NSW Health has urged an urgent warning to locals to protect themselves from mosquito bites following a probable case of Japanese encephalitis.

Hilltops Council is urging the public to dispose of batteries safely and correctly following a fire at the Monteagle Waste Facility which has caused the tip to be closed.

The start of the New Year brought with it conditions that exacerbated the fire risk across the Hilltops, with a number of fires affecting parts of the region.

The NSW Government and the newly appointed Drought Coordinator have said he, along with his team will push communications to support drought affected communities in the south of the state.

The final month of spring was chaotic when it came to the weather with sunshine, warmth, freezing cold, rain, wind and storms.

With the arrival of summer, NSW Health is urging people to protect themselves from mosquito bites.