By tram down George Street

SYDNEY is about to be presented with another plan for light rail in the city. This has now become almost a regular event, celebrated if not with fanfare, then at least with colourful artist's impressions and bold promises of shorter travel times through the city. We reported yesterday that two studies of light rail in the city centre are about to be presented to the new government. Sydney commuters can be forgiven if they are cynical after so many years in which they have been given many, many transport plans but little in the way of new transport. This time, though (no, really) things may be different; cynicism should at least for the moment be put aside. The difference is the new government. The studies were begun for Labor but will be handed to the incoming Coalition, which has a motive to act on them: after the long election build-up it will want to show it can make a difference in Sydney transport.

LETTERS

Hindsight shows the benefits of light rail

Ex-Pie backs Bell compo

CHAD Rintoul, who revealed yesterday that he was compensated by Collingwood for a concussion-related injury claim in 2003, has encouraged former Demon Daniel Bell to pursue his case and continue to shed light on the sensitive issue.

Masaga warns NSW's back three that he has packed his dancing shoes

CHIEFS flyer Lelia Masaga is so confident of breaching NSW's defence he has vowed to light up the Sydney Football Stadium with a new post-try celebration tonight.

Plane crash claims two generations of farming dynasty

THE plains of the Gwydir valley that provided their livelihood claimed the lives of two generations of a prominent Moree farming family on Wednesday.

COVER PROPERTY

PYRMONT 236/3 DARLING ISLAND ROAD $1.7 million+

April

Enjoy some light relief at the Comedy Festival, bid farewell to daylight saving and have your say on the Archibald.

All change for light rail

THE O'Farrell government will soon be asked to sign off on a sweeping overhaul of Sydney's central business district, including plans for light rail down George Street and significant changes to bus routes.

Four die in paddock plane crash

FOUR people died and two others were seriously injured when a light plane crashed near a caravan park while attempting to land in northern NSW last night.

i cook a family lunch

What's for lunch? Felix's Lauren Murdoch serves up simple, delicious fare for her sister's family.

You need perfect pitch to play second fiddle

For Ponting from Spurgeon the 19th century preacher ("Ponting passes on the baton but stays to play second fiddle", March 30). "It takes more grace than I can tell to play the second fiddle well."

When the Lights Come Up

When the Lights Come Up Sam Shinazzi

the treatment

The new facial: Lumavescence

In defence of game show flop

I WATCHED a lot of game shows this week and I'm prepared to admit that the flashing lights, noisy applause and nerve-racking dynamite timers threatening to explode might have done something to my brain, because I've been quite enjoying Million Dollar Drop (Mondays, 8.30pm on Nine).

Cabinet to resign

DAMASCUS. The Syrian government was expected to resign last night and a new cabinet will see the light within 24 hours, a high-ranking official in Damascus said.

Ponting hands on the baton but stays to play second fiddle

DRESSED in a charcoal suit, Ricky Ponting sat on a stage swathed in black but said the last rites had been stayed. The (c) was gone from his name but he would bat on into the evening light.

Vivid displays light up city's creative side

FIREBALL blasts on The Rocks foreshore, 3D projections on the Opera House and Customs House and dozens of interactive light sculptures will signal the arrival of the Vivid Sydney festival which hopes to display the city as the creative capital of the Asia-Pacific.

LETTERS

Taking the nanny state to the limit

New light to be shed on East Timor invasion

THE veil of secrecy obscuring what Australia knew about Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor has been pulled back a little, with a successful court challenge revealing never-before-seen details of secret intelligence briefings.

YOUR LETTERS

ALREADY those failed ALP politicians in our area are starting to point the finger of blame for their loss at Macquarie Street and the party machine.