Month: July 2020

More than 20 inmates charged over riot at correctional facility – Cessnock

Police have charged 21 inmates following investigations into a riot at a correctional facility in the Hunter region earlier this year.
About 11.30am on Thursday 30 April 2020, a number of inmates allegedly caused significant damage to a correctional facility at Cessnock and were on the roof of the premises.
No police response was requested at the time.
In May 2020, officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, police issued Court Attendance Notices (CAN) to 21 men – all aged between 22 and 39 – for the offences of riot and participate in criminal group.
Of the men:

  • Nine were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Goulburn (aged 22-39)
  • Six were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Cessnock (aged 24-32)
  • A 24-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Kempsey
  • A 28-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Wellington
  • A 33-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Hamilton South
  • A 32-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Gosford

The 19 men are due to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Thursday 30 July 2020).
A 32-year-old man was arrested at Surry Hills Police Station and served a CAN yesterday. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 30 July 2020).
A 39-year-old man was arrested at a home in Tamworth and served a CAN earlier this month. He was refused bail and appeared at Tamworth Local Court on Friday 3 July 2020 where he was granted conditional bail to next appear at the same court on Monday 24 August 2020.
Police will allege that the men threatened unlawful violence towards Corrective Services NSW staff and damaged several areas of the facility, including the ceiling, doors and roof, along with items inside. The damage is estimated to be valued at more than $130,000.
Police have worked closely with CSNSW Special Operational Group North staff and officers during this investigation.

Two charged over alleged aggravated break and enter near Muswellbrook

Two people will face court today charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter at an Upper Hunter home.
Police will allege in court a 36-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman – armed with an axe and a chainsaw – forced entry to a home on Grimes Street, Denman, about 30km south west of Muswellbrook, about 1.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 July 2020).
Four people – two men and two women – were inside the property at the time and contacted police.
No one was injured during the incident.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District arrived a short time later and arrested the pair.
They were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
Both were refused bail to face Muswellbrook Local Court today (Thursday 30 July 2020).

Victorian man charged over alleged breach of Public Health Order

Police have charged a Victorian man with breaching a Public Health Order after he flew from Melbourne to Sydney allegedly without a permit to enter NSW.
Just before 1pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 July 2020), officers who were deployed at Sydney Airport for Operation Coronavirus, were requested to assist NSW Health who were talking with a man who had just arrived on a flight from Melbourne.
Police were told the 21-year-old man from Roxbough Park, Victoria, was unable to produce a NSW Health exemption.
The man was assisted to charge his phone before it was established that he did not have a permit but would apply for one so he could care for his children.
It’s alleged that the man made a number of applications for a permit and had provided false information.
After establishing that the man did not have children, nor a valid reason to be in NSW, police directed him to return to Victoria. He was offered options for travel and further assistance from NSW Health.
The man allegedly refused to make travel plans and failed to comply with police directions and was arrested about 3.30pm before being taken to Mascot Police Station.
During a subsequent search of the man and his bags, officers located a bottle of alprazolam, which was not prescribed to him.
He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and possess prescribed restricted substance.
The man was granted conditional bail but is required to quarantine in a Health-managed hotel until he appears at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 17 August 2020.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
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.

Two men charged as investigations continue into home invasion – Port Stephens- Hunter

Police have charged two men following investigations into a home invasion at Hawks Nest last month.
Police will allege that, about 10.30pm on Monday 30 June 2020, a 78-year-old man opened the door of his home on Booner Street and was confronted by three men.
The group pushed past the man, assaulting him and stabbing him in the abdomen.
The group made their way upstairs and assaulted a 53-year-old man before stabbing him in the back and neck.
The injured men were taken to hospital where they were admitted, treated, and later released.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation resulting in the arrest of two men, aged 22 and 46, at an address on Sinclair Street, Gosford, about 11am today (Thursday 30 July 2020).
A search of the home allegedly revealed numerous knives, a homemade shive, a machete, a homemade shotgun with ammunition, and an amount of drugs.
The men were taken to Gosford Police Station where the older man was charged with breach of bail, two counts of breaching an AVO, two counts of intimidation (DV), and special aggravated enter with intent (wound).
The younger man was charged with firearm offences, drug possession and special aggravated enter with intent (wound).
Both men were refused bail and will appear in Gosford Local Court tomorrow (Friday 31 July 2020).
Inquiries continue.

Government continues attack on Reef science

The Coalition and One Nation have cemented their position as science denialists, having spent Monday badgering some of Australia’s peak scientific bodies over the validity of Great Barrier Reef health findings during a Liberal-called Senate inquiry, the Greens said.
Co-Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens, Queensland Senator Larissa Waters, said the inquiry is nothing more than a political ploy to attempt to advance the Coalition’s position ahead of the Queensland state election, and further its culture war against science.
“The Reef is being used as a pawn for flagrant state electioneering. This inquiry is about state regulations, but these regulations are being probed at a federal level,” she said.
“It’s been a futile exercise. We listened to One Nation ask one witness ‘what is science?’ in an attempt to discredit the findings from peak scientific bodies. We listened to a Coalition Senator also rebuke these findings as ‘concocted science’ and ‘false evidence’.”
“Peer-reviewed science should not be debated by non-scientifically trained politicians trying to suit the agenda of big donors and dinosaur backbenchers.”
“We need strong laws to set the standards and give our Reef the best shot, and farmers should be financially assisted to meet these strong requirements,” she said.
“The science is clear, we must act now for our best chance to protect the Reef and the more than 64,000 jobs that rely on it.
“We need urgent climate action, a transition off coal to renewable energy, and strong action on water quality to save what’s left of our Reef,” she said.

No Modelling, No Worries: Liberals

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the government’s plan to hike up university fees should be scrapped, following confirmation in the Senate Covid-19 Committee this week that no government modelling had been done on the effect of changing course costs.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Not only are these fee hikes grossly unfair for students, there’s actually no evidence that they will do what the government intends them to: encourage more students to take up STEM and other ‘priority’ courses.
“The government’s package simply doesn’t stack up. We’ve heard from key stakeholders across the sector that all it will do is put students further into debt and cut more funding for essential teaching and learning on campuses.
“As our universities continue to suffer huge job losses, now is the time to invest heavily in higher education, not take the easy way out and transfer costs from the government onto students. No one wins from the Liberals’ cruel austerity package,” she said.

Wildlife toll shows environment needs stronger protections

With a revised tally of killed or displaced wildlife from the summer’s bushfires coming in at three times initial estimates, it’s clear now is not the time to rush through legislation that will weaken environmental protections, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said with 3 billion native animals killed or displaced as a result of the catastrophic fires, and Australia already holding the dishonour of worst mammalian extinction rate in the world, our wildlife was in crisis and needed urgent protection.
“Off the back of one of the worst environmental disasters our country has seen, the Morrison Government is planning to fast-track legislation that puts our wildlife and environment at further risk.
“I urge the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister to respond to the finding of 3 billion dead or displaced animals and reconsider their environment-destroying plans.
“Our natural world cannot withstand more logging, land clearing and pollution for the sake of corporate profits. The PM needs to stand up for the environment instead of his mining and big developer mates.
“We need strong environmental laws and a cop on the beat to enforce them – anything less and we are going to lose koalas and more of our native animals for good.
“The 10-year independent review should be completed and properly considered before any legislative change that risks killing more of our wildlife and destroying even more of our environment.”
The Senate Inquiry into the Faunal Extinction Crisis, chaired by Senator Hanson-Young, is holding a hearing tomorrow from 12pm EST, to examine the interim report from the review of Australia’s environment laws (the EPBC Act). Witnesses include Independent Reviewer Professor Graeme Samuel and the ANAO. The full program can be found here.

Council gives preliminary tick to new climate action plan

City of Newcastle will lead the way to a net zero emissions future by reducing greenhouse gasses while implementing a range of environmental efficiencies under a five-year action plan endorsed for public exhibition tonight.
The Newcastle Climate Action Plan 2021-25 outlines priorities for the City and community to minimise carbon emissions, embrace sustainable transport, deploy clean technology and support low-emission industries.
The plan proposes to reduce fuel use by transitioning to electric vehicles, increasing battery storage to lessen the City’s reliance on the electricity grid, cutting emissions via LED lighting replacements and building upgrades, and encouraging development of sustainable buildings.
Over the next five years the plan will specifically target:

  • A 20 per cent reduction in electricity use, based on 2019/20 consumption
  • Replacing all lighting, including streetlights, with LED or the best alternative
  • A 50 per cent reduction in fuel use, based on 2019/20 consumption
  • A 50 per cent reduction in operational carbon emissions.

“Through strong and consistent actions to reduce our emissions, City of Newcastle is now recognised as one of Australia’s leading local governments in terms of addressing climate change,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“After achieving so much over the past five years, particularly by becoming the first NSW Council to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy in January, our transformation will continue under this new plan.
“By supporting residents, business and industry to act more sustainably, encourage local resilience and build a circular economy, our sustained investment will propel the city towards a net zero emissions future. I encourage the community to have their say on the way forward during the public exhibition period of the Climate Action Plan.”
The draft plan also covers better resource management, headlined by an organics processing facility at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre; recycling initiatives and infrastructure, use of more recycled products in construction, water-efficient technologies, community-owned renewables projects and solar garden innovation.
Community engagement on the new plan helped build on the 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP), which delivered a five-megawatt solar farm, rooftop solar panels, LED streetlights and a 100 per cent renewable energy deal.
Under the 2020 CWMAP, the City has:

  • Reduced electricity usage by 17 per cent
  • Upgraded 31 per cent of streetlights to LEDs
  • Secured 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources
  • Reduced potable water usage by more than 8 per cent
  • Slashed the City’s carbon footprint by 77 per cent, excluding emissions from Summerhill Waste Management Centre
  • Reduced liquid fuel use by 77 per cent

The draft 2025 Climate Action Plan will be available for comment from Tuesday 4 August until 5pm Monday 31 August by visiting www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/YourSay

Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 28 July 2020

Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 28 July 2020
Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 28 July 2020. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes  

A Lord Mayoral Minute to protect the heritage fig trees in Birdwood Park in perpetuity and calling on the NSW Government to abandon their project to create a slip lane on the corner of King Street and Stewart Avenue, was supported.

A Lord Mayoral Minute for City of Newcastle to make a submission to the Inquiry into the integrity, efficacy and value for money of NSW Government grant programs, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty regarding Newcastle’s status, and raising concern about the significant amount of grant funding the City has been deemed ineligible to receive, was supported.

A Lord Mayor Minute to prepare a submission for consideration for the 2021 Infrastructure Priority List publication, outlining projects of significance to the City of Newcastle, and the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (as outlined in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036), was supported.

Ordinary business 
Public exhibition of the draft 2025 Climate Action Plan 
Council voted to place the draft 2025 Climate Action Plan on public exhibition for 28 days.
Supplementary report – endorsement of amendment to Newcastle LEP 2012 and proposed Planning Agreement – 41 and 47 Throsby Street, Wickham 
Council resolved to endorse the amendment to the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan regarding 41 and 47 Throsby Street, Wickham.
Exhibition of draft sections of Newcastle Development Control Plan 2012
Council voted to place five draft sections of the Newcastle Development Control Plan 2012 on public exhibition for 28 days.
Proposed raised crossing and pedestrian refuge at Maitland Road, Mayfield 
Council approved the upgrade of the existing pedestrian crossing on Tourle Street at Maitland Road, Mayfield to a raised crossing with a pedestrian refuge and kerb extension.
Proposed pedestrian refuge at Maitland Road, Mayfield 
Council approved construction of a pedestrian refuge and kerb extension on Woodstock Street at Maitland Road, Mayfield to improve pedestrian safety at the crossing and mitigate against speeding.
Tender report – No.1 Sportsground upgrade 
Council voted to accept a tender for the upgrade of No.1 Sportsground following a competitive tender process.
Tender report – Bathers Way, South Newcastle Beach 
Council voted to accept a tender for the Bathers Way, South Newcastle Beach project construction following a competitive tender process.
Executive monthly performance report 
Council received the executive monthly performance report for June 2020.
Notices of Motion 
Renaming City of Newcastle buildings and other features 
A notice of motion to develop a culturally appropriate policy regarding the renaming of City of Newcastle buildings or other features was supported. The second part of the motion, called for City of Newcastle to conduct community consultation on the renaming of the “Captain James Cook Memorial Fountain” in Civic Park, was also supported.
Removal of Civic Park fountain plaques 
A notice of motion to remove the two Captain James Cook memorial plaques attached to the Civic Park Fountain and reaffirm the principles and actions outlined in City of Newcastle’s 1998 Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Newcastle was included as Part B in the previous notice of motion.
1080, Pindone and pest management review 
A notice of motion calling for City of Newcastle to commit to managing invasive animals humanely and phase out the use of poisons that are inhumane or otherwise ineffectual was introduced with  council’s recommendation supported.

50,000 NEW JOBS FOR PARRAMATTA’S FUTURE CBD

Thousands of new jobs, great design and high-quality public places are on the horizon for Parramatta as plans for the CBD’s revitalisation reach a major milestone.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government has worked closely with City of Parramatta Council to progress the plan that will guide a vibrant and strong future for Greater Sydney’s second CBD, part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
“The proposal will lay the foundation for planning changes to unlock 50,000 new jobs, 14,000 new homes, well-designed buildings and great public spaces for locals, workers and visitors to enjoy,” Mr Stokes said.
“From increased building heights for a dynamic city skyline, to almost two million sqm of new commercial floorspace, new cultural spaces and fantastic public spaces, this proposal will shape the Parramatta CBD for generations to come.”
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the proposal includes strict rules to protect important public areas such as Parramatta Square from overshadowing.
“Parramatta Square has brought new life and thousands of students and workers into the CBD, reinvigorating the nightlife and providing a place for people to relax during the day and we want to ensure it remains light and sunny,” Dr Lee said.
“Parramatta is so full of vitality already; it’s a  fantastic place to live, work and play and the NSW Government is working with City of Parramatta Council to ensure Sydney’s second CBD remains the heartbeat of Western Sydney.”
The proposal, which will be put on public exhibition for community feedback, includes:

  • Expanding and protecting the Commercial Core of the CBD;
  • A range of building heights across the CBD that consider impacts on public open spaces and heritage conservation areas while allowing heights up to the maximum allowed under flight paths;
  • New Floor Space Ratio controls that provide incentives for development where community benefits can be provided; and
  • Ensuring key public open spaces within the CBD are protected from overshadowing between 12pm and 2pm.  This includes Parramatta Square, the Parramatta River foreshore, Lancer Barracks and Jubilee Park.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer thanked the NSW Government for progressing the plan.
“This is a significant milestone and an exciting next step in the transformation of Parramatta as Sydney’s Central City,” Councillor Dwyer said.
“Council initiated this proposal to help us realise our shared vision for the Parramatta CBD – an economic leader with a thriving commercial centre that attracts world-class businesses and offers incredible lifestyle opportunities for residents.
“We look forward to sharing these city-shaping plans with the community and seeking their feedback during the public exhibition period.”