Former Channel Nine news director and 60 Minutes executive producer John Westacott has died aged 73.

Westacott, a giant of the Nine Network, died after suffering a suspected medical episode on Sydney Harbour at the weekend.

The avid sailor was pulled from the water in Vaucluse about 1.30pm on Sunday and could not be revived.

Westacott, who retired from Nine in 2009, is being remembered by colleagues as a 'journalist's journo'.

Michael Healy, Nine's Director of TV, and Darren Wick, Nine's National Director of News and Current Affairs released a joint statement following his death.

"John Westacott was a trailblazer of Australian journalism.

"The longest-serving and most successful Executive Producer of 60 Minutes, a driving force of A Current Affair and a visionary with Nine as the National Director of News and Current Affairs.

"Westy was an enigma. There was no-one like him. He didn't care about political correctness and would publicly declare that.

"He didn't care where you came from, nor about your gender, ethnicity or religious and political beliefs. He cared about whether you had the passion and ability to tell a great story.

"His lifelong love was 60 Minutes. He was fearless as he pushed his team to report some of the greatest stories and interviews Australians have ever seen. And he was ferocious in defending his team against any criticism – externally and internally.

"Westy had a laser-like focus and an incredible intuition on what 60 Minutes meant to 

Australian viewers and what they wanted to see from the program every Sunday night.

"During his later years with Nine, as the Head of News and Current Affairs, he was the driving force behind bringing Peter Overton into the seat as the anchor of the Sydney 6pm News. He saw well into the future when others didn't.

"He understood the integrity and authenticity that Peter would bring to Nine News and set it apart from the rest. The fact that the 6pm Sydney bulletin has dominated the News for the past 12 years is a testament to the vision that John Westacott brought to Nine.

"He was no saint and had a devilish sense of humour and was a master of mischief. 

"But he was a journalist's journo and always a generous source of knowledge and insight.

"Westy made Nine a better place. He was a big vision, big picture person who made us all reach for the stars and land on them.

"We will miss him," the statement ended.

Westacott is survived by his wife Cecile and two sons.

Protesters have warned more climate demonstrations are planned after two people glued themselves to a Picasso artwork at the National Gallery of Victoria yesterday.

Three Extinction Rebellion protesters were arrested, including campaigner Tony Gleeson after they attached themselves to the priceless artwork — an anti-war painting titled Massacre in Korea — for more than an hour.

Gleeson told 9News Melbourne that "lots of work" went into planning the protest and said the painting was not damaged.

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The surface of the painting is covered with glass, so the glue didn't directly damage it, the retired teacher said.

"That piece was chosen mainly because it was covered," he said.

"Most of the paintings there weren't covered."

Extinction Rebellion has staged demonstrations across the nation, which has included bringing peak hour traffic to a grinding halt when protesters glued themselves to the road or blocked the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

Gleeson said more would be coming over the next two weeks.

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He hoped the protests would encourage stronger government action against climate change.

"We're sorry that that happened but we don't have a choice," Gleeson said.

"It was disruptive because that's what works. We might have set the bar too high, but we'll see."

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It will be another summer of tempestuous weather conditions, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's long-range severe weather outlook.

The bureau indicates increased risk of widespread flooding for eastern and northern Australia, heatwaves and more tropical cyclones in 2022-23.

Extreme conditions are expected to be the most prevalent from October to April.

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Tropical Cyclones more frequent and earlier

The bureau has warned there is an increased chance of tropical cyclones developing earlier in the season this year, which runs from November and April. 

There is also a greater than 70 per cent chance of at least 11 tropical cyclones, more than the long-term average.

Australia has an average of nine to 11 tropical cyclones each year, with around four crossing the coast in an average season.

The message from the bureau us to "prepare early" and "stay up-to-date" in the weeks before cyclone season begins.

Flooding

As we have seen in the past year, localised major flooding can occur in the wet season for much of Australia.

This season, the bureau said there is an increased risk of widespread and prolonged riverine flooding across northern and eastern Australia.

With many rivers, damns and catchments already recording high levels, a third La Nina in a row will most likely trigger floods, similar to what was seen this weekend in New South Wales.

Heatwaves

Although the outlook might be wet this summer, it doesn't mean heatwaves are off the cards.

Given the long-term warming trend, the bureau said some places will experience heatwaves, even during a wet summer.

While temperatures may not reach extreme levels, in southern areas, heatwaves may last longer, be warmer overnight and be more humid.

'Unusually high' tides

The highest tides of the year are expected to be "unusually high" around January 23 on the New South Wales and southern Queensland coasts.

The same warning is in place for northern Queensland coasts, including in the Torres Strait around February 20.

The bureau said flooding is likely to occur in low-lying areas around unusually high tides and warned severe coastal flooding could occur if coastal or offshore storms are around at these times.

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Bushfires

Bushfire season across southern Australia in summer is always a risk, the bureau said.

While large bushfires are less likely, continuing wet conditions may further increase grass growth, which can lead to increased risk from grassfires.

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