16 News

Two restaurants and a registered club are among the latest businesses and individuals to be issued PINs for not complying with Public Health Orders.

• About 7.45pm yesterday (Thursday 3 September 2020), police received information a restaurant on Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne, was not complying with Public Health Orders. Officers from Monaro Police District attended the venue a short time later and observed a large crowd of people inside the venue. The female owner was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 6.30pm on Saturday 29 August 2020, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols when they noted a restaurant on Clovelly Rd, Randwick, appeared to be over capacity. Police claim the venue was failing to adhere to a COVID-19 Safety Plan and had been taking additional bookings. The male licensee was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 11.30pm on Wednesday 25 August 2020, officers from Monaro Police District were called to a unit at a ski resort on Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne, following reports of a party. Officers arrived to find more than 20 people in attendance. Police subsequently issued three occupants each with a $1000 PIN.

• About 8.15pm on Saturday 22 August 2020, police attended a recreational shooting club on Heathcote Road, Heathcote, after receiving reports it was not complying with Public Health Orders. Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command asked to see the club’s COVID-19 Safety Plan; however, they claim the club was unable to supply one. The woman was issued with a $1000 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.
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 crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Original yellow Wiggle and cardiac arrest survivor Greg Page has thrown his support behind the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program today, which offers sport and recreation facilities the opportunity to share in up to $1 million this year to help purchase defibrillators.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the initiative encourages sports and councils to invest in equipment that could save lives.
“Up to 7,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in NSW,” Mr Lee said.
“Defibrillators save lives and since the launch of the program, more than 1,500 defibrillators have been purchased by sporting facilities and clubs across the State.
“Medical experts say the first eight minutes following a cardiac arrest are critical. Early access to CPR and a defibrillator is essential to increasing a patient’s likelihood of survival.”
Greg Page suffered a cardiac arrest while performing with the Wiggles and was treated with a defibrillator at the venue.
“I’m just fortunate there was a defibrillator at the venue otherwise I might not be here today,” Mr Page said.
“Early access to CPR and defibrillation can dramatically increase a person’s chance of survival after a heart attack.”
Heartbeat of Football founder Andy Paschalidis said it is vital venues are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.
“With more and more people of all ages participating in sport and recreation, I urge sports clubs and councils to apply for a grant and be trained and equipped to respond to these life-threatening situations,” Mr Paschalidis said.
The program is open from 3 September 2020 until 12 April 2021.
For more information: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/defibrillator

Half of the tunnelling on the critical M4-M5 Link Tunnels has now been completed, marking a major milestone on ‘the missing link’ in Sydney’s motorway network.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said work on the M4-M5 Link Tunnels is progressing well, and is on track for the project to open on schedule in 2023.
“More than 6,800 workers have been involved in the project to date, providing valuable jobs when we need them most.
“Along with the Rozelle Interchange, this project will allow drivers to experience the full benefits of the WestConnex motorway network, Australia’s biggest road infrastructure project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The M4-M5 Link Tunnels connect the M4 at Haberfield with the M8 at St Peters, along with connecting to future projects including Sydney Gateway to Sydney Airport, the M6, the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link via the Rozelle Interchange.
“When complete, WestConnex will change the way Sydneysiders get around their city. WestConnex will bust congestion and increase economic activity,” Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said.
“It will also give local roads back to local people, with the majority of the project underground.”
Earlier stages of WestConnex, the New M4 Tunnels (opened in July 2019) and the M8 (opened in July 2020) are providing tens of thousands of motorists with significant travel time savings since opening.
When complete, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels will provide drivers with additional travel time savings, including an estimated 40 minutes off a trip from Parramatta to Sydney Airport.
Project facts:

• 7.5km twin tunnels up to four lanes in each direction
• Four tunnelling sites (St Peters, Annandale, Haberfield x2)
• 58m at deepest point, average depth 35m
• 28 roadheaders in use
• Expected travel time around 8 minutes from St Peters to Haberfield

A major upgrade of the Tamworth Intermodal Rail Line is on target for delivery with the Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson today announcing $28 million for the project to support regional NSW’s freight sector, creating hundreds of regional jobs.
Mr Barilaro said this investment will fund works to reinstate a section of non-operational railway line, support the development of an intermodal rail facility in Westdale and link Tamworth to the state’s major port.
“This significant investment is key to the development of the new intermodal rail hub that will better connect Northern NSW’s producers and businesses to the world,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This funding will restore and raise five kilometres of track on the West Tamworth to Barraba line and install new level crossings to activate rail freight access to Tamworth’s new Regional Freight Terminal.
“When complete, a functioning intermodal rail hub and freight terminal in Tamworth will create a direct rail route to vessels docked at Port Botany, saving businesses significant freight costs.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was investing in the rail freight network to increase capacity, secure reliable freight movements across the state, and meet future freight demand.
“Inland intermodals are an integral part of moving freight throughout NSW by providing a delivery point load breakdown services and an interface for road to rail integration,” Mr Toole said.
“With a projected 28 per cent increase in the regional freight task by 2036 from just four years ago, facilities like the one at Tamworth will play an increasingly important role in connecting NSW’s products to export markets.”
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government is investing in the infrastructure, programs and services that support industry development, improve productivity and economic growth and make regional NSW a great place to live, work and play.
“This is a huge milestone for the people, producers and businesses of Tamworth. The Tamworth intermodal will make the city the freight capital of the New England and North West and drive enormous investment and job growth locally,” Mr Anderson said.
“In 2016, 482 million tonnes of freight was moved in NSW and with that volume expected to increase to 618 million tonnes by 2036, this project is one of the big picture infrastructure investments delivered by the NSW Government to help Tamworth and regional NSW’s industry succeed.”