of plastic bags thinner than 0.035mm.
They are to be phased out in the state this year as part of the NSW government's plan to reduce plastic litter and pollution.
Environment Minister James Griffin said each person had the power to "make positive environmental change at an individual level, and I encourage everyone to choose to go plastic-free as often as they can".
"I think all of us can see the impact plastic pollution is having on our environment, which is why we're making major changes in NSW this year," Mr Griffin said.
The ban does not apply to thicker reusable plastic bags, produce bags, waste bags or essential product packaging.
In November, the ban will be extended to other single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws, stirrers, plates, bowls, polystyrene foodware, cotton bud sticks and personal care products containing microplastics.
Galston Gorge reopens after landslides
Galston Road through Galston Gorge in Sydney's north west has reopened this morning after being closed for three months.
Unprecedented rainfall caused landslides in February and the risk of rockfalls forced the closure of the road.
Without the road in operation, locals had a lengthy detour through Cherrybrook, adding up to an hour to their journey.
Howard Collins, the chief operations officer at Transport for New South Wales, said the delay was needed to make the road safe again.
