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Flood recovery centres and assistance points have opened in communities across NSW as the state again braces for intense storms and possible flash flooding.

The 27 centres, operated by Resilience NSW, provide support for people and their families as well as farmers and business owners helping them access government support and services.

People can access accommodation at the centres, have lost documents replaced, and access mental health, business, financial, insurance and legal support.

"The trauma our flood-affected communities right across the state continue to suffer is immense," Flood Recovery Minister Steph Cooke said Monday.

"This is why we are doing everything possible to help residents kickstart their recovery journey."

Of the recovery centres and assistance points opened, there are 14 in the Northern Rivers, four in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, three on the Central Coast, two on the South Coast, two in the Hunter and one in the Southern Highlands

It comes as heavy rainfall with a risk of possible life-threatening flash flooding is predicted for the Northern Rivers, North Coast and Northern Tablelands on Monday and through to Tuesday, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Jonathan How told AAP.

Falls of between 30mm and 60mm were recorded from Tweed Heads to Byron Bay overnight, adding to 100mm and 200mm recorded over Saturday and Sunday, Mr How said.

Heavy falls moving from the Queensland border would "really peak (Monday) afternoon and into the evening".

The rain will continue into Tuesday and only begin to ease that afternoon and evening.

The forecast zone includes Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Lismore, Yamba, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo, where six-hourly rainfall totals of between 80 and 140mm are predicted.

"All of those locations could see those really heavy falls, but it does come with a caveat that those flows will be with the thunderstorms, Mr How said.

He stressed while the conditions were similar to those in the recent Lismore flood, the outcome was not predicted to be as widespread and severe.

Lismore's mayor Steve Krieg said the next two days would be critical for how Lismore is going to fare over the next week.

"It won't bloody stop raining up here," told the Nine Network on Monday.

"This is a major development, this weather front. If our river rises, we're going to start the evacuations today just to be cautious."

Rough seas are expected along the Byron Coast on Tuesday, and dangerous swells will also hit shores on the Macquarie and Hunter Coast on Wednesday.

A flood watch is in place for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Hawkesbury Nepean and North Western NSW Rivers.

Moderate to major floods are possible on the Richmond, Wilsons, Orara and Bellinger Rivers from Tuesday as heavy falls hit already-saturated catchments.

Minor to moderate flooding is also a risk for parts of the Northern Rivers, the North Coast, Hunter, Hawkesbury-Nepean and North-Western NSW rivers.

© AAP 2022

Heartwarming movie CODA, about a deaf family with a hearing daughter, has won the prestigious best picture prize at the Oscars, the first time a streaming service has taken home the film industry's biggest prize.

CODA was released by Apple TV+, which beat Netflix's contender The Power of the Dog, along with entries from traditional Hollywood studios.

"I really want to thank the academy for recognising a movie of love and family at this difficult time that we need today," producer Patrick Wachsberger said as the film's cast stood on stage.

Hollywood's most prestigious awards ceremony returned to all-out glitz at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles after pandemic restrictions limited the event last year.

The upbeat atmosphere was disrupted when best actor winner Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock onstage over a joke about the actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rock referenced the 1997 movie G.I. Jane, in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head.

Smith slapped Rock in what at first appeared to be a scripted joke. But the theatre turned sombre moments later when Smith, back in his seat, shouted back, "Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth."

Smith later apologised to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and to his fellow nominees as he tearfully accepted the Oscar for best actor for playing the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard.

Jessica Chastain beat out Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos) to land the best actress award for playing TV evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

In other awards, New Zealand's Jane Campion became just the third woman in the 94-year history of the Oscars to win best director, for her dark western The Power of the Dog.

Troy Kotsur made history as the first deaf man to win an Oscar, earning best supporting actor for his role in CODA.

Among his rivals for the award had been Adelaide-born Kodi Smit-McPhee, for The Power of the Dog.

Kotsur played Frank Rossi, the father of a teenager who struggles to help her family's fishing business while pursuing her own aspirations in music.

"This is amazing to be here on this journey. I cannot believe I am here," Kotsur, said in a heartfelt speech delivered in sign language.

Best supporting actress went to Ariana DeBose for playing the spirited Anita, who sings America in Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story.

Australia's Greig Fraser scooped the best cinematography award for Dune, in the process becoming the seventh Australian to win an Oscar in that category.

© RAW 2022

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will miss the state memorial for cricket legend Shane Warne after testing positive for COVID-19.

Mr Andrews confirmed his diagnosis on Monday morning, forcing him and his family into isolation for seven days.

The premier decided to take a rapid antigen test after waking up with symptoms including a sore throat and mild temperature.

"Cath and the kids are negative, but as close contacts will isolate with me for seven days. My symptoms are mild and we're well-stocked on Panadol (sic)," Mr Andrews tweeted.

The positive result means he will not be among an expected crowd of 50,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday evening to officially farewell Warne, who died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui this month.

His deputy James Merlino will serve as acting premier until April 4, the day before state parliament is due to sit.

While the premier rests and recovers, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy wished him and his family well.

"We may disagree politically but I certainly don't wish him badly in any way in relation to his health. I hope comes through OK," he told reporters.

Mr Andrews had attended the official opening of the Broadway musical Hamilton at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne on Thursday night with wife Catherine.

The pair were photographed wearing masks despite them no longer being mandatory in theatres and most other settings.

Victoria recorded 8739 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths on Monday - the fourth consecutive day of new infections below 10,000.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Victorian hospitals has fallen to 252, after rising from fewer than 200 a fortnight ago.

VICTORIA'S LATEST COVID-19 FIGURES:

* Total deaths: 2727

* Active cases: 56,997

* Intensive care cases: 21

* Ventilated cases: six

* Positive PCR tests: 2226

* Positive rapid tests: 6513

* Victorians 18 and over with three vaccine doses: 65.2 per cent.

© AAP 2022