Here we are, in the middle of the week, many of us wishing the summer break closer. To give you a taste, the city today will get to 27 degrees and will stay partly cloudy, before reaching 30 degrees tomorrow. Saturday is expected to get to 34.

What's happening around the ACT?

As great as the Devonshire tea and views of the southern highlands countryside are, many Canberrans don't take the train to Sydney because it's simply too slow. A new study, though, builds the case for pouring some money into making the trip faster.

More than half of Canberrans say they'd consider catching the train if the trip was under three hours (compared to about four and a half hours now).

The finding coincided with a NSW government pledge for action on a fast rail network, as premier Gladys Berejiklian promised to spend $4.6 million investigating four potential high-speed routes between Sydney and regional centres.

Katie Burgess looks at the new promise, and the growing momentum for faster trains to Sydney.

A Canberra uncle's gender reveal burnout has burnt a significant hole in his pocket, after he received more than $1500 in fines for the stunt that took place in May.

Andrew William Coleman, 24, of Gordon, pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving, causing an environmental nuisance and not providing his details when questioned by police.

Coleman received $1700 in fines, a 12-month good behaviour bond and an automatic licence disqualification of 12 months.

He performed the burnout in Ampt Place, Theodore, as part of a gender reveal party for his pregnant half-sister.

Elliot Williams with this story from the ACT's court rooms.

If you live in McKellar, Dickson, Lyneham and O'Connor in the north or Isabella Plains, Monash and Mawson in the south, your home could be at high risk during a one-in-100-year flood event.

The government believes about 150 homes in Canberra would be under threat in that scenario, and has launched a new flood map of the ACT which allows people to see where and how areas across the capital would be affected.

Insurance companies will be able to use the map to revise premiums for affected areas, and State Emergency Service volunteers will begin doorknocking potentially affected homes after Christmas, teaching Canberrans how to be prepared for a flood.

Finbar O'Mallon explains the parts of Canberra that are at risk of floods. 

Spinifex tyre-stuffing. Improvised wiper pads pushing off desert rain. Boomerang clutches. These are the resourceful solutions found in a four-part television series that aired on the ABC in 2001 before becoming a bestselling DVD and then a national touring exhibition that has just rolled into Canberra.

It's showing at the National Museum of Australia until February 24, 2019, showcasing two cars from the series as well as a variety of interactive features, among them a specially built "driving simulator" made of discarded parts that must first be assembled before it can be operated.

Exhibit curator Mick Bolognese said the television series captured the imagination of many Australians at the time with its humorous exploration of the relationship between Aboriginal Australia and motoring.

Karen Hardy with this story about the show and the ingenious solutions of its bush mechanics.

For Joe Powell, a trip to Centenary Hospital for Women and Children delivering Christmas gifts was as far removed as possible from the Super Rugby slog and the hype of a looming World Cup year.

But that suited Powell perfectly as he prepares to launch his bid for a Wallabies recall and chase selection for his first World Cup after being left out of Australia's spring tour squad.

The 24-year-old has narrowed his focus to simply trying to be the Brumbies' No. 1 scrumhalf next year, and while World Cup hopes nag in the background, that's where he will keep them until Wallabies selection time.

Chris Dutton and Eamonn Tiernan write about Powell's plans for the next season.