Here’s what you need to know this morning.

Entertainment restrictions eased

Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and corporate events across NSW will be permitted to up to double their capacity from next week.

The eased restrictions allow 50 per cent capacity but cap ticket sales at 1,000 tickets, with corporate events capped at 300 attendees.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said this was a major step forward to recovery for the performing arts sector.

“For workers across the full spectrum of the performing arts — from box office staff to ushers, from technicians and roadies to the artists — this change means more jobs,” Mr Harwin said.

Former Premier farewelled

Former New South Wales premier John Fahey, who helped bring the Olympics to Sydney, is being honoured with a state funeral today.

Since Fahey died on September 12 aged 75, people from both sides of politics have spoken fondly of the experienced politician who also served as federal finance minister.

Mr Fahey was a key player in securing the Olympics in Sydney, and is well known for jumping for joy when the successful bid was announced.

He was also one of several bystanders who tackled a man who fired blank shots at Prince Charles at an Australia Day event in 1994.

Changes to Anzac Bridge access

Drivers are being warned they will face lengthy detours if they miss a new turn-off onto one of Sydney’s busiest roads.

New, earlier access lanes near White Bay Power Station on Victoria Road will replace the current lane leading to the Anzac Bridge.

The change will be in place for about two years while works to develop the Rozelle interchange continue.

Howard Collins from Transport for New South Wales said the work would ease traffic congestion in the area.

DV reports on the rise

A legal service provider for women who are victims of domestic violence is urgently calling for extra funding for the sector.

Women’s Legal Services Australia has written to the Federal Government asking for an emergency funding increase of $25 million a year.

It comes after the service noted a sharp increase in women seeking help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spokeswoman Joanna Fletcher said hundreds of women weren’t able to access help because legal services were underfunded.

“Women’s legal services was chronically underfunded even before COVID-19 and now the situations are worse,” she said.

COVID-19 jab timeline explained

Australia has shored up access to some leading contenders for a COVID-19 vaccine and while it’s hoped some will get the jab in early 2021, others will have to wait much longer.

This week the Federal Government signed onto the COVAX pool scheme, which puts Australia at the front of a queue to access one of several vaccines if they prove effective.

There are still several stages of testing and approval before Australians can get the coronavirus jab.

Bushfire threat begins again

The first total fire ban of this year’s season has been declared for the state’s Far North Coast today.

Hot and windy conditions are driving the very high fire danger and anyone caught lighting a fire without a permit could face heavy fines or even jail time.

The areas affected include the Ballina, Byron, Clarence, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas.

Ben Shepherd from the Rural Fire Service said it would be a “wake up call for many residents” to prepare for the season.

Bushfire royal commission to hold final hearing

After more than 30 days of evidence, the natural disaster royal commission will hold its final public hearing today.

The royal commission has been investigating how to improve preparation for and recovery from natural disasters, including improving resilience.

More than 200 people gave evidence and in the past fortnight another 70,000 pages of documents have been handed to the commission.

Retired Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin and his fellow commissioners, former federal judge Annabelle Bennett and law and environment academic Andrew Mackintosh now have about a month to complete their report.