Case of burned woman baffles NSW cops

A severely burnt woman discovered in Sydney bushland claimed she was a victim of a chemical attack. Source: AAP

POLICE are mystified as to how a woman who was critically burned in an apparent chemical attack survived for days on the streets of western Sydney with little more than basic first aid.

A resident on Ferraro Crescent at West Hoxton heard cries from nearby bushland on Friday night and called triple zero.

When police arrived they found Monika "Nikki" Chetty, who has reportedly been sleeping rough in the area for months, with extensive burns to her face and body.

The 39-year-old told police she was attacked about a week ago in a Liverpool park but she did not seek help at hospital.

"In my 41 years in the police, this is most baffling - I cannot fathom the circumstances leading up to this," Green Valley Police Detective Superintendent James Johnson told reporters on Saturday.

"She is covered in black marks. It's full-thickness burns.

"She would have been in absolute agony, in my opinion, and to survive this long is amazing."

Ferraro Crescent resident Gavin O'Brien reportedly found Ms Chetty washing her wounds around the side of his house on Boxing Day.

"I couldn't tell it was a woman, the person was that disfigured," he told Network Ten.

"Had bandages on their head, didn't look too well. I asked if they were OK, they didn't want to talk, they were quite distressed."

It has been reported the woman is a mother of three who occasionally slept in bushland near where she was found by emergency services.

"She's been hanging up bedsheets and clothes along the park fence," neighbour Frank Ravese told the Seven Network.

Ms Chetty is in the Concord hospital burns unit in critical condition and police have asked for anyone with information to come forward.

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Emergency alert for Stradbroke Island fire

A watch and act alert has been issued for a bushfire on Queensland's North Stradbroke Island. Source: AAP

AN emergency bushfire alert has been issued for a blaze on Queensland's North Stradbroke Island, with warnings that homes may be lost.

Queensland police say the Public Safety Preservation Act has been invoked.

The act was declared at 7.30pm (AEST) and is in force for the area bounded by Trans Island Road - also known as Tazi Road - to the east, north along North Stradbroke Island Track - also known as Tripod Track - to the intersection of Beehive and East Coast roads, then west to the shoreline at Moreton Bay, south to the water taxi jetty in Dunwich and then east along Junner and Mallon streets back to Trans Island Road.

Police have urged those within the boundaries to follow directions from emergency service agencies.

Residents were strongly advised to leave if they were able.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) says the fire is moving quickly and is uncontrolled.

Spot fires are likely to start up to four kilometres ahead of the fire front and embers are also being thrown from the fire.

It's feared some property may be lost, and authorities said power and water supplies as well as mobile phone reception could be lost in the area during the night.

The QFES warned that conditions on the island would be very hot and windy on Saturday night, and as the fire approached people would find it increasingly difficult to breathe.

Officials say well-prepared homes can offer safety during the fire and may be defendable, but residents are advised to call triple zero if their property is threatened.

"Multiple fire crews are working to contain the blaze but firefighters will not be able to protect every affected property and residents should not expect a firefighter at their door," the QFES said in a statement.

Meanwhile, residents on the mainland and Southern Moreton Bay Islands were being asked to conserve water on Saturday morning after a treatment plant was damaged on North Stradbroke Island.

The treatment plant is one of two that service the region.

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Woodside pushes ahead with Browse sales

Woodside Petroleum will push ahead with plans to jointly sell gas from its proposed Browse project. Source: AAP

WOODSIDE Petroleum says it will push ahead with plans to jointly sell gas from its proposed Browse project despite a Japanese partner terminating a purchase deal.

Japan Australia LNG, known as MIMI as it is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsui, had agreed to buy around 1.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas a year from the Browse LNG development, subject to a final investment decision on Browse being taken by December 31, 2013.

Woodside and its joint venture partners - Japan's Mitsui, PetroChina, Shell and BP - recently decided to pursue a floating LNG option, and will make a final investment in the third quarter of 2015.

"As a result of the Browse joint venture participants deciding not to proceed with an onshore development and to enter basis of design for a floating LNG development concept, both parties recognise that this condition will not be satisfied," Woodside said in a statement on Thursday.

"Consequently, MIMI has today given Woodside notice terminating the sales and purchase agreement."

It comes eight months after Woodside's sale of equity in the Browse LNG development to MIMI.

Woodside said it will continue to work actively with MIMI on the marketing of co-mingled LNG volumes in the Japanese market.

"In addition, Woodside remains in ongoing discussions with other regional customers regarding potential sales from its portfolio of Australian LNG developments, including Browse," the company said.

In December Woodside chief executive Peter Coleman indicated the company was in a strong position to sell gas in Japan as the nation struggles to secure energy after the Fukushima nuclear accident, but he would not reveal details of recent price negotiations.

Woodside expects to complete its pricing negotiations by April 2014.

Meanwhile, analysts expect Royal Dutch Shell, which owns a 23 per cent stake in Woodside, to begin selling down its interest in coming weeks as its new chief executive Ben van Beurden takes the reins.

Shares in Woodside dropped 34 cents, or 0.87 per cent, to $38.56.

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Bondi shooting victim leads gang: reports

A MAN found on the streets of Bondi with a gunshot wound to his shoulder is reportedly a Brothers 4 Life kingpin who has previously been linked to three killings.

The 31-year-old is also believed to have been on a luxury cruiser at Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs on New Year's Day when it was shot at from the shore, police say.

Peppered with bullets, the boat left the wharf but was stopped by police a short time later and towed to Balmain.

Less than two hours after the shooting, a 31-year-old was discovered at Lamrock Avenue opposite Bondi Beach with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.

AAP understands the man is linked to the Brothers 4 Life street gang.

He has been identified in media reports as the leader of one of the gang's factions.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was last year set to face trial over a body found in a suburban backyard but the charges were reportedly dropped.

Five years ago, a NSW Supreme Court jury acquitted him of murdering a high school friend and another man in Sydney's west.

He admitted shooting the two men dead in 2006 but was found not guilty of murder after his lawyer argued he acted in self-defence.

Following this week's shooting, a witness said he spoke to the injured man before police arrived.

"We just walked past and this guy's just said, 'Man, I've been shot in the back,' and these coppers just showed up and they've taken over the scene," the passer-by told Fairfax Media.

Emergency services took the man to St Vincent's Hospital, police say, and he has since discharged himself.

It is understood he is not co-operating with police.

Residents of Sydney's west and southwest witnessed gang violence this year as feuds between Brothers 4 Life members erupted in shootings.

The group was founded by Bassam Hamzy, who was jailed in 1998 for the murder of Kris Toumazis outside the Mr Goodbar nightclub in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst.

He has had his jail time increased after orchestrating kidnappings and assaults and running a drug ring from within prison.

A man believed to be his cousin was shot dead in Revesby last year and another man, Omar Ajaj, suffered multiple bullet wounds in the attack.

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Alleged king hit attacker refused bail

A man accused of king hitting a Sydney teen in Kings Cross on New Year's Eve has been refused bail. Source: AAP

A SYDNEY teenager is likely to be left with brain damage after allegedly being punched to the ground on New Year's Eve by a man claiming to be a mixed martial artist, a court has heard.

Daniel Christie, 18, is in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital after he was punched in the face in Kings Cross during New Year's Eve celebrations.

The court heard Mr Christie will likely suffer from a considerable brain injury after being punched by his alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, while shielding two other alleged victims.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Lisa McEvoy said McNeil, who has a history of violence, was celebrating in the city from 9am on Tuesday and had drunk around eight beers and one glass of wine.

"At the end of his time in town, there's a man on the floor with a fractured skull and suspected brain injury and other people with cut lips," she said.

Sgt McEvoy said the police facts in the case were "horrific".

"This was completely unprovoked," she said.

According to facts tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross with his girlfriend when he got into a verbal altercation with two young men and an unidentified boy.

After allegedly telling them he was a mixed martial arts fighter, McNeil struck the boy before punching both of his friends, causing them to fall to the ground, the facts said.

As the boy ran one way, the two men ran down the street and attempted to hide behind Mr Christie, who was then allegedly targeted by McNeil.

"The victim has fallen backward and struck his head on the pavement, causing immediate life-threatening injuries," the facts said.

When Daniel Christie's brother Peter tried to intervene, McNeil then turned on him, allegedly punching him and splitting his lip.

McNeil, 25, faced Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Wednesday where he cried as he was refused bail.

He has been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm to Daniel Christie, one count of assaulting Peter Christie, and two counts of common assault.

Wearing a forensic suit, he said little during his court appearance on Wednesday.

McNeil has several convictions for violence and dishonesty, the court heard.

The court heard McNeil told police he was acting to protect his girlfriend.

His lawyer said the young men tried to sell him drugs.

McNeil was "very sad" when he heard about Mr Christie's life-threatening injuries, the court heard.

Registrar Chris Steptoe refused bail, noting the "current climate" of unprovoked assaults in Sydney.

The alleged assaults occurred on the same street on the late-night strip where teenage king hit victim Thomas Kelly was killed in 2012.

"Mr McNeil does not live in a box," Sgt McEvoy said.

"He is aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a young man, not to mention the few other young men who ended up in hospital (in similar circumstances)."

McNeil will face court again on Monday.

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GP fee would be a mistake: Greens

The Green says the government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform. Source: AAP

THE government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform and investing in treating more people in the community, the Greens say.

The party was responding to a proposal received by the National Commission of Audit for a co-payment scheme for GP consultations.

Acting Greens leader Richard Di Natale, who will chair a senate committee established to report on the commission of audit, said for the government to "balance the books" on the back of the health care of ordinary Australians would be a "big mistake".

"Of course there are some efficiencies to be gained in health care but putting a barrier in front of people to access a doctor is not the way to achieve it," Senator Di Natale said on Wednesday.

Senator Di Natale said instead of a co-charge to see a doctor, the commission of audit should look at the health system more broadly.

"Why not look at those areas in health care we might be funding that are not being funded on the basis of good evidence," he said.

"We treat people in hospitals, often the worst places for somebody who's sick who doesn't need to be there, when we could be treating them in the community.

"We could be investing in the greater use of antibiotics, for example, in the community; greater supports for people in the community so that they're not in hospitals being exposed to the risk of infection."

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Measles linked to Sydney dance event

Dancers who attended a recent Sydney competition have been told to look out for measles symptoms. Source: AAP

DANCERS who participated in a Sydney competition recently have been warned to be on the lookout for measles symptoms.

NSW Health issued a health alert after being made aware of three measles cases in people who probably contracted the infection at the World Supremacy Battleground hip hop competition.

The competition was held at Sydney Olympic Park on December 7 and 8.

The first case came to NSW Health's attention on December 27, with a competitor from Adelaide coming down with measles.

On Monday night, further cases were reported by a New Zealand patient and a Sydney resident.

NSW Health communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard advised anyone who attended the dance event to be alert for measles symptoms.

"Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing," Dr Sheppeard said in a statement.

"Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears."

The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms can be up to 18 days.

NSW Health believes that there may be other cases in the community now or secondary cases could be developing.

Anyone with measles symptoms is advised to contact their local public health unit or phone ahead to a GP to ensure that the waiting area is not shared with others.

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Wet 'n' Wild postpones Sydney NYE event

ABOUT 10,000 people are believed to be missing out on a New Year's Eve party in Sydney as it has been postponed just hours before it was due to start.

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Clouds don't dampen New Year fireworks

Spectators have begun descending on Sydney's popular spots for the New Year's Eve fireworks show. Source: AAP

A CLOUDY Sydney sky has come to life with a kaleidoscope of shooting comets and giant wheels of colour as the city's New Year's Eve spectacular kicked off.

For eight minutes Sydney Harbour exploded in red, green, pink, purple, and gold, at 9pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, with the first of three fireworks displays scheduled for the harbour city's New Year's celebrations.

Some pyrotechnics shot to dizzying heights and exploded, while others fell like fiery teardrops. Others shot heavenward and seemed to hang there, before fizzling without a bang.

Cheers were especially loud for a waterfall of pink and gold crackers that fell from the Harbour Bridge, and for a rush of gold pyrotechnics that closed fireworks.

Emesh, 34, came to the 9pm show with his wife and two children.

"It was amazing," the Parramatta resident told AAP.

"The best was the sparkles, all of them mixed up together.

"These are the best fireworks I have ever seen."

Sydney's 9pm pyrotechnics have come to rival the city's midnight spectacular, with many families keen to get in, and out, of the city before the revelry kicks into high gear.

The 9pm show was accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack, including music from artists Mental as Anything, Danny Elfman, Selena Gomez and Avril Lavigne.

Earlier, thousands of onlookers at Mrs Macquarie's chair were treated to an aerobatic show with a stunt plane doing loop-the-loops and mid-air stalls, and hair-raising low flying just metres from the water.

The city's fireworks director, Fortunato Foti, hopes people are surprised by this year's show, which comprises about seven tonnes of fireworks.

Tuesday's three fireworks displays include 11,000 aerial shells and 25,000 shooting comets that will explode from seven barges spread across six kilometres of Sydney Harbour.

For the first time in a decade, 1000 fireworks will also be shot from the top of the Opera House, as well as from the Harbour Bridge and jet skis stationed in the harbour.

Ahead of midnight's 12-minute extravaganza, the city's more than 1.5 million revellers will be treated to a special one-minute cracker show at 10.30pm, based on an absurdist self-portrait by the night's artistic ambassador Reg Mombassa.

"Essentially the idea is that every person perceives the universe in their own heads," the Mambo artist and Mental as Anything rocker told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are going to empty the contents of one such head onto the Sydney sky so hopefully people will be amused by that."

While remaining tight-lipped about the particulars, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the bridge effect, to be unveiled just after midnight, will be "bigger than ever".

For the first time in a decade more than 1000 fireworks will also be launched off the Opera House's sails.

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Vic child killed after tree branch fall

A CHILD has died and a woman was seriously injured after a tree branch fell on them at a park in Bendigo.

Police said the pair were at Rosalind Park when a large branch has fallen from a tree about 5.20pm (AEDT) and killed the young girl.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was taken to Bendigo Hospital in a serious condition with head injuries, a fractured leg and possible spinal injuries.

City of Greater Bendigo acting chief executive officer Stan Liacos described the girl's death as "an absolute tragedy" and expressed his condolences to her family.

"The greater Bendigo community will be shocked and saddened as they learn of what has happened and our thoughts are with the family and their loved ones," he said.

"Very little information is known at this stage and the City will continue to liaise with emergency services to determine what happened."

City staff will also carry out their own investigations of the site.

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NSW workers comp changes for 2014

Controversial changes to workers comp laws are among many new laws to take effect in NSW next year. Source: AAP

INJURED workers and children attending childcare will be among the winners and losers at the start of 2014, as new laws kick in across NSW.

Among the raft of new legislation to come into effect on January 1 are controversial changes to workers compensation introduced by the O'Farrell government to rein in a $4 billion budget blowout.

Up to 20,000 injured workers across the state who need ongoing medical treatment will lose out in 2014 due to the changes, the Law Society of NSW says.

"For example a worker with an amputation injury who has, up until now, been having their artificial limbs replaced by the insurer will now lose this entitlement," President John Dobson said.

Meanwhile kids will no longer be able to enrol into a childcare facility unless their parent or guardian provides an immunisation record.

Parents or guardians reluctant to vaccinate on religious or other grounds or due to medical conditions will also have to produce documentation.

"No longer will it be at the discretion of child care operators to accept or deny children who aren't immunised," Health Minister Jillian Skinner said in a statement.

"By law these operators will be unable to do so and should they do so they can be fined."

People looking to swap the city for the country air will be some of the winners in the new year with a number of grants rolling out.

From Wednesday a move to regional NSW for full-time employment will see eligible people pocket $10,000.

An existing $7000 grant to city homeowners purchasing properties in regional areas will be extended to include long-term renters in metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong who make the country change from January 1.

"This is about attracting much-needed skills to our regions and developing sustainable and more vibrant regional communities," Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said.

Meanwhile the tax free threshold for land tax will increase from $406,000 to $412,000.

For those into combat sports, such as boxing, cage fighting and Ultimate Fighting, stronger health and safety requirements will come into effect, including that combatants comply with protective clothing or equipment.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal will also commence in 2014.

The tribunal is billed as a one-stop shop for 22 state tribunals, which the government says "will improve their quality, consistency and transparency".

"NCAT enables these services to exist as a network, rather than in isolation, which will improve their quality, consistency and transparency," acting Justice Minister Michael Gallacher said in a statement.

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GP fee would 'clog up' hospitals: Labor

LABOR says a $5 fee for bulk-billed GP visits would put extra pressure on the public health system by clogging up hospital emergency departments, labelling the idea a "tax on taking your sick child to the doctor".

The federal government has refused to "speculate" about a proposal to make patients pay the fee after a national Commission of Audit received a proposal for a co-payment scheme for GP consultations.

But doctor groups have criticised such a move, claiming it would destroy Medicare and limit access to GPs for some community groups.

Speaking on Sunday, acting opposition leader Penny Wong said a "real problem" with the approach was that it risked "clogging up our emergency departments in our public hospital system".

"What we don't need is a new tax on taking your family to the doctor and what we don't need is more pressure on our public hospital system," senator Wong said in Adelaide.

She said the idea represented "another broken promise from this Prime Minister".

"He (Tony Abbott) said no new taxes and now today we've got a tax on sick children going to the doctor."

News Corp Australia reports co-payments would see patients pay a fee for bulk-billed GP consultations, with pensioners and concession card holders exempt from the fee.

Families would also be granted up to 12 bulk-billed visits annually.

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton said he would not comment on "speculation around what the Commission of Audit may or may not recommend".

"The commission's work is still being compiled and will be provided to the government in 2014," he said in a statement.

"The government will be able to consider any recommendations and respond after that time."

Mr Dutton said the government had committed to making sure the health system was sustainable and accessible in the future.

Acting Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale said on Sunday it was a step towards a two-tiered US-style health system and away from universal healthcare.

Dr Con Costa, of the Doctors' Reform Society, said a GP fee would make emergency departments busier.

"Introducing a $5 co-payment is false cost-savings," he said in a statement.

Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Steve Hambleton said the majority of visits to the GP were very "reasonable and helpful" with only a minority causing doctors to ask why they came.

A co-payment scheme was introduced under the Hawke government in the 1990s but was scrapped.

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Times Square preps for New Year's Eve bash

New York City's Times Square is getting ready for New Year's Eve celebrations on Tuesday night. Source: AAP

NEW York City's Times Square is getting ready for New Year's Eve.

The square will host millions on Tuesday night counting down the last few moments of 2013.

Starting on Saturday, six Citibikes from the city's bike share program were being installed in Times Square and connected to 12-volt deep cycle batteries.

New Yorkers and tourists will generate power by pedalling. That will help illuminate the famed ball that will descend New Year's Eve.

Each bike will generate an average of 75 watts an hour. It takes 50,000 watts to power the ball, which is lit by 30,000 LEDs.

Additionally, a giant paper shredder and a dumpster were installed in Times Square on Saturday to allow visitors to destroy bad memories of 2013.

The annual event is dubbed Good Riddance Day.

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