A woman will face court next month after allegedly defrauding a Lake Macquarie business of more than $200,000 over a five-year period.
In June 2019, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation into anomalies concerning the administration of a Lake Macquarie business’ account allegedly controlled by an accountant.
Following extensive inquiries, yesterday (Sunday 9 February 2020), police attended a home at Cameron Park, and arrested a 50-year-old woman.
She was taken to Toronto Police Station where she was charged with three counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and one count of destroy/conceal accounting record to obtain financial advantage.
Police will allege the woman – who was an accountant at a firm at the time – transferred $201,000 into several personal accounts between 2011 and 2016.
She was granted conditional bail to face Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 10 March 2020.
Investigations are ongoing.
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HALFWAY TO CLEARING THE NSW SCHOOL MAINTENANCE BACKLOG
More than half of the school maintenance backlog has been cleared, with local trades putting the finishing touches on school maintenance projects at NSW public schools.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is on track to deliver the $1.3 billion election commitment to wipe the school maintenance backlog to zero by July 2020.
“More than $200 million has been spent on 968 maintenance projects at public schools across metro and regional NSW during the summer holidays, leaving only 47 percent of the backlog left to clear,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The effort made by tradespeople, builders and department staff across the state has been incredible, handling both the task of bushfire recovery for day one and pushing on with our maintenance commitment.
“We have completed projects at NSW public schools across the state; sprucing classrooms, fixing rooves and tidying up grounds.
With more than 2200 schools in the NSW public education system, these maintenance works are vital to providing world-class facilities for students and staff across the State.
“We have used enough paint to fill nine backyard pools and laid enough floor to cover 40 football fields,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I want to reassure families that schools impacted by bushfires over the holiday period will not miss out, all planned maintenance work will still be carried out at these schools.”
The NSW Government has made the largest investment into public school infrastructure by any State government in Australian history. For more information about the NSW Government school maintenance commitment visit: https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/programs/planned-maintenance.html
NOW’S THE TIME TO LOVE NSW – $10 MILLION TOURISM RECOVERY PACKAGE TO REBUILD NSW
NSW tourism will receive a welcome boost through a Tourism Recovery package to encourage visitation to NSW, fund new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products.
The first phase of the plan launches with a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – urging travellers to book a getaway which gives back.
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the new campaign, developed by the state’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, taps into the outpouring of public support in the wake of the bushfires.
“The prolonged drought and unprecedented bushfires have broken our hearts and had a devastating impact on thousands of tourism operators in our beautiful state,” Mr Ayres said.
“That’s why now’s the time to love NSW – we need to show the world that our many spectacular sights and experiences are in great shape, and they’re welcoming visitors right now.”
To kickstart the campaign, people are being invited to take a #RecoveryWeekend in NSW, stay and spend locally, take photos showcasing NSW’s beauty featuring hands in the shape of a heart and share them on social media with the tag #LoveNSW generating authentic, real-time imagery of NSW’s many holiday destinations.
The recovery package was informed by input from the tourism industry, tourism associations and the Destination Networks and will target domestic and international markets.
“Recovery will take time and the NSW Government is here for the long haul. This $10 million will provide immediate help and set up long-term support for the industry to help businesses get back on their feet,” Minister Ayres said.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said with one in 13 Australians relying on tourism and hospitality for their jobs, it was important to holiday here this year and help the industry get back on its feet.
“Australia’s tourism industry has taken a massive hit. Right across Australia tourism businesses, including in NSW are feeling the pressure as tourists delay or cancel their travel plans, even in many areas that haven’t been affected,” Minister Birmingham said.
“That’s why we’re backing this campaign through our $20 million domestic tourism commitment to get Aussies into fire-affected communities as they open up again, as well into unaffected tourism towns that are also feeling the pinch.
“I urge Australians to support our tourism businesses and save local jobs by booking a trip in NSW this year.”
In addition to Now’s The Time To Love NSW marketing campaign, the package includes trade partner conversion campaigns with Qantas Airways, Accor, Webjet, TripAdvisor and Tigerair and a $1 million regional events program to support flagship events and a new stream of micro events.
Now’s The Time To Love NSW builds on and complements Tourism Australia’s recently launched Holiday Here This Year domestic tourism campaign and is funded by both State and Federal investments.
Greens ask Auditor General to investigate new sports rorts
The Greens have today written to the Auditor General asking for a full investigation of $150 million in sports funding channelled to Liberal-held marginal seats ahead of the election.
Greens Senator Leader Larissa Waters said, “This is yet another rorts scandal which has the Prime Minister’s fingerprints all over it.
“Memo to the Government – you can’t use public money to buy election outcomes! It’s called rorting and it’s a corruption of democracy.
“Australians are suffering a dual climate and inequality crisis, and they need a Government that’s helping the community, not itself.
“When will the rorts stop? The rorts will only stop when we have a federal corruption watchdog which applies to MPs.
“That’s why I’ll be moving next week to compel the Government to vote on my Senate-passed Greens ICAC bill in the House this month.”
Greens Sports spokesperson Senator Rice said, “The rorts just keep on coming. In light of reports of an additional $150m doled out before the election, today we have written to the Auditor-General to seek an audit of this scheme cooked up by Morrison’s government.
“Yesterday, the government voted down the Greens motions to fund those deserving clubs recommended for funding by Sport Australia who missed out. From reports today, turns out the Coalition is happy to spend extra money on sport, but only if it helps them buy and cheat their way back into power.
“Morrison and his mates have nothing but contempt for fairness and a level playing field.
“Today’s news shows exactly why we need the sports rorts senate inquiry, and I am eager to begin as Deputy Chair to investigate the full extent of the Coalition’s pork barrelling and hold this government to account.”
Bandt in push to double firefighters with coal levy
As part of the Green New Deal to solve the climate crisis, Greens Leader Adam Bandt has called for the doubling of the number of paid firefighters across the country paid for by a levy on the coal, oil and gas industry.
Mr Bandt will make the announcement alongside a dozen active firefighters in Parliament House, who will join in calls for the government and opposition to back the plan.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“The Greens are the firefighters of Australian politics. We are the only ones recognising it’s a climate emergency and acting like the house is one fire.
“Our emergency services need to be equipped to fight the climate emergency.
“The first job of a government is to keep Australians safe. To protect Australians from the climate crisis, our Green New Deal will plan for a phase out of coal, oil and gas and double our firefighting forces. We call on Liberal and Labor to back our call.
“Five of Australia’s top coal companies, Peabody, Yancoal, CITIC, Sumitomo and Whitehaven had earnings of $54 billion between them over the past five years, yet paid zero income tax in Australia.
“The burning of coal, oil and gas is fueling the climate crisis and putting Australian lives at risk. It’s time that fossil fuel companies start meeting the costs of tackling the climate emergency.
“Firefighters and experts such as the Climate Council have said that doubling the number of firefighters is necessary to fight these catastrophic fires.
“The people of Australia need more than thoughts and prayers. We need emergency action that matches the scale of the emergency we face.”
Rachel Cowling, Senior Station Officer said:
“Firefighters know an emergency when they see one and this is a climate emergency. There are no skeptics at the end of a firehouse.”
Background
The intensity and duration of the fires has exhausted our firefighters. Despite the incredible efforts of volunteers to manage the fires turbo-charged by coal and climate change, we need to double the number of paid firefighters to protect us from future megafires.
Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of coal and LNG. So by levying a $1 per tonne levy on the CO2 potential from all of Australia’s coal, oil and gas production driving the climate crisis, $1.53 billion a year can be raised from our overseas customers, to be spent on the Australian community.
This money raised each year from the coal, oil and gas industry will be directed to the twin tasks of rebuilding the devastated communities in the short term and as a Commonwealth contribution towards covering the costs of training and employing a doubling of our paid firefighters over the medium term.
On Wednesday Mr Bandt participated in an Emergency Services Summit in Parliament House, hearing directly from emergency services workers who have responded to the bushfire crisis.
Mr Bandt has a long history of working with firefighters. One of Adam’s first acts in Parliament was to introduce a private members bill extending protection for firefighters who contract cancer through their work, which passed into law with unanimous support, becoming one of only 7 private members bills to become law in the past two decades.
Greens slam cabinet of climate criminals
The Australian Greens have slammed Scott Morrison’s cabinet reshuffle, which further cements the climate denialism of this government.
Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Moving Keith Pitt, a nuke-loving climate denier, back onto the front bench makes the intentions of this government even clearer.
“We are in a climate emergency but this Prime Minister shamefully thinks it’s appropriate to put on the frontbench a man who previously quit cabinet over opposition to the Paris Agreement.
“Appointing a nuclear advocate is a ‘dead cat’ strategy, an attempt at distraction from a Prime Minister who desperately doesn’t want to talk about coal.
“It’s time to turf out this is government of climate criminals.”
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment, Water and Nuclear Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The cabinet reshuffle today looks like more jobs for the boys.
“The Prime Minister has promoted more turkeys to the Cabinet table who are there simply as lackeys of the coal and nuclear industry.
“The new Resources and Water Minister Keith Pitt is one of the country’s most vocal opponents for global action on climate change. The PM’s promoted a bloke who wants Australia to go nuclear and build more coal.
“This is a disaster for the environment, the Murray-Darling Basin and puts a question mark over Scott Morrison’s intentions when it comes to nuclear power in this country.
“The PM must rule out any support for the further expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia. He must reassure the Australian people that there will be no new plans, money spent or suggestions coming from his government for nuclear in Australia.”
Precautionary action taken ahead of hazardous conditions
City of Newcastle is taking precautionary actions ahead of predicted large ocean swells and high tides with heavy rainfall predicted for Saturday and Sunday (7 and 8 February 2020).
The east coast low like conditions and a predicted 2-metre high tide on Sunday 9 February increases the likelihood of erosion at Stockton Beach, and potentially create dangerous conditions for coastal activities, increase potential for localised flooding and risk of fallen trees.
City of Newcastle will be undertaking proactive reinforcement of the sand-bag wall at north Stockton near Griffith Street and Stone Street using additional one-tonne sandbags.
The following traffic and pedestrian arrangements will be in place for Stockton from Friday 7 February to facilitate these works:
- Barrie Crescent in Stockton will be open for one-way traffic only
- No parking zones will be established in Barrie Crescent Stockton
The Stockton Beach accessways along the Mitchell Street seawall and the northern access at Stone Street will be closed and the accessways at the Stockton Surf Life Saving Club and near Lexie’s Café will be monitored and may be closed subject to conditions.
Other locations across Newcastle that may be affected by hazardous conditions include:
- Shortland Esplanade and promenades along City beaches, including the Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths
- All beaches in the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA)
- Low-lying roads
- Local roads across the Newcastle LGA.
In addition, the City has also made the decision to close all of its sportsgrounds for competition games and training. Sportsgrounds will be reassessed on Monday and a further update will be provided regarding their suitability for use.
City of Newcastle requests all residents and visitors to be aware of changing conditions and potential road closures and follow directional signage, warnings notices and instructions of City of Newcastle staff and other authorities.
Please stay safe when moving in and around the City in the predicted weather event.
To stay up to date on the most current weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/
For emergency advice contact State Emergency Service www.ses.nsw.gov.au Phone 132 500
BUILDING REFORMS BOOSTED WITH NEW TRANSFORMATION TEAM
Dodgy developments will be a thing of the past under NSW Government plans that will see the implementation of ratings systems for professionals in the building industry and strong new powers to prevent occupation certificates from being issued on suspect developments.
The new rating system will help the building regulator determine who the risky players are in the industry and prevent dodgy apartments from being sold to unexpecting buyers.
The changes form part of the NSW Building Commissioner’s work plan which, for the first time, outlines publicly how the government plans to overhaul the building and construction industry in NSW under Six Reform Pillars.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the reforms will improve transparency, accountability and quality of work within the industry.
“These reforms are a complete game changer for consumers, the government and the building industry as a whole,” Mr Anderson said.
“Simply put, customers need better built buildings, and our reforms will deliver that. Anyone who doesn’t want to get on board with that concept will get left behind.”
The six reform pillars cover legislation and regulations changes, ratings systems, improving skills within the industry, ensuring contracts help meet standards, digitising the industry and establishing NSW as a leader in modern construction methods.
NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler said the old days of being reactionary to problems in the industry can’t continue.
“The government has a great deal of resources available, including inspectors, which is why we need to make sure we’re using those resources in the best way possible to protect consumers from major defects,” Mr Chandler said.
Mr Anderson said passing the Design and Building Practitioners Bill, which is currently held up in the NSW Upper House, is crucial to the progression of building reforms.
“We asking the opposition and the cross bench to put consumers ahead of politics and let us get on with the building reforms, every day these reforms are delayed is another day homeowners go without the necessary protections,” Mr Anderson said.
The NSW Upper House will resume debate on the Design and Building Practitioners Bill in the last week of February.
Man charged after copper cable stolen at Newcastle
A man will face court today over the alleged ongoing theft of copper cable in Newcastle.
In January 2020, officers attached to Newcastle City Target Action Group commenced an investigation into the alleged theft of a large amount of copper cabling from an area of the Port of Newcastle.
Following extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Tully Street, Carrington, and arrested a 45-year-old man about 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday 6 February 2020).
Police will allege the man broke into a storage area located at the Port of Newcastle on Thursday 30 January, Saturday 1 February, Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February, removed a large amount of copper cabling and damaged equipment.
The 45-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with:
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal less than $60,000
- Break and enter house etc steal value less than $60,000 (x3)
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 7 February 2020).
Investigations are ongoing.
Police investigate reported child approach – Scone
Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate a man as they investigate an alleged child approach at Scone yesterday.
About 8.40am (Thursday 6 February 2020), police have been told that a 10-year-old boy was riding his bicycle eastbound on Liverpool Street, Scone, on his way to school when a man sitting on the side of the footpath has spoken to the child for a short time.
The boy left shortly after and rode to school and reported the incident to a teacher.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified later in the afternoon and commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, investigators would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist.
He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 70-years-old and with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and white cap, a t-shirt, shorts and thongs.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the nearby area to contact Scone Police on 02 6544 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.