Emergency services personnel will have access to a new world-class training facility with the launch of Fire and Rescue’s Practical Learning Environment in Western Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new $19 million training facility is designed to challenge the skills of first responders to ensure they are best prepared to help the community in the event of an emergency.
“The safety of the people of NSW is our number one priority and this new training facility will help prepare our emergency services for all scenarios,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Access to state-of-the-art props and resources is essential to improving the hands-on training of all first responders.”
The Practical Learning Environment consists of an urban search and rescue scene with an underground train tunnel, a service station prop, a five-storey tower that consists of a variety of fire and rescue scenarios as well as a live fire facility.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new training environment would not only assist emergency services personnel but the people of NSW as well.
“Our emergency services personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“All emergency services agencies will have shared access to the Practical Learning Environment, and by leading this adaptive training space we are building the best fire and rescue agency to protect the residents of NSW.”
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said each prop was specifically designed to enhance capabilities from fire and rescue to natural disaster and humanitarian relief.
“Our academy is a world-class resource that will ensure our first responders have access to life-saving practical training,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“Within each prop there are real life scenarios from hazardous materials spills, to road crash rescues and factory fires which will test the skills and knowledge of our firefighters.”
The next phase of the project will see the construction of a residential home, a streetscape and a train station scenario with a railway track and platform for rescue demonstrations.
Month: September 2020
Armed robbery – Mount Hutton
Police are investigating after an armed robbery in Lake Macquarie.
About 6.15pm yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), a 24-year-old man was working at a bottle shop on Wilsons Road at Mount Hutton, when a man entered the store and threatened him with a firearm.
He demanded cash before fleeing the scene in an easterly direction towards South Street, Windale.
Lake Macquarie Police District officers were called a short time later and established a crime scene.
The man is described as being between 180cm to 185cm tall, wearing dark clothing with his face covered.
Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm last night, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from nearby is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Man charged following large brawl at Lake Macquarie sportsground
A man has been charged following an alleged brawl in Lake Macquarie earlier this month.
Just before 5pm on Saturday (19 September 2020), police were called to a sporting ground on Minnie Street, Dora Creek, after reports of a physical altercation.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, however, those involved had dispersed.
Following extensive inquiries, a 22-year-old man attended Newcastle Police Station about 8.30am today (Monday 28 September 2020) where he was arrested.
He has since been charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today.
Anonymous caller urged to come forward as investigations continue into suspicious death – Hunter Valley PD
Detectives are appealing for an anonymous caller to come forward as they continue investigations into the suspicious death of a man in the state’s Hunter region nearly two years ago.
Just after 5.30am on Saturday 29 September 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street at Glenridding, after a man’s body was located on the side of the road.
The man was later identified as New Zealand firefighter Ian Pullen, aged 43, who had come to the Hunter region to assist with bushfire efforts.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District formed Strike Force Awabakil to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death.
Investigators believe Mr Pullen was struck by a vehicle between 4am and 5.30am that day.
An anonymous call made to police indicated that the vehicle involved returned to the scene, where the occupants exited the car and approached Mr Pullen while he was still alive.
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer, reminded the community that a $350,000 reward remained on offer for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Pullen’s death.
“Ian Pullen had come to the region to help the community battle a bushfire threat and to think that someone struck him with their vehicle and left him to die is abhorrent,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
“An anonymous tip-off has led investigators to believe the driver of the vehicle knew they had struck someone, and police are interested in their movements after exiting the car.
“We are appealing for that caller to come forward and speak with investigators so we can continue to piece together exactly what happened on that tragic morning.
“It’s been nearly two years since Mr Pullen’s death, and we want to provide some answers for his heart-broken family. They need to know what happened to their loving son, husband and father,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
Man missing from Newcastle found
A man missing from the state’s Hunter region has been found safe and well.
The 47-year-old man was reported missing to officers from Newcastle City Police District after he had not been seen or heard from by family and friends since Saturday 19 September 2020.
Following inquiries, police located the man at a home in Waratah yesterday (Saturday 26 September 2020).
Police thank the media and the community for their assistance.
Australia's first strategic action plan for blood cancers
As part of the 2020/21 Budget, the Morrison Government will provide more than $600,000 to the Leukaemia Foundation as part of Australia’s first National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer.
Blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, are estimated to account for more than one in 10 cancer deaths in Australia this year.
The number of blood cancers diagnosed each year is on the rise, from around 12,500 new cases in 2010 to an estimated 17,300 in 2020. While survival rates are improving, it is estimated that there will be more than 5,600 deaths from blood cancer this year.
The National Strategic Action Plan will deliver continued support for people battling blood cancers.
Throughout the Blood Cancer Awareness Month of September, there is no better time to shine a light on the tireless work of the Leukaemia Foundation and its efforts to bring Australia’s first comprehensive plan to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with blood cancer to life.
Our Government is committed to ensuring Australia is equipped to deal with the challenges of blood cancer and the need for a coordinated and strategic national response.
This funding will deliver Optimal Care Pathways for blood cancer patients, and enable the Blood Cancer Taskforce to continue its vital work, providing strategic oversight of the implementation until the end of next year.
Optimal Care Pathways will provide wide ranging, evidence-based recommendations for best practice care, from the point of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship and end-of-life care.
The Blood Cancer Taskforce, made up of representatives from leading Australian haematologists, researchers, and cancer charities, will continue in their roles of coordination of the blood cancer community and implementation of actions in this National Action Plan.
This announcement builds on the $150,000 provided in 2019-20 to establish the expert Blood Cancer Taskforce to develop the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer.
The plan was developed in consultation between governments, researchers, non-government organisations, health care professionals, industry, patients, carers and advocacy groups.
This commitment adds to our Government’s significant investment to combat blood cancer, including more than $310 million for blood cancer research from 2013-2019, through the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund and Cancer Australia.
The Morrison Government has also delivered more than $5 billion for blood cancer medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 2013-14 to 2018-19.
Our Government recently provided access to ground-breaking CAR-T cell therapy for several types of Leukaemia and lymphoma.
CAR T-cell therapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. The patients T cells are extracted from the body, genetically reengineered and programmed to recognise and destroy cancer cells, and then reimplanted into the body.
Together with states and territories, the Government currently provides access to Kymriah, a CAR-T cell therapy, through specialist hospitals.
We thank the Leukaemia Foundation for their advocacy and look forward to continue working with them and other partners in implementing this Strategic Action Plan.
The National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer is available at www.leukaemia.org.au
Man charged after attempting to cross NSW/Victoria border in taxi
A man has been charged after allegedly attempting to travel across the NSW/Victoria border in a taxi yesterday.
About 4.30pm (Saturday 26 September 2020), police stopped a Victorian taxi at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, Albury.
The passenger, a 26-year-old man, was asked to produce a permit; however, it was not valid.
When he was spoken to further, police will allege the man stated he wanted to go shopping in Albury.
He was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 -COVID-19 and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Bail Court today (Sunday 27 September 2020).
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.
Wanted man charged with over 20 offences – Lake Macquarie PD
A man wanted on an outstanding warrant has been charged with more than 20 offences after he was arrested in the state’s Hunter Region.
Just before 1am today (Sunday 27 September 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District Proactive Crime Team attended Jarrett Street in Kilaben Bay, after reports of males arguing in the street.
A 27-year-old man, wanted on an outstanding revocation of parole warrant, was arrested at the scene and taken to Toronto Police Station.
He was charged with 25 offences including;
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception (x5)
- Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner (x7)
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (x3)
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (x2)
- Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle)
- Goods suspected stolen given other not entitled (not motor vehicle)
- Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention
- Not give particulars to other driver
- Custody of knife in public place
- Larceny
- Shoplifting (x2)
The outstanding revocation of parole warrant was also executed.
Police will allege in court that the offences were committed across the Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, Brisbane Water and Newcastle City Police Districts since May 2020.
The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Bail Court today (Sunday 27 September 2020).
Teen charged, critical incident launched after serious crash – Lake Macquarie
A teenage driver has been charged and police have launched a critical incident following a serious crash that left 11 people injured, one critically, at Lake Macquarie overnight.
Just before 1.15am (Saturday 26 September 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling when they saw a Holden Statesman leave a service station on Main Road, Edgeworth.
Due to the manner of driving, police conducted a U-turn to follow the vehicle.
The Holden continued to travel on Main Road and allegedly collided with a Toyota HiAce van, being operated as a taxi, at the intersection of Garth Street.
Paramedics treated 11 people for various injuries who were all taken to John Hunter Hospital.
The taxi driver, a 46-year-old man, and two female passengers, aged 24 and 42, suffered serious injuries.
The younger woman remains in a critical condition and the driver in a serious but stable condition.
Three further taxi passengers – men, aged 28, 35, and 47 – suffered minor injuries.
Three passengers in the Holden – two 14-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy – suffered serious injuries. The Holden driver and a fourth passenger, both aged 17, suffered minor injuries.
The Holden driver was arrested and subjected to a roadside breath test, allegedly returning a positive result.
He was taken to hospital, under police guard, where he underwent mandatory testing.
The teen has since been released and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with 15 offences, including:
- dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm- drive manner dangerous (x3)
- cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle (x8)
- negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm)
- drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- negligent driving, and
- not stop before lights at red light.
He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court tomorrow (Sunday 27 September 2020).
A critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the crash.
That investigation will be subject to independent review.
Lending changes are foie gras for banking
Greens Economic Justice spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, responded to reports today that the government will loosen lending standards and relieve the banks of responsibility for determining a customer’s loan capacity to service a loan.
“Today’s announcement shows exactly where this government’s allegiances lie,” Senator McKim said.
“The day after Westpac received the largest corporate penalty in Australian history, the government is changing the rules to benefit the banks.”
“Looser lending standards will result in higher profits, higher dividends, and more money to flowing into the most overpriced housing in the world.”
“This will perpetuate the cycle of high household indebtedness, falling home ownership, and greater financial instability.”
“This is not the pathway to recovery.”
“We’ve just had a Royal Commission that showed the banks’ blatant disregard for the welfare of consumers and their willingness to engage in unlawful and predatory lending.
“And what’s this government’s response? Instead of making the banks abide by the law, they’re changing the law to abide by the banks.”
“Switching the onus of evaluating loan serviceability onto customers will mean the banks shove money down the throat of anyone with a heartbeat.”
“This is foie gras for banking.”
“I am hopeful that the Senate crossbench will join the Greens in opposing the overturning of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act.”
“So I ask Labor today: Whose side are your on? Consumers or the banks? The real economy or real estate speculation?”