A BBC spokesperson has confirmed the broadcaster is "urgently looking into" issues raised in a documentary on Russell Brand, which included allegations of sexual assault.

The spokesperson said the documentary and associated reports "contained serious allegations", which spanned a number of years.

"Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised," the spokesperson said in a statement.

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On Saturday, British media outlets The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches published a joint investigation in which four women alleged Brand sexually assaulted them in separate instances between 2006 and 2013.

One of the women said she was 16 and Brand was 31 at the time of the alleged assault in London.

Brand preemptively denied the allegations in a video posted to his verified Instagram page, which he shared on Friday before the report was published.

The women chose not to be identified by name in the report, according to The Times.

Earlier, a BBC spokesman said Brand had left the state broadcasting corporation after a serious editorial breach in 2008, noting, "We hope that demonstrates that the BBC takes issues seriously and is prepared to act."

The BBC spokesman said the organisation had "evolved its approach" toward talent and complaints over successive years and had "clear expectations around conduct at work," adding that it would "always listen to people if they come forward with any concerns, on any issue related to any individual working at the BBC, past or present."

Brand has written and spoken extensively about his past treatment for drug and sex addiction, along with mental health issues.

He has built a digital platform around wellness in recent years.

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"These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. And as I've written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous," Brand said in his video on Friday.

"Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual."

The reports did not stop the comedian from continuing to perform, and he appeared on stage at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on Saturday as part of his Bipolarisation tour.

The campaign for an Indigenous Voice to parliament is firing up with thousands of supporters marching in rallies across the country.

An estimated 200,000 Australians joined Yes campaign marches across the country on Sunday in major metropolitan cities and regional towns four weeks out from the vote on October 14.

"This is a great rally and it's getting bigger all the time," one man said.

READ MORE: What is the Voice to parliament and what will the referendum entail?

"Dragged out a two-year-old and a five-year-old who are just as passionate as me and the oldies and mum and dad," another rally attendee said.

Labor federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, Greens Senator Sara Hanson-Young, NSW Liberal Jacqui Munro and City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore all made speeches in Sydney to support the Walk for Yes.

"Australians are a fair people. We are an egalitarian people," Plibersek said.

We love justice, and we love one another. Let's show that love and decency to the world on October 14 and vote Yes."

As the Yes campaigners marched in their thousands, the No camp urged them to "move on".

READ MORE: Voice to parliament referendum: When, how and where do I vote?

"We've got to face the reality that there are 26 million other people in this country who have come here and helped build this country," Recognise a Better Way group founder and No campaigner Warren Mundine said.

In a split with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Mundine on Sunday backed treaties between Indigenous Australians and governments, as well as changing the date of Australia Day.

Those are two possibilities No campaigners have used to urge voters to reject the Voice, leading the Yes camp to call out the apparent contradiction.

"On the 15th of October if there's a No vote, that's when the real work starts," Mundine told the ABC's Insiders.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said "an unsuccessful result in the referendum will take us further away from justice for first nations people in this country".

The Yes campaign will rely on scenes from the rally on the lawns of parliament to contrast the vitriol inside the halls of power.

High winds are also fanning a large vegetation fire in Canterbury.

Police have shot a man they claim confronted them with a knife in inner-city Sydney.

The 32-year-old man allegedly confronted officers called to Chisholm Street in Darlinghurst about 4.40pm on Sunday.

"The man allegedly approached officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics whilst armed, before a constable discharged their firearm," NSW Police said in a statement.

"The man was treated at the scene before being taken to St Vincent's Hospital in a stable condition."

Several streets have been closed as police probe the crime scene.

Police said a critical incident team from a different police area command would investigate the incident, which would be subject to an independent review.

More to come.

Two people were in the aircraft when the incident happened at Whangaroa about 3.20pm.

The former Prime Minister is currently in Montreal for the Global Progress Action Summit.

Some 17,000 people have taken to the streets for the annual Sydney Marathon amid a stifling spring heatwave.

While thousands finished the harbourside event, a NSW ambulance spokesperson said by 4pm 26 people had been hospitalised and another 14 treated by paramedics at the scene.

Seven of those in hospital were in a serious condition after the temperature hit 30 degrees on Sunday.

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The race began at Bradfield Park at Milsons Point with runners crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and continuing through the Sydney CBD, Pyrmont, The Rocks, Darlinghurst, Moore Park, and Centennial Park.

Morocco's Othmane El Goumri won the men's marathon and Betsy Saina, from Kenya, was the fastest woman across the line.

Brett Robinson was Australia's top placed male contender, crossing the finish line in 8th overall.

Madison de Rozario was the female winner of the wheelchair Marathon.

In a later instagram post she called her win a "great day in office and I will take it with all my heart."

El Goumri dedicated his win in the Sydney Marathon to victims of the recent earthquake in his country, racing in honour of his loved ones affected by the tragedy.

This year there were more road closures than normal because the event is an Abbott World Marathon Majors candidate event.

A high-visibility police operation was underway throughout the day, with people coming into the city urged to plan their trip around the closures and expected delays.

"There will be a number of major road closures in the CBD and surrounding suburbs in order to facilitate this world-class event," Acting Superintendent Samuel Nelson said.

"However, we will also work to minimise the impact of the event on road users, local residents and the wider community."

Crowdsrow in the CBD with a planned and authorised march on Cleveland Street at 2.30pm.

"We are working with Transport for NSW to monitor the two events and we urge motorists to be mindful of even further extended delays," Nelson said.

"If you must travel into the Sydney CBD, leave the car at home and utilise public transport."

Those who do travel by car are urged to check and double-check parking signage, as special event clearways will be in place between 1am and 1.30pm in the Sydney CBD, North Sydney, Pyrmont, Darlinghurst and Moore Park.

Cars – even those with parking permits – left in those clearways will be towed.

Major closures to be in place

"The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway and Western Distributor will close from 4am to 10am," Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said.

"The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will remain open but extensive delays are expected.

"Major roads from the Sydney Opera House to Moore Park, including Macquarie St, College St, Park St, and parts of Oxford St and Flinders St will close between 4am and 3pm."

Sydneysiders were warned of road and transport chaos today with significant bus detours with different stops and early ends to trips.

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Collins urged everybody, especially motorists, to avoid non-essential travel around Sydney on Sunday.

"If you must drive, be aware that significant detours will be in place and long delays are expected – so, please leave plenty of extra time to reach your destination, particularly when driving between the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs," Collins said.

"Motorists will only be able to travel east/west across the course via Cleveland St or the Cross City Tunnel, which will be toll-free from 5am to 3pm on the day, however, lengthy delays are still expected."

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Here is the full list of the times and road closures on Sunday.

• 3.30am to 11am: Roads at the start line in Milsons Point including Alfred St South.
• 4am to 8.30am: Roads in Millers Point and Barangaroo including sections of Watsons Rd, Upper Fort St and Argyle St.
• 4am to 9:30am: Roads in Pyrmont north including Bowman St and Pirrama Rd.
• 4am to 10am: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway, Western Distributor and some roads in Milsons Point and Pyrmont.
• 4am to 10:30am: Roads in Millers Point including Hickson Rd, Dalgety Rd and Towns Place.
• 4am to 11am: Roads in The Rocks and Dawes Point including Hickson Rd and George St.
• 4am to 2pm: Roads in Moore Park including Moore Park Rd, Driver Ave. Centennial Park will also be closed to vehicles. Eastern Distributor Bondi Exit to Moore Park Rd will close from 2am – 4am and from 1:15pm – 2pm.
• 4am to 2:30pm: Park St, College St, Oxford St and Flinders St from the city, Darlinghurst through to Moore Park.
• 4am to 3pm: Roads in Sydney CBD east including Macquarie St, Bridge St, College St and Art Gallery Rd.
• 5:30am to 11am: Roads in Sydney CBD north and Circular Quay including Bridge St, Pitt St, Loftus St and Young St.
• 6:30am to 12pm: Southbound lanes of Anzac Pde from Moore Park Rd to Lang Rd at Moore Park. Eastern Distributor Randwick Anzac Pde exit will also be closed.

Firefighters are tackling two separate fast-moving bushfires burning in Queensland.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) issued an emergency warning for people in the Beerwah area on the Sunshine Coast before 2pm after a fire broken containment lines in Glass House Mountains National Park.

More than a dozen fire crews are at the scene of the fire.

Residents can keep up to date with the latest warnings on the QFES website.

A separate grass fire is burning near Emerald in central Queensland, which prompted an emergency warning at 1.15pm.

Several homes and structures are believed to be under threat, with Selma Road between Emerald and Fairbairn Dam Road at risk, including the Fairbairn State Forest.

It is the latest in a string of armed robberies which police believe may be linked.

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