Two people have been charged and 19 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued since the last COVID-19 update.
CHARGES INCLUDE:
About 12.30pm on Saturday (15 August 2020), police attended the Albury-Wodonga railway bridge and spoke with a 24-year-old man, from West Wodonga, was who was wanted in NSW on four outstanding warrants.
It’s alleged the man had crossed the border into NSW illegally, with officers also locating and seizing a set of knuckledusters when he was searched.
The man was taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with the outstanding warrants, along with go onto running lines, resist police, possession of a prohibited weapon, and fail to comply with the Public Health Order.
He was refused bail appeared at Wagga Wagga Local Court yesterday (Sunday 16 August 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear in Albury Local Court today (Monday 17 August 2020).
In another incident, about 4.20pm on Friday (14 August 2020), a 37-year-old man attended Eastwood Police Station for a meeting. While waiting, the man allegedly coughed directly towards two female officers, aged 30 and 33. He was arrested and taken to Ryde Police Station.
Police will further allege that while in custody the man damaged a station phone during a call.
He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, two counts of assault officer in execution of duty, two counts of intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, and destroy or damage property.
The man was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 25 August 2020.
In addition, 19 people and businesses were issued with PINs. PINS INCLUDE:
– About 12.30pm on Saturday, police were called after a light aircraft, which left Victoria, had landed at Deniliquin Airport. The 61-year-old male pilot did not have a valid permit to enter NSW. He was directed to return immediately to Victoria and was issued with an infringement notice.
– About 11.30am on Saturday, officers from Sydney City PAC were called to a unit on Hay Street, Haymarket, after reports of a party occurring inside. Officers attended and found a gathering in progress with approximately 30 people inside. Officers spoke to the 20-year-old female occupant who told police she booked the premises online. She was issued with a $1000 infringement for failure to comply with noticed direction.
– A man who organised a dance party on the North Coast of NSW last month has been issued an $1000 infringement for ‘Not Comply Noticed Direction’. Police allege the man held the unauthorised party on Saturday 4 July 2020 at Wilsons Creek Road, Wilsons Creek, which attracted an estimated crowd of 1000-1500 people. Following inquiries, the 50-year-old man was issued a PIN on Friday.
– About 10.20pm on Saturday 8 August 2020, officers from Murray River Police District visited a licensed premise on End Street, Deniliquin, where they saw patrons not practicing social distancing. Following inquiries, police issued the licensee – a 65-year-old woman – a $1000 fine on Friday.
– Another licensee of a hotel on Station Place, Wagga Wagga, was also fined $1000 on Saturday, after officers from Riverina Police District identified breaches, including patrons not practising social distancing and an out-of-date COVID safety plan, during a visit on Saturday 8 August 2020.
– On Friday evening, licensing officers from Murray River Police District conducting business inspections spoke with a 54-year-old man at a club in Mulwala, and a 58-year-old woman at a club in Barooga, who were both drinking alcohol and playing gaming machines. Both were from Victoria, with the man entering NSW with a working permit, and the woman entering NSW on a permit strictly stating she was only entering the state to provide care. The man and woman were each issued $1000 PINs.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Author: admin
Teens charged following alleged robbery and assaults – Hamilton
Two teenagers have been charged after an alleged robbery and assault in Hamilton yesterday.
Shortly after 4pm (Sunday 16 August 2020), two teenage boys entered a bottle shop on Beaumont Street, and approached a 28-year-old female employee.
When the employee asked the pair to leave the store, police will allege in court one of the teenagers threatened the woman before they took bottles of alcohol and fled the store.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to the scene and began conducting inquiries.
About 6.30pm the same day, police will further allege the pair were inside a hotel on the same street when they were approached by a 41-year-old male employee.
The employee asked the pair to leave the venue when one of the teenagers allegedly punched him in the face and threatened him with a knife.
Several patrons intervened and the two teenagers exited the venue before allegedly becoming increasing violent towards other patrons.
Police arrived a short time later and attempted to arrest the pair.
Officers deployed OC spray before a short foot pursuit ensued and the teenagers, both aged 16, were arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
One of the teens was charged with two counts of common assault, and one count each of robbery in company, affray and resist officer in execution of duty. He was also charged with outstanding unrelated matters.
The second teen was charged with robbery in company, affray, resist arrest, assault police and a breach of bail offence.
Both were refused bail to face a children’s court later today (Monday 17 August 2020).
Party-bus operator fined for alleged COVID breach – Sydney City
A party-bus operator has been fined for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions overnight in the Sydney CBD.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were contacted about 11.15pm (Saturday 15 August 2020), due to concerns about the way a bus was being driven along Wheat Road.
Police stopped the bus, which had been driven from Penrith to the city, and found 43 people were on board.
Officers spoke with the operator, a 25-year-old Colyton man, due to concerns about the number of people on the bus, as well as several underage people allegedly being intoxicated.
A drug dog was brought to the scene and a 17-year-old female was arrested after allegedly found with cocaine. She will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
The bus operator has been issued a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for failing to comply with a ministerial direction on Public Health Order.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Application process open for $45 million for regional cancer centres
Public and private service providers are invited to apply for grants totalling $45.5 million, to develop regional radiation treatment centres for local cancer patients in ten regions across four states.
The Australian Government is providing the funding to improve access to radiation therapy for thousands of cancer patients in rural and regional areas of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
Currently, cancer patients in these areas have to travel to major centres to obtain their radiation therapy. This can be an exhausting and expensive process, adding to the stress of a cancer diagnosis on the individual, their family and carers.
The Government’s investment will reduce the need to travel outside the region and allow many patients to access all of their cancer treatment services in one place.
Public and private service providers are encouraged to form consortia to apply for the funding, as this will maximise their ability to provide the new or expanded cancer treatment centres.
New and innovative approaches to delivering radiation therapy services in regional Australia are encouraged.
The locations of the new radiation cancer treatment centres were announced in 2019:
- South Coast (Bega /Eurobodalla), NSW.
- Grafton and Clarence Valley, NSW.
- Far North Coast, NSW.
- Mid North Coast (Nambucca, Kempsey), NSW.
- Taree, NSW.
- Armidale, NSW.
- Western NSW (Griffith).
- Gladstone, Qld.
- East Gippsland, Vic.
- Mt Gambier and Limestone Coast, SA.
Funding for this initiative comes from the Australian Government’s Health Infrastructure Program, an important part of our long term health reform agenda.
The program is building, upgrading and expanding vital health infrastructure to ensure Australia’s health system is equipped to meet current and future health needs.
The open competitive grants process for the $45.5 million, which will be provided over five years from 2020-21, will open today at 4pm (Thursday 13 August 2020) for eight weeks and close on Wednesday 7 October 2020.
Full details can be found on GrantConnect.
Australia's Hearing Services
The Australian Government is committed to supporting Australians who are hard of hearing through improvements to its hearing services.
The social and economic impacts of hearing loss are significant, and it is vital the Hearing Services Program continues to keep pace with demand and improvements in technology.
As the nation’s population ages, the impact of hearing loss could double, with 7.8 million Australians predicted to be affected in 2060.
In order to address the challenges faced by Australians who are hard of hearing, the Commonwealth is working with State and Territory authorities to implement the 2019 Roadmap for Hearing Health and delivering investment and reforms that align with the Roadmap, including:
- The national rollout of innovative hearing screening tools for primary health care clinics in remote areas, through a collaboration between Hearing Australia and the Royal Flying Doctors Service
- The development of nationally consistent clinical standards for paediatric audiology and teleaudiology by the Ear Science Institute and Audiology Australia
- Roll-out of a free sign language interpreting service for senior Australians, being delivered by Auslan Connections
- Funding the National Acoustic Laboratory to examine the clinical and economic benefits of upgrading sound processors in clients aged over 65
- A review of the Minimum Hearing Loss Threshold used under the Hearing Services Program, also being undertaken by the National Acoustic Laboratory
Minister Coulton reiterated his desire for the Government’s hearing services to be fit-for-purpose, client-focussed, and prepared for the future.
“The client must sit front and centre when we consider how best to deliver the services Australians need.
“Technology is changing, markets are changing, and our population is changing.
“If we are to ensure the best future for all Australians we must identify and address the barriers faced by all Australians in accessing services,” said Minister Coulton.
“It is therefore necessary and timely to conduct a review of settings in the Hearing Services Program.”
The Hearing Services Review, which will examine settings within the Hearing Services Program to ensure its continued performance, will be conducted by an expert panel consisting of Professor Michael Woods and Dr Zena Burgess PhD.
“Both Prof Woods and Dr Burgess bring with them a wealth of experience and understanding and having discussed the Review with them, they are ready and will launch into their work,” Minister Coulton said.
“I encourage all stakeholders, both within and beyond the sector, to contribute to this review to ensure it is informed with the most conclusive evidence it possibly can.”
This review is part of a suite of efforts underway to improve the lives of Australians who are hard of hearing, regardless where.
The Hearing Services Review is underway and will deliver its findings to Government in July 2021.
Further information about the review – including its Terms of Reference – is available at www.health.gov.au/hearing-review
Red Nose Day working towards saving little lives
Today is Red Nose Day, a day to remember loss and to spread the message to future mothers that the risk of stillbirth and neonatal death can be reduced.
While there has been a reduction in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in Australia, almost 3,000 young babies still die suddenly and unexpectedly each year.
Of 2,924 babies who died in the perinatal period in 2017, three quarters were stillborn. The others died within four weeks of birth.
Every death of a baby is a devastating event for the family. It can lead to ongoing personal, social and financial consequences for parents and families.
In some cases, stillbirth and neonatal death can be prevented. Last December, the Morrison Government announced that $3 million would be provided for a national awareness campaign to demystify stillbirth and reduce its incidence.
The campaign is expected to begin in late September 2020. It will educate women about the importance of three actions during their pregnancy, which can help their unborn babies:
- being aware of fetal movements and reporting changes to their health professional;
- sleeping on their sides; and
- quitting smoking during pregnancy.
The campaign is being developed by Red Nose Limited and the University of Queensland’s Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence. They are working in partnership with Sands Australia, the Stillbirth Foundation, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The campaign will include elements targeted to groups of women with a higher risk of stillbirth, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, some migrant and refugee women, and women from rural and remote communities.
To support parents and families after the death of a baby or toddler, the Morrison Government also provides funding to Red Nose’s telephone and online support service.
The Red Nose Bereavement Support Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed by contacting 1300 308 307.
The Government has also committed $43.9 million for a new Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program to support the mental health of expectant and new parents experiencing or at risk of perinatal mental illness or grieving the loss of a baby, and $1.3 million to Sands Australia for an intensive support service to families affected by stillbirth. The Sands service provides support in hospital that continues when the family returns home.
We continue to work with states and territories, medical, health professionals, and other stakeholders to finalise the first National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan.
The Plan is expected to be released in late 2020 and will provide a national strategic approach to reducing stillbirth in Australia, as well as ensure families affected by stillbirth receive respectful and supportive bereavement care.
Fort Scratchley open Sundays only
Fort Scratchely will be open to the public on Sundays only, between 10am – 4pm, until further notice due to COVID-19.
The opening schedule has been amended to limit the number of volunteers required on site.
Modified access to the historic site includes the barrack grounds, galleries and shop, with social distancing to be practised by visitors.
Visitors to Fort Scratchley can witness the time-honoured tradition of firing the gun at 1pm on Sundays.
Other services such as paid tours of the historic tunnels, events, and group bookings, remain suspended.
NEW POLICE ON THE BEAT KEEPING NSW SAFE
The NSW Police Force welcomes 197 new probationary constables who will join the record numbers of frontline police doing essential work to keep NSW safe.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott and NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM for a restricted ceremony at Goulburn to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, where Class 342 took their oath.
“Frontline police officers have played an unprecedented role in protecting the community, putting their lives on the line to keep us safe every day,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government has committed to recruiting more police officers and supporting those officers in their role of protecting the community.
“Congratulations to the newly attested police officers who graduated today and will now embark on important and rewarding careers.”
Mr Elliott said the latest class of probationary constables should be celebrated for choosing to dedicate their careers to an honorable cause by committing to prevent and disrupt crime.
“Policing can be an incredibly challenging profession, with our officers often facing both the best and worst of humanity in the line of duty. These new officers have already shown great resilience and determination, with their training being adapted to the global pandemic,” Mr Elliott said.
“These officers will take their world class training to the frontline keeping the community safe, and enforcing the Government’s response to COVID-19, at a time when thousands of police have already been deployed to the NSW border operation and hotel quarantine operations”.
Commissioner Fuller said the latest intake of probationary constables will provide a valuable and timely boost to police resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our newest probationary constables from Class 342 leave the Academy during unprecedented times, they will face challenges in their first few months that I won’t have experienced when I joined,” he said.
Class 342 comprises of 125 men and 72 women. Of the probationary constables attesting today, 170 were born in Australia and 27 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include Hong Kong, Nepal, Wales and India.
The new officers will commence duties in their various commands on Monday 17 August 2020. The NSW Government has committed $583 million over four years to deliver 1500 new police officers – the biggest single increase for the NSW Police Force in more than 30 years.
Five charged following drug supply investigation – Hunter region
Five people have been arrested following a three-month investigation into the supply of methylamphetamine in the Hunter region.
In May 2020, officers attached to the Port Stephens-Hunter PD Proactive Crime Team established Strike Force Daman to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs, mainly methylamphetamine, in the Port Stephens-Hunter district.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators – with the assistance of officers from Operation Utah – executed four search warrants at homes in Raymond Terrace, Mallabula, Anna Bay and Singleton from 7am yesterday (Thursday 13 August 2020).
During the searches, police seized a number of items including amounts of methylamphetamine and cannabis, drug paraphernalia, weapons, an electronic stun device and mobile phones.
As a result, three men – aged 24, 45 and 52 – and two women – aged 46 and 51 – were arrested.
A 45-year-old man was arrested at a home in Raymond Terrace. He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with 16 offences including supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and participate in a criminal group.
A 52-year-old man was arrested at an Anna Bay home. He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with seven offences including supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and participate in a criminal group.
They were both refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court yesterday (Thursday 13 August 2020), where they were formally bail refused to reappear at the same court on Monday 12 October 2020.
A 51-year-old woman was also arrested at a Raymond Terrace home. She was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with four offences including supply prohibited drug and participate in criminal group.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at a home in Mallabula. He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with nine offences including supply prohibited drug and participate in a criminal group.
They were both granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 31 August 2020.
A 46-year-old woman was arrested at a home in Singleton. She was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with possess unauthorised firearm and not keep firearm safely. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Singleton Local Court on Thursday 27 August 2020.
COVID-19 update: Two people charged with spitting; seven PINs issued
Two people have been charged with assaulting police and seven Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued since the last COVID-19 update.
Police will allege just before 12pm on Wednesday (12 August 2020), a 14-year-old boy boarded a bus at Lane Cove while appearing to be heavily affected by alcohol.
The driver of the bus told the teenager not to board, but when he boarded the bus anyway, the driver called police.
The teenager allegedly then punched the driver in the head and spat in his face, before getting off the bus.
Officers from North Shore Police Area Command located the young person a short time later, taking him back to Chatswood Police Station, where he allegedly assaulted a police officer who was assisting him to an ambulance. He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for observation.
About 1pm yesterday (Thursday 13 August 2020), he was released from hospital and taken back to the station, where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, assault officer in execution of duty, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, behave in offensive manner in/near public place, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19.
The teen was refused bail to appear before a children’s court today (Friday 14 August 2020).
In an unrelated incident, about 7.30pm yesterday (Thursday 13 August 2020), officers from North Shore Police Area Command attended a home on Spit Road, Mosman, following a call to assist NSW Ambulance Paramedics.
While in the back of the ambulance it’s alleged a woman, aged 23, spat in the face of two police officers and paramedics. It’s further alleged she bit the finger of the male Constable.
The woman was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for assessment. She was released about 11pm and taken to Chatswood Police Station, where she was charged with assault police and not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19.
She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Manly Local Court on Thursday 10 September 2020.
In addition, six people were issued $1000 PINs and one business a $5000 PIN, including:
- A hotel on Darling Street, Balmain, was issued a $5000 PIN for failing to comply with a ministerial direction for alleged breaches detected on Saturday 8 August 2020, following inquiries by officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command. It will be alleged the licensee organised a party at the location, where over 30 people attended.
- The licensee of a hotel at Macksville has been issued with a $1000 PIN after officers from Mid North Coast Police District identified potential breaches during a visit on Friday 7 August 2020. Police will allege a follow-up check revealed the breaches were not addressed, resulting in the PIN.
- Officers from Riverina Police District issued the licensee of a business on Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga, with a $1000 fine for failing to implement a COVID-19 safety plan.
- A 45-year-old man from South Kempsey was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Mid North Coast Police District after he left his home to go grocery shopping during his 14-day self-isolation.
- A 21-year-old woman from Guildford was issued with a $1000 PIN by officers from South Sydney Police Area Command after she breached self-isolation at a facility in Zetland.
- A 38-year-old woman and 43-year-old man from Victoria were each issued with $1000 PINs by officers from Monaro Police District after the pair entered NSW and did not comply with the conditions of their permit. Police will allege they attended the ski fields at Perisher.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.