Month: September 2020

A new plan will ensure NSW residents can get out and about this summer in a COVID-safe way, while keeping the economy moving.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello, Member for Manly James Griffin and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant outlined the NSW Government’s new COVID Safe Summer Plan this morning.
The Plan supports local businesses by encouraging more outdoor dining in the lead up to the Christmas-New Year period and throughout the summer months.
It also provides clear instructions to help keep COVID under control as residents enjoy the warmer months.
“We know how much our community loves fresh air, beaches and parklands, but we will all need to do that a bit differently this summer,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The COVID Safe Summer Plan encourages the community and local businesses to take advantage of our glorious warm weather while using public spaces safely.
“In NSW we are continuing to try to get the right balance between keeping the State open for business, while keeping control of the virus.”
The Plan has five pillars which will help support the current public health orders, rules and regulations:

• Marking out safe distancing in our parklands and highly visited public spaces from the beginning of October,
• Encouraging all beachgoers to ‘Keep a beach towel length between you’ (1.5 metres) and anyone not from the same household,
• Running a COVID Safe summer program of events in our parklands and public spaces,
• Encouraging local businesses to take advantage of outdoor dining, and
• Partnering with councils on a ‘new local’ campaign, to showcase alternative public spaces for the community to enjoy.

Mr Stokes thanked local councils who are already keeping the community safe as the warmer months arrive.
“Our councils are leading the way, by trialling approaches on their beaches like changing parking arrangements and creating safe swimming areas so that beaches remain safe and welcoming places for the community,” Mr Stokes said.
“Sydney is the greatest parkland city on earth, and the pandemic has emphasised how important it is for our well-being that we all have access to public spaces and parklands. This plan ensures a common-sense approach.”
Mr Dominello said COVID safety must be the priority of every citizen and business owner this summer.
“While summer is a time to get out and about and spend time with friends and families, we cannot be complacent because we are still in the midst of a pandemic. We must all remain vigilant and look out for each other,” Mr Dominello said.
“We need people to continue to do the simple things. Whether it’s maintaining good hand hygiene, keeping physical distance, wearing a mask in public places where physical distance can’t be maintained and using digital check-in solutions such as the Service NSW app – these behaviours are now part of the new normal. We can’t afford to drop our guard over the summer months.”
Mr Griffin said NSW will lead the way in showing the world how to still enjoy the summer while remaining COVID Safe.
“We don’t need to retreat indoors this summer – we just have to do things a little differently so we can enjoy places like the Northern Beaches and stay safe,” Mr Griffin said.
Dr Kerry Chant said outdoor activity was inherently safer than indoor activity.
“People need to remember to stay home, isolate and get tested if they have symptoms, always practice good hand hygiene and maintain one and a half metre social distancing,” Dr Chant said.
The COVID Safe Summer Plan can be accessed here: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/covid-safe-summer.

A man will re-appear in court today after being charged with providing false details at a border checkpoint, while two others were charged for illegally crossing the border, and 31 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued for other COVID-19 breaches at the weekend.
Officers from Operation Border Control stopped a Ford Focus at the Wodonga Place checkpoint at South Albury about 8.30am on Friday (18 September 2020), and spoke with the occupants – a 27-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman.
The man presented a ‘child access and care arrangement’ permit stating he had dropped the children off in Victoria and was returning to NSW, while the woman presented a permit, which only allowed her entry via Sydney Airport.
Police noted that the vehicle was not equipped with child restraints and the man provided different names for the children while talking with different officers and could not recall their ages or dates of birth.
Following further inquiries, police searched the man and his vehicle, locating and seizing a butterfly knife, a folding knife, a replica Glock pistol, a wooden mace, a tomahawk and drug paraphernalia.
The man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with not provide/give false etc info – COVID-19 Border Control, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, custody of knife in public place, have custody of an offensive implement in a public place and two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
He was refused bail and is due to re-appear at Albury Local Court today (Monday 21 September 2020).
The woman was refused entry to NSW and directed to return to Victoria.
As previously reported, a Victorian couple were charged with fraud, property and drug offences after alleging hiding in a utility to enter NSW without valid permits earlier this month.
The 31-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested at Mathoura by officers from Murray River Police District about 4pm on Friday (18 September 2020).
The pair have been refused bail to next appear at Griffith Local Court on Wednesday (23 September 2020).
In a separate and unrelated incident, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were called to a park on South Beach Road, Brunswick Heads, about 7pm yesterday (Sunday 20 September 2020), following reports of a large gathering.
On arrival, police could hear loud drums and observed about 100 people dancing, who also noticed the police’s arrival and ran from the location.
Three people were stopped by police, with one man – aged 45 – initially refusing to provide his details. After being advised he would be arrested if he refused to provide identification, the man produced his driver’s licence.
Following inquiries, police issued $1000 PINs to the 45-year-old man, a 42-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman and directed them to leave the area.
Additionally – also as previously reported – 28 people will be issued $1000 PINs after being located at a house party at Bondi Junction about 1.20am on Saturday (19 September 2020), which was in breach of the Public Health Order.
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.

Police have issued infringements for alleged breaches of Public Health Orders and licensing regulations during a three-day licencing operation in the Richmond Police District over the weekend.
On Friday 18 September 2020, licensing police from Richmond Police District conducted business inspections in Evans Head, Coraki, Rappville and Lismore.
One venue on Richmond Terrace, Coraki, was issued a warning for breaching the Public Health Order as a Covid-19 Safety Marshall was not clearly identifiable on the premises.
On day two (Saturday 20 September 2020), licensing police conducted a business inspection at a football event at Quays Reserve, West Ballina, and issued a 36-year-old man with an infringement notice for carry on Security activity without a licence.
Later that day, at 5.50pm, police attended a venue on Pacific Parade and Byron Street, Lennox Head, and observed multiple breaches to the Public Health Order, including no clearly identifiable COVID-19 Safety Marshall, mingling patrons and limited social distancing. An intoxicated patron was asked to leave the venue and a fire exit was also noted as blocked.
The venue will be issued with two PINs for fail to comply with noticed direction Section 7/8/9 – Covid-19 – Corporation ($5,000) and obstruct doorway serving as or forming part of fire exit – Corporation ($1,500).
During the operation, nine licensing audits were conducted on licensed premises and 12 business inspections were conducted on licensed premises across the Richmond Police District.
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.

The outstanding contribution of volunteers and service personnel during the 2019-2020 bushfires is being recognised with a new NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation.
More than 65,000 people involved across a broad spectrum of the firefight will receive a citation, certificate of recognition, commemorative cap and a letter from the Premier acknowledging their contribution and thanking them for their service.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW faced an unprecedented bushfire season during 2019-2020 and this initiative recognises those who served both on the front line and behind the scenes.
“This citation is thoroughly deserved for the thousands of volunteers and emergency services personnel who put their safety on the line to protect lives and properties. Equally deserving are those recognised who provided critical behind the scenes support,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In harrowing conditions, those recognised kept turning up to help their communities day after day, week after week, month after month. This citation serves as a reminder of their heroic dedication to the people of NSW in the most trying circumstances.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said it’s imperative we recognise the hard work and dedication of those who served their community during the ‘black summer’ bushfires.
“This is an opportunity for the people of NSW to show our brave emergency services personnel that we don’t consider them to be simply public servants in uniform. The unique nature of decorations and awards personify the bravery required and dedication to service.” Mr Elliott said.
The NSW Emergency Bushfire citations extend beyond NSW, with firefighters from interstate and overseas recognised. Thousands of Australians interstate will receive citations along with more than 300 people from overseas to thank them for their efforts in NSW’s biggest bushfire crisis in living memory.
Commissioner of Resilience NSW, Shane Fitzsimmons, joins the Premier as a signatory on the certificates of recognition.
“The NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation symbolises mateship, teamwork, volunteering and helping when times are tough,” the Commissioner said.
“They are a meaningful commemoration of a bushfire season we won’t forget and a symbol of the state’s gratitude.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said the entire emergency services family deserves to be honoured.
“It is a privilege to represent the hard working members of the NSW Rural Fire Service and I am especially proud of those members who put service above self during the last bush fire season,” Mr Rogers said.

Community and religious leaders will be empowered to respond to domestic and family violence through a new training program to begin next month.
Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said the accredited course, run by TAFE NSW, will give participants the tools and resources to help people who seek their guidance.
Mr Speakman said the training aimed to strengthen victim support while encouraging increased reporting across the state.
“Multicultural communities and those who’ve recently emigrated to NSW will often look to local community or religious leaders as a first point of contact about a range of issues, including potential domestic abuse,” Mr Speakman said.
“It’s hoped this training will make a significant difference for those who face many barriers to reporting violence in the home, or may even struggle to identify it in the first place.
“This is particularly important in the current COVID-19 climate where frontline domestic violence services have reported increases in the number of victims seeking support. Empowering leaders in the community means victim-survivors have more avenues for help.
“Educated with the right information and the skills to recognise abuse in different forms means leaders may be able to provide that vital support to survivors for the first time and, ultimately, help ensure that people get the crucial help they need in times of crisis.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education and Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee said community and religious leaders are recognised and respected voices who will now be better equipped to support victims who seek their help.
“They can help promote healthy relationships and encourage perpetrators to change their behaviour and help victims seek the appropriate services and support,” Mr Lee said.
“The initial response when a disclosure is made can heavily affect the outcome for victims – so this training could very well save lives.”
Sikh community leader Harinder Kaur said community and religious leaders are an important part of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities’ and migrants’ lives, and community members trust them.
“If community and religious leaders educate themselves about the current complexities of domestic and family violence, they can give community members practical solutions and link them to the right services, while supporting them spiritually,” Ms Kaur said.
The sessions will cover topics including awareness training of what constitutes domestic violence, ‘accidental counselling’, managing vicarious trauma, child protection and reporting responsibilities, as well as safety assessment skills. Referral information and other resources will also be provided for ongoing practical support.
There will be four two-day courses (three in metropolitan areas and one in regional NSW) with a maximum of 25 leaders on each course.
The courses complement awareness training already delivered by the NSW Government’s Diversity Services team, which have reached 170 leaders between October 2018 and June this year. This new course is more detailed and rigorous, and participants will be presented with a certificate at completion.
The free ‘COVID-safe’ training is open to any recognised religious or community leader who works within NSW.
The first session will start on Wednesday, 7 October at the TAFE St George Campus, with the remaining sessions expected to run by July next year.
For more information, or to register interest contact diversity-services@justice.nsw.gov.au.
For confidential advice, support and referrals related to domestic and family violence, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) or Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491).

The NSW Government is building on its commitment to provide additional school counselling staff in public schools over the next three years.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said NSW public schools will have a strong pipeline of trained and qualified school counsellors and school psychologists to draw on over the next few years.
“Through the NSW Government’s sponsorship and scholarship programs, we will be training up to 328 people to join the school counselling workforce between 2020 and 2023,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Given the tough year that has been 2020, with bushfires, drought, floods and of course COVID-19, it is more important than ever to enable highly skilled people to enter this important profession through various pathways, a mix of external recruitment and the sponsorship and scholarship pipeline.”
Ms Mitchell said that the pipeline of 328 professionals will be hired as part of the NSW Government’s election commitment to provide quality mental health support in schools.
“These new positions will bring the total number of graduate scholarships for psychology and teacher retraining to 566 since 2016 through the Supported Students Successful Students initiative,” she said.
“We’ve established a great relationship with several universities including Wollongong, Charles Sturt and Sydney to provide the training needed for our interested teachers and psychology graduates.
“The NSW Government is also on track to deliver the 100 additional school counsellor position as part of its $88.4 million student wellbeing election commitment.
“We have committed to employing both a full time psychologist or counsellor, and a student support officer, in every government high school.
“Of these 100 new positions, 25 counselling staff are on the job four months ahead of schedule.
“These trained specialists will support students who seek help from within the school gates.”
Schools have funding and flexibility to hire additional support staff if their community requires it.
There are currently more than 1000 school counselling positions in NSW public schools, with someone available for students to talk to in every high school.