Month: April 2020

Elective Surgery Restrictions Eased

The Australian Government in partnership with states and territories, peak surgical bodies, the AMA and the private hospital sector will be increasing the availability of elective surgery in a safe and carefully considered way which ensures the wellbeing of both patients and healthcare workers.
This is possible due to the strong collaboration across governments to build capacity and strengthen the health system to reduce the threat of COVID-19.
Through our containment measures we have successfully suppressed the virus: closing our borders, testing, tracing, and in particular, the social distancing and the isolation. These continue to be our strongest weapons against the coronavirus.
We have been boosting the capacity of the hospitals and in addition secured over 3000 new ventilators and we have now received 60 million masks into the national stockpile. From that, perhaps most importantly, we have secured an extra 100 million masks over the next six weeks to protect our vital health care workers in what has been an intensely competitive global environment.
Through testing we have had a rate of increase of less than 1 per cent per day for nine days straight now.
All these measures are helping to bring down the rate of transmission, flattening the curve and giving us the opportunity to relax some of our measures.
Restrictions on elective surgery have been a difficult but important part of ensuring the capacity across the health system to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, thanks to the efforts of all Australians – National Cabinet has agreed with the health advice that we are in a position to reintroduce some elective procedures.
We particularly acknowledge those patients who have had their elective surgery deferred and recognise the effect this has had on their lives and wellbeing.
The first phase of the reintroduction will occur on 27 April.
Our central aim is to increase the availability of elective surgery in a safe and equitable way, on a nationally consistent basis for public and private patients.
Reintroduction of elective surgery will be done using a staged and controlled process which balances the ongoing need for the capacity to treat COVID-19 patients, while allowing our hospitals to treat elective surgery patients.
The selection of patients to undergo elective surgery will ultimately be a clinical one, guided by the following principles, recommended by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and endorsed by National Cabinet:

  • Procedures representing low risk, high value care as determined by specialist societies
  • Selection of patients who are at low risk of post-operative deterioration
  • Children whose procedures have exceeded clinical wait times
  • Assisted reproduction (IVF)
  • Endoscopic procedures
  • Screening programs
  • Critical dental procedures.

This first stage of reinstating elective surgeries will require health administrators to monitor supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), ICU and bed capacity, while preparing for the next phase.
On the advice of AHPPC, in addition to Category 1 elective surgeries, hospitals will initially recommence one in four closed operating lists, with a focus on Category 2 and some important Category 3.
In reintroducing elective surgery we acknowledge the safety of patients and healthcare workers is paramount. A thorough risk assessment of patients planned for elective surgery is essential, based on national guidelines.
There will be a national a study into asymptomatic carriage of COVID-19 in elective surgery patients to further inform testing policy.
Personal protective equipment is a critical element of staff safety and the use of PPE should be in accordance with national guidelines. The grade of PPE should be determined according to the national suspected case definitions.
The Australian, state and territory governments have put in place clear timeframes to monitor and review the situation as part of our commitment to protect patients, health care staff and consistent with AHPPC advice.
An overall review for additional support will be undertaken at two weeks and at four weeks based on:

  • The number of positive cases, in both healthcare workers and patients, linked to increased activity
  • PPE use and availability
  • The volume of procedures and hospital/system capacity.

City welcomes State Government progress on sand nourishment for Stockton

City of Newcastle has welcomed a long-term plan to address erosion at Stockton Beach using large-scale sand nourishment.
Councils across NSW are preparing plans to manage coastal areas in line with the NSW Government’s Coastal Management Act 2016, with City of Newcastle working through COVID-19 isolation arrangements to meet an early deadline of 30 June 2020.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a range of options would be considered, with sand nourishment the primary driver in line with community feedback and the support of the Deputy Premier’s new Stockton Taskforce.
“The Deputy Premier’s decision to form a Stockton Erosion Taskforce means City of Newcastle can outline a long-term plan based on sand nourishment, knowing the NSW Government is working in tandem with us to help cut the red tape and get suitable sand on the beach. 
“The Taskforce takes some uncertainty out of the long-term planning for Stockton given the support provided to source suitable sand to replenish the beach and overcome regulatory hurdles across various government departments.
“The overwhelming call from the community is for a sandy beach where coastal roads, houses, parks and services are protected, and no more historical pollution is exposed through erosion. This will be reflected in our Coastal Management Program (CMP)
“The Taskforce outcomes to date will be included in the CMP. This progress is welcome news for the city and community.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro visited Stockton with the Lord Mayor in March to announce the cross-departmental Taskforce to address erosion.
A spokesperson from the Deputy Premier’s office, provided a Taskforce update on the work underway to identify sand sources at the recent virtual Stockton Community Liaison Group meeting.
“There is some desktop work that’s already been done by the Department of Resources and Geoscience in terms of identifying areas where there might be suitable sand,” the spokesperson advised during the online video conference.
“There’s some good work which has been done by the department over the years, and they hope that by the end of this month they’ll have a very good idea as to where the best locations might be for investigation as source sand that would potentially be suitable for replenishment of Stockton Beach.”
Development of terms of reference and resource commitments for the Taskforce was underway and Mr Barilaro’s office also confirmed that discussions had begun to determine the necessary approvals to change the placement area,  for  the currently dredged sand from Newcastle Harbour, as a short-term measure to better replenish Stockton Beach near the Surf Life Saving Club.
A draft Coastal Management Program for Stockton will be on public exhibition from 13 May to 10 June, with all residents encouraged to have their say.

ANZAC DAY 2020: WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

NSW residents will be able to commemorate ANZAC Day from home this year with a broadcast of special services to honour our veterans and serving Defence personnel.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said with traditional marches and local memorial services cancelled this year, ANZAC Day has a renewed meaning.
“As our community works together to stop the spread of COVID-19, we draw inspiration from the brave heroes we commemorate on this day,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“One hundred and five years after they set foot on the Gallipoli shore, the ANZACs speak to us more resoundingly than ever. The legend forged more than a century ago guides us in this moment. It inspires us to dig in and look out for others, no matter the obstacles.
“The best way to honour our ANZACs is to echo them, and we will, for the ANZAC spirit lives in each of us. We will remember them.”
The day will begin with a 5:30am commemorative service  broadcast from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, followed by a NSW service at 10am.
The Premier, Governor Margaret Beazley, RSL NSW Acting President Ray James, a bugler and a vocalist will take part in the 30 minute service from the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park and the Cenotaph in Martin Place.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said community safety is our top priority.
“Social distancing and staying home is saving lives and so continuing that trend will keep our community and veterans safe,” Mr Lee said.
“Let’s all unite with that Anzac spirit as we pay our respects at home and remember those who bravely made the ultimate sacrifice for us.”
Acting President of RSL, NSW Ray James said despite the pandemic, ANZAC Day is forever embedded in the hearts and minds of Australians.
“Nothing can ever take away the importance of ANZAC Day and what it means to all of us as well as the eternal respect, thanks and admiration the Australian people have for those who protect us,” Mr James said.
The NSW Government is encouraging people to share videos reciting The Ode and post photos on social media using the tag #ANZACspirit.
The NSW service will be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on the ANZAC Memorial and RSL Facebook pages. The service will not be open to the public and the community is urged to continue following the latest health advice by commemorating at home.

FIRST LOOK UNDER CENTRAL STATION

Major construction work is well underway at Central Station to deliver Sydney Metro, including the new Central Walk, as progress continues on major infrastructure projects across NSW.
As part of the biggest upgrade to Sydney’s busiest railway station in decades, two new underground metro platforms are being built as well as the landmark Central Walk underground concourse, which will make it easier for customers to connect between light rail, suburban and inter-city trains, the new Sydney Metro and buses.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said it’s a great example of the construction industry keeping moving and keeping people in work despite difficult times.
“We are very fortunate that major Transport infrastructure projects like this continue to be delivered,” Mr Constance said.
“The health and safety of all workers and the community are our key priorities as we continue to deliver major projects, and we have put in place strict protocols to protect the safety of our construction workforce.
“More than 5,000 people are currently working across the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, and by the time the project opens, around 50,000 people will have worked on it.
“The upcoming Sydney Metro West project will support 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs while construction of the Metro North West Line created more than 20,000 jobs.”
At Central, work to build the 27-metre deep metro station “box” is now 10 metres beneath the surface. About 6,000 tonnes of crushed rock is being excavated from the box every week.
“In an impressive feat of engineering, an 80 metre tunnel has also been built under Central Station to deliver Central Walk,” Mr Constance said.
“This six metre wide construction tunnel runs parallel to Central Walk and allows excavated crushed rock to be removed without impacting trains and customers.”
The construction tunnel has broken into Central’s ghost platforms, which were built last century as part of the Eastern Suburbs Railway line for Bondi and the Illawarra but never completed.
Platforms 26 and 27 have sat unused since, but they will now house 17 new communications and power rooms to support the new Sydney Metro at Central.
More than 270,000 customers use the 114-year-old station on a normal day, with that number expected to increase to 450,000 in the next two decades.
Central Walk is expected to be open to customers in 2022 while Sydney Metro construction continues – with metro rail services extending from Chatswood through the city and beyond to Bankstown in 2024.

NSW STUDENTS TO TRANSITION BACK TO THE CLASSROOM IN TERM 2

NSW school students will gradually transition back to the classroom during Term 2 as the Government continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell outlined the plan for students attending NSW public schools to progressively return to face-to-face learning in week three of Term 2.
Ms Berejiklian said health advice continues to be that schools remain open, and parents, teachers and students can be confident that school is safe place.
“We are grateful to all families who kept their children home from school at the end of Term 1 and to teachers who worked tirelessly to deliver education online,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This allowed us critical time to prepare our schools to develop better online learning options and for considering additional hygiene measures to allow schools to return.
“We know that nothing is more important than a child’s education, and we must begin to return our students to their classrooms in a considered way.
“Under these changes, from week three of Term 2, every student will be attending school for one day a week.
“We will look to increase the number of days students are at school in a staged way and hope to have all children back at school full-time by Term 3.
“I’d like to thank the Catholic and Independent schools for working with the NSW Government at this time, as well as staff, including teachers, principals and cleaners, for working so hard to prepare for a resumption of school.
“I’d also like to thank parents for what has been a tough month, often juggling working from home and caring for children. We hope the partial resumption of on campus learning will provide some much needed relief to those families.”
During the first stage of on-campus learning, parents will be encouraged to keep their children home except on their allocated day of face-to-face learning. Initially, about a quarter of a school’s students are expected to be on site at any one time. The specific days students will be required to attend school each week will vary from school to school and will be clearly communicated to parents.
Classes will be split across schools, allowing schools to appropriately social distance students and teachers.
As always, schools will remain open for students who need them and no child will be turned away from school.
Ms Mitchell said careful consideration had been given to support the school community, providing clarity and certainty on the path forward.
“This plan provides a clear path that balances community concerns with a need to deliver continuity of quality education,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms and provisions are in place for at-risk teachers to work from home. Drop off, pick up, recess and lunchtimes will also be staggered to ensure social distancing.”
In addition to the staged return to school, the NSW Government has committed up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our casual and temporary teachers and other non-teaching staff across NSW schools are critical to our education system, and will help ensure the educational outcomes for our students during this staged return,” Ms Mitchell said.
A cross-sector working group of teachers will also be established to report back to the Minister on recent innovations and educational developments assembled during the COVID-19 period that are suitable to support future educational delivery.
“It’s important that we have an inventory of the cutting edge teaching solutions and recognise the best efforts of our amazing NSW teachers during a difficult time,” Ms Mitchell said.
Teachers will have an additional day to prepare for Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April making the first day of term for students Wednesday 29 April.

Woman charged after allegedly assaulting and spitting at officer – Lake Macquarie

A woman has been charged after spitting at a police officer following a vehicle stop in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 7.40am (Tuesday 21 April 2020), an officer attached to Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol stopped a Subaru Forester on Anzac Parade, Teralba, for the purpose of a random breath test.
Police spoke to the driver, a 30-year-old man, who initially refused to undergo both a drug and alcohol test.
The passenger, a 20-year-old woman, exited the vehicle and became verbally abusive. After being warned to maintain social distance, the woman is alleged to have struck the officer in the chest before she spat at him.
Further police attended to assist, and the driver was subjected to roadside drug test, returning a positive detection for cannabis.
He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station for a secondary test which also returned a positive result, the sample has been sent for analysis.
This morning (Wednesday 22 April 2020), the woman was issued a court attendance notice for two counts of assault officer in execution of duty, and one count each of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, and intimidate police officer in execution of duty.
She is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 4 August 2020.
A one-year-old child was also in the vehicle at the time and a child-at-risk notification has been submitted to the Department of Family and Community Services.

Missing man located – Lake Macquarie

A missing Lake Macquarie man has been located safe and well.
The 59-year-old Macquarie Hills man was reported missing early this morning by members of his family.
About 2pm today (Wednesday 22 April 2020), a member of the public located the man at Merewether Beach after seeing the public appeal in relation to his whereabouts.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

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

Police have charged four people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 13 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

  • A man will appear in court today after allegedly spitting on a police officer in the Sutherland Shire overnight. About 9.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 21 April 2020), officers attended a home in Caringbah after receiving reports of a loud argument taking place. It’s alleged that while police were arresting a 37-year-old man, he attempted to grab the gun of one of the officers. While in the cells of Sutherland Police Station, the man intentionally hit his head against the custody door several times. He was taken to hospital as a precaution, where he became abusive towards police and hospital staff. After being cleared of injury the man allegedly spat on a police officer as he was being escorted back to the police vehicle. He has been charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, two counts of assaulting police, and breach of ADVO. The man is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 22 April 2020).
  • Just before 6.30pm yesterday, officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command attended Carriage Street in Austral after receiving reports of people congregating. Police saw two men run from the scene, before one of the men was arrested at a property on Fifth Avenue. The 21-year-old man from Hinchinbrook was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where inquiries revealed he had been issued a PIN for not complying with the Health Act on Tuesday 14 April 2020. After telling police he was “going for a run” when he attempted to evade police, he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Monday 13 July 2020.
  • About 2.45am yesterday, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command attended Yurong Street, Darlinghurst, following reports of people graffitiing a wall. Officers saw a man and woman standing in front of the spray-painted wall wearing face masks. The pair initially fled but were stopped and spoken to. A search of their belongings allegedly uncovered bolt cutters, a large texta, and gloves and face masks stained with paint. It’s alleged the man also committed several other graffiti offences nearby over the past month. He was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station, where he was charged with possess graffiti implement and four counts of destroy or damage property. After claiming that they were exercising, the man was also charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19, while his companion was given a PIN. The man was refused bail and is due to appear before Central Local Court today.
  • About 11.45am yesterday, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command’s Proactive Crime Team observed what they believed to be a drug deal take place on Clarence Street in the CBD. As police approached, a man ran from the scene and was arrested after a brief struggle. Officers searched the 21-year-old man, seizing cash. Police were also told by a passerby that the man had buried something in a nearby pot plant and when officers checked, they located resealable bags containing cannabis. Checks revealed the man had previously been warned about breaching the Public Health Act. He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, resist officer in execution of duty, deal with proceeds of crime, and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on 24 June 2020. After police seized drugs from the other party – a 62-year-old woman – she was charged with possess prohibited drug and warned in relation to the Public Health Act.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

  • About 7.45pm, officers from Lake Illawarra were patrolling when they observed a Mazda CX5 parked in a car park on Cowper Street, Port Kembla. Police spoke to the occupants – a 40-year-old Barrack Heights woman and a 46-year-old Werrington man – who both provided no reasonable excuse for not complying with ministerial directions. Checks revealed the woman was issued a warning on Thursday 9 April 2020 and she was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN. The man was issued a warning.
  • Just before 4.30pm, officers from Wollongong Police District stopped a 17-year-old boy on Lawrence Street, Woonona. He told police he was visiting a friend because he was “bored” and had “nothing else to do.” The teen has previously been issued PINs on Monday 6 April 2020 and Wednesday 15 April 2020 and was subsequently issued a third $1000 PIN.
  • A 32-year-old woman has been fined when she was found away from her home without a reasonable excuse, 12 days after receiving a warning for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. About 11.30am, police identified a vehicle registered to the Narooma woman outside a home on Peden Street, Bega. The woman was located inside the property and was issued with a PIN.
  • About 12.30am, police stopped a vehicle in Glen Innes and spoke with the driver, a 49-year-old man. He was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his home in Queensland. The man had received a warning two days earlier and was directed to return home. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.
  • A 15-year-old boy has been issued with his second PIN in two weeks for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. About 4.30pm, officers attached to Wollongong Police District spoke to the teenager at a unit on Carrington Street, Woonona. After telling police he was there to see a friend, he was fined $1000.
  • Police have fined a Potts Point man after he was unable to provide a valid reason for being at Kogarah Station. About 11.20am, officers attached to Police Transport Command issued the 35-year-old man with a PIN, after he was given a previous warning for being away from his home without a reasonable excuse on Monday 13 April 2020.

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.

Day two of Ruby Princess crew repatriation

Further crew members have disembarked the Ruby Princess today in the ongoing joint operation to facilitate the movement and eventual repatriation of crew members to their home countries.
NSW Police Force has worked closely with Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, NSW Health, Aspen Medical, Princess Cruises and government officials from numerous overseas jurisdictions to ensure the safe movement and eventual return of the crew members to their countries of origin.
Officers from the Marine Area Command, assisted by Transport for NSW, NSW Health and the Australian Defence Force, have assisted a further 115 crew members from nine countries disembark the vessel today (Wednesday 22 April 2020).
Of this group, 94 crew members tested negative for COVID-19, and were taken via charter bus to either Sydney International Airport or a Sydney hotel, where they will await flights to their countries of origin, which include Brazil, France, Germany, Republic of North Macedonia, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.
21 crew members, who have tested positive for COVID-19, have also disembarked from the ship. These crew members have been taken to NSW Health-managed hotels to undertake a strict 14-day quarantine period.
Stringent protocols were maintained to ensure the movement of these individuals posed no risk to the public.
Once the 14-day quarantine period is exhausted, subject to a medical clearance by NSW Health, they will be transported to Sydney Airport to fly back to their countries of origin.
More crew members are expected to disembark from the Ruby Princess tomorrow, before the ship leaves Australian waters.

Blowtorch on Big Tech overdue but welcome

Making tech giants like Facebook and Google pay for the content they take from Australian journalists and creators is a welcome, albeit long overdue, move by the Morrison Government, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for Media Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Big tech giants have been ripping off Australians by taking content for free and making huge profits. It’s beyond time to put the blowtorch on Big Tech and make them pay for content they’ve been taking for free and pay proper taxes in this country.
“The Greens have been calling for Big Tech to have to pay for the content they take from Australian journalists and creators for many months.
“Finally the Government is doing something, albeit late and after much suffering for Australian media and creators. Waiting until November for tech giants and media companies to reach a deal was never going to cut it and would’ve seen more news outlets hit the wall.
“Australian media outlets were already under pressure because of this content theft before COVID-19, but the loss of advertising revenue during this crisis has been the last straw for many.
“The key issue now is what the code will look like and how it will be enforced. Other jurisdictions have been grappling with this issue and Australia must learn their lessons.
“Public interest journalism is vital for a robust democracy and Big Tech must be held to account if we are going to protect Australia’s right to know and Australian jobs.”
Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said:
“If the government can force Google to pay Rupert Murdoch, they can make tech giants pay our authors and artists as well.
“People working in the arts and creative sectors regularly have tech giants use their work without remuneration, and now their sectors are hit hard by coronavirus too.
“Just as we need a media industry with fearless and independent reporting to ensure politicians and business leaders are accountable to the public, we need a well-paid arts and creative sector to sustain us through times of isolation and give our nation a voice.
“Whether it’s printed on a newspaper, hung on a wall or piped through our speakers, content creators deserve to get paid for their work. Google’s CEO doesn’t work for free and neither should Australia’s creators.”