Stockton Coastal Management Program team remains essential through COVID-19 uncertainty

City of Newcastle’s Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) team has been recognised as essential and will work remotely through any Government-directed lockdown in response to COVID-19 in order to meet the Local Government Minister’s shortened deadline of 30 June 2020.
Coastal Councils across NSW are completing Coastal Management Programs, long term plans for managing risks like erosion and sea-level rise, under the Coastal Management Act 2016, with a deadline in place for December 2021.
Despite the challenges brought by COVID-19, The Lord Mayor met with the Stockton Community Liaison Group via Zoom as work continues towards to the Ministerial direction to have a CMP for Stockton by the 30 June 2020.
“With projects on hold or delayed across the state there had been some concern from the Stockton community about how COVID-19 would affect our ability to deliver a CMP by the shortened deadline,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We reiterated today that despite the enormous challenges we’re facing as a community, Stockton remains a key priority for City of Newcastle. The team delivering our CMP will continue to work as an essential service should the Federal or State Government direct the community into lockdown.”
The Lord Mayor said Stockton’s CMP was expected to focus primarily on sand nourishment along with the protection of public and private assets.
“The message is clear from the Stockton community. Return a sandy beach that locals and visitors can enjoy, and manage our natural coastal environment in a way that reduces risk and keeps the community’s way of life.
“Our Stockton team is reviewing all previous options however, there’s really only one way to deliver on this call from the community and that’s to complete a CMP focussed primarily on beach amenity and reducing risk, that will meet the demands of the State Government’s certification requirements.
“We will be looking for community feedback in mid-May during the public exhibition period.”
The draft Stockton CMP will be placed on 28-day Public Exhibition from Wednesday 13 May providing the community an opportunity to have their say on the long-term plan to manage coastal erosion. Due to restrictions on public gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, City of Newcastle will continue to engage online and via the post/mail.

CONSTRUCTION HOURS EXTENDED TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY DURING COVID-19

Construction sites can now operate on weekends and public holidays under new rules introduced today by the NSW Government to support the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the move allows workers to abide by social distancing rules while keeping construction projects progressing by allowing building work to be spread across more days of the week.
“The construction and development sectors, which make up almost 10 per cent of NSW’s economy, will be vital in keeping people in jobs and keeping investment flowing over the coming weeks and months,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’re doing what we can to support the industry in line with the current medical advice by extending weekday construction site operating hours to weekends and public holidays.
“The extended hours allow the industry to facilitate social distancing on construction sites, while minimising the potential for lost productivity during the pandemic.”
The Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Construction Work Days) Order 2020 is now in place and will continue until the COVID-19 pandemic is over, or the advice of NSW Health changes.
“In NSW there are almost 400,000 people employed in the property and construction industry and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep each of them in work, but most importantly, to keep them safe and healthy,” Mr Stokes said.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 was amended on 24 March to enable Mr Stokes to issue orders that override normal planning controls during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health, safety and welfare of communities.
Compliance with this Order will be monitored and reviewed if there any adverse impacts on the community or from a public health perspective.

NEW DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL NSW TO TAKE ON URGENT NEEDS OF THE BUSH

The NSW Government today established the new Department of Regional NSW to better coordinate support for communities, businesses and farmers in the bush that have endured drought, bushfire and flood and now face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the department will bring together Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Resources and Geoscience and regional coordination across government to form a central agency dedicated to regional issues.
“We are urgently responding to the desperate needs of people in the regions and this new agency will work to ensure community wellbeing, resilient economies and strong key regional industries,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We know that the issues faced by the people of Cootamundra are very different to those faced in Coogee and so it is imperative we have a government designed to properly support every corner of this State.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made a big impact on what has already been a devastating start to 2020, as farmers continue to suffer through the worst drought in recorded history and towns torn apart by bushfires continue to feel the effects months on.
“The new Department of Regional NSW will be a voice in government for people in the bush and will have a laser-like focus on the challenges and opportunities unique to regional communities, helping them to get through hardships many of us have not seen in our time.
“This department will allow a more streamlined response to regional issues as experts in areas such as primary industries, land management, resources, regional development, drought response and bushfire recovery work closer together than ever before.”
Mr Barilaro said the department will drive the delivery of recent bushfire and COVID-19 stimulus and industry recovery packages along with the NSW Government’s drought initiatives, $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund and $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
“I said that regional communities would get their fair share and to date, we have fulfilled that commitment, from securing billions in funding to the urgent measures we have rolled out for farmers, business owners and families,” Mr Barilaro said.
The Department of Regional NSW will be led by incoming Secretary Gary Barnes, currently the Coordinator General, Regional NSW, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

LOCALS TO FILL THE MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN

The NSW Government is calling on manufacturers around the State to help fill gaps in the global supply of medical equipment and hygiene products, redeploying spare capacity to save lives and jobs.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres today launched a portal for companies to offer to build parts or supply eight urgently needed items during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ms Berejiklian said the world was running short on hand sanitiser, handwash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products.
“This is a call to arms for NSW manufacturers to look at ways to convert production lines into making the items we so desperately need,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have the ability within NSW to meet our local demand and the Government is moving to help manufacturers re-tool quickly to achieve this.
“Importantly, providing this opportunity to manufacturers will also allow some businesses to keep people in jobs when they may not have been able to do so.”
Local alcohol makers are already converting to produce items such as hand sanitiser, while other firms have switched to face masks, providing much-needed equipment while keeping their business going and safeguarding jobs.
With supply of Personal Protective Equipment and disinfectant expected to be constrained for at least 12 months, further opportunities exist for other NSW companies to join them.
Mr Ayres said the Government will use information provided through the portal to connect the supply chain so more finished products can be provided where needed.
“This is an opportunity for businesses to not only diversify their supply but produce incredibly important products for our State in a time of need,” Mr Ayres said.
“We will work to find solutions to provide our hospitals and our people with the protection they need, while keeping as many workers as possible in a job,” Mr Ayres said.
Businesses can register their interest through the portal at nsw.gov.au.

Statement from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller

No infringements have been issued anywhere in the state of New South Wales in connection with the new powers which commenced at midnight Monday.
In the last 24 hours only one infringement has been issued in the entire state for a breach of self-isolation and that infringement does not relate to increased powers in place since midnight Monday (30 March 2020).
I am on the record that NSW Police Force continues to use discretion in applying these regulations and the community must continue to work with police and the Government to ensure the safety of everyone in New South Wales.
If people continue to flout the rules and ignore the message, then tickets will be issued.

Charges laid after alleged aggravated break and enter – Lake Macquarie

A man has been charged, following an investigation into an alleged aggravated break and enter in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.
Police have been told about 5.15am on Sunday 12 January 2020, a 48-year-old man had arranged to meet a woman he had interacted with online, at a home on Government Road, Cardiff.
Shortly after her arrival, two men allegedly forced entry into the front door, armed with an ornamental sword and a metal pipe, before assaulting the man.
The two men and the woman allegedly stole $650 cash and fled the scene in a vehicle, driven by a third man.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering head injuries, including a fractured skull and a severe laceration.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following inquiries, a 25-year-old woman was arrested in Gateshead and taken to Belmont Police Station on Sunday 12 January 2020. She was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict grievous bodily harm and possess prohibited drug. She remains before the courts.
On Wednesday 19 February 2020, detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at Rankin Park. He was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict grievous bodily harm and refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 15 April 2020.
A 19-year-old man was arrested on Friday 27 March 2020 at Wangi Wangi and taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict grievous bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear before Toronto Local Court on Friday 3 April 2020.
Yesterday (Wednesday 1 April 2020), a 23-year-old man was arrested by Lake Macquarie’s Target Action Group in Windale and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local court today (Thursday 2 April 2020).

Statement from NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has issued directions to stop the spread of COVID-19, which kills people.
You must stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse for leaving.
Shopping for food, travel to work or school, medical treatment or exercise are all reasonable excuses.
Exercise is important for physical and mental health. The list of exercise types is endless and it is not possible to list them all; and some forms of exercise are more active than others.
The important thing is that people comply with the two person rule when doing exercise, or that they only exercise with their household.
As I keep saying, a good rule of thumb is that if you are questioning whether you should be doing something, it is best to give it a miss.
Treat every situation like YOU have the virus.
DO THAT.
SAVE LIVES.

Newcastle business operator the latest to receive $5000 Public Health Order infringement

A Newcastle business owner is the latest to receive a $5000 infringement notice under the Public Health Act NSW (2010), after continuing to receive customers in contravention of a ministerial direction.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a remedial massage business on Harrison Street, Cardiff, about 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 1 April 2020), following information it was continuing to operate.
Police observed several customers enter and leave the premises.
The operator, a 57-year-old woman, was spoken to and issued a $5,000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction (Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19).
Since Tuesday 17 March 2020, police have issued two Court Attendance Notices for Breaching the Public Health Act.
Crime Stoppers has received 3,200 reports related to COVID-19 since Tuesday 17 March 2020, and police have conducted more than 3900 compliance checks across NSW.
Additionally, officers have now handed out 30 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for failing to comply with a ministerial direction under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW). Of these, 27 were issued to individuals, and three to business owners.
NSWPF Commissioner Mick Fuller will personally review every Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) issued in relation to alleged breaches of Public Health Orders, to ensure the issuing of such infringements is the most appropriate course of action.
Commissioner Fuller will also be reviewing the wider application of this new legislation daily to ensure best practice across the board.
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.

Statement regarding Ruby Princess operation

A joint operation has been conducted with Australian Border Force to facilitate a medical assessment on the Ruby Princess.
The Marine Area Command provided an escort for NSW Health and an independent medical team to board the ship earlier today (Thursday 2 April 2020).
No police officers boarded the vessel.
Additionally, the NSW Police Force is assisting with a number of medical evacuations and transfers of Australian crew members from several cruise ships anchored off Sydney.
During today’s joint operation, a 66-year-old crew member was transported from the vessel requiring medical care.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will provide an update on the evolving operation regarding the management of cruise ships tomorrow morning (Friday 3 April 2020).