Month: December 2019

Woman arrested after failing to stop at RBT – Singleton

Police have arrested a woman after failing to stop for a random breath test in the state’s Hunter region.
Just after 9pm yesterday (Thursday 26 December 2019), officers from Hunter Valley Highway Patrol attempted to stop a Mazda 3 travelling northbound on the New England Highway at Singleton, for the purpose of a random breath test.
The driver – a 45-year-old woman – allegedly failed to stop as directed and crossed over the median strip before police stopped the car a short distance away.
When officers approached the car near the intersection of the New England Highway and Kennedy Street, the woman allegedly accelerated, narrowly missing another vehicle.
Police initiated a pursuit of the Mazda which crashed into a guard rail on the Hunter River bridge near Campbell Street, before colliding with a Toyota Prado.
The occupants of the Prado, a woman and two children – aged six and eight – suffered minor injuries and were taken to Singleton District Hospital for treatment. They have since been released.
The driver of the Mazda was trapped in the vehicle for a short period of time before being freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.
She was arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries and will undergo mandatory testing.
Charges are expected to be laid upon the woman’s release from hospital.

Man fatally stabbed; man arrested – Newcastle

A man has been arrested as inquiries continue into the stabbing death of another man near Newcastle overnight.
Just before 11.30pm (Thursday 26 December 2019), emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing on Silsoe Street, near the intersection of Myola Street, in Mayfield.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and located a 50-year-old man critically injured with a wound to his neck.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital; however, despite attempts to resuscitate him, he was declared deceased on arrival.
A 36-year old man was arrested nearby and taken to Waratah Police Station.
A crime scene was established on Myola Road, which is being examined by specialist forensic officers.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Labor welcomes Scott Morrison’s decision to provide additional support for volunteer firefighters on the frontline – something he has repeatedly claimed is unnecessary.
It’s good that federal public servants will receive the same conditions currently enjoyed by Army reservists, but many volunteer firefighters will not be assisted by this decision.
Many private sector workers, self-employed workers, contractors and family business owners have been fighting fires, not just for days or weeks, but for months.
These firefighters have to pay bills and put food on the table for their families. No firefighter should have to choose between continuing to serve their community with courage and distinction and being able to provide the essentials of life.
There is a precedent for providing support for volunteer firefighters. The Keating Government did it in 1994.
Firefighters deserve our respect. They also deserve our support.
This issue was urgent when Labor called on the Prime Minister to act in mid-November.  With fires raging across the country it is now more urgent than ever.
Mr Morrison has consistently underestimated the scale of this year’s bushfire crisis and has repeatedly asserted that resources are adequate.
He has refused to bring forward a meeting of state and territory leaders. He has also refused to review his Government’s inadequate climate policies.
Clearly there is more to be done and we urge the Prime Minister to investigate all options as this national crisis deepens with more dangerous weeks ahead.

Boosting Leave for APS Volunteer Firefighters

Government employees fighting this season’s devastating bushfires will have their paid volunteer leave allowance boosted.
The Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service said he had directed all Commonwealth public service leaders to permanently offer at least 20 working days paid leave, or 28 calendar days, for volunteers aiding with firefighting efforts. And for additional leave to then be provided as when needed.
“We’re helping get more boots on the ground and giving people who’ve been out there for weeks some relief,” the Prime Minister said.
“With bushfire seasons starting earlier, one of the things I’ve heard on the ground is that some people are dipping into their other leave entitlements to stay out there battling blazes. Today’s announcement is about ensuring our volunteer firefighters can keep focused on the job at hand.
“We’ve also already deployed our Defence Forces to assist with logistics, fire mapping and even meals and accommodation, already nearly $23 million in disaster recovery payments has flowed to affected families and businesses with more to come, and we’ve boosted our support for waterbombing planes and helicopters by $11 million.
“My Ministers and I are in constant contact with our state and territory counterparts and fire chiefs and we stand ready to deliver whatever extra help they ask of us.”
The change to volunteer leave entitlements for Commonwealth public servants brings those contracts into line with the arrangements offered for Australian Defence Force reservists.
“We’ll do everything in our power to ensure these fireys have the resources and support they need,” the Prime Minister said.
“Once again I’d also like to thank the many businesses – small and large – and the state and territory bureaucracies who have been so generous giving time off to our volunteer fireys.
“We call on other large employers to follow our lead and we commend those who have already put in place more generous volunteer leave arrangements. We know this does not address the situation for self-employed and small businesses directly, but it does mean those working for larger organisations can step in and take some of the load from those volunteers who work for themselves or small businesses.
“This comes on top of existing Commonwealth disaster relief support, both direct and through the states, supporting families, businesses and primary producers impacted by the fires.
“The current contracts for our Commonwealth employees have ad hoc volunteer leave entitlements but this direction brings that up to a consistent standard and one that we offer ADF reservists.
“Our brigades in metro areas are working right across the fire fronts in non-metro areas and this will give them greater capability to deploy and meet the demand and provide relief to some of those very tired firefighters.”

Woman stabbed after man breaks into her house – Cardiff

A woman has been hospitalised after a man broke into her house and stabbed her five times at Cardiff in the Lake Macquarie Police District.
About 4.25am (Wednesday 25 December 2019), a 23-year-old woman woke up to get a glass of water at her Cypress Street home when she was grabbed from behind.
The woman struggled with the man and he produced a knife, stabbing her in the back five times.
The man fled the house along Cypress Street and emergency services were notified.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The injured woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A crime scene was established, and it appears the man entered the house through a rear window.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a slim build and closely shaved dark hair. He was wearing a hooded jumper and possibly gloves.
Investigations are continuing, and police are appealing for anyone who noticed anything suspicious in or near Cardiff Street about 4.25am this morning (Wednesday 25 December 2019), to contact Belmont Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 188 333 000.

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: MORE THAN 110,000 OLDER AUSTRALIANS STILL WAIT FOR HOME CARE

On the eve of Christmas the Morrison Government has quietly revealed more than 110,000 older Australians are still waiting for aged care services at home.
It is completely unacceptable that in a wealthy country like Australia so many older vulnerable people can’t get the aged care they need.
These figures underscore how woefully inadequate Scott Morrison’s response was to his own Royal Commission’s interim report – particularly when it comes to the home care crisis.
Even with the Government’s additional home care packages announced last month there will still be more than 100,000 older Australians waiting for care they have been approved for but are not receiving.
The figures the Government has released late and just prior to Christmas, on the home care crisis, are damning.
Some older Australians are still waiting more than two years for home care.
Recent figures revealed almost 20,000 older Australians were forced into residential aged care when they wanted to receive care at home.
In the last year (2017/18) for which figures were available 16,000 older Australians sadly died while waiting for home care.
The Liberals have been asleep at the wheel for six years, with four Ministers and billions ripped out while Australia’s aged care system has lurched from one crisis to another.
Scott Morrison and the Government must do better to ensure older Australians get the quality aged care services they deserve now – older Australians and their loved ones cannot afford to wait any longer.

SEVEN NEW POLICE VESSELS HIT THE WATER

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott today announced the arrival of seven new Class 2 patrol vessels for the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command.
This is a modern state of the art fleet representing a record $24 million investment by the NSW Government in maritime law enforcement along the entire NSW coastline and harbour systems.
“These patrol vessels will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the Marine Area Command. The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the NSW Police Force has the resources and equipment needed to keep our communities and waterways safe.” Mr Elliott said.
The vessels were officially unveiled today during a commissioning ceremony at the Marine Area Command in Balmain. NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the vessels are larger and are a greatly improved version of the retiring fleet.
“These Class 2 patrol vessels have been specifically designed to carry out search and rescue operations, marine enforcement activities and to respond to organised crime on the water. The new vessels are safer for the open water and can travel 900 nautical miles out to sea for up to five days,” Commissioner Fuller said.
Each vessel is equipped with a five-metre aluminium boarding vessel constructed into the stern which allows for medical evacuations at sea and the boarding of suspicious vessels entering Australia’s maritime corridors into NSW coastal waters.
The vessels feature the newest technology including a forward looking infra-red (FLIR) camera to assist police crews search for lost mariners or detect crime threats.  The navigation and electronics are supported by the NSW Police Force integrated telecommunication and satellite systems.
The new vessels replace the aging 2005 Class 2 patrol vessels but will sail under their predecessors’ names: Alert, Falcon, Fearless, Intrepid, Vanguard, Victor and Vigilant. They will be located in Broken Bay, Sydney, Botany Bay, Eden, Port Kembla, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour.

NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE – 20 DECEMBER 2019

PREMIER DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

  • The NSW Government has declared a State of Emergency from this morning, lasting for a period of seven days (beginning 19/12/2019), ahead of worsening fire conditions predicted for the week.
  • A State of Emergency declaration enables extraordinary powers to be exercised by the RFS Commissioner. These include the power to:
    • Direct any Government agency to conduct or refrain from conducting its functions;
    • Control and coordinate the allocation of Government resources;
    • Evacuate people from property within the declared area;
    • Close roads and thoroughfares to traffic;
    • Pull down or shore up infrastructure at risk of collapse;
    • Order the shutdown of essential utilities in the declared area including electricity, gas, oil, water; and
    • Enter or take possession of property in the course of the emergency response.

TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR LIT CIGARETTE TOSSERS

  • Drivers who throw lit cigarettes out the window of a vehicle will be slapped with five demerit points under tough new penalties introduced by the NSW Government.
  • If a driver commits the offence during a total fire ban the penalty will double to 10 demerit points and a fine of up to $11,000.
  • NSW Police and local authorities will enforce the new penalties. To report someone who has thrown a lit cigarette out the window of a vehicle please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service hotline on 1800 679 737.  Penalties are scheduled to commence on 17 January, 2020.

LIGHT RAIL OPENS IN THE HEART OF SYDNEY

  • Light rail services from Circular Quay to Randwick were officially opened on Saturday.
  • The first passengers rode on the new L2 Randwick Line following a ribbon cutting ceremony at Circular Quay.

CHRISTMAS BOOST TO DROUGHT TRANSPORT SUBSIDY FOR FARMERS

  • The NSW Government has announced a Christmas boost to the NSW Government’s Emergency Drought Transport Subsidy, to ensure farmers can continue to access support to transport fodder, stock and other farm inputs for the next month. The cap for the subsidy has increased to $50,000 per eligible primary producer this financial year.
  • Since 2018, more than 14,500 applications have been approved, paying out more than $120 million.
  • The Emergency Drought Transport Subsidy provides drought affected farmers in NSW with subsidies for the transport of fodder, water and stock and other farm inputs, like chemical or seed. To find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply, visitwww.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/transport-subsidy-emergency-drought-relief or phone the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

RESULTS ARE IN FOR THE CLASS OF 2019

  • The wait is finally over for the HSC cohort of 2019, with 75,000 students across NSW excitedly receiving their exam results from 6am on Tuesday.
  • 1,449 students have received the highly accomplished ‘All Round Achievers Award’ for scoring the highest possible band in 10 units of study, and 790 have been identified as ‘Top Achievers’ for earning results in the highest band.
  • This year’s Year 12 students sat a total of 123 exams, including the examination of 17 new syllabuses in English, Mathematics and Science.

NSW CHANGES COURSE OF BASIN PLAN

  • NSW has today delivered an overhaul of the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP), for the first time since its inception, to meet the current needs of Basin communities.
  • NSW has successfully fought for and delivered:
    • A reassessment of the deliverability of the Sustainable Diversion Limit projects and their contribution of 605GL – this could mean a delay in the delivery of this water, which would lead to legislative changes to the Plan; and
    • Changes to the Terms of Reference for a review into the Lower Lakes. This will examine whether it was an estuarine or fresh water system and will include a review of the allegations made in Professor Gell’s peer-reviewed paper.
  • NSW has made it clear to all Basin states that:
    • NSW will not contribute to the additional 450GL in water recovery targets;
    • NSW will continue  to pursue changes that would see transmission losses be classified as environmental water across the basin; and
    • NSW cannot submit water resource plans and will negotiate a new deadline once the drought breaks.

TAFE NSW WELCOMES NEW LEADERSHIP

  • The NSW Government has announced the appointment of Steffen Faurby as Managing Director of TAFE NSW.
  • Mr Faurby will commence his position on 13 January 2020. The statutory appointment is for five years.
  • Mr Faurby is currently employed as CEO of State Transit Authority of NSW. Prior to this, he was the CEO of Harbour City Ferries. Mr Faurby has 29 years of global experience in building high-performing teams and a strong record of accomplishment in delivering complex projects.

THOUSANDS SNAPPED USING A PHONE WHILE DRIVING

  • Thousands of motorists have been caught illegally using their phone while driving during week one of the NSW Government’s mobile phone detection camera program.
  • From Sunday 1 to Saturday 7 December, 3,303 drivers were caught breaking the law by fixed and mobile trailer-mounted cameras at various locations across the state.
  • Until the start of March 2020, drivers caught by a mobile phone detection camera will receive a warning letter. When the warning phase ends drivers will cop a $344 fine, or $457 in a school zone, and five demerit points – 10 during double demerit periods.

NEW POWERHOUSE MUSEUM DESIGN UNVEILED

  • The design for the relocated Powerhouse Museum has been selected with Moreau Kusunoki [Lead Design Architect] and Genton [Local Design Architect] chosen to establish the first major museum to be based in Western Sydney.
  • The architectural team’s bold vision for the museum has been selected following an international design competition which commenced in January 2019.
  • The international architectural competition saw more than 74 entries received from 20 countries. More information is available at :https://maas.museum/new-powerhouse/.

Extension of Australian Government Assistance for New South Wales Bushfires

Payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child are now available to those worst-hit by the bushfires in the local government areas of Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Singleton.
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment would help to provide dignity for those who had suffered a catastrophic loss.
“This is for people whose home has been severely damaged or destroyed, who’ve been seriously injured or who’ve lost a family member,” Minister Littleproud said.
“It’s going to take time for life to return to normal and we’ll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these communities until they’re back on their feet.
“This will help to cover the immediate needs of those worst hit, and help them get through the coming days.
“We will make further assistance available to these communities if it is needed.
“Anyone who may meet the criteria should call the Department of Human Services to check their eligibility.”
The Australian Government assistance announced today is over and above the support already being provided for under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Claims will be open from Monday 23 December 2019. For more information or to make a claim visit www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or call 180 22 66. More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Man dies following single-vehicle crash near Singleton

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the Hunter region this morning.
About 5am today (Saturday 21 December 2019), emergency services were called to Glendonbrook Road, Glendon Brook, following reports a vehicle had crashed over an embankment and rolled.
On arrival, officers from Hunter Valley Police District located a Toyota Hilux utility on its roof.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 30-year-old Martins Creek man, died at the scene.
A crime scene has been established and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.