A man has died following a single vehicle crash in the Hunter Region today.
Just after 11:15am today (Saturday 20 November 2021), emergency services were called to Richardson Road, Campvale, following reports of a crash.
On arrival, police were told a car had left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 62-year-old man – was treated at the scene by members of the public and emergency services but died at the scene.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Month: November 2021
Police operation concluded following peaceful protests in Sydney and Inner West
A police operation has now concluded following two authorised protests in the Sydney CBD and Newtown today.
A high-visibility operation was launched in response to the planned protests today (Saturday 20 November 2021), to ensure the safety of participants, as well as the community and local businesses.
The protests were authorised after NSW Police Force received a Form 1 prior to the events, which took place in Sydney’s CBD at 12pm and Newtown at 1pm today.
General duties officers from Sydney City Police Area Command, Inner West Police Area Command and across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
No issues arose at the protests, with estimated crowd numbers reaching 120 people at the Newtown protest, and up to 10,000 people at the protest in the Sydney CBD.
No arrests were made, and no infringements were issued during the protests.
Two further protests, for which a Form 1 was not received and therefore unauthorised, took place at about 10.30am in Newcastle and 11am in Newtown.
A small group attended the unauthorised protests and they conducted without any incident.
Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said overall, police were pleased with crowd behaviour and the majority of attendees conducted a peaceful protest.
“NSW Police worked closely with other agencies to execute a widespread and robust police operation that extended across the Sydney CBD and inner west, and included a significant presence across major public transport routes and roads,” Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said.
“Overall, the protests were conducted peacefully with minimal disruption to the community, and I’m pleased to see that the vast majority of people complied with police directions.
“We take the safety of the community and our police officers extremely seriously and we are glad our policing response, supported by road and transport strategies, effectively resulted in peaceful protest activity.
“I want to thank the community who did the right thing today and acknowledge the more than 600 police officers who were deployed across the Sydney CBD and inner west for their professional response during today’s activities,” he said.
Newcastle joins #RacismNotWelcome street sign campaign
New street signs are being installed in key locations across Newcastle as part of a grassroots initiative to show that racism is not welcome within our community.
Council unanimously resolved in March, following a Lord Mayoral Minute, to support the #RacismNotWelcome campaign which is a national community-led initiative that acknowledges the existence of racism in the community and encourages anti-racist behaviour.
Image caption (L-R): Zara’s House Sister Diana Santleben, Zara’s House Financial Administrator Mary Amponsah, #RacismNotWelcome ambassador and former Socceroos Captain Craig Foster, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, and Zara’s House Project Coordinator Farida Baremgayabo.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle is a diverse and inclusive community with a proud multicultural history.
“Newcastle has a long and proud history as a progressive, welcoming city and is officially a Refugee Welcome Zone,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle has taken the lead in tackling racism and will consistently advocate when it comes to providing support for refugees and migrants settling in Newcastle.
“We are proud to join this grassroots campaign by erecting #RacismNotWelcome street signage and will continue to send out the powerful message that racism will not be tolerated in our community.”
Former Socceroos captain, human rights campaigner and #RacismNotWelcome ambassador Craig Foster said the street sign campaign was devised to get to the heart of communities where racism lives.
“The street signs are the physical manifestation of the underlying principle that racism exists, it is real, damaging and deeply harmful to many Australians and that we all have a responsibility to confront it, every day,” Mr Foster said.
“The path ahead for every local council and for us as a country is to proclaim loudly, publicly and visibly that we’re united together as people against division, against discrimination on all grounds and, in this context, race.
“I’d like to thank City of Newcastle for getting behind this important movement by declaring the Newcastle Local Government Area rejects discrimination of all kinds.”
The backing of the street sign campaign complements programs funded by City of Newcastle earlier this year to encourage the social inclusion of people from diverse background in our community. Under the Community Support Grants Program 2021, funding assisted a wide range of multicultural and community projects such as the Afghan Community Festival, Unity and Diversity Festival, Newcastle Arab Youth Festival, Multicultural Pop-Up Library, and Syrian Community Festival.
#RacismNotWelcome street signs will be erected in the following locations over the coming weeks:
· Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle Beach
· Corner of Council and Darby Street, Cooks Hill
· Newcastle Interchange, Hannell Street, Wickham
· Corner of Victoria Street and Maitland Road, Mayfield
· Corner of Beaumont Street and Donald Street, Hamilton
· Blue Gum Road, Jesmond
· Wallsend Library
· Hunter Stadium, Turton Road, Lambton
· John Hunter Hospital entrance road, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights.
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Community Services webpage
Further two charged following investigations into Newcastle fatal shooting
Homicide Squad detectives have charged a further two people following investigations into the fatal shooting of a man at Newcastle earlier this year.
About 12.45pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, emergency services were called to a unit at Darby Street, Cooks Hill, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police located a 40-year-old man inside the unit with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
The man has been formally identified as Wesley ‘Wes’ Prentice from Rutherford.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Hibbard.
Following extensive investigations, a 35-year-old man was arrested near a caravan park at Bonny Hills on Sunday 1 August 2021.
He was charged over his alleged role in the incident and remains before the courts.
Following further investigations, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at Wickham Road, New Lambton, from 8.30am today (Friday 19 November 2021).
Several items relevant to the investigation were seized and will undergo further forensic examination.
Two people – a 38-year-old woman and 19-year-old man – were arrested during the operation.
The woman was charged with accessory after the fact to murder, while the man was charged with conceal serious indictable offence of other.
The pair were both refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today.
Man dies in fatal crash – Lake Macquarie
A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the state’s north yesterday.
About 1.30pm (Friday 19 November 2021), emergency services were called to Mirrabooka, about 9km east of Morisset, after reports of a crash.
Police believe the motorcycle was travelling along Dandaraga Road before it struck a caravan that was parked in the driveway of a home.
The rider died at the scene is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 31.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Liberal and ALP parties undermine Land Rights Act, say Greens
The Economic Empowerment Bill 2021 puts forward the most comprehensive changes in 45 years to the Australian Land Rights Act 1976. After successfully negotiating for the Bill to go to a full Inquiry, Senator Lidia Thorpe notes that 92% of submissions are against this bill.
“The Senate inquiry into the Bill has revealed a lack of consultation on this Bill and most stakeholders who gave evidence reject this Bill.”
“Most submissions call for the Bill to be axed, it’s telling that only the likes of the Mineral Council want this Bill to go ahead.”
“When the Morrison Government says that this Bill has been “co-designed,” what they mean is that it has been co-designed with hand picked organisations who have not consulted with the communities that they are supposed to represent.”
“Free, prior and informed consent means exactly what it says. Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: all Traditional Owners have the right to decide what happens on their homelands.”
“This Bill makes it easier for mining and exploration to destroy Country, land, water, and sky.”
“This Bill should not be passed. The government must engage in extensive consultation that is underpinned by free, prior, and informed consent with all affected First Nations people, not just the ones it hand picked.” Said Thorpe.
Cowardly PM shelves corruption watchdog bill as government unravels
Reports that Scott Morrison will abandon his weak anti-corruption body until after the election shows that he never intended to do it in the first place.
Morrison promised that he would introduce a federal integrity commission more than 1000 days ago, but has since pulled every trick in the book to avoid meeting his commitment, and has refused to bring on the Greens bill for a strong corruption watchdog in the House despite it passing the Senate two years ago.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“It’s being reported today that Scott Morrison is abandoning his long-promised integrity commission legislation because he can’t be sure of support from his own backbench or his usually willing accomplices in One Nation.
“This suits him beautifully because it’s another excuse not to progress an integrity body.
“That the PM is prioritising a divisive bill about religious discrimination rather than a much-called-for body to clean up corruption is very telling. The PM has a lot of religion and not a lot of integrity.
“After 1000 days of delay and excuses, it’s perfectly clear the PM never really wanted to introduce a corruption watchdog, probably because more than half of his Cabinet would be facing serious questions about their integrity.
“This is the dodgiest, most secretive and most incompetent government in Australian history.
“The Greens bill for a strong, independent corruption watchdog with teeth passed the Senate two years ago. The PM has been running scared from it ever since. If the PM had any integrity at all, he would bring my bill on for debate and vote in the House, and we could have an effective federal corruption watchdog by Christmas.
“Far from being an ICAC-lite like the government’s phantom proposal, our bill would establish a strong, independent, effective body that allows for public hearings, retrospectivity and the ability to investigate anonymous tip-offs, balanced with appropriate safeguards and privacy provisions. It got top marks from the Centre for Public Integrity in a comparison of the various models. The PM should stop the charade of excuses and bring it on for debate.”
Drawing up the plan for Australia’s Nurse Practitioners
The Morrison Government is developing a new 10-year strategic plan to help Australia’s highly skilled and respected nurse practitioners, enhancing the way they work as they deliver essential health care for Australians.
As part of the strategic plan, the Government is today commencing consultations for the plan, which aims to address workforce issues and enhance the delivery of patient care.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said there are more than 2,250 nurse practitioners in Australia who work across the health system including in our hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health services, and primary healthcare services.
“This is the first opportunity for the community, health providers, clinicians, and experts to make a contribution to this new plan, which will be delivered by the middle of next year,” Minister Hunt said.
“We want to ensure that the 10-year plan improves health outcomes, addresses workforce challenges and ensures that Australians can continue to access the support they need.”
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Nurse Practitioners are focused on improving access to treatment, and dedicated to improving health outcomes of all Australians, particularly at risk populations, including aged care residents, Indigenous
Australians and those living in regional, rural and remote areas.
Nurse Practitioners can be involved in a wide range of health care, providing advanced assessment and complete episodes of care to patients, including minor surgical procedures, ordering diagnostic tests, and initiating or ceasing medicines.
Nurse Practitioners also work collaboratively with other health professionals around planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for their patients.
The consultations will engage a wide range of stakeholders to better understand the issues that can impact Nurse Practitioner delivery of care, as well as innovations or new approaches.
Stakeholders can inform the development of the plan through a survey available on the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub – www.consultations.health.gov.au. Alternatively, written submissions will be accepted to nursepolicy@health.gov.au.
Consultation will close on Monday 20 December 2021.
Labor’s Plan to Boost Education Opportunities for 30,000 Families With No Internet at Home
Up to 30,000 families with no internet at home will be supported with access to free broadband for a year under Labor’s plan for a better NBN.
“During COVID-19 it became clear that students needed high-speed broadband to participate in classes from home,” said Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, today.
“This experience regrettably revealed some school children did not have access to any home internet, and this compounded an already very difficult school year.”
To enable implementation, NBNCo will provide a wholesale rebate to a designated retail provider to supply the service.
Eligible families would be identified by schools, state education departments and local community organisations, and eligibility validated by NBNCo.
“This will help extend unconnected children the opportunity to benefit from the internet and not be disadvantaged,” said Mr Albanese.
At a time when broadband has become a critical link between students and society, action is needed to ensure no child is left behind.
Ensuring every school child has broadband at home is a complex challenge that cannot be solved overnight.
However, through compassion, targeted incentives and a clear sense of purpose, we can make practical progress to bridge the digital divide.
Labor’s plan for a better NBN will secure more Australian families and businesses quality, high speed internet by expanding full-fibre NBN access to 1.5 million premises.
A Labor Government will ensure, 90 per cent of Australians in the fixed line footprint – over 10 million premises – will have access to world-class gigabit speeds by 2025.
Labor will also keep the NBN in public hands, keeping internet costs for families affordable while ensuring improvements to the network.
Reliable, quality, high speed internet is not a luxury or a nice-to-have.
It is essential 21st century infrastructure.
Jobs boost for Sydney's west
More than 17,000 jobs are expected to be created with the proposed transformation of more than 850 hectares of land near Kemps Creek into a commercial industry hub, connected to the future Aerotropolis.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the finalisation of the Mamre Road Development Control Plan (DCP) includes significant controls to preserve the local environment.
“These planning controls provide businesses in Western Sydney with the opportunity to be thriving by the time the first plane lands at Badgery’s Creek,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ve also established targets that require 10 per cent tree canopy to be provided on each site, as well as limits on the amount of hard surfacing on individual lots, and guidelines to ensure South Creek remains protected.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the site would capitalise on its location near the future airport.
“Western Sydney is growing and we’re ensuring that there’s plenty of jobs for current and future residents to choose from,” Mr Ayres said.
“The site is ideally located to enable freight to be moved from Port Botany via the proposed Western Sydney Freight Line and transferred onto trucks that deliver to businesses in Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.”
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the new precinct would establish an important link between Port Botany and the Aerotropolis.
“We’re thankful to the community for the feedback during the consultation and drafting process, and we believe that together we’ve shaped a sustainable way for Western Sydney’s industrial sector to trade for decades to come,” Mrs Davies said.
“We already have 11 different State Significant Development Applications at various stages of the assessment process, for projects which bring jobs in industries such as warehousing and distribution, manufacturing and IT.”
To view the finalised Mamre Road DCP, visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Priority-Growth-Areas-and-Precincts/Western-Sydney-Employment-Area/Mamre-Road-Precinct