Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have taken action against a number of people during an operation targeting the illegal use of unregistered trail bikes.
The pro-active operation was conducted yesterday (Wednesday 19 February 2020), focusing on the areas of Windale, Glendale and Cameron Park.
During the operation, a rider was seen travelling on Main Road, Cameron Park before the 28-year-old man was arrested on Nancy Close about 3pm.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, display misleading plates, use unregistered and uninsured vehicle, possess prohibited drugs and drive whilst disqualified.
The Teralba man has been refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Thursday 20 February 2020).
A second rider, a 33-year-old man, was arrested about 4.20pm after being seen travelling from Windale to Dudley.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, use unregistered and uninsured vehicle, rider not wear helmet, unlicensed rider and trespass.
The Gateshead man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Monday 24 February 2020
During the operation, police also issued three infringements for negligent driving, two youth cautions for ride unregistered bike, and seized four unregistered trail bikes.
Lake Macquarie Police District Commander, Superintendent Daniel Sullivan said police will continue to detect and deter illegal trail bike offences throughout the Lake Macquarie area through these operations.
“The behaviour of trail bike riders is a major concern for police. Their reckless behaviour not only places their lives at risk but more importantly, those of innocent people,” Supt Sullivan said
“When riders are detected breaking the law, police will take appropriate action by issuing infringements, charges, suspending licences and seizing bikes,” he said.
Month: February 2020
Three vehicles damaged after rocks thrown from overpass – Muswellbrook
Police are appealing for public assistance after rocks were thrown from an overpass in the Hunter region overnight.
About 10.30pm (Tuesday 18 February 2020), police have been told a group of people, not further described, threw rocks from the railway overpass at Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, onto oncoming traffic.
The rocks have caused damaged to three vehicles traveling on the roadway below – a B double truck suffered damage to a rear window, another B double truck suffered dents and paint damage to its roof, and the front windscreen was smashed on a Nissan Murano SUV.
No one was injured.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Hunter Valley Police District Duty Officer, Chief Inspector Guy Guiana, urged any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision in the area at the time to come forward.
“While it’s unfortunate that three vehicles were damaged, it was extremely lucky no one was injured in the incident,” Ch/Insp Guiana said.
“Throwing rocks at oncoming traffic is a very serious matter and we are keen to speak to anyone with any information about this dangerous incident.”
Backing Important Coronavirus Research
The Morrison Government is fast tracking $2 million in funding to support Australia’s best researchers as they work to understand and respond to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19.
Our government’s priority is to keep Australians safe and this $2 million investment will help develop a coronavirus vaccine.
Following a meeting of leading Australian researchers last week, the Government is providing the funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for an open and competitive Grant Opportunity to develop a coronavirus vaccine.
This Grant Opportunity will complement the world-leading work already undertaken by the Doherty Institute, CSIRO and University of Queensland and their collaboration.
The ability to swiftly react to emerging health issues is a key strength of the MRFF, which was established in 2015 to support health and medical research and innovation for the benefit of all Australians.
Research plays a critical role in ensuring Australia maintains its world-class health system and is particularly important as the world responds to coronavirus.
Last week’s meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, included eminent experts from across Australia including the three centres of research excellence working on epidemic preparedness, the WHO Collaborating Centre on Influenza, the CSIRO and states and territories.
The open and competitive grant opportunity – under the MRFF Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative will open soon and information will be available on GrantConnect at https://www.grants.gov.au
For more information about coronavirus, visit the Department of Health website.
Our government’s priority is to keep Australians safe and this $2 million investment will help develop a coronavirus vaccine.
Following a meeting of leading Australian researchers last week, the Government is providing the funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for an open and competitive Grant Opportunity to develop a coronavirus vaccine.
This Grant Opportunity will complement the world-leading work already undertaken by the Doherty Institute, CSIRO and University of Queensland and their collaboration.
The ability to swiftly react to emerging health issues is a key strength of the MRFF, which was established in 2015 to support health and medical research and innovation for the benefit of all Australians.
Research plays a critical role in ensuring Australia maintains its world-class health system and is particularly important as the world responds to coronavirus.
Last week’s meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, included eminent experts from across Australia including the three centres of research excellence working on epidemic preparedness, the WHO Collaborating Centre on Influenza, the CSIRO and states and territories.
The open and competitive grant opportunity – under the MRFF Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative will open soon and information will be available on GrantConnect at https://www.grants.gov.au
For more information about coronavirus, visit the Department of Health website.
Imminent risk to Lexie’s Café building forces City to keep building closed
City of Newcastle has been forced to maintain the closure of the building at Stockton Beach currently leased to Lexie’s Café following advice from coastal engineers.
The independent report following further severe erosion in recent weeks states that the building is within a hazardous zone of wave impact and is at immediate risk of significant damage or failure in a one-in-two-year storm event.
As a result, the City will not permit occupancy of the building.
City of Newcastle Infrastructure and Property Director Ken Liddell said the decision was made because of the unacceptable risk posed to public safety.
“According to the coastal engineers’ advice, the erosion impact on the building has created an imminent risk to public safety and, as a result, the building cannot be occupied,” Liddell said.
“We understand the direct impact this will have for the operators of the Café, staff and its patrons as Lexie’s is a much-loved and valuable part of the community. We will be working closely with the business owner to transition out of the premises to make this difficult process as smooth as possible.
“The erosion of Stockton Beach has been recognised as a natural disaster and the City must keep public safety a priority as the ongoing issues are managed and we work with the NSW Government on sustainable long-term solutions.”
Due to the same severe erosion event, City of Newcastle relocated all ocean-edge cabins to the adjacent reserve behind Stockton Swimming Pool to save the assets from falling into the ocean.
This is a temporary measure and a development application will be submitted to secure this location in the short to medium term while a long-term solution to the erosion is implemented and the risk to assets mitigated.
No space is available for all the relocated cabins within the existing holiday park as this space is designated for tents and caravans, and the park continues to take bookings.
While the cabins have been temporarily located, they must be properly secured to safeguard them against high winds, requiring footings and ties to be installed.
Underground works to the area east of Stockton Swimming Pool have been undertaken to minimise future costs associated with the security of the cabins, should a development application for the permanent relocation of the cabins in this area be approved.
“High winds occur in the area during east coast low storm events, which typically happen in the March-April period that is rapidly approaching,” Liddell said.
“If the development application is not approved, the cabins will be removed from the reserve. The works will not impact future use of the area by the public.
“The City of Newcastle is undertaking these measures to ensure public safety as well as to help protect what is a key part of Stockton’s tourism economy.
“The longer this important holiday accommodation is unable to be booked by visitors, the more tourism dollars Stockton is missing out on causing further harm to Stockton’s economy and community.”
GREATER SYDNEY WATER RESTRICTIONS EXPECTED TO BE RELAXED ON 1 MARCH
Water restrictions in Greater Sydney are expected to be relaxed to Level 1 on the 1st of March as Sydney Dam levels reach 80 per cent following recent rainfall.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said Level 2 water restrictions will remain in place for two more weeks to reduce the demand on the water supply network and ensure water quality remains high.
“We recently experienced the biggest rain event in 20 years, which has impacted the quality of raw water in Greater Sydney’s bushfire affected catchment,” Mrs Pavey said.
“A number of initiatives are in place to ensure the water is safe for use, including extensive testing, filtration and nets to catch debris, but we are allowing an extra two weeks purely as a precautionary measure.”
“It will also give the system time to recover and on the 1st of March we expect Greater Sydney will revert back to Level 1 water restrictions, subject to water quality assessment by Water NSW and Sydney Water.”
Under Level 1 water restrictions, residents and businesses are not able to leave hoses running unattended, wash vehicles and buildings with a hose that isn’t fitted with a trigger nozzle, or use standard sprinklers and watering systems at any time.
Mrs Pavey acknowledged people have been patient and applauded their efforts to reduce the amount of water being used annually – from 200L per person per day in 2017, to 180L today.
“Despite a 26 per cent increase in population, the total demand for drinking water remains lower than it did before mandatory restrictions were introduced in late 2003,” Mrs Pavey said.
Fines will still apply for breaches of water restrictions – $220 for residential breaches and $550 for businesses. Exemptions will be available for non-residential customers with outdoor water use as their core business.
For a full list of requirements for Level 1 and 2 water restrictions visit: lovewater.sydney
E-PLANNING MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR HOMEOWNERS
Homeowners across the State are the biggest winners from the NSW Government’s ePlanning initiative, with new figures released today showing increased transparency and reduced DA assessment times.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the results of the initiative reinforce the Government’s plan to mandate ePlanning this year across 42 councils in metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and Central Coast.
“The initiative with 26 councils has been an overwhelming success – there’s been a 20-day reduction in assessment times where advice is needed from State agencies, 23 per cent of online DAs have been submitted outside office hours, and 1779 hours’ have been saved for councils and local residents,” Mr Dominello said.
“Councils in metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and Central Coast determine more than two-thirds of all DAs lodged in NSW, accounting for approximately $39 billion in investment value for the State’s economy.”
Mr Stokes said mandating ePlanning in these councils is a key part of the Government’s program to reform the NSW planning system to improve its transparency, certainty and timeliness.
“We’re transforming the planning system by replacing an old paper-based system with a digital platform. Providing customers and councils with real-time information boosts transparency, avoids delays and provides greater visibility of development proposals,” Mr Stokes said.
The mandate will require councils to complete the following via the NSW Planning Portal:
- Commence use of all relevant digital services, including the lodgement of DAs, Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), and post-consent certificates;
- Process 100 per cent of all planning applications (DAs, CDCs and post-consent certificates);
- Appointment of principle certifying authorities and issue certificates; and
- All new digital services with go-live dates to be determined in consultation with industry and councils.
An industry reference group will be established to allow stakeholders to provide feedback on implementing the roll-out of mandatory ePlanning.
ePlanning will be mandated in the following councils:
| Blacktown | Blue Mountains | Burwood | Camden | Campbelltown | Canada Bay | |||
| Canterbury-Bankstown | Central Coast | Cessnock | City of Sydney | Cumberland | Fairfield | |||
| Georges River | Hawkesbury | Hornsby | Hunters Hill | Inner West | Kiama | |||
| Ku-ring-gai | Lake Macquarie | Lane Cove | Liverpool | Mosman | Newcastle | |||
| North Sydney | Northern Beaches | Parramatta | Penrith | Randwick | Ryde | |||
| Shellharbour | Shoalhaven | Strathfield | Sutherland | The Hills | Waverley | |||
| Willoughby |
|
Wollondilly | Wollongong | Woollahra | Bayside |
ROUGH SLEEPER STREET COUNT UNDERWAY
For the first time, the NSW Government and non-government organisations are joining forces to conduct street counts of people sleeping rough in almost 300 locations across the state.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said staff from the Department of Communities and Justice were working with homelessness services, community housing providers and local councils to undertake the counts.
“Our Government has committed to halving street sleeping by 2025 and this street count is an important step as we work towards this ambitious target,” Mr Ward said.
“We are putting together the most complete and up-to-date picture possible of the number of people sleeping rough and where we can have the greatest impact.
“These street counts will help foster local collaboration to end street sleeping and inform local approaches to prevention, housing options and post-crisis support.”
The first phase of street counts in February 2020 will provide data for most of the state, with a second phase in April 2020 in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern NSW.
CEO of Mission Australia James Toomey said the street count would provide Government and non-government organisations with important data that will help them tackle rough sleeping.
“We need to focus on the things we know work that have an evidence base behind them and by doing that in collaboration we can end street homelessness,” Mr Toomey said.
The Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to halving street sleeping across NSW by 2025 as part of its Premier’s Priorities.
NSW is part of a global movement to end street sleeping, with the Premier signing the Act to End Street Sleeping Agreement in February 2019 with the Institute of Global Homelessness, the City of Sydney and several non-government organisations.
2020 NSW 17/U Team for Nationals named
Netball NSW is delighted to announce the 12 athletes selected to represent the state at the 2020 17/U National Netball Championships in April.
This year the Nationals will take place in Hobart, Tasmania from the 18-23 April, at the city’s Netball and Sports Centre.
Teams from each state and territory will contest championships in the 17/U and 19/U age groups. Gold medal matches will be played on Thursday 23 April to decide the 2020 National Netball Champions in both divisions.
Last year NSW took home silver medals in both age groups and will be looking to go one better in 2020.
Netball NSW Head of Netball Nikki Horton said it was a very important milestone for every athlete selected.
“Nationals are one of the big benchmarks on along the Netball NSW pathway and to be selected for a state team is a huge achievement,” she said.
“Last year NSW was very competitive in reaching both the 19/U and 17/U Grand Finals and in 2020 we’ll be hoping to take the next step and bring silverware back to the state.
“I would like to commend every athlete who took part in what was a very long, and rigorous selection process, especially the athletes who have made it to the end.
“We now look forward to working with them and the coaching team as we get ready for Tasmania.”
2020 NSW 17/U Team
Amelia Kirgan (Bankstown City)
Audrey Little (Manly Warringah)
Charli Fidler (Manly Warringah)
Charlotte Smith (Sutherland Shire)
Ella Johnson (Ku-ring-gai)
Erin O’Brien (Northern Suburbs)
Jamie Podmore Taylor (Northern Suburbs)
Kyah Vaeila (Penrith District)
Millie Roach (Ku-ring-gai)
Papi Alaalatoa (Liverpool City)
Skye Gosby (Sutherland Shire)
Sophie Fawns (Wagga Wagga)
Coaches
Head Coach: Amber Cross (Wyong District)
Assistant Coach: Kath Tetley (Baulkham-Hills Shire)
Apprentice Coach: Kirstie Fuller (Gunnedah)
Manager: Jenny Gage-Traill (Northern Suburbs)
Strike Force Farview investigators appeal over 2018 death of Hunter Valley man
Police are appealing for information as they continue to investigate the suspicious death of a Hunter Valley man just over a year ago.
About 8pm on Saturday 1 December 2018, emergency services were called to a rural property in
Denman, following reports of a concern for welfare.
On arrival, officers from Hunter Valley Police District found a 71-year-old man had died. He was later formally identified as Douglas Thrift.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Thrift had a fatal concentration of the highly-toxic strychnine in his system. Strychnine is a restricted substance.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Farview to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer, said detectives would leave no stone unturned in this investigation.
“From all accounts, Douglas Thrift was a loving father, grandfather and husband, who really enjoyed playing sports – especially rugby union, cricket and golf – and was happiest working on his farm,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
“Strike Force Farview investigators are trying to piece together how a fatal amount of this substance came to be in his system.
“Our detectives are keen to speak with those who saw or spoke with Mr Thrift in the days leading up to his death in early December 2018.
“We’re also interested in speaking to any farmers, or other members of the public, who have found strychnine missing from their properties.”
Environment restoration rorts to be referred to Auditor General
The Greens will refer the Environment Restoration Fund and the Communities Environment Program to the Auditor General for investigation, after The Saturday Paper reported today the $100m grants were used by the Coalition for pork-barrelling.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Government’s use of the funding looks and stinks like ‘sports rorts’.
“A $100m grants program for environment restoration projects has reportedly been restricted to 25 preselected projects, most of them in key seats for the Coalition,” she said.
“Much like with sports rorts there’s been no transparency, no criteria to meet and surprise funding for grantees who didn’t even apply for a grant.
“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck – or in this case, a rort.
“This is why I’m referring the Environment Restoration Fund and the Communities Environment program to the Auditor General for investigation.
“We need the same scrutiny from the Auditor General on this program, as he gave to the billions of taxpayer dollars handed out under the Community Sport Infrastructure grants program, exposing the rorting and bringing down a Government Minister.
“We need to hold this government accountable for their rorting of taxpayer money to keep themselves in power, but we also need to stand up for our environment which also bears the brunt of the Coalition’s incompetency.
“More money is desperately needed for environmental restoration but it needs to be going to projects that need it the most, not where the LNP is trying to hold seats at election time.”