Seismic testing go-ahead bad for SA

Seismic testing is the first step to drilling in the Great Australian Bight and will have devastating outcomes for SA, the Greens say.

“This is a bad decision – bad for our marine life, bad for Kangaroo Island, and bad for SA. Seismic testing is the first step to drilling in the Bight, and an oil well 90km off Kangaroo Island is a disaster for South Australia,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“It seems as though after endless chances for the Norwegian company to finesse their plan, the regulator has buckled, doing the bidding of the oil and gas industry.

“PGS now has the green light to send seismic blasts into waters 90km from Kangaroo Island. This is an area sperm whales migrate through and where blue whales feed, sending constant blasts into the water for three months straight will devastate our marine life.

“The last time we had seismic blasting in the Great Australian Bight, whales beached themselves at Ardrossan and died. There is never a safe time for seismic blasting, and our environment will suffer for the regulator’s decision today.

“NOPSEMA has ignored the community, the fishing industry and Traditional Owners who want our Bight protected. 74% of South Australians want to see the Bight protected, and thousands of people have joined The Greens’ campaign to nominate the Bight for World Heritage Protection

“The Greens are fighting tooth and nail alongside the South Australian community to stop big oil and gas drilling off the coast of Kangaroo Island and in the Bight. The impact on our tourism industry and the marine life off our coast would be devastating.”

Govt under pressure to release secret documents over Menindee Lakes

The Liberal National Government are hiding critical information about draining the Menindee Lakes twice in three years, the Greens say.
“The Government’s refusal to release this information, by order of the Senate, stinks of a cover-up and puts them in contempt of the Senate,” Greens water and environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“For over six weeks we’ve been waiting for answers from the Minister about why water was released from Menindee Lakes twice in three years. We still don’t know how or why those decisions were made. I was concerned about it back in November, and now after the death of a million fish it’s even more concerning.
“The Liberal National Government cannot be trusted to deal with this environmental disaster, and they can’t be trusted to be open with River communities. The cover-ups must end if we are to see this river, and the faith of the people who rely on it, restored.
“Water Minister David Littleproud is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Barnaby Joyce, standing up for corporate cotton interests rather than the communities that rely on this vital river system for survival.
“Australians want a healthy river system and a government that stands up for the environment. It’s clear this government is concerned about keeping big cotton happy at the expense of the river we love.”

Police search for missing man – Morisset

Police have appealed for information from the community to locate a man who disappeared from a medical facility at Morisset last week.
Jackson Melrose is 25-years-old and requires medication regularly for his condition.
Police have been told that Mr Melrose was last seen at Morisset Railway Station about 5pm on Wednesday 9 January 2019.
Jackson is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a fair complexion and short dark hair.
He is about 170cm to 175cm tall with a goatee beard and brown eyes.
When last seen he was wearing, shorts, t-shirt and thongs.
It is believed that Jackson will not have access to money or a mobile phone.
He is known to frequent the Wakefield and Edgeworth areas.
Police from Lake Macquarie Police District are urging anyone who sights Mr Melrose not to approach him, but to contact officers immediately on Triple Zero (000).

Fatal house fire – East Maitland

A report will be prepared for the Coroner after a fatal house fire at East Maitland.
Emergency Services were called to the unit on Thompson Street about 2am today (Saturday 12 January 2019).
The premises was extinguished and the body of a 53-year-old man was located inside.
Inquiries into the fire continue, however it does not appear to be suspicious.
 

Man charged with 15 offences including assault police – Cessnock

A man has been charged with 15 offences including assault police and resist arrest in the state’s Hunter Region.
About 6.05am today (Friday 11 January 2019), police attempted to stop an unregistered motorcycle travelling along Cessnock Road, Aberdare.
Police will allege the rider of the motorcycle failed to stop and sped off, before crashing into the front of a police vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot.
The man was arrested after a foot pursuit, where he allegedly assaulted two police officers.
OC Spray was used during the arrest.
Two male senior constables received minor injuries to their upper bodies and were treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics.
He was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment to pre-existing injuries before being taken to Cessnock Police Station.
The 38-year-old man was charged with use unregistered registrable class A motor vehicle on road, drive uninsured vehicle, unlicensed for class, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty (x3), use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention (x2), assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm (x2), deal with proceed of crime, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and not stop vehicle when directed to do so.
He appeared before court today and was refused bail to reappear in Cessnock Local Court Wednesday 16 January 2019.

Officer charged with sexual assault

A serving police officer has been charged in relation to an alleged sexual assault.
The charges follow an alleged incident at a private residence in Sydney’s inner-west, on Monday 24 September 2018 whilst off duty.
The matter was referred to the NSW Police Force Professional Standards Command for investigation in November last year.
The Inspector, who is attached to a specialist command, attended Burwood Police Station yesterday (Thursday 10 January 2019), where he was arrested and charged with sexual assault.
A provisional AVO was also served upon the officer.
The man was granted conditional bail to attend Burwood Local Court on Thursday 24 January 2019.
The officer’s employment status is under review.

Man charged over allegedly lighting bushfire near Lake Macquarie

A man will face court today charged over allegedly deliberately lighting a bushfire in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 5.30pm on Thursday 3 January 2019, emergency services were called to a suspicious fire in bushland near Fassifern Railway Station.
The fire was extinguished, and no one was injured.
The Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit commenced an investigation under Strike Force Wollybutt.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance of officers from Police Transport Command, arrested a 25-year-old man near Victoria Street Railway Station in East Maitland about 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 10 January 2019).
He was taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread, receive/dispose stolen property, and goods suspected stolen.
Police will allege in court that the man deliberately lit fire, with 22 points of ignition identified across four areas of the fire ground.
Police will also allege in court that the man was in possession of and disposed of stolen bankcards in a bin at Fassifern Railway Station.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 11 January 2019).
Police are also reminding people that they could face penalties if found responsible for the lighting of bushfires – accidental or otherwise.
Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:
– Damaging property with the intention of endangering life – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Manslaughter – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread – up to 21 years imprisonment.

$300 MILLION BOOST TO WESTERN SYDNEY ROAD UPGRADES

Western Sydney drivers will soon see shovels in the ground on more than $300 million worth of road upgrades to ease congestion and improve safety along major arterial roads in Prospect and Kellyville.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government today announced it will duplicate both the Prospect Highway between Reservoir Road at Prospect and St Martins Crescent at Blacktown and Memorial Avenue between Old Windsor Road and Windsor Road at Kellyville.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said work on the two major upgrades is now underway with the Government to start procurement on both projects immediately and construction to begin this year.
“Around 35,000 vehicles currently use the Prospect Highway each day, including around 5000 heavy vehicles, so it is great to see work will soon start on this important project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Once complete the upgraded three kilometre section of the Prospect Highway will be widened to a four-lane divided road improving safety and travel times. The work will include upgrades to bridges across the M4 and Great Western Highway, and the on and off ramps to the M4.”
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is also building for future generations by upgrading Memorial Avenue in Kellyville.
“On Memorial Avenue work will be carried out to upgrade the existing 2.2 kilometre road to a four-lane divided road, with shared pedestrian and cyclist paths to be built on both sides of the road,” Mr Ayres said.
“This investment in Prospect Highway and Memorial Avenue will allow people to spend less time in traffic and more time at home and it is only being delivered because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals.”
Member for Seven Hills Mark Taylor and Member for Baulkham Hills David Elliott have both welcomed the significant investment in roads in their electorates.
“The duplication of the Prospect Highway will make a huge difference to the lives of drivers who travel along this major road corridor each day,” Mr Taylor said.
“The upgrade of Memorial Avenue is a crucial project for the future of Kellyville and I can’t wait to see construction underway,” Mr Elliott said.

Police appeal for assistance to locate missing girl – Lake Macquarie

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl reported missing from a home in Lake Macquarie.
Carly Gibson, aged 11, was last seen at a house in Gradwells Road, Dora Creek, just before 6.30pm on Monday (7 January 2019).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified when she failed to return home and commenced an investigation.
Police hold concerns for her welfare due to her age and believe she may be in the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle or Edgeworth areas.
Carly is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 145cm-150cm tall, of a medium build and with blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.
She was last seen wearing a yellow midriff top, grey cardigan, denim skirt, black hat, blue and pink tie-dye socks and black boots.
Anyone who sees Carly or has any information on her whereabouts are urged to come forward.

Police warn of phone scam

Police are issuing a warning for members of the public to be wary of potential phone scammers, who attempt to coax people into handing over their personal and financial details.
Officers from Camden Police Area Command have received reports from people who have received phone calls from someone claiming to represent either, NSW Police Force, or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The caller claims to be a police officer and tells the person that they have an outstanding ATO bill or debt that must be paid, or they will be arrested.
The number displayed on the caller identification is that of the local police station, and it is unclear how the scammers are utilising the actual number.
Police are warning members of the public to be wary of any requests for personal details or payments made over the phone and are urging them not to give any personal details or to transfer any money to people over the phone.
Community members are reminded that the Australian Taxation Office will never:

  • threaten you with immediate arrest
  • ask you to pay money to receive a refund or payment from us
  • ask you to pay a debt via iTunes vouchers, or pre-paid credit card or store gift cards
  • ask you to provide personal information, such as your tax file number (TFN) or credit card number, via email or SMS
  • ask you to pay money into a personal bank account
  • direct you to download files from the internet, or open attachments in unsolicited emails.

Further information can be found by clicking on the following link.
https://www.ato.gov.au/general/online-services/identity-security/verify-or-report-a-scam/
Furthermore, the following advice on how to protect yourself is provided by SCAMWATCH
Protect yourself

  • If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of Telstra and their call relates to a problem with your internet connection, just hang up.
  • If you have doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don’t rely on contact details provided by the person – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
  • Remember that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or have listed your number on the Australian Government’s Do Not Call Register (link is external). Scammers can obtain your number fraudulently or from anywhere it has been publicly listed such as in a phone book.
  • Don’t let scammers press your buttons – scammers use detailed scripts to convince you that they’re the real deal and create a high-pressure situation to make a decision on the spot.
  • Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source.
  • Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.
  • Never give a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a reputable business.
  • If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
  • If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Report

  • If you have lost money as a result of this type of scam, please report the matter to your local Police Station.
  • You can also report scams to the ACCC via SCAMWATCH or report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.