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NSW flood inquiry to hear from residents, businesses and local government in north-western Sydney

Water surrounded this house at Spencer on the Hawkesbury River in April this year. (Supplied: Jessica Davidson)

Here's what you need to know today.

NSW flood data shows road damage worth billions 

The storms left these potholes on roads at at Austral in Sydney's west. (Supplied: Jimmy Mtashar)

The NSW government says new data shows catastrophic flooding across parts of the state this year has caused $1.3 billion in damage to local council roads.

Resilience NSW has received updated information also showing $150 million in damage to the state road network.

More than 24,000 potholes have been repaired on state roads.

Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway said the federal government's natural disaster declaration funding would cover the cost of road works for councils.

"The community, I believe, do understand and appreciate that we're not going to be able to restore the road infrastructure to exactly the way it was overnight," he said.

"It is going to take time and money.

"We are working on the money and we have some real solutions around the funding which give certainty."

Opposition's regional roads spokeswoman Jenny Aitchison said people in the community were angry and frustrated about the state of local roads.

Sydney's Vivid pays tribute to Queen 

A seven-minute light show paid tribute to the Queen last night. (ABC News: Supplied)

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was coloured a royal purple last night to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years of service.

Other buildings and landmarks across the city were also illuminated for seven minutes, supporting the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the UK from June 2-5. 

The date also marks the anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

"As Sydney shines during Vivid Sydney, the largest light festival in the southern hemisphere, this is also an opportunity to shine a light on the Queen's dedicated and distinguished service over the past 70 years and her many remarkable achievements as monarch, which includes 12 official visits to NSW," Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

Flood inquiry to visit Windsor

A flooded Hawkesbury River inundated several towns north-west of Sydney this year. (Supplied: Fire and Rescue)

A parliamentary committee investigating the response to NSW's flood crisis this year will travel to north-west Sydney today.

The Hawkesbury town was among a swathe in the region inundated by floodwaters twice in March and April.

A public session of the committee will hear from residents and local representatives such as the Mayor, MPs and business figures.

Committee Chair Walt Secord MLC said: "The committee has just concluded hearings and forums on the North Coast which have been immensely valuable.

"We are hoping to gather evidence in Western Sydney to get a full view of the impacts of these floods."

The hearing will be held at Windsor RSL from 2pm.

Public service set to strike next week

Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little. (Supplied: PSA)

Public servants are planning to proceed with 24-hour strike action next Wednesday, but the state government is seeking an injunction.

Public Service Association representatives met with Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope this week but were unable to come to an agreement.

The union has asked for a pay rise and has pledged to take industrial action if its demand is not met within four days.

It says the government has imposed an "unfair" wage cap on public servants, and it wants wages increased by a minimum of 5.2 per cent.

Mr Tudehope said he was disappointed by what he called "cynical" action, and he asked employers to lodge dispute proceedings in the Industrial Relations Commission.

"Given the government's wage offer will be announced in a matter of weeks, the proposed industrial action is premature and unnecessary," he said.

ICAC examines pork-barrelling

The Independent Commission Against Corruption has put pork-barrelling under the spotlight. (Supplied: Sydney Criminal Lawyers)

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a forum today to discuss pork-barrelling. 

The forum will examine whether the practice is lawful and ethical, and if it could constitute corrupt conduct under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

Chief Commissioner Peter Hall QC will host a panel of experts moderated by former ABC journalist Kerry O'Brien.

The panel will also examine whether grant funding programs should be regulated by a statutory instrument to ensure money is spent only for public purposes.

It will be live streamed on the ICAC website from 10am.

Government says climate plan on course despite planned mine expansion

NSW Environment Minister James Griffin says the government has not wavered from its net zero action plan, despite approving a big Hunter mine expansion.

New South Wales planning officials have recommended an independent panel approve an extension of the Mount Pleasant coal mine near Muswellbrook.

It would be by far the largest extension in the state, doubling the production rate and mining through to 2048.

Mr Griffin said the government move bid to reach net zero emissions had not changed.

"We've got to get the balance right … as I said, we have a firm commitment to net zero and a number of means and mechanisms as to how we will achieve that." 

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