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Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

Police have charged seven people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 14 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

  • About 12.20pm yesterday (Thursday 30 April 2020), police were called to a shopping centre on Gavenlock Road, Tuggerah, following reports a man verbally abused and spat on a woman. Before police arrived, security staff approached the man; however, he fled and boarded a train at Gosford Railway Station. Officers from Police Transport Command located the 34-year-old man and he was arrested and to Woy Woy Police Station. He was charged with seven offences including shoplifting, common assault, intimidate police officer in execution of duty and not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 1 May 2020).
  • About 6.15pm yesterday, officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command spoke to a group of four people on the ground level of a car park on Mount Street, Mt Druitt. Police will allege they could not provide a reasonable excuse for being at the location. Three of them were issued warnings and moved on from the area. Checks revealed a 22-year-old woman had been issued three $1000 PINs on previous occasions for breaching Ministerial Directions. She was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19). The woman is due to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday 2 September 2020.
  • Just after midday yesterday, officers from Cumberland Police Area Command attended a unit on Lane Street, Wentworthville, to speak to a 49-year-old woman about medical treatment. Upon arrival, she allegedly became aggressive and yelled at officers. It’s further alleged she assaulted and spat at a constable. She was arrested and taken to Granville Police Station where she was charged with resist officer in execution of duty, assault officer in execution of duty and not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. The woman was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today.
  • About 10.45am yesterday, officers from Inner West Police Area Command noticed a woman standing inside the front yard of an apartment block on Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown. Checks revealed the 27-year-old Newtown woman did not live there and had previously been issued a warning. She could not provide a reasonable excuse as to why she was there and during a subsequent search, police located a small bag containing a substance believed to be methylamphetamine. The woman was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station where she was charged with not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19), possess prohibited drug, and trespass. She was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.
  • About 10.45am yesterday, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command stopped and spoke with a 35-year-old man on Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point. It’s alleged he could not provide police with a reasonable excuse for being out of home and was issued a $1000 PIN after already being warned on two previous occasions. About 1.40pm the same day, police noticed the man on Bayswater Road, Potts Point, and spoke to him. He was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and other unrelated offences including shoplifting and trespass. The Waterloo man was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.
  • About 1.45pm yesterday, officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command stopped a Toyota Corolla on Sadlier Avenue, Heckenberg, for the purpose of a random breath test. Police spoke to the four occupants, before searching the car. During the search, police seized cannabis, methylamphetamine, and prescription medication. During a search of one of the occupants, a 42-year-old woman, police located methylamphetamine and heroin. She was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where she was charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and 12 drug related offences. The Bonnyrigg woman was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today.
  • About 8.30pm yesterday, officers from Central North Police District stopped a Holden Commodore on Waratah Street, Brewarrina. The driver, a 33-year-old man, underwent a roadside breath test and allegedly returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Brewarrina Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis allegedly returned a reading of 0.061. Further checks revealed the vehicle had not been registered since June 2019 and the man had been given a previous warning about Ministerial Directions. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive with low range PCA, use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle, use uninsured motor vehicle and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear at Brewarrina Local Court on Tuesday 21 July 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

  • About 2pm, officers from Inner West Police Area Command were patrolling Lyons Road, Camperdown, when they stopped and spoke to a 53-year-old man who was not able to provide police with a reasonable excuse for being out. The man had previously been given warnings on three separate occasions last month. He was issued a $1000 PIN.
  • About 4.45pm, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to Raglan Street, Manly. Police attended and spoke to an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy. It’s alleged they could not provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. The pair had been given a warning on Saturday 11 April 2020. They were each issued a $1000 PIN. The man was also issued a cannabis caution and the teen was given a caution under the Young Offenders Act.

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.
 

Police appeal to locate wanted man – Newcastle

Detectives are appealing for community assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant, who is believed to be in the Newcastle area.
Jake Clarke, aged 23, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant relating to a shooting earlier this year.
Investigators from Fairfield City Police Area Command attached to Strike Force Bellvue, continue to conduct extensive inquiries to locate the man.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of medium build with brown hair and brown eyes.
It is believed Mr Clarke may be frequenting Newcastle and its surrounding suburbs.
If sighted, the community are urged not to approach him and to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Anyone who may have information that can assist investigators are urged to contact Fairfield Police Station on (02) 9728 8399 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or 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.

Man in court after shoppers abused, police and ambulance officers spat on, assaulted

A man is due in Parramatta Bail Court today charged after allegedly abusing members of the public, assaulting police and spitting.
Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command were called to Crown Street, Woolloomooloo, about 9.10pm (Friday 1 May 2020), responding to reports a man was running through traffic hitting cars, then abusing shoppers at a nearby supermarket.
Police approached the man on Suttor Street and arrested him after a short struggle during which the man allegedly spat near police.
Police will allege the 27-year-old man then spat on another man while at Kings Cross Police Station.
The Potts Point man was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital about 11.30pm where he allegedly spat on a police officer and a NSW Ambulance paramedic. He also allegedly kicked an officer in the chest twice.
He remained under police guard in hospital until 5.45am (Saturday 2 May 2020), when he was released and taken to Kings Cross Police Station where he was charged with 10 offences:
• Not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19 (three counts)
• Behave in an offensive manner in/near public place
• Affray
• Common assault (two counts)
• Assault police officer in execution of duty (two counts), and
• Resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
He has been refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 2 May 2020).

Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued seven COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

  • A 27-year-old Potts Point man is due in court today arrested after he was allegedly hitting cars, abusing shoppers and spitting in the Kings Cross area about 9.10pm yesterday (Friday 1 May 2020). The man has been charged with 10 offences including spitting at police and NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 1 May 2020).
  • About 9am yesterday (Friday 1 May 2020), a 33-year-old man was arrested for breaching his bail conditions, after he was seen in a car at Duri, about 10km south of Tamworth. He was also charged with not complying with a noticed direction and has been refused bail to appear in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday 6 May 2020.
  • A 29-year-old Wiley Park man has been charged with breaching his bail conditions for a third time after being arrested after he was seen walking up and down John Street, Cabramatta, between 10am and 10.30am yesterday (Friday 1 May 2020). The man had been charged with not comply with noticed direction COVID-19 after being arrested on Saturday 25 April 2020. A condition of his bail was to comply with Public Health notice directions in relation to COVID-19. The man has subsequently been arrested on Monday 27 April, Thursday 30 April and Friday 1 May 2020. He appeared in Liverpool Local Court yesterday.

Yesterday’s PINs included:

  • Officers from Richmond Police District were patrolling Union Street, South Lismore, about 11.25pm, when they noticed a man knocking on doors of houses and speaking with the resident briefly, before moving on to the next house. When police stopped and spoke to the 46-year-old man, he stated he was looking for a friend. During a subsequent search, police located cannabis and more than $800 cash in his backpack. The man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and custody of knife in public place to appear before Lismore Local Court on Monday 29 June 2020. As checks revealed he had previously been issued a warning for breaching Ministerial Directions, he was also issued a $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19).
  • A 41-year-old man has been issued with a PIN after officers from Liverpool City PAC found him on Sadlier Avenue at Heckenberg, about 5.30pm yesterday (Friday 1 May 2020). The man had been issued with a warning on Thursday 23 April and then fined on Friday 24 April after again being found not complying with a Ministerial Direction. He has been issued a $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19).
  • A 26-year-old Mt Druitt man has been issued with a PIN for failing to comply with a Ministerial Direction after he was found at The Rocks about 8am yesterday (Friday 1 May 2020), by officers from Sydney City PAC. He had been given a warning on Tuesday 28 April 2020.
  • · An 18-year-old man has been issued with a PIN by officers attached to Liverpool City PAC after being found in College Street in Liverpool about 7.30pm yesterday (Friday 1 May 2020). The man had been issued with a warning only two hours earlier. He has now been issued a $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19).

Man charged with possession of child abuse material – Hunter Region

A man has been charged over the alleged possession of child abuse material and drug offences following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler in the state’s Hunter Region.
In November 2019, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began investigating a man allegedly sharing and obtaining child exploitation material on a peer to peer network.
Following extensive investigations, a search warrant was executed at a home in the Hunter Region about 9am today (Friday 1 May 2020), where detectives seized a laptop, electronic storage devices and prohibited drugs.
About 10.30am, strike force detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at a nearby workplace.
The man was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with three counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and appeared before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 1 May 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 6 July 2020.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.

Breakthrough new medicine listings on the PBS for cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma

There is new hope for thousands of Australians with cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma with new and amended medicines listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from today.
To help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, the Australian Government is expanding subsidised access to a breakthrough medicine that combats high cholesterol, with up to 30,000 Australians per year expected to benefit.
From 1 May, the PBS listing of Repatha® (evolocumab) will be extended to include patients with certain types of high risk cardiovascular disease caused by high cholesterol.

  • Patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (abnormally high cholesterol) who have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and meet certain conditions will now have access to Repatha.
  • The listing of Repatha will also be extended to include more patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (genetic high cholesterol).

Hypercholesterolaemia results in abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to blockages in the arteries, hardening of the arterial walls, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke without proper treatment.
Repatha is a breakthrough new medicine that can dramatically lower cholesterol levels which can reduces a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Patients might otherwise pay over $5,400 per year for Repatha. With the PBS subsidy, they will only need to pay $41 per prescription, or $6.60 with a concession card.
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in Australia, with 43,477 deaths attributed to it in Australia in 2017. It is estimated cardiovascular disease kills one Australian every 12 minutes.
Also from today, Australians with rheumatoid arthritis will benefit from the listing of Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) on the PBS.
Patients might otherwise pay more than $16,000 per year for Rinvoq but with the PBS subsidy will only pay $41 or $6.60 with a concession card.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting about 458,000 Australians. It attacks the body’s healthy tissues, targeting the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage.
It can cause significant physical disability, pain, fatigue and mental health issues.
Currently, there is no cure, but rheumatoid arthritis medicines can reduce pain and stiffness and prevent long-term joint damage.
Rinvoq® will be a new treatment option for people with severe rheumatoid arthritis providing them with more choice in how they manage this painful condition.
Around 5,000 patients per year already access a comparable treatment, and may benefit from this new treatment option.
Also from 1 May, Australians with uncontrolled severe asthma will now have access to Fasenra Pen®.
Fasenra® (benralizumab) is currently listed on the PBS as a syringe for injection for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma.
This new pre filled pen will allow patients who choose to self administer Fasenra to be treated at home, rather than attend a clinic to access the medicine through a syringe injection administered by a health professional.
Over 1,000 patients per year access Fasenra through the PBS and may benefit from the listing of Fasenra Pen®. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might otherwise pay up to $23,000 per year.
These new and amended listings were recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,350 new or amended listings on the PBS.
This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month or around one each day – at an overall investment by the Government around $11 billion.
The Government’s commitment to making sure Australians can access the medicines they need, at affordable prices, remains rock solid.

Large swell warning as beaches remain closed

With large swells forecast this weekend, City of Newcastle is reminding the community that all beaches remain closed in response to COVID-19 restrictions and seasonal patrols have ceased at Stockton, Newcastle and Dixon Park, along with Merewether Ocean Baths.
Lifeguards are still patrolling Nobbys, Bar and Merewether beaches and Newcastle Ocean Baths through the cooler months, where they continue to monitor public safety and encourage adherence to social distancing measures.
Sally-Burns-inside.jpgMerewether Beach lifeguard Sally Burns
Our lifeguards have played a key role in the response to COVID-19, promoting social distancing at beaches and working with NSW Police by monitoring adherence to the Public Health Orders.
The summer season beach patrols will recommence on Saturday 26 September.
For more information about how we’re responding to COVID-19, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19
 

Street tree program ramps up after autumn rain

City of Newcastle is capitalising on autumn rain by planting hundreds of street trees across Newcastle as part of the Living Streets Program to expand the City’s urban forest.
Crews have been busy digging holes on street verges and reserves for around 500 trees – 40 different species – across Wallsend, Adamstown and Adamstown Heights (click here for the full list of streets)
Around 1,000 street trees will be planted this year as part of the City’s commitment to deliver cleaner air, reduced stormwater runoff, habitat for local biodiversity, more shade and a cooler urban environment.
LM-and-Cr-Dunn-in-Tyrrell-Street-inside.jpgLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Ward 4 Cr Jason Dunn planting a tree in Tyrrell Street, Wallsend.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who joined City staff to plant trees along Tyrrell Street Wallsend today, said autumn offered the perfect weather for new plantings and that today’s work followed a council decision to join a global initiative aimed at enhancing nature in and around cities.
“While most community requests for tree plantings come during Summer when we are all feeling the need for more trees, Summer isn’t the ideal time to plant and establish trees,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“The weather conditions are more favourable at this time of year as it’s cooler and more rain is about.
“Under our Living Streets program and in line with the City’s Urban Forest Policy, we are committed to sustaining and expanding our urban canopy cover, as we know a five per cent increase can reduce summer temperatures by one to two degrees, and that 17 trees will offset the use of one car a year in terms of carbon emissions.
“We want to see more trees and nature in our cities, which is why earlier this week Council voted to accept an invitation to become a pioneer city of the CitiesWithNature initiative aimed at promoting the many benefits of bringing urban communities closer to nature. These include mental and physical health and wellbeing, better social connections, greater liveability, urban cooling and climate change adaptation.
“CWN is a unique partnership initiative founded by ICLEI or Local Governments for Sustainability that provides an online platform to connect cities and subnational governments, researchers and urban communities to share, learn from and inspire each other.”
LM-and-Cr-Dunn-in-Tyrrell-Street3-thumb.jpg
Council’s City Greening Services team will complete regular maintenance of the new trees, among 6,000 recently planted across the local government area, carrying out mulching, weeding, watering and formative pruning.
The City is running a series of education activities in conjunction with tree planting, encouraging children during the COVID-19 lockdown to observe animals that visit their favourite tree and write a love letter to it.
Ward 4 Councillor Jason Dunn said kids were invited to submit a letter and photo of the tree to naturalconnection@ncc.nsw.gov.au to encourage conservatory thinking and see which trees are the most popular across the local government area.
“We want kids to take a moment to visit their favourite tree and stop, watch and listen and then write to us about how many different animals visit the tree, how long they think it’s been here and what could be lost if it was cut down Councillor Dunn said.
“As well as planting trees, we want to educate the next generation about how native and non-native trees support a huge amount of life in urban environments.”
Pic-by-Astrid.pngA drawing submitted by Astrid, 7, from Wallsend, of her favourite trees.

NEW COVID-19 HEAT MAPS TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES

In an Australian first, heat maps pinpointing COVID-19 cases by postcode will now show how many people have recovered from the virus, the estimated number of active local cases and number of tests completed.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the de-identified NSW Health data would help inform the community about COVID-19 testing and recovery rates across the state.
“NSW has one of the highest COVID-19 testing rates in the world. We have tested more than 200,000 people and have capacity to test more than 110,000 in a fortnight,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This new way of showing NSW Health data will help communities understand the numbers of people being tested, and encourage more people with symptoms to come forward for testing when they see the impact COVID-19 is having on their local area.
“It also provides encouraging data showing how people are bouncing back from the virus.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the heat maps build on the transparency of existing data and will help the community stay informed.
“Providing these heat maps to the public makes NSW a leader in the delivery of live information about COVID-19,” Mr Dominello said.
“At this point in time, it shows the community is rising to the challenge and doing the right thing by our State.”
This data reveals the positive effect of the NSW Government’s communication and testing efforts focussed on hot-spot clusters.
For instance, in Liverpool there was less than 1,000 tests a month ago but that has climbed to more than 2,600 at recent count.
In Orange, where confirmed cases reached 10, NSW Health has tested more than a thousand people which has helped slow any increase in cases.
The tool provides a colour representation of the total cumulative cases across postcodes. The darker shades indicate the most cases.
The heat map can be accessed at:  https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/find-facts-about-covid-19 and for further COVID-19 information visit www.nsw.gov.au.

OVER 1,800 BUSINESSES STEP UP TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Over 1,800 businesses from across the state have answered the government’s call for locals to fill the medical supply chain, helping stabilise stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) urgently needed in the fight against COVID-19.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the government had engaged with more than 1,600 businesses so far and ordered critical items including face masks and shields, hand sanitiser, disinfectants, gloves, surgical gowns and paper products through the Emergency Supplies portal.
“We’ve received an overwhelming response to our call for assistance to meet demand for these key protective products, which prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m proud so many local suppliers and manufacturers have acted quickly to source or produce equipment that protects our emergency and frontline medical workers serving our community in this time of urgent need.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Industry and Trade John Barilaro said 20 per cent of the businesses listed on the portal are from regional NSW.
“We know businesses in regional NSW are struggling, having dealt with drought, bushfires and now COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.
“However, people in the bush are resilient and resourceful and that’s never been more evident than now as companies re-purpose their product line to provide medical and cleaning products, to help during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Small businesses are the backbone of regional towns, providing employment and services and it’s great to see them reskilling their workforce during the COVID-19 crisis, keeping locals employed and dollars flowing.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said a team from across Government had been working to contact over 1,800 businesses who had registered on the portal, assessing their capability to meet strict Therapeutic Goods Administration standards.
“Less than a month ago we faced a global shortage of PPE products, and the Premier and I issued our call for businesses to step up and help meet this urgent challenge,” Mr Ayres said.
“Today, thanks in part to their efforts, >we’re confident our requirements can be met in the medium term. We have identified hundreds of new suppliers of these critical products through this process and it has shone a light on the tremendous capability and resourcefulness of NSW companies.”
“We know that local governments, businesses and industry also rely on access to this important equipment for their day-to-day operation.”
To ensure businesses also have access to these critical products, the NSW Government is helping industry connect with these suppliers through the launch of a new, public COVID-19 Emergency Supplies Portal.
“We encourage industry to use this Portal to identify suppliers that can service industry needs across a range of PPE products through business-to-business transactions,” Mr Ayres said.
“Our focus will now also move towards establishing domestic supply chains and supporting local manufacturers capable of reducing our reliance on imports.”
Local governments and industry can access local PPE suppliers by visiting buy.nsw.gov.au and businesses can still register their interest to supply at nsw.gov.au.