Police have issued a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) to an amusement park following a New Year’s Eve event that breached a Public Health Order on Sydney’s North Shore.
Earlier this month, officers from North Shore Police Area Command commenced an investigation after receiving mobile phone footage of a large crowd gathered at the Milsons Point venue in possible breach of a Public Health Order.
Following inquiries with the venue and a review of further footage, the company secretary of the amusement park was issued a $5000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction s7/8/9-COVID-19 – Corporation about 2pm today (Wednesday 13 January 2021).
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 with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Month: January 2021
$38 million available for research into diabetes, heart disease
Two new medical research centres will be funded by the Morrison Government to produce rapid improvements in preventing, treating and curing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and their complications.
The Government will provide $10 million each for the new research centres ($20 million overall), as well as $18 million to support translational research projects.
Expressions of interest are now being sought by MTPConnect for the two research centres and also the first tranche of translational research projects, worth $6 million. There will be opportunities to fund translational research projects using the remaining $12 million in the future.
The funding is drawn from the Government’s Medical Research Future Fund, under its Targeted Translation Research Accelerator, which is managed by MTPConnect.
It will be directed to research projects with the potential to transform diabetes and cardiovascular disease outcomes, and reduce the burden of these diseases on patients, families and the community.
The two research centres will stimulate collaboration across industry, research and clinical organisations.
The Diabetes Research Centre’s translational research, development and implementation science activities will address three priority areas:
· Diabetic kidney disease.
· Peripheral neuropathy and diabetic foot syndrome.
· Short term complications of hypoglycaemia and/or hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) and ketoacidosis.
The priorities for the Cardiovascular Disease Research Centre will be:
· Coronary artery disease (including angina and MACE)
· Cardiomyopathy and heart failure
· Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic).
Through a parallel program of research grants, $6 million will also be made available to develop innovative preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and disease management products and solutions in priority areas.
The priorities for funding were identified through in-depth consultation with doctors and patients and include chronic kidney disease, cardiac and vascular complications, and mental health of people living with cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes.
The new research funding will build on MTPConnect’s work with its partners—ANDHealth, Medical Device Partnering Program, and UniQuest—to help researchers put their diabetes and cardiovascular disease research results into clinical practice, through mentoring and commercialisation support.
Investing in health and medical research is a priority for the Morrison Government. Research is a key pillar of our plan to make Australia’s health system stronger, more equitable, and more sustainable.
$44 million to extend dementia training, education and support
The Australian Government will extend grant agreements for programs providing support, training and education for services and individuals caring for people living with dementia.
An extra $44 million will be provided to Dementia Training Australia and Dementia Support Australia to extend the following national programs from July 2021 to June 2022:
- Dementia Training Program (DTP)
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)
- Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT)
- Needs Based Assessment (NBA), which is a component of the Specialist Dementia Care Program.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the programs improved care for people living with dementia.
“The programs deliver support and advice – including clinical support, assessments, recommendations for care interventions, mentoring and capacity building – to family and informal carers, primary and acute care staff and aged care service providers,” Minister Colbeck said.
“They also provide accredited education, upskilling and professional development in dementia care for health and care workers, GPs, nurses and allied health professionals.”
Funding for these programs is available beyond the life of the extended grant agreements.
The final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will inform how the programs will be delivered beyond 30 June 2022.
This extension follows other recent investments by the Australian Government with an additional $11.3 million provided for the DBMAS and SBRT programs in the 2020-21 Budget which built on an additional $10 million invested in DBMAS, SBRT and DTP in 2019-20.
Dementia is one of Australia’s biggest health challenges. It is estimated that there are between 400,000 and 459,000 Australians living with the disease today, and that number grows each year.
“These programs have delivered great outcomes and significant clinical improvements in recent years,” Minister Colbeck said.
“They have improved the quality of care delivered by thousands of health professionals and care workers to people living with dementia. Dementia Support Australia alone has delivered services to nearly 80 per cent of aged care homes across Australia since 2016.”
Full program unveiled one month out from inaugural New Annual festival
An intimate art gallery performance by a renowned Australian musician, an augmented reality experience celebrating indigenous culture and a discussion on women in leadership with Australia’s first female Prime Minister feature in the second program announcement for City of Newcastle’s inaugural arts festival, New Annual.
With one month until the 10-day event kicks off on February 12, tickets have gone on sale and the full program has been revealed, with more than 50 events set to showcase over 100 visual and performing artists.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Annual provided an opportunity for locals and visitors to discover new work, new perspectives and new performance spaces across the city.
“New Annual represents Newcastle’s time to shine – through our local artists, through our city’s creative spaces and most importantly, through rich and engaging stories,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Supporting and delivering cultural and community programs, events and live music is key to progressing our vision of Newcastle as a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.
“The festival will feature local and visiting artists sharing music, dance, contemporary performance and visual art, showcasing our community’s journey of self-expression, resilience and recovery, and highlighting Newcastle’s identity as a creative hub with a vibrant cultural heritage.”
Highlights of the program include an event presented by Newcastle Writers Festival, which will see former Prime Minister Julia Gillard discuss her latest book and the lessons that can be learned from women leaders.
Fans of iconic Australian singer songwriter and lead singer of much-loved band Something For Kate, Paul Dempsey, will get to see him like never before during an up-close-and-personal performance at Newcastle Art Gallery, while a range of Indigenous cultural items at Newcastle Museum will be enhanced via an augmented reality experience incorporating music, narration, animation and storytelling.
Newcastle’s iconic Hazy Cosmic Jive recording studio will provide a musical showcase of homegrown talent, while various street art activations will bring key outdoor locations to life. An open artist studio trail featuring some of Newcastle’s most dynamic independent art spaces will also offer a hands-on insight into the creative processes of a visual artist.
These events complement major commissions from local artists and companies revealed during the first program announcement in October last year. Feature performances from Curious Legends and Catapult Choreographic Hub and pop-up venues and installations in Civic Park and Wheeler Place will showcase the best of Newcastle’s creative arts, while visiting artists like Feras Shaheen and Omega Ensemble will deliver a range of compelling works.
Cr Nelmes said New Annual has an eclectic and ambitious program designed to inspire, delight and encourage contemplation as it explores both light-hearted and more serious themes.
“New Annual is the catalyst for Newcastle’s cultural events sector to take centre stage alongside leading national events,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It will shine a spotlight on Newcastle’s reputation as a creative city where ambitious and accessible contemporary art and culture grow and thrive within a prosperous, diverse and resilient community.
“Over time the festival will grow to become a significant generator of cultural tourism, using arts and culture to share the city’s stories with the world.”
New Annual’s program has been designed with the flexibility to operate as a COVID-19 Safe event depending on Public Health Orders. To find out more visit www.newannual.com.
Appeal to find girl missing from Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance to find a girl reported missing from Newcastle.
Hailey Price, aged 13, was last seen leaving a home on Bellevue Street, Newcastle on the morning of Wednesday 23 December 2020, but has not been seen since.
Hailey is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with long brown hair, brown eyes, about 160cm tall, with a slim build.
After extensive inquiries by officers from Newcastle City Police District Hailey has not been located and due to her age police have concerns for her welfare.
Anyone who has information about Hailey’s whereabouts, is urged to contact Newcastle City Police (02) 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
$3 million for McGrath Breast Care Nurses
Breast care nurses epitomise what it is to be a national hero and it is with great privilege the Morrison-McCormack Government is able to continue supporting the McGrath Foundation’s breast care nurses with a $3 million investment in 2021.
The funding will support these wonderful Australians as they continue to protect and save the lives of so many Australian women and men with breast cancer.
The investment will also fund a scoping project that will seek feedback from patients on what aspects of breast care nurse support they value the most.
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Jane McGrath Day, as part of the Sydney Pink Test, was a highlight on the Australian calendar.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it is great to see the Sydney Cricket Ground still awash with pink and the determination of the cricketing community and the wider Australian community to carry on Jane McGrath’s legacy is as strong as ever,” the Acting Prime Minister said.
“Australia’s breast care nurses are at the core of this, particularly in regional communities. They are supporting our breast cancer patients and their families with vital care and genuine compassion.
“They improve the quality of care in so many ways, from fewer specialist appointments, to improved understanding and clarity, to more confidence and reduced anxiety. They are Australian heroes by every definition.
“I thank Glenn, Holly, Tracy and everyone at the McGrath Foundation for their tremendous work, and express my deep gratitude to McGrath breast care nurses and all breast care nurses for their unrivalled commitment to supporting breast cancer patients.”
The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said feedback from the scoping project will help inform the ongoing development of advanced cancer care nursing roles.
The McGrath Foundation will form a stakeholder working group to guide this project and will provide a report to the Government in the second half of 2021.
“When listening to breast cancer patients I often hear them describe their care nurses as their own personal ‘angel,’ and I think that’s a pretty accurate description,’ Minister Hunt said.
“Australia still has one of the highest survival rates for breast cancer in the world. The five‑year relative survival for people with breast cancer was 91.1 per cent from 2012‑2016, but we must aim higher.
“It is critical that as a Government we continue to pursue improvements across the board, and support the ongoing development of cancer care nursing roles so that breast cancer patients receive the greatest care possible.”
Australia’s network of breast care nurses (BCNs) work within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care from diagnosis and throughout treatment, free of charge.
The Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne thanked Australia’s breast care nurses, saying they helped women and men with breast cancer and their families navigate through the often complex world of hospitals and cancer wards.
“These nurses are improving lives across Australia. They listen, guide and support people with breast cancer and their families with health advice and quality care,” Senator Payne said.
“This holistic care includes physical, psychological and emotional support for people with breast cancer and their families.”
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Australian women. Tragically, nearly 3,000 lives were lost to breast cancer last year.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with an estimated more than 19,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, as well as more than 160 men.
The Government already provides funding to support the recruitment, training and employment of specialist breast care nurses through the McGrath Foundation.
This funding is in addition to the Government’s funding of $38 million to the McGrath Foundation from 2019–20 to 2022–23 to increase the number of Commonwealth-funded breast care nurses from 57 to 102 positions.
FIRST TRACKS LAID ON CITY AND SOUTHWEST METRO
The first tracks have been laid on the City & Southwest Metro, marking an important milestone in the delivery of Australia’s biggest public transport infrastructure project.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said extending Sydney Metro from the north west into the city and Bankstown will forever change how we get around Sydney and will create vital jobs.
“Metro has already transformed the lives of people living in Sydney’s north west and now we are getting on with delivering it for the south west and the CBD,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The construction of this mega project couldn’t come at a more important time for our State. Metro forms a key part of the Government’s record $107 billion infrastructure pipeline, which will be a major jobs creator during our COVID-19 recovery.
“More than 5000 people are currently working across the City & Southwest Metro project and, by the time the project opens, around 50,000 people will have worked on it.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said Sydney will have 31 Metro railway stations and a 66 kilometre standalone Metro railway system in 2024.
“More than 4,000 tonnes of Australian rail steel has been used to create 31 kilometres of railway tracks for the twin 15.5 kilometre tunnels, which extend from Chatswood to Sydenham,” Mr Constance said.
“North West Metro has been a great success with more than 25 million customers already using the service, and this extension into the city and southwest will see a Metro train every two minutes in both directions under the CBD.
“The new Metro will be able to move more people across the Harbour in the busiest hour of the peak than the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel combined.”
Systems Connect, a joint venture between CPB Contractors and UGL, is designing and converting the excavated tunnels into a working railway, including distributing and laying the rail tracks along the tunnels.
The company is also expanding the Sydney Metro Trains Facility at Rouse Hill, building a new facility at Marrickville and installing the power systems for the Sydney Metro extension.
Metro trains will start running through the tunnels in 2024, extending from the North West Metro, into the city and beyond to Bankstown.
New stations will be delivered at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street and Waterloo, along with new underground platforms at Central Station.
Latest breaches of Public Health Orders
Since the last review period, police have charged two people and issued 19 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for breaches of the Public Health Act.
About 7am on Friday (8 January 2021), officers attached to North/Central Police Transport Command were patrolling Central Railway Station when they stopped and spoke to a 55-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. The man told officers he believed COVID-19 was a hoax and refused to put on a mask or leave the location.
He was arrested and taken to Sydney City Police Station where he was charged with not wear fitted face covering public transport waiting area. The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 3 February 2021.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday 10 January 2021, officers from Campbelltown Police Transport Command PTC were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station about spoke to the same man, aged 55, who was not wearing a mask, again claiming COVID-19 was a hoax.
He was arrested and charged with not wear fitted face covering in public transport/taxi and breach of bail. He was bail refused to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Monday 11 January 2020).
Further, details of the PINS issued include:
– About 1:45pm on Friday (8 January 2021), officers from the Police Transport Command were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station when they saw two men, aged 28 and 65 not wearing masks. When officers requested the younger man put on a mask, he became argumentative and claimed the public health order was a human rights violation. When police directed the older man to wear a mask, the man became aggressive towards the officers and refused to comply. Both were issued a $200 PIN.
– About 7:15pm on Friday, officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command arrested a 16-year-old boy over an alleged assault at a Wetherill Park shopping centre on Tuesday (5 January 2021). Inquiries revealed, the teen was not wearing a mask at the time of the alleged offence and he was charged with affray and assault offences, as well as not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19
– About 8:50pm on Friday, officers from Police Transport Command observed a 63-year-old woman not wearing a mask at Epping Railway Station. When questioned, the woman became argumentative with police and refused to identify herself. The woman was arrested for the purposes of identification and was found to have had prior warnings for not wearing a mask. She was issued a $200 PIN.
– About 11am on Saturday (9 January 2020), officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling a shopping centre at Dee Why, when they were alerted that a man was not wearing a mask. Police spoke to the man about his obligation to wear a mask, but he refused. The 30-year-old man was issued a $200 PIN.
– About 3.30pm on Saturday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Town Hall Railway Station when they stopped a 51-year-old man not wearing a mask. Police spoke to the man who refused to comply with the direction, he was issued a $200 PIN.
– About 9.15pm on Saturday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Gosford Railway Station when they stopped and spoke to a 48-year-old man not wearing a mask. The man refused to put on a mask and attempted to run from police. He was stopped a short time later and issued a move on direction and a $200 PIN.
– About 2.45am yesterday (Sunday 10 January 2021), officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended the rear of a property on Bondi Road at Bondi, and observed approximately 20 people on a balcony, with approximately 10 more inside. When they saw police, several attendees jumped over a fence and fled before their details could be obtained. Eleven were intercepted at the front door by officers and given $1000 PINs.
– About 4.30pm yesterday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Parramatta Railway Station and saw a 46-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. When questioned, the man said he wasn’t going to wear a mask as it wouldn’t affect anyone. Further inquiries revealed he had been issued four prior warnings for not wearing a fitted face covering. He was issued a $200 PIN.
– Just before 5pm yesterday, officers from Central Police Transport Command were patrolling Kings Cross Railway Station when they spoke to a 38-year-old man, not wearing a mask. He was issued a warning before leaving and returning shortly after, wearing a mask. The man was seen on the platform not wearing the mask correctly fitted and was issued a $200 PIN.
– About 5.30pm yesterday, officers from Campbelltown Police Transport Command PTC were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station and spoke to a teenager who was not wearing masks. The teen was issued a $200 PIN and an infringement for fare evasion.
– About 11pm yesterday, PTC officers were conducting patrols at Parramatta Railway Station when they approached an 18-year-old man, who was not wearing a mask. He refused to comply with police direction to obtain and wear a face covering in accordance with the legislation and was issued a $200 PIN.
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
Man charged over alleged damaged property, Public Health Order breach – Kellyville Ridge
A man has been charged after allegedly damaging property and refusing to comply with a Public Health Order at a fast-food outlet in Sydney’s north-west at the weekend.
About 8pm on Saturday (9 January 2021), Officers from Quakers Hill Police Area Command were called to a restaurant on Windsor Road, Kellyville Ridge, following reports a customer had become aggressive towards staff.
Police will allege in court that a man began to make an order at the counter when he was asked by staff to complete a COVID-safe check-in, in line with the current Public Health Orders.
The man refused and allegedly became aggressive and verbally abused staff, before he pushed a cash register and printer off the counter and left the restaurant. No injuries were reported.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident commenced and following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested at Riverstone Police station about 4.15pm today (Monday 11 January 2021).
The St Marys man was charged with destroy or damage property, use offensive language in/near public place and not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID19.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on Monday 1 February 2021.
Appeal to find missing man – Lake Macquarie
Police are appealing for public information to find a man missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Brett Constable, aged 47, from Orange, was last seen at a home on Oakland Street, Glendale, about 1am on Tuesday (5 January 2021).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified of his disappearance later that morning and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family have concerns for Brett’s welfare.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 186cm tall, of solid build, with short brown, curly hair, and a grey beard. He has a skull and rose tattoo on his left chest.
Police are urging anyone with information about Brett’s whereabouts to call Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.