A man has been charged after an alleged incident left another man with a punctured lung in the state’s Hunter region.
Around 9.20pm on Sunday 22 March 2020, a 48-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were in a room of a hotel in William Street, Raymond Terrace, when it is alleged a man broke into the room by smashing a window.
It is alleged he threw a piece of glass which struck the 48-year-old in the chest. The 31-year-old man then left the room.
Police were contacted and commenced an investigation. A crime scene was established, and the injured man was taken to John Hunter Hospital with a suspected punctured lung.
At 8.30pm on Monday 23 March 2020, police found the 31-year-old man in the boot of a car at Raymond Terrace. He was arrested after a short struggle with police and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
He man was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence and resist police.
The man was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Tuesday 24 March 2020).
Month: March 2020
Report Someone not Complying with Self-isolation Order
Police are urging the community to remain vigilant and ensure they comply with orders and directions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Following the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that it is a requirement for all entrants to Australia, including returning travellers, to self-isolate for 14 days, NSW Health and the NSW Police Force are working together to ensure risks to the community are minimised.
The community has been very responsive to public health information and the government’s recent direction to self-isolate and the vast majority of people have done the right thing and complied with the Public Health Order.
The Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) provides NSW Police with the power to enforce public health orders. It is an offence for a person to fail to comply with an order.
As part of the NSW Police Force’s commitment to the safety of the NSW community, Crime Stoppers now has a reporting option to take information from the public about anyone not complying with Public Health Orders.
You can report online to: www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
If you are unable to report online, you can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Your information will be treated confidentially.
The public is reminded to utilise this service responsibly and not to abuse it. The time of emergency services is valuable and is best directed toward legitimate reports.
As always, for urgent or life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
To report a crime, contact the Police Assistance Line on 131444.
For any inquiries related to COVID-19, please call the Coronavirus Health National Information Line on 1800 020 080.
Please call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 if you require health information and advice.
Man dies after being swept off rocks near Port Stephens
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man after he was swept off rocks in the Port Stephens area earlier today.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have been told two men were on rocks at Boulder Bay, south of Fingal Bay, about 10am (Sunday 22 March 2020), when they were swept into the ocean by a wave.
Two friends, who were nearby, threw life jackets to the men, but only one was able to grab it.
Surf lifesavers were alerted and attended the scene and found the body of a 32-year-old man. They rescued the second man, who had a life jacket; he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers are now waiting to speak with all surviving members of the group to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Police believe the deceased man was visiting the area from Merrylands.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Level crossing campaign comes to the Upper Hunter – #TrainToStop
Risky driver behaviour at level crossings will be targeted by police in support of a campaign in parts of the state’s Upper Hunter.
From today (Monday 23 March 2020) to Friday 3 April, police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Hunter Valley Police District will be increasing patrols at level crossings in the Upper Hunter region.
The campaign is aimed at increasing public safety and awareness around rail level crossings in regional NSW – part of an ongoing series of enforcement campaigns between the NSW Police Force and the NSW Centre for Road Safety at Transport for NSW.
During the campaign police will be on the look-out for motorists disobeying level crossing flashing lights and stop signs; vehicles queuing over the railway tracks; speeding near level crossings; and drivers who are distracted by illegal use of mobile phones.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said people need to take personal responsibility when around level crossings to ensure the path is clear.
“Speed and distractions are both major factors when it comes to level crossing collisions. Those few moments of inattention can be fatal.
“Police will be targeting drivers speeding near level crossings and those who are distracted. The consequences of a car or truck hitting a train are severe, so ‘Train to Stop’.
“Police issued almost 1,000 penalty notices for level crossing traffic offences in the past two years.
“We all have a responsibility when behind the wheel, not only for ourselves, passengers and other road users, but also train passengers and crew,” AC Corboy said.
Through the road safety campaign Towards Zero, the NSW Government is working hard to drive the road toll down by highlighting the only acceptable number when it comes to deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads is zero.
Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen MP, said there was no excuse for putting yours and other lives on the line at level crossings.
“Trains can travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and can take up to one-and-a-half kilometres to come to a complete stop,” Mr Johnsen said.
“That means that by the time they see you, it’s often too late. Signs, flashing lights, boom gates and markings are all there for a good reason, and drivers, riders and pedestrians need to pay attention.
“We all have a duty of care when driving, not only for ourselves, passengers and other road users, but also for train passengers and crew.
“Come on Upper Hunter, we can do this. We can do the right thing and keep everyone safe.”
Between July 2008 and January 2020 there have been 76 collisions between trains and cars at level crossings in NSW, resulting in eight people losing their lives and 13 suffering serious injuries – all of which could have been easily avoided.
The penalty for disobeying controls is three demerit points and a $457 fine.
Appeal for information after child approached – Scone
Police are appealing for public assistance as they attempt to clarify the circumstances surrounding a reported child approach at Scone overnight.
An eight-year-old girl has told officers from Hunter Valley Police District, she was in the front yard of her home when a man got out of a ute and grabbed her by the wrist about 6pm Monday (23 March 2020).
The child pulled away and ran indoors and alerted her mother, but the vehicle had left the scene.
Police are now inquiring into the incident and are appealing for anyone with information.
They have a description of a man they believe may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance aged about 40, with a thin build, short brown hair and a tattoo on his right hand.
At the time he was wearing a red shirt and green shorts and left in a red utility.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Greens will seek to amend stimulus package to ensure that everyone in the community is supported
The Greens have circulated amendments in the senate to make sure no-one is disadvantaged by the Government’s stimulus package.
The Greens will seek the support of the senate to:
- Extend the $550 supplement to Youth Allowance for students, Austudy, ABSTUDY, DSP and Carer Payment; Age Pensioners on Commonwealth Rent Assistance;
- Extend the one off $750 payment to people on low income health care cards;
- Ensure that people in the Cashless Debit Card trial sites get their stimulus payment paid into their regular bank account, rather than quarantined; and
- Extend an additional $750 per child for families with children receiving FTB Part A.
Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said:
“The Greens have welcomed the increase to Jobseeker payment in this package but unfortunately some groups are missing out on an increase to their payments. The Greens have moved these amendments to ensure that everyone is supported to get through this crisis.
“Students, disabled people, carers and older Australians who are renting are already more likely to be living in poverty or on a very low income and should have had their payments increased in the second stimulus package.
“I am disappointed that those on low income health care cards, who by the very definition of the card are living on a very low income, will not receive the $750 payment. We know those on low incomes will spend the money.
“For current Cashless Debit Card trial participants, the Bill quarantines 100% of the $750 payment onto a person’s card. Doesn’t the Government want all Australians to be spending cash and stimulating the economy at the moment?
“This is more of the Government’s punitive approach to those on income support. I will seek to remove this from the Bill to ensure that people on compulsory income management receive the payments straight into their bank account.
“It’s also unfair that families with children receiving FTB Part A won’t receive additional relief during this time to acknowledge that extra resources are needed if you are raising a family.
“Failing to address these issues could place the safety of our communities at risk.
“The Government must act urgently and provide adequate funding for at-risk communities to ensure that everyone is supported to get through this crisis.
“Now is the time for us to unite and make policy choices that help people cope through this crisis.”
Reducing family violence during the coronavirus crisis: Greens
The Greens have called on the Morrison Government to urgently fund services needed to respond to the increased risk of family violence during the Coronavirus crisis.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters urged the government to recognise the risks presented by quarantining at home.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe at home. But experience overseas shows that being at home during the COVID-19 crisis can put some women and children at higher risk of abuse from violent or controlling partners,” she said today.
“In the coming months, violence exacerbated by financial pressures, anxiety, restricted access to friends and family, and lack of escape options will mean that some women and children are not safe at home. Services to support those escaping violence are already struggling to meet demand, and the coronavirus will only make things worse.
The Australian Greens are calling on the government to:
- Urgently fund crisis accommodation.
- Waive time limits on accessing crisis accommodation to ensure women and children can safely self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days.
- Urgently increase funding for frontline domestic and family violence services to respond to
- increased and changing demands by:
- increasing staff;
- implementing public health protocols;
- investing in new technology to allow remote advice and support services to be delivered safely and securely.
- Increase funding for Safe at Home programs.
- Work with the COAG Women’s Safety Council to ensure specialist domestic and family violence police officers are available to oversee DVO / AVO applications and enforcement.
“To get through this crisis we all need to work together and find ways to ensure everyone is safe from violence,” Senator Larissa Waters said.
Massive expansion to Coronavirus Supplement after Greens pressure causes Government backflip
More than 250,000 Australians will have an extra $550 a fortnight to get through the Coronavirus crisis, after the Greens pushed the government to extend a crucial supplementary payment that had omitted Australia’s students.
Following questioning from Senator Rachel Siewert and Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Matthias Cormann said the government would now immediately regulate to make Abstudy, Austudy, and Youth Allowance (Student) eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement.
Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:
“We successfully pushed the government over recent weeks to lift Newstart, extend the stimulus package to the not-for-profit sector, and now to include students in the Coronavirus supplement.
“Students whose casual shifts have dried up were in real strife. The government’s package left too many people behind. The Greens have kept the pressure on the government, and delivered for people doing it tough.”
Australian Greens Education Spokesperson:
“When students and the Greens fight together, they win. We’ve won recognition that, at a time when students are losing work and their studies are up in the air, they are absolutely deserve of the same support as anyone else.
“We’ll keep fighting to protect students throughout this crisis, including for an increase to rent assistance and better access to mental health services.”
Australian Greens Social Services Spokesperson:
“It took a lot of questioning and pressure to get the government to give students this basic dignity, and to realise the negative impact their approach would have had on young people. This victory shows the importance of holding the government to account, even when they’re adamant that they will not budge.
“This isn’t over. We need to make sure people on disability support pension and carer allowance will also see a raise in this time of crisis.
Tonight, Matthias Cormann admitted the Minister has the power to extent the Coronavirus Supplement to people on those payments. If they don’t, it will be a shocking act of cruelty to vulnerable people during one of the worst crises Australia has ever faced.”
City of Newcastle 2020-21 draft budget available now
City of Newcastle will seek the support of Councillors on Tuesday evening to place its draft 2020-21 Budget (known as the Operational Plan) on public exhibition.
The draft Budget, which was prepared before the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic virus, forecasts an operating surplus of $3.1 million and includes a $83 million works program.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said staff would spend the next six weeks reshaping the draft Budget in light of COVID-19.
“We understand that every business, whether small, medium or large, is suffering enormously from the impacts of COVID-19 and will likely be affected for the foreseeable future.
“We also know that there are some small businesses locally that may not survive the immediate downturn in economic activity.
“Our role is to identify how we assist and support our community. Our 2020-21 Budget is the tool through which we will direct much of this support with regard to our bottom-line, knowing that it will be impacted as a result.”
“Council will also Tuesday night consider a proposed Community and Economic Resilience Package designed to provide immediate support to businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19.
“Newcastle has a long history of dealing with economic adversity, which gives us the confidence to know that as a community we can get through this together. It will be challenging and have personal impact, but with community mindedness, we will come out the other side.
“We’re especially focused on social cohesion and those in our community now facing unemployment, as well as the elderly who are required to live in isolation for the next few months in order to minimise their exposure to COVID-19.
“As a Council, we must do all we can to help our City get back up,” Cr Nelmes said.
CEO Jeremy Bath said the impact on the local economy from COVID-19 is likely to linger for many years.
“Like all Councils, we have a legislative requirement to have an approved budget in place from 1 July 2020. This means we must place the draft budget on public exhibition now so that the community and Councillors have enough time to consider whether it appropriately addresses community needs.
“A revised budget will be circulated with Councillors and the community in late May which will include an increased works program, recognising that City of Newcastle can help reduce this extraordinary decline in local economic activity through bringing forward capital works to occur in 2021 and 2022.
“Staff have started quantifying the financial impact of COVID-19 on the City’s finances. In the past two weeks, we have seen the cancellation or postponement of 81 bookings and live theatre shows.
“These bookings account for $595,000 in lost income for the next three months. The financial impact for next year’s budget will of course be far, far greater.
“We are also seeing significant falls in our incomes from the reduced receipt of commercial waste at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, facility and sporting field bookings, our long-term investments and parking meters.
“The draft budget will now be boosted to help support our community through this time of crisis. The proposed 2021 works program is likely to largely remain, with most of the changes to be the inclusion of works that were intended to occur in 2022,” Mr Bath said.
The draft Budget includes a $19 million investment in key initiatives at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, including the expansion of Cell 9 for landfill and construction of the Organics Recycling Facility; $9.2 million on Urban Centre and City Centre revitalisation; and $5 million to continue the revitalisation of the city’s coastline.
Other highlights include:
· $11.8 million on road and transport infrastructure projects;
· $26.7 million to city wide services (including $2.7 million on aquatic centres, $3.2 million on recreation, parks, sporting facilities and open space as well as $19 million on waste initiatives);
· $6.7 million towards stormwater projects;
· $7 million towards environment;
· $3.5 million on Smart City projects and strategy; and
· $5.2 million towards replacing outdated fleet.
A further $3.5 million has also been set aside to combat coastal erosion in Stockton through short-to-medium-term measures permitted under the Coastal Zone Management Plan, approved by the NSW Government in August 2018.
Should the Government approve long-term measures via the Stockton Coastal Management Program, which the City will submit by 30 June 2020, Council will consider funding contributions through its quarterly budget review process, along with options for external funding.
The draft budget is available to view in full on the City’s website here.
City’s libraries limited to digital services only to combat spread of COVID-19
City of Newcastle has made the difficult decision to limit its library service to digital only, as part of its continuing efforts to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.
All front facing services and branch operations have been temporarily suspended.
City of Newcastle accepts the advice of the Federal Government that many non-essential services should be temporarily shut down to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The City’s libraries will continue to offer a broad range of digital programs, content and services online.
Novocastrians are encouraged to download the free Newcastle Library App which provides home access to the e-library, including adult and children’s e-books, newspapers, magazines, music and movie streaming services and online learning.
To access the e-library visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Library
For further information on City of Newcastle’s response to COVID-19 please visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19