Category: NSW News

A large-scale multi-agency operation is underway this morning as the repatriation of thousands of returned travellers in mandatory quarantine at hotels across Sydney begins.
The NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard issued the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020 under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010, which directs that on and from Sunday 29 March 2020, a person arriving by aircraft into NSW from a country other than Australia must go directly to a quarantine facility.
The first 1300 passengers to arrive at Sydney International Airport under this order completed their mandatory 14-day quarantine today (Saturday 11 April 2020).
The NSW Police Force-led operation – assisted by NSW Health, the Office of the Sheriff of NSW, Australian Defence Force, and hotel staff – will assist the passengers as they depart their hotels and return home.
All travellers undergo a final health check before departing, which includes observation and assessment for respiratory symptoms and a temperature check.
As with all people in NSW, they will be still be required to adhere to the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Amendment Order 2020.
Police have been discussing onward travel plans with those in quarantine to ensure departures from hotels are as simple as possible.
Large numbers of the travellers, who are from across NSW, are already departing hotels with assistance of family/friends, taxi/ride-share, or public transport.
Due to the current flight schedules, only some of the interstate travellers are confirmed on flights today to their home states. They will be transported by coach to the airport throughout the day.
The remaining travellers are being assisted with alternate arrangements, as required.
The operation will run each day as returned travellers continue to complete their mandatory quarantines and depart hotels across Sydney CBD.

Police have charged eight people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 45 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

• Just before 10pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), detectives from Fairfield City Police Area Command were travelling to conduct unrelated inquiries when they observed a man in the middle of Railway Parade, Canley Vale. The man asked officers for a lighter before being told to get off the roadway. When police asked why he was away from his home, the 23-year-old man said he was bored. He then allegedly became aggressive and abusive towards the officers, who subsequently got out of their vehicle and attempted to escort him off the road. The man allegedly thrashed around, resisting police. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19, use offensive language in/near public place/school, resist officer in execution of duty, refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2020.

• About 4pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), an officer from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attended Lidcombe Railway Station to assist NSW Ambulance paramedics, who were treating an unconscious man. The man’s friend – a 42-year-old man – allegedly shoved the officer as he approached before a struggle ensued. The man was arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station, where he was charged with assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Friday 10 April 2020).

• Just before 10pm last night, a 33-year-old woman was driving a Holden Commodore on Main Road, Glendale, when it crashed into a traffic light at the intersection of Glendale Drive. It will be alleged the woman then took her three-year-old child out of the car and ran from the scene. Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District found the woman and child a short time later and arrested her. She allegedly failed to provide both a roadside breath-test and a subsequent breath analysis sample at Toronto Police Station. Inquiries revealed the woman’s other two-year-old child had been left unsupervised at home. Both children were placed into the care of a responsible person and a FACS notification was made. The woman was charged with:

– Negligent driving
– Not give particulars
– Refuse or fail to submit to breath test
– Refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis – 2nd offence
– Neglect child or young person in his/her care
– Not comply with noticed direction re: Section 7/8/9
She is due to appear before Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2020.
The five other individuals charged have been highlighted in previous media releases.
PINs include:

• Yesterday morning (Thursday 9 April 2020), police were informed of a 55-year-old Elizabeth Bay man who had relocated to a holiday home at Pearl Beach, in contravention of a current ministerial direction. Police attended the home and spoke with the man, and issued him with a $1000 PIN a short time later. He has since returned to Sydney.

• Officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command attended a unit on Chamberlain Street, Campbelltown about 10pm on Wednesday (8 April 2020), following reports of a brawl. On arrival, police found eight people inside the unit, seven of whom did not reside at the address. Following inquiries, police confirmed three men, aged 22, 20 and 19, had received cautions when police were called to the same unit on Thursday 2 April 2020 in response to a noise complaint. They were all issued with PINs for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. Police issued formal warnings to the other four and all were directed to return to their homes.

• Just before 10pm (Wednesday 8 April 2020), police stopped a vehicle on Robert Street, South Tamworth to conduct a roadside breath test. The driver, a 17-year-old girl and her two male passengers, aged 21 and 30, were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. Follow inquiries, police discovered that the men had already been fined for not complying with ministerial directions under the Public Health Act on Saturday 4 April 2020. They both received their second PIN for the same offence and the driver was given a caution.

• About 1.30am (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling Rathmines when they observed a motorcycle and car parked near the boat ramp at Styles Point Reserve. Police spoke with a 40-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman who provided differing versions as to why they were at the location, and officers were unable to establish ownership of the motorcycle. The bike was seized, and the pair was issued with $1000 PINs.

• About 12pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Kingswood when they approached two men and a woman on Aspen Street. Following inquiries, searches were conducted and the men, both aged 34, were allegedly found in possession of methylamphetamine. One man was charged with possess prohibited drug and issued a Future Court Attendance Notice. The second man was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and matters related to an outstanding warrant. He will appear at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday 3 June 2020. Both men and the 21-year-old woman were also issued with PINs.

• About 1pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers spoke with a 34-year-old man on a train near Dapto, who was travelling without a ticket. The man told the officers he was going for a swim, but he did not have swimming gear. Checks revealed the man had previously been given two warnings for breaches of a ministerial direction, and during a subsequent search of the man, police seized a knife. He will be issued with a Court Attendance Notice for custody of a knife in a public place, a $1000 PIN, and Transport Infringement Notice for travel without valid ticket.

• Just before 1pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling at Liverpool, when they stopped to speak with three people on Moore Street. No one in the group was able to provide a reasonable excuse for being out of home, and they were given a warning under the Public Health Act. After checks revealed that one of the women – aged 30 – had been warned the night before, she was issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 2pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command attended a shopping mall at Mt Druitt, following reports a group of people had gathered to drink alcohol. Police spoke with a group of six people at the location and issued warnings under the Public Health Act. Checks revealed that two of the men – aged 20 and 27 – had previously received two PINs, a 29-year-old man had received a PIN last week, while a fourth man – aged 31 – had received prior warnings. The four men were issued with a $1000 PIN before the group was given a move-on direction.

• About 2.40pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Richmond Police District were patrolling West Ballina when they observed a vehicle parked at the end of Burns Point Ferry Road overlooking the Richmond River. Police spoke with the occupants – a 61-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man – who advised they’d travelled from Byron Bay to go shopping. Following inquiries, officers issued the pair $1000 PINs.

• About 5pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District were attending an unrelated job at a Narooma address, when a 41-year-old man arrived to visit the occupants of the home. After speaking with the man, officers searched him and seized a small amount of cannabis. The man was issued with a Field Court attendance Notice for possessing a prohibited drug and a PIN for failing to comply with a noticed direction.

• About 6pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District attended a home on Leumeah Street, Sanctuary Point, following reports an AVO had been breached. Police spoke to a 19-year-old man, who is not a resident of the home. Inquiries revealed he had not breached an AVO, but his repeated attendance at the home was a breach of the Public Health Act. He was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN before he returned home.

• A man and woman were issued PINs after police detected their vehicle travelling over 100km/h in an 80km zone on the M1 Motorway in Kiah about 6.10pm (Thursday 9 April 2020). The driver, a 38-year-old woman, was arrested after returning a positive roadside drug test. Upon searching the passenger, a 29-year-old man, police located a pipe allegedly concealed in his underwear. Neither could provide police with a reasonable excuse to why they were almost 300km away from their residence in the Wollongong area, and as a result they were issued with PINs for failing to comply with ministerial directions. The woman was also issued a traffic infringement for exceed speed over 10kph.

• About 6.30pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District were conducting random breath testing on Macleay Valley Way in South Kempsey when they stopped a white Subaru Forrester and spoke with the driver, a 31-year-old woman. Inquiries revealed she had received a PIN for not complying with a ministerial direction on Sunday 5 April 2020. The woman, from East Kempsey, was issued a second PIN for breaching the Public Health Act. She was also issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for the possession of prohibited drugs and firework after police located methylamphetamine allegedly hidden in her bra and a firework in the glove box of the vehicle. She is due to due to appear at Kempsey Local Court on Monday 13 July 2020.

• About 6.30pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers attached to Kuring Gai Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Gordon when they saw seven young people smoking and drinking at a park on Werona Avenue. A 15-year-old girl was identified as having received two previous warnings for breaching the Public Health Act and was issued with a $1000 fine. The rest of the group were given cautions and directed to return home.

• About 7pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Brisbane Water Police Transport Command stopped and spoke to a 30-year-old man who was sitting near Gosford Railway Station. The man could not provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his Wyong home, and inquiries revealed he had received several warnings in previous days in relation to breaching a Public Health Order. He was issued with a $1000 PIN and given a move-on direction.

• About 9.15pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), a 34-year-old woman was spoken to at Quirindi by officers from Oxley Police District, and could not provide officers with a reasonable excuse for being out. She was given a move-on direction. About 30 minutes later, the woman was seen by police again a short distance away, having ignored their direction to return home. She was issued with a $1000 PIN.

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 28 Court Attendance Notices, and 245 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
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.

Parents in NSW will not have to pay preschool fees for up to six months thanks to a $51 million funding package announced by the NSW Government.
The NSW Government has also committed up to $82 million to support 260 council childcare centres who are not eligible for the JobKeeper payments.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said preschools and early childhood educators are vital to the community, and it is important parents continue to have access to childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Parents are under a lot of pressure at the moment and it’s crucial for them to continue to have access to childcare, particularly those working on the frontline during this crisis,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This will also provide funding certainty during an unpredictable time, ensuring preschool teachers and educators can be confident they will remain employed.
“This will provide financial relief to families during the pandemic and ensure childcare centres remain viable into the future.”
The funding will be available to 700 State-funded community preschools and 38 mobile services that provide care to 45,000 three to five year olds.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the recently announced Working for NSW Fund would contribute towards the state’s community preschools.
“This fund was set up to keep people in jobs and by supporting the sector, we’re ensuring the future of these early childhood services beyond this health crisis.
“It will also ease cost-of-living pressures on families in these tough times.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the funding means community preschools and council childcare centres would be required to remain open, unless they are closed on health advice.
“Preschools and council childcare centres will now have the peace of mind that they will be financially viable, and parents will benefit from the relief of not having to pay any fees,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Families and children can now also be assured that their preschool service will continue to operate, providing some familiarity for them during these trying times.”
Today’s funding is on top of the NSW Government’s commitment to maintain Start Strong funding for preschools based on service enrolments before COVID-19.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott welcomed 263 new recruits to the NSW Police Force today after they were sworn in as probationary constables in Goulburn during a private attestation ceremony.
Mr Elliott said the State would be a safer place with the recruits assigned to local Police Commands across NSW where they will commence duties over the coming weeks.
“I want to welcome each and every attesting recruit to the police family. This is not an easy time to be a first responder. Our Class 340 recruits have come at an important time for the state of NSW,” Mr Elliott said.
“Due to the current restrictions, these recruits have not had the send-off into their new careers that they deserve. I am working with Commissioner Fuller to ensure that all recruits attesting this year will be celebrated bigger than ever when it is safe to do so.
“These officers can be assured they have the full support of this Government. The NSW Government has invested $583 million to introduce 1,500 extra police over the next four years, the biggest investment in police for more than 30 years.”
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the latest intake of probationary constables will provide a valuable boost to police resources as the state faces the threat of COVID-19.
“I welcome our newest police officers from Class 340 who attest at a very significant time. They will hit the ground running, and I want them to know that I have their back,” he said.
Class 340 includes 177 men and 86 women. Some recruits entered the NSW Police Academy straight from school or university, while others left established professional careers and trades.
The recruits have completed eight months of foundational training and those allocated to metropolitan commands will report to their stations on Tuesday 14 April 2020.
Thirty-one recruits were born overseas in countries including Italy, Afghanistan, USA, Thailand and Lebanon. Five recruits are Indigenous with two coming through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.
 

A man has been issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) by police conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding his recent travels to a holiday home on the Central Coast.
Police were alerted yesterday (Wednesday 8 April 2020), that a 55-year-old Elizabeth Bay man had relocated to a holiday home at Pearl Beach, in contravention of current Ministerial Direction under the Public Health Act.
After reports he had breached the order, the man returned to Sydney today (Thursday 9 April 2020).
As part of inquiries, investigators from Central Metropolitan Region attended the Elizabeth Bay home unit and spoke with the man.
Following further inquiries, the man was issued a $1000 PIN via email just before 9pm, for failing to comply with noticed direction (Section 5 – COVID-19).
NSW Police Commissioner Fuller said the directions are in place to protect the lives of people in NSW.
“Police have been given these powers to ensure the community spread of COVID-19– which we know is devastating communities across the globe – is minimised,” the Commissioner said.
“You only need to look at the statistics to see that people are dying where appropriate measures have either not been established or are ignored.
“No one individual or corporation is above these laws – anyone suspected of breaching the orders will be investigated and if a breach is detected, they will be dealt with in accordance with the Act.
“On behalf of the community, I strongly urge those with information about breaches to contact police.”
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.

A man has been charged after allegedly cracking a whip and making threats outside the Chinese Consulate in Sydney’s Inner West.
Just after 10.30am on Tuesday 31 March 2020, a man, armed with a large stock whip, stood outside the Chinese Consulate in Camperdown.
Police will allege in court that the man threatened several members of the public while cracking the whip.
Officers from Inner West Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 55-year-old man at a home in Dee Why about 9am yesterday (Thursday 9 April 2020).
He was taken to Manly Police Station, where he was charged with attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm and armed with intent commit indictable offence.
The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Manly Local Court on Wednesday 1 July 2020.

Three men have been charged – and drugs and weapons have been seized from a vehicle – after a driver was stopped in Sydney’s south-west.
About 8.15am yesterday (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were conducting patrols of the Miller area, when they stopped a Hyundai i30 sedan travelling on Gabo Crescent allegedly driving in a dangerous manner.
After speaking with the 43-year-old driver, police allege he and his two male passengers, aged 28 and 29, did not have a reasonable excuse for travelling.
The driver underwent a roadside drug test and allegedly returned a positive result. His licence has been suspended.
When the vehicle was searched, police seized heroin, MDMA, methylamphetamine, an electronic stun device, a knife, $16,460 in cash and drug paraphernalia. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
All three men were arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station.
The 29-year-old man has been charged with 21 offences, including:
• Custody of knife in public place
• Supply prohibited drug (three counts)
• Possess prohibited drug (10 counts)
• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (four counts)
• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
• Deal with property proceeds of crime, and
• Fail to comply requirement public health order.
The 28-year-old man and 43-year-old man were both charged with fail to comply requirement public health order, and breach of bail.
All three men were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 10 April 2020).

A man has been charged after allegedly spitting on a woman at a Kellyville Ridge fast food restaurant yesterday.
About 11.40am (Thursday 9 April 2020), a man attended the business on Windsor Road and ordered food.
When the man sat in the outdoor section of the restaurant, staff told him that he was not able to dine in the restaurant due to current COVID-19-related ministerial directions.
The 42-year-old man refused to leave and a woman, also in the store, began filming him on her mobile.
The man approached the 34-year-old woman and allegedly spat on her face before leaving.
Officers attached to Quakers Hill Police Area Command attended and arrested the man.
He has been charged with common assault and has been issued a Field Court Attendance Notice.
The man, from Chester Hill, is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Monday 6 July 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.

Police have charged two men with drug supply offences following proactive patrols in Sydney’s CBD.
About 3.30pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Haymarket when they spoke with a man on Thomas Lane.
Police searched the man and found a plastic bag allegedly containing methylamphetamine, a fake soft drink can with a concealed compartment also containing methylamphetamine, two mobile phones, more than $350 cash and jewellery.
The 39-year-old man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug
As the man could not provide police with a reasonable excuse for being away from his Burwood home, he was also charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
He was refused bail to appear Parramatta Local Court via audio visual link on Friday 10 April 2020.
In a separate incident about 7.45pm, police saw a man on his mobile phone while driving along Harris Street in Ultimo.
Officers spoke to the driver and sole occupant of the Toyota Corolla, a man aged 23.
Police located nine small bags of cocaine on the ground, that had allegedly been concealed in the man’s shorts. Upon searching the Toyota, police also located a wallet and $250 cash allegedly hidden in two locations inside the car.
The man was also taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable), deal with proceeds of crime, and use mobile phone whilst driving. He was also given a warning for breach of the Health Minister’s Direction.
The Belmore man was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 1 July 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.

A man has been charged with drug supply offences during proactive police patrols in Ultimo yesterday.
About 5pm (Wednesday 8 April 2020), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke to a man on Macarthur Street.
The man was not able to give a reasonable excuse for being there, and upon searching the man, police allegedly located 65.2 grams of Methamphetamine, 12.9 grams of Ketamine and 8.4 grams of MDMA allegedly found inside his backpack.
The drugs have a potential estimated street value of more than $50,000.
Police also allege the man was in possession of drug manufacturing equipment, drug paraphernalia and over $4,000 cash.
The 40-year-old man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station.
He was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), deal with the proceeds of crime, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, possess house breaking implements, and fail to comply with a public health order.
The Camperdown man was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 9 April 2020).