Sydney woman victim of chemical attack

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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Qld cop dragged 200m by car

A police officer is recovering after being dragged 200 metres along a road by a car in Townsville. Source: AAP

A POLICE officer is recovering after being dragged 200 metres along a road by a car in central Townsville.

Police will allege the driver of the car grabbed the officer's arm after he leant into the car to breath test the driver about 2.40am on Saturday.

The driver then drove about 200m before the 45-year-old officer managed to free himself.

The officer was allegedly elbowed twice in the face.

He has been treated in hospital for a cut to his head and eye, a chipped tooth and multiple abrasions and bruising.

The 23-year-old driver was later involved in a police car chase and has been taken into custody.

Charges are yet to be laid.

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Body found in Canberra unit

DETECTIVES are trying to determine whether foul play was involved in the death of a man discovered in an ACT home unit.

A friend of the 52-year-old found his body at lunchtime on Saturday at a building in Bega Flats, Reid, police say.

A crime scene has been set up, with investigators working to establish the cause of death.

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Vic man missing in reservoir

THE search continues for a man feared drowned in a reservoir in Central Victoria after a family outing on the water.

The man, aged in his 20s, had been in a boat with three family members on Waranga Basin near Rushworth when the motor failed just after 5pm (AEDT) on Thursday.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Kelly Yates said the man attempted to swim to shore to seek help but turned back.

He disappeared in the water in front of his family on his return to the boat.

"He's jumped into the water to try and get help when the boat has broken down," Ms Yates said.

There is a strong current in the water due to water being pumped in and out of the catchment, police said. A search and rescue operation was launched on Thursday involving police, SES, Coast Guard and Water Police and continued on Friday.

The search will stop overnight and continue on Saturday from 8am (AEDT).

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Recall NSW parly over booze violence: oppn

The NSW opposition wants parliament to be recalled to pass legislation on alcohol restrictions. Source: AAP

THE NSW opposition wants parliament to be recalled immediately to pass legislation on alcohol restrictions.

As 18-year-old Daniel Christie continues to fight for his life after he was felled by a punch at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve, the opposition is calling for Premier Barry O'Farrell to take action on alcohol-fuelled violence within the next week.

The opposition has repeatedly called for the government to implement its alcohol policy, which includes imposing 1am lockouts and 3am last drinks.

"Barry O'Farrell can recall parliament and this could be brought into policy by next Friday," opposition liquor regulation spokesman, Dr Andrew McDonald, told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

"If he weren't in bed with big alcohol he would have passed this legislation by now."

Dr McDonald said he would love to see legislation passed within the next week if parliament could be recalled for an emergency sitting.

"There will be more deaths from alcohol this summer than we will have on the roads," he said.

The opposition's demands for change have previously been echoed by emergency service workers and doctors, who last month urged the government to implement the plan.

They say the Newcastle trial cut alcohol-fuelled violence by 37 per cent and emergency department admissions by 26 per cent.

But Mr O'Farrell on Thursday said the government had already imposed measures in Kings Cross, which had seen assaults in the precinct drop by one-third.

"That's of no comfort to the Christie family but equally, the slogan being put forward by my opponents is of no comfort to someone who was assaulted at 9pm," Mr O'Farrell said.

The Christie family broke their silence on Thursday, saying their lives have been turned upside-down since their son was attacked.

He remains in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital.

"We have all been affected so much by this tragedy, and our clear focus remains with our son and brother through this difficult time," the family said in a statement.

They said they didn't agree with the term "king-hit", adding that "coward punch" was more appropriate.

Police Minister Michael Gallacher agreed, saying the term "coward punch" should be used in legislation

People needed to understand king-hitting people and other gutless acts should not be respected, he told reporters on Friday.

"They should not be hidden in words like assault occasioning actual bodily harm or assault occasioning grievous bodily harm," he said.

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Men quick to give up new year diets: study

A poll shows some 26% of men who make a resolution to lose weight abandon their diets after one day. Source: AAP

A QUARTER of men who make a New Year's resolution to lose weight have already given up on their diets by January 2, a poll suggests.

Some 26 per cent of men abandon their diets after one day, a survey found.

Meanwhile, one in 10 women cave in to cravings for unhealthy food after 24 hours and 31 per cent give up their diet within one week, according to health company Bupa.

Its poll of 2000 adults found that a third of Britons thought about losing weight at least once a day.

And while experts say that shedding weight works best with a combination of a healthy diet and exercise, only 30 per cent of people said they would always do physical activity alongside a diet.

Dr Tim Woodman, medical director at Bupa said: "This time of year we see a flurry of diets offering a quick fix.

"Fad diets might help you lose a few pounds at first, but they won't help you stay a healthy weight in the long run.

"The only healthy way to shed excess fat and keep it off is to eat healthy, nutritious meals and increase physical activity."

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Cyrus rang in New Year in Times Square

Miley Cyrus rang in 2014 with a headlining spot at Times Square's annual NYE bash in New York. Source: AAP

MILEY Cyrus rang in 2014 with a headlining spot at Times Square's annual New Year's Eve bash in New York.

The pop star, who scrapped a show in Florida to perform as part of TV network ABC's end-of-year TV marathon, sang Get It Right and Wrecking Ball just before midnight, but it was too cold for her to "twerk" or show off too much skin.

Instead, she and three dancers hit the stage in matching gold outfits and the pop star also wore a floor-length white winter coat to keep off the chill.

Cyrus smiled through the show even though she was ill - shortly before taking to the stage, she tweeted, "This cough/cold is not a good combo. please keep praying for me. If I can just get thru tonight I can have a nice lil break."

She cheered up just before taking the stage when she told host Ryan Seacrest all about her "modest" costume, revealing, "This is the most clothed I've been in all of 2013... Due to standards and practices and also the cold weather, this is what we came up with."

And she started 2014 with high praise from Courtney Love, who ended 2013 with the post: "if it wasn't for @MileyCyrus 2013 would've been a dull dreary year. if you can't agree with that, you're an idiot."

Melissa Etheridge also got the Times Square revellers ready for 2014 by singing John Lennon's peace anthem Imagine just before midnight, and the coverage then bounced to Billy Joel performing across the Big Apple at the Barclays Center just after the famous ball drop and the start of 2014.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Icona Pop and Blondie were also part of the countdown celebrations in Times Square.

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Vic saved from scorching heat

Southerly winds are protecting Victoria from a blast of desert heat that's baking other states. Source: AAP

VICTORIANS could be putting on jackets and dodging rain clouds while some parts of the country sweat through record-breaking temperatures.

Weather bureau senior forecaster Terry Ryan says Victoria won't be hit by the blast of hot desert heat that's struck elsewhere.

"We're protected by this generally southwest to southerly air flow," he said on Thursday.

"We've got nothing here that's very hot at all."

Melbourne only reached a high of 20C by midday on Thursday with temperatures forecast to stay between a low of 12C and a high of 24C during the next five to six days.

Even in the far north, Mildura reached the state's highest temperature of 25.5C at 1pm (AEDT).

The town isn't forecast to break above 30C until Wednesday.

A band of rain has also been crossing the state as the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Christine is picked up by southerly winds.

Scattered showers are forecast in Melbourne over the next five days.

Victoria's fire danger ratings have also dropped to low across northern parts of the state.

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Bon Jovi still highest-grossing tour act

Bon Jovi ended 2013 on a high after banking $US259.5m to score the year's highest-grossing tour. Source: AAP

BON Jovi have re-affirmed their status as the highest-grossing tour act.

The American rockers have ended 2013 on a career high after banking $US259.5 million ($A292.61 million) to score the year's highest-grossing tour.

The Livin' On A Prayer stars have been trekking across the globe on their Because We Can: The Tour shows since February, and their huge success has landed them the top spot in Pollstar.com's annual list.

The figure is a record for the stars themselves, despite guitarist Richie Sambora quitting the gigs in April to spend more time with his daughter.

Beyonce's The Mrs Carter Show World Tour, which kicked off in April, was a distant second with a haul of $US188.6 million, while Pink claimed third place with $US170.6 million for her The Truth About Love tour.

Justin Bieber and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band rounded out the top five, while Rihanna, Taylor Swift and One Direction also placed high on the list.

The Pollstar data re-affirms Bon Jovi's status as the highest-earning touring act of the year - Billboard magazine editors also honoured the band with the same title in early December.

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Deadline set for Stradbroke Island exodus

Campers have been told to leave a North Stradbroke Island beach or face being removed by police. Source: AAP

CAMPERS have been told to leave a North Stradbroke Island beach by 4pm (AEST) or face being removed as a large bushfire burns nearby.

Queensland authorities want to have Main Beach cleared of people before they close the only road out.

"We are asking people to evacuate. However, we would suggest if you aren't removed from that area by four o'clock today you will be forced to evacuate," a police spokeswoman told AAP.

The fire, which was set off by lightning, has been burning in thick bushland for days.

It's not threatening lives or property, but authorities are concerned about an expected wind change on Wednesday afternoon.

About 900 campers could be at risk if the fire changes direction, they say.

A massive exodus began earlier on Wednesday and many people are arriving in the town of Dunwich.

Ferries and barges will take the holidaymakers back to the mainland from there.

A Stradbroke Ferries manager told AAP they could not comment because they were too busy organising the evacuation.

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Target Australia gift cards okay

Target Australia says its gift cards have not been affected by a glitch that has hit Target US. Source: AAP

TARGET Australia has assured customers that it is not experiencing any problems with its gift cards, following reports that the shopping giant in the US was having post Christmas troubles.

America's second-largest discount retailer Target US said an unidentified number of gift cards sold over the Christmas period were not properly activated.

"We are aware that some Target gift cards were not fully activated and apologise for the inconvenience," company spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in a statement.

Target Australia said on Wednesday that it has no affiliation with Target US and is in no way affected by their reported issues.

"Target Australia has not had any credit card security issues and all gift cards are working normally," general manager, corporate affairs, Jim Cooper said in a statement.

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Queensland bakes in 'unusual' heatwave

Queensland is about to swelter in a heatwave, with the mercury tipped to reach close to 50C. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND is about to swelter in a heatwave, with the mercury tipped to reach close to 50C in some parts of the state this week.

In the western Queensland town of Birdsville, the mercury could soar as high as 48C on Thursday which in Brisbane, temperatures are predicted to hit a sultry 39C on Saturday.

Temperatures are expected to be 5C to 10C above the average across the state over the next few days.

Meteorologist Gordon Banks from the Bureau of Meteorology said a large, dry, hot mass of air stagnating in the nation's interior was the cause.

Mr Banks said a run of such high temperatures was rare for Queensland.

"We do get these bursts of several days where we're seeing high 30s to low 40s through the (state's) interior," he said.

"But what we're seeing at the moment is that we're having this run of days where we're seeing mid to high 40s through the interior and that certainly is much more unusual."

Diamantina Shire Mayor Geoff Morton, who lives in Birdsville, said it would be business as usual in the small town on Thursday despite the forecast 48C heat, which is 1.5C shy of the 1972 record.

"Once it gets over 45 (degrees) it doesn't matter whether it's 45 or 55, it's still bloody hot," Mr Morton said on Wednesday.

"Everything's hot, everything's hot to touch, the ground is hot ... A few more degrees is not going to make much of a difference."

The long-time Birdsville resident said melted tar sticks to the tyres of passing freight trucks and locals either spend the day in air conditioning or start work early to avoid the midday heat.

"If you walk down the street from 12 o'clock on you won't see anybody. They're hibernating," he said.

"They've got a pretty simple choice. Inside the pub is 23 degrees and outside is 53."

A slightly cooler change is expected to move through the state from Friday.

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Small business to take tax-break hit

The government is dumping an asset write-off for small businesses that was linked to the mining tax. Source: AAP

THE federal government is setting a "tax trap" for small business by drastically reducing a tax break before legislation for it has passed, the opposition claims.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson's office has confirmed that the $6500 instant asset write-off introduced by the former Labor government will end from January 1.

Instead, businesses will be able to get instant tax break for assets worth up to only $1000.

The tax break was linked to the mining tax.

Its formal dumping is contained in the mining tax repeal bill, currently stuck in the Senate, but legislation for tax measures can be applied retrospectively.

Acting opposition leader Penny Wong said it was a "tax trap for 2.7 million Australian small businesses and sole traders".

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said it was highly unusual for a government to make tax such changes and not publicise them.

"Have we seen any information campaign for small business saying listen, if you want to make an investment you'd better make it now because your tax write-off ends on 1 January? No," he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

"I don't think they're very proud of this change."

Dropping the level of the instant asset write-off was part of the coalition's election commitments.

Information on the Australian Taxation Office's website, dated December 18, says the change is "expected to come into effect" on January 1.

Business representatives - the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Industry Group - have told the government that they'd like to see the asset write-off funded in the next federal budget.

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Private sector credit growing modestly

Credit growth was moderate in November as consumers and business are wary about taking on more debt. Source: AAP

CREDIT growth was moderate in November as consumers and business are still wary about taking on more debt.

The amount of private sector credit issued by banks and other lenders was up 0.3 per cent in November, after rising by the same about in October, seasonally adjusted data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) shows.

Over the 12 months to November, total credit rose 3.8 per cent.

Commonwealth Bank senior economist Michael Workman said record low interest rates are not having the desired affect on spending.

"It's not just about interest rate levels. In our view, moderate credit growth indicates that consumers and businesses remain cautious about increasing leverage because of uncertainty over job security and profitability," he said.

"To be fair, the consumer and business (confidence) surveys are gradually improving. Better news on jobs and the growth outlook are required."

Housing credit went up 0.5 per cent in November, and rose 5.1 per cent over the year to November.

Mr Workman said firm growth in home lending is being offset by relatively high repayment rates.

"Mortgage payers have been reluctant to reduce their repayments in line with lower mortgage rates over the past two years," he said.

"Some recent RBA research has indicated that households appear to have used about two thirds of the savings from lower interest rates to repay debt.

"In some respects it negates the effectiveness of monetary policy. While housing lending has responded to lower interest rates, some of the more interest rate sensitive areas of the economy, like non-mining business investment, remain subdued."

Business credit decreased 0.1 per cent in November, after a 0.1 per cent rise in October, and over the year to November it was up 1.9 per cent.

Other personal credit was unchanged in November, after decreasing 0.1 per cent the month before and rose 0.8 per cent in the 12 months to November.

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Vic govt's 2014 wish is to win election

Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan says the thing he wants most in the new year is to retain power. Source: AAP

AFTER a year in which his boss was sacked, he lost the police ministry and a rogue MP was calling the shots, all deputy Victorian premier Peter Ryan wants for 2014 is to stay in government.

Ted Baillieu quit as premier in March, having lost the confidence of his colleagues, and his replacement Denis Napthine relieved Mr Ryan of the police portfolio.

With the state election due on November 29, Mr Ryan said his priority for the new year was to remain in government for another four years.

"With the prospect of that election now 334 days away, we of course as the government, are very, very keen to be able to win that election," he told reporters on Tuesday.

The government will begin 2014 from a tough position, with Labor holding a healthy lead in two-party preferred terms according to both Newspoll and Fairfax/Nielsen.

But before the election campaign begins, the government will have to deal with parliament, and with two Labor MPs set to return from suspension in February, the opposition will potentially have the numbers to challenge its authority.

The coalition holds 44 of the 88 seats in the lower house to Labor's 43, but cannot necessarily count on independent MP Geoff Shaw's support to maintain an outright majority.

Mr Ryan said it was up to the Labor party to behave themselves over the final 42 sitting days before the election to ensure parliament remains workable.

"The parliament can and does function fine if it is that Labor chooses to conduct itself in a responsible manner," he said.

"We are looking forward to the events on the 29th of November next year, and we will have plenty to say about it over the next 334 days."

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Fortescue receives reprimand after deaths

A man has died in an accident at Fortescue Metals' Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia. Source: AAP

FORTESCUE Metals Group has been ordered to improve its safety procedures by the mines regulator following the death of a man at its Christmas Creek mine.

The 23-year-old contractor was carrying out maintenance on a surface miner, a large piece of mining machinery, in the Pilbara mine's heavy vehicle workshop when the accident occurred overnight on Monday.

It is the second death at the iron ore mine in less than five months.

The WA Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has issued special directions ensuring that Fortescue tightens safety procedures at all of its operations, including lock out/tag out procedures, ahead of a safety audit in the new year.

Surface mining operations at Christmas Creek have been suspended as DMP inspectors carry out a site investigation.

"The inspectorate has so far determined that a number of recent incidents at Fortescue Metals Group mine sites appear to have involved an ineffectual isolation and lock out/tag out process," State mining engineer Simon Ridge said.

"This may or may not be a contributory factor in this most recent incident."

He said the legal directions would remain in place until Fortescue could ensure lock out/tag out procedures were effective.

Staff at Christmas Creek have been offered chaplains and other counselling services following the man's death.

His name is yet to be released by police.

Unions are concerned the company's efficiency program is being prioritised over safety.

CFMEU Construction Division WA secretary Mick Buchan said his union had received complaints about safety concerns at Christmas Creek in recent months, including anonymous emails from workers who were worried about identifying themselves.

"We want the full gamut of potential contributing factors to be examined in detail, including potentially unsafe working hours on site, the capacity of unions to access the site to assess safety, the replacement of experienced workers with cheaper alternatives - the lot," Mr Buchan said.

He said the death was a huge alarm that something was wrong on the site.

"We need to get to the bottom of it quickly and accurately before anyone else is killed or hurt."

Fortescue said another worker had suffered leg injuries in the incident.

The man's death comes four-and-a-half months after electrician Kurt Williams, 24, was crushed to death while carrying out maintenance work on a large motor in the crushing plant at Christmas Creek.

Mr Williams' death broke a two-year fatality-free run at Western Australia's mines.

At the time, Electrical Trades Union WA secretary Les McLaughlan said the union had raised concerns about safety practices and specific concerns about the kind of work Mr Williams was undertaking.

In October, truck driver had his leg amputated after being crushed at the Christmas Creek mine.

Earlier this month, a contract construction worker Stephen Hampton was killed at Newcrest's Telfer gold mining operations when a large piece of pipework rolled onto him.

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All set for party of the year

Australia's skies are set to explode with colour this New Year's Eve, the biggest party of the year. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIANS are preparing to celebrate the biggest party of the year, with the skies above the nation's capital cities expected to explode with colour on New Year's Eve.

At the country's drawcard event in Sydney, seven tonnes of fireworks will light up the sky on Tuesday in the form of 11,000 aerial shells and 25,000 shooting comets launched 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.

Organisers expect die-hard revellers to start arriving at the iconic new year's locale between 5am and 6am, Sydney New Year's Eve producer Aneurin Coffey said.

"They are the really die-hard fans that get there early and then another group come about 8am," he told AAP.

Keen boaties won't be taking any chances, with more than 2000 vessels expected to vie for an ideal spot from about 10am, he said.

Sydneysiders will share the new year with more than 2,500 police officers expected to be deployed in the city on the night.

Victorians will ring in the new year with a fireworks show promised to be seen from anywhere that has a view of the city skyline.

More than 500,000 revellers are expected to pack the city centre, with 7.5 tonnes of fireworks to be launched from 22 locations, including city rooftops, by a team of 44 pyrotechnists.

Brisbanites will see the state's largest fireworks show yet to welcome the new year.

The skies above the river city will be lit up with five tonnes of fireworks, or 30,000 pyrotechnic effects, fired from three barges and three city rooftops at 8.30pm and midnight.

In Tasmania, tens of thousands will converge on the waterfront and Salamanca, where the state's biggest food festival, Taste, combines with the finish to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Fireworks will explode over the docks at 9.30pm and midnight as foodies gorge themselves.

More than 70,000 revellers are expected at South Bank Parklands, Kangaroo Point, the Botanic Gardens and Eagle St Pier.

SA will beat the new year's drum with some live music in Adelaide's Elder Park, where local bands will provide the entertainment on top of fireworks.

Western Australia will largely leave its patch of sky alone on the night, with Perth saving up its pyrotechnics display for Australia Day.

But for those not keen to cross the country for Sydney's spectacular display, there are still a few places to ring in 2014 with a bang, including Rockingham and the Shelley foreshore.

A key draw promises to be the headline act for the Salt on the Beach NYE party at North Fremantle, New York hip-hop trio De La Soul.

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NSW workers comp changes for 2014

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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Icebreaker on track to reach stuck ship

An Aussie icebreaker is about 100 nautical miles from a ship trapped in sea ice near Antarctica. Source: AAP

FEDERAL authorities say a rescue mission by an Australian icebreaker remains on track as it closes in on a ship wedged in sea ice near Antarctica.

A group of scientists, explorers and tourists has been stuck on the Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart for the past five days.

Although the expedition's leader says spirits among those on the ship remain high, a retired Brisbane teacher aboard as a tourist says frustration is building.

Two icebreakers have given up on efforts to push through the thick and dangerous ice floes near Antarctica to try to free the trapped research vessel.

A third icebreaker, Australia's Aurora Australis, is on its way to the stranded ship and is due to arrive about 11pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

It is the last ship in the area that will be able to help.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says Aurora Australis is about 85 nautical miles from the trapped ship.

"The Aurora Australis remains on track to arrive in the vicinity around 11pm AEDT," an AMSA spokeswoman said in a statement.

If the icebreaker can't battle through the ice, AMSA says a second option may be to consider ferrying trapped passengers with a helicopter.

The locked-in ship, with 74 people on board, including several New Zealanders, sent a distress call on Christmas Day after becoming trapped in heavy sea ice.

The ship had been undertaking the Spirit of Mawson voyage, which is retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition.

Professor Chris Turney of the University of NSW is leading the expedition, consisting of scientists, explorers and enthusiasts undertaking climate research.

He insisted during several interviews with international media outlets that everyone was in good spirits despite the ordeal.

But retired Brisbane teacher Kayleen Lawson, aboard the stricken vessel as a tourist, said frustration was building.

"It was meant to be the trip of a lifetime, and it still is ... but it's turning out a little differently to what I expected," Ms Lawson told News Corp during a satellite phone interview.

The Aurora icebreaker is rated at being able to push through ice slightly deeper than one metre thick.

China's Snow Dragon icebreaker, which came within six and a half nautical miles of the stuck ship before turning back out of safety fears, is standing by in case its helicopter will be needed.

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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.

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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Cyclone closer to WA's north coast

A category two cyclone off the Western Australian Kimberley coast is expected to intensify. Source: AAP

A CATEGORY two cyclone off Western Australia's Kimberley coast is expected to intensify as it heads towards the Pilbara.

Tropical Cyclone Christine was 280 kilometres off Broome at 2pm (WST) on Sunday and was moving towards the Pilbara coast about 10 kilometres an hour, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The bureau said the cyclone was "expected to intensify further as it moves towards the Pilbara coast".

It is forecasting the cyclone to bring heavy rainfall and gales of up to 100km/h south of Cape Leveque on Sunday.

Gales are expected to extend further west along the Pilbara coast to Whim Creek late on Sunday or Monday morning as the cyclone approaches.

On Monday, the cyclone is forecast to bring "very destructive" gales and heavy rainfall to Mardie and possibly as far west as Exmouth, with winds possibly reaching 165km/h.

Coastal communities between Pardoo and Mardie have been warned of the potential for a dangerous storm tide late on Monday or early on Tuesday.

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