16 News

A Parliamentary Inquiry has heard the Premier approved a $90 million taxpayer-funded grant for a Liberal electorate in Sydney’s north. The grant for Hornsby Shire Council was finalised within 24 hours of the Council being notified it was eligible.
The Office of Local Government chief executive Tim Hurst said his agency held no record of a written, signed approval for the project from the Premier. The Stronger Communities Fund payment for Hornsby Shire Council was approved via an email from Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s office.
Two other eligible applicants were not aware the fund existed.
NSW Labor has slammed the Government’s handling of the $250 million Fund which was supposed to support forcibly-amalgamated councils.
The Inquiry heard 95% of the money went to Councils in or near seats held by Liberal or Nationals MPs, and that the decisions were approved by either the Premier, Deputy Premier or the Local Government Minister.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “This Stronger Communities Fund was a quarter of a billion dollars. 95% of that went to Liberal and National seats. How is that appropriate?”
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour told the Inquiry he contacted former Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton in July 2018 about potential funds for merged Councils. He was informed there were no State Government funds available.
In contrast, Hornsby Shire Council General Manager Steven Head said was notified by the Office of Local Government chief executive, Tim Hurst, around 5pm on 27 June 2018, informing him funds under the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants were available. Their grant was finalised the following day.
Ms McKay said: “This Inquiry is incredibly important to get to the bottom of what’s been happening with grant distribution across NSW. These programs should be fair and based on merit.”
“We support grant programs to help communities across a range of portfolios but we know some are being mismanaged.
“Tax payers should have confidence that decisions are fair and transparent, not politically driven.”
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants program was a farce.
“This was a taxpayer-funded Government slush fund,” Mr Warren said.
“Not only were councils like Canterbury-Bankstown and Inner West denied access to the program, they were actually told there was no State Government funding available when clearly there was.
“Make no mistake, this fund was a rort.”
The Inquiry into Integrity, Efficacy and Value for Money of NSW Government Grant Programs will continue on Friday, October 16.

NSW Labor have condemned the Government for selling more than $3.7 billion worth of public assets in Western Sydney over a five-year period, while giving next to nothing back.
Documents obtained via Freedom of Information have revealed in the 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years, an incredible 4428 state government-owned properties were sold in the region.
Western Sydney – the fastest growing region in the state – has been plagued by problems resulting from a lack of infrastructure since the NSW Liberals came to power in 2011.
Wait times in the region’s hospital emergency departments continue to blow out and schools continue to fill beyond capacity, while public transport is predictably unreliable and sub-standard.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay condemned the privatisation-happy Government’s treatment of Western Sydney residents.
“The Government has sold electricity assets, ports, the desalination plant, the New South Wales Land and Property Information and part of the Westconnex. Enough is enough,” Ms McKay said.
“As we’ve seen in the past, sell-offs result in job losses especially in rural and regional areas. We need to put an end to this privatisation madness, especially as the state struggles through recession and high unemployment.”
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney and the Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, said this was proof of the NSW Liberals disdain for the people of Western Sydney.
“When it comes to Western Sydney, this Government take, take and take – but when it comes time to give something back, their keep their hands stuffed in the cash-filled pockets,” Mr Warren said.
“Almost $4 billion worth of Western Sydney public assets have been flogged off by this mob and what have Western Sydney residents got to show for it?
“The short answer is very little.
“This Government has sold off and sold out Western Sydney.”

NSW has paused to honour our fallen police officers this National Police Remembrance Day with a COVID-safe ceremony and lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails in blue and white.
This year, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, and Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM joined the family of the late Constable Aaron Vidal to pay tribute to his life and service by adding his name to the Wall of Remembrance.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said although the ceremony is different this year, it is no less meaningful.
“In previous years, hundreds of officers have come together to pay tribute to the sacrifice of fallen officers but this year we reflect on the duty, sacrifice and memory of our NSW Police Officers in separate solidarity,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The men and women of the Force put their safety on the line everyday to serve and protect their communities and we cannot thank them enough.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the extraordinary events of this year have proven how crucial our police officers are to the fabric of our society.
“Our State owes a debt of gratitude to all the members of the NSW Police Force, who have been on the frontline in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and were integral in the response to last season’s bushfires,” Mr Elliott said.
“This year, we pay tribute to NSW Police Constable Aaron Vidal, a beloved member of the Sydney City Police Area Command. His passing is a loss to the whole community. And we mourn with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM said despite having to physically distance, the police family have come together to make sure their fallen colleagues were not forgotten.
“It’s a very solemn day for all police officers across the state as we remember those who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Sadly, we have another name to add to this list with young Constable Aaron Vidal, who had a bright future ahead of him, joining those who have come before him.
“We ask the community to keep him, his family and all police families in your thoughts today and remember their service.”

The $150 million Goulburn Hospital redevelopment is approaching completion, with the new four-storey Clinical Services Building reaching its highest point of construction.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the redevelopment is boosting jobs and the local economy, a key part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
“The redevelopment will see a new, modern health facility built that will service the Goulburn community now and into the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This $150 million investment has also brought nearly 500 new construction jobs to the region helping stimulate the local economy.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $150 million investment is one of many health infrastructure projects across regional and rural NSW under the NSW Government’s record investment of $10.1 billion this term.
“Goulburn Hospital will soon have the world-class health facility the community deserves and one that will be a magnet for health staff to the region,” Mr Hazzard said.
“More than 65 per cent of the 80 hospital and health facility redevelopments or upgrades underway in NSW are in regional and rural areas.”
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the new building will bring Goulburn’s facilities into the 21st century.
“This is a great opportunity to thank the staff, builders and everyone in the community involved in getting this incredible project off the ground,” Ms Tuckerman said.
The Clinical Services Building at the Goulburn Hospital and Health Service includes:

• Emergency Department and Medical Imaging Department;
• Intensive Care Unit;
• Operating theatres, day surgery and recovery areas;
• Medical, surgical, paediatric, rehabilitation and geriatric inpatient units with designated palliative care beds; and
• Maternity unit and ambulatory paediatric and antenatal clinics.

Community Mental Health will also be expanded and there will be more onsite parking.
Construction is due for completion in late 2021 ahead of opening to patients in 2022.

Goulburn now has a new ambulance station under the NSW Government’s record $122 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard, along with Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, officially opened the purpose-built facility.
“The NSW Government’s significant investment in new and upgraded ambulance stations for regional and rural areas is the single largest in the 120-year history of NSW Ambulance,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This new ambulance station is the latest of 36 new or rebuilt NSW Ambulance facilities across the state, 24 of which are in the rural and regional locations.”
Mr Hazzard said the new station will greatly improve emergency services for the southern region, providing local paramedics with a state-of-the-art facility and equipment.
“This project is an important step in the delivery of high-quality mobile emergency care to the people of Goulburn and surrounding areas,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The $122 million investment in regional and rural ambulance facilities is on top of a record $184 million for 11 new metropolitan Superstations, nine of which are already open, and one traditional station at Mona Vale, as well as a number of upgraded stations across greater Sydney.”
Ms Tuckerman said the new station would meet the emergency care needs of Goulburn and surrounds for years to come.
“The community can be assured that NSW Ambulance has the equipment to provide the best out-of-hospital clinical care to all patients across the region.”
The new purpose-built station on Bourke Street features:

• Internal parking for up to eight emergency ambulance vehicles;
• Administration and office areas;
• Staff amenities;
• Multipurpose meeting/training room;
• Logistics and storage areas; and
• Staff parking.

Ambulance stations operational under the RAIR program include Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Ardlethan, Harden, Molong, Griffith, Kiama, Berry, Bay & Basin, Toukley, Wauchope, Hamlyn Terrace, Bathurst, Pottsville, Yass, Rutherford, Bungendore, Birmingham Gardens,  Cowra and Grenfell.
The 2019-20 Budget for the NSW Ambulance Service was more than $1 billion, including $27.1 million to employ 221 paramedics and control centre staff as part of a record 750 workforce boost.

Two people have been charged and eight infringements have been issued since the last COVID-19 update.
About 6.15pm yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), a 45-year-old woman attended Maitland Police Station, where she allegedly became aggressive while intoxicated before coughing on an officer. She was arrested and charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, behave in offensive manner in/near public place, assault officer in execution of duty, and two counts of intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. She was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 18 November 2020.
– About 11am on 5 September 2020, police attended an unauthorised protest in Byron Bay. It’s alleged a 45-year-old man failed to move-on as directed by police. He was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with fail to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
– About 10pm yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), police attended a home on Bromide Street at Broken Hill after numerous noise complaints were received. Officers from Barrier Police District attended and issued the occupants a noise abatement direction. Police returned to the home later that evening after continuing to receive noise complaints. Officers seized the speakers before issuing two occupants a $1000 PIN for failing to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
– About 7.30am yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), police were called to Tyagarah Beach about complaints were received about a party that was taking place. Officers from Tweed/Byron attended and located more than 20 people at the party. Police were told approximately 500 people had attended the party earlier in the evening. Three people were issued $1000 PINs for failing to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
– About 12.20am on Saturday (26 September 2020), police stopped a car on the Sturt Highway at Hay. Police spoke with the occupants, who were from Victoria, and determined they didn’t have a valid permit to enter NSW. The three occupants were issued an $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 COVID-19.
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.