Commuters will benefit from a faster travel time and more space on Sydney Light Rail, with more than 810 extra services added to the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.
There are now an additional 518 services a week, on top of the 294 services added on 18 May. Service frequency has also increased with services around every 4 minutes between Circular Quay and Moore Park and around every 8 minutes in the South East, between 7am – 7pm weekdays.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the new timetable will deliver end-to-end journey time benefits.
“Since the L3 Kingsford Line opened to customers on 3 April, we have used the quieter than normal period to make improvements to traffic signal phasing and the infrastructure and systems in place,” Mr Constance said.
“Since April, we’ve seen end-to-end journey times of around 38-40 minutes for both the L2 and L3 Lines.
“As the new timetable is bedded in, we will see further improvements to the end-to-end journey time with services running around 38 minutes on the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.”
The new timetable will provide another 26,900 spaces each week, supporting people returning to jobs and school while allowing for safe physical distance.
“There is also free temporary event-style parking at Moore Park, where people can drive then jump on a light rail into the city,” Mr Constance said.
On the L1 Dulwich Hill Line, a further 55 services have been temporarily added between 10am and 3pm to provide a consistent 10min service on weekdays.
For COVID-19 travel advice and to plan your journey, visit transportnsw.info
Author: admin
NSW GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES COVID SAFE CHECK FOR BUSINESSES
Businesses will be able to check, test and promote their COVID Safe credentials with the launch of the NSW Government’s online COVID Safe Check.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the online tool would help businesses get back to work safely.
“With the recent easing of restrictions thousands of businesses are reopening their doors and welcoming back customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have put industry specific information under the one roof, including downloadable badges for businesses with COVID Safe plans to display in their premises, so customers know they have the tick of approval.
“Customers can also use the tool to provide feedback in real-time. Feedback is sent to the business and, if necessary, to the regulator for action.”
Mr Dominello said the tool is simple to use, with more than 8,000 businesses having already downloaded a COVID Safety Plan template, which is stage one of the process and already available.
“Businesses need to complete three easy steps – visit nsw.gov.au, go through industry specific guidance, and register and download materials,” Mr Dominello said.
“Businesses will be told what they need to do to be COVID Safe. This may include physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping requirements. Once businesses have completed the above steps and finalised their COVID Safe plan they will be able to complete an online self-declaration.
“Businesses will also be provided with advice on how to integrate their COVID Safe status with Google Maps, giving customers a bird’s-eye view of COVID Safe businesses when searching online. This gives them peace of mind and an incentive for businesses to register.”
The COVID Safe Check will go live today and will be available at www.nsw.gov.au
LANDMARK PROGRAM TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF ROUGH SLEEPING
Hundreds of people experiencing homelessness will be supported through the new $36 million Together Home project, which will deliver the largest housing response dedicated to rough sleepers in NSW history.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the project would change the lives of people who have experienced rough sleeping, including people with highly complex needs, by rapidly securing them homes from the private rental market and wrapping essential support services around them.
“Throughout the COVID-19 response we’ve worked hard to keep rough sleepers safe. Now we’re working to get them into homes with the support they need to rebuild their lives,” Mr Ward said.
“This is the largest single investment made to tackle rough sleeping in NSW. The response will be intensive and pack many months’ of work into just weeks, as we strive to transition people from temporary accommodation into secure housing.”
Together Home will be a partnership between the NSW Government, Community Housing Providers, Specialist Homelessness Services and health services.
The package of support is designed to help get people off the streets for good. It will provide access to the services people need to maintain their tenancy, improve their health and wellbeing and move towards training and employment.
Homelessness NSW CEO Katherine McKernan said a housing-first model is critical to providing stability for rough sleepers, and things like case management, drug and alcohol services and mental health support are so important.
“The sector has worked hard in recent months to get to this point and this additional funding will provide the critical next step to help secure housing and the supports people need to sustain tenancies,” Ms McKernan said.
The project builds on the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19, which included increasing the supply and flexibility of temporary accommodation and the expansion of assertive outreach across the state.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INQUIRY LAUNCHED
The parliamentary committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has adopted a new inquiry into family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, who will Deputy Chair the inquiry, said it was an important step towards ensuring survivors have their voices heard on an issue that shows no sign of improving.
“It is heartbreaking that, despite so much genuine commitment and ongoing efforts to stop this scourge, rates of domestic violence aren’t going down,” Ms Claydon said.
“Every two minutes, police are called to a domestic and family violence matter and every nine days, a woman is killed by a current or former partner. This can’t go on.”
Ms Claydon said the inquiry would examine local and international evidence to assess both immediate and long-term measures to prevent violence against women and children.
“We’ll be looking at all forms of violence again women including coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse,” Ms Claydon said.
“We’ll also consider the broader context including the role of government, business and the community sector; as well how health, housing, access to services, and women’s economic independence impact on women’s ability to escape.
“We’ve also expanded the terms of reference to include consideration of access to family law support services, Legal Aid and legal assistance providers.”
Ms Claydon said the Committee would also review the increase in the incidence of domestic violence as social restrictions were implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the brutal reality that for many women home is not a safe place to be,” Ms Claydon said.
“This incredibly stressful time has led to many women and children being trapped at home with their abusers, with little opportunity to seek help or access services or support to escape.”
Ms Claydon encouraged Novocastrians to participate in the inquiry.
“For the best results, we’re going to need to look at the scourge of domestic violence from new and different perspectives with fresh eyes.
“We want to consider the experiences of women, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, LGBTQI women, CALD women, rural women, women on temporary visas, and women with disabilities.
“I encourage people with insights into this diabolical problem to have their say by making a submission to the inquiry.”
The closing date for submissions is Friday, 24 July 2020. For more information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference, and to find out how to contribute, please visit: www.aph.gov.au/familyviolence
Man charged after allegedly attempting to supply drugs inside a tennis ball at a correctional facility – Cessnock
A man will face court today after he allegedly attempted to throw prohibited drugs over the fence of a correctional facility in the Hunter.
Police will allege a 31-year-old man and another man were riding on an unregistered Yamaha motorcycle – believed to be stolen from a Dora Creek property in May – when they approached the outer wall of a correctional facility at Cessnock and attempted to throw an object over the wall about 2pm on Sunday (31 May 2020).
Officers from Corrective Services NSW’s Security Operations Group were conducting targeted surveillance at the complex when they sighted the two men.
When they approached the pair, they fled at speed on the motorcycle before colliding with a nearby tree. Neither rider was injured.
The CSNSW officers restrained the 31-year-old man while the other man fled into nearby bushland.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a short time later and arrested the 31-year-old.
Police seized a tennis ball which he was holding at the time of his arrest, which they will allege contained small amounts of methylamphetamine, and other illicit substances. These items will be subject to further testing.
The man was taken to Maitland Hospital before being conveyed to Maitland Police Station.
He has since been charged with eight offences including:
- Supply prohibited drug (x2)
- Bring etc prohibited drug/plant into place of detention
- Possess prohibited drug
- Goods in custody
- Enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Monday (1 June 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Public place shooting following road rage incident – Stockton
Police are appealing for public assistance following a public place shooting in Stockton last night.
Just after 7pm (Tuesday 9 June 2020), police responded to reports of an alleged road rage incident on Fullerton Street, Stockton.
Police have been told two vehicles – a blue Mitsubishi ASX and a Toyota Hilux utility – were involved in a driving incident before the Mitsubishi driver produced a firearm and discharged it at the Toyota.
The Mitsubishi drove away and was last seen turning onto King Street.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and have commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard any of the above incident, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Newcastle Police Station on 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Netball NSW Statement: Full community sport return
Netball NSW welcomes today’s announcement from Sport’s Minister Geoff Lee that all community sport will return from July 1.
With over 115,000 participants across the state this development is not only vital to their health and well-being, but also to that of the local communities which are served by our Clubs and Associations.
Netball NSW would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of hardworking volunteer coaches, team managers and administrators across the state who have kept the game alive in the greatest challenge it has known.
We would also like to thank our Board, staff, corporate partners, media and all stakeholders who are highlighting the challenges community sport faces at this time as a result of the Covid19 pandemic.
While today’s news is a very welcome development it is important to note that road to recovery will be long and arduous.
It is vital that the NSW Government follows the lead of other States and Territories across Australia and provides a community sport assistance package to ensure no-one gets left behind.
The role that community sport will play in Australia’s emergence from the Covid19 Pandemic cannot be understated. Community sport provides a safe outlet which promotes health, well-being, teamwork and responsibility. These are all elements which bring communities together and create a better State in which to live.
With the Premier recently announcing the reallocation of the $800 million ANZ Stadium redevelopment fund to reboot the State’s economy, it is imperative that community sport is made a priority.
It is the grassroots, not billion-dollar TV-funded elite codes, which will ensure sport’s survival. They cannot be forgotten.
Teen missing from Port Stephens found at Katoomba
A teenager who went missing in the Port Stephens area has been found safe and well in the Blue Mountains.
The 13-year-old boy was last seen on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae, about 9.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 June 2020).
He was reported missing when he walked away from his mother and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and commenced an extensive search of the surrounding area with assistance from Police Rescue, Police Transport Command, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service.
Following inquiries and a public appeal, the teen was found after attending a high school on Martin Street, Katoomba, about 8.30am today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
The boy is now in the care of relatives.
Police would like to thank the media and the community for their assistance.
Search continues for missing teen – Port Stephens
The search continues to locate a missing teenager in the Port Stephens area.
Darshan Sigel, aged 13, was travelling from the North Coast to the Blue Mountains with his mother, when they stopped in a carpark at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, for a rest about 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 June 2020).
Police were notified just after 10.30pm, after Darshan, who is on the Autism spectrum, walked off about 9.15pm and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended; however, despite an extensive search of the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, police have been unable to locate him.
The search is continuing with assistance from Police Rescue, Police Transport Command, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
Assistance has also been requested from PolAir, however, the search is being hampered by poor weather conditions.
Darshan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of thin build, with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair.
He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
He was seen walking on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae and is known to like public transport.
Anyone who sights Darshan or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Appeal to locate missing teen – Port Stephens
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager missing in the Port Stephens area.
Darshan Siegel, aged 13, was travelling from Sydney to the north coast with his mother, when they stopped in a carpark at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, for a rest.
Police were notified just after 10.30pm (Tuesday 9 June 2020), after Darshan, who has Autism, walked off and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended; however, despite an extensive search of the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, police have been unable to locate him. Further resources are attending to assist with the search.
Darshan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, with a thin build, and sandy blonde hair.
He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
Anyone who sights Darshan or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.