Category: NSW News

NSW has welcomed 1,000 new police officers at a special ceremony paying tribute to the ‘Classes of 2020’, who joined the Police Force to protect our State during the catastrophic bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NSW Police Force Attestation Parade was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground today to officially welcome four classes of graduating officers in front of friends and family members.
The ceremony also recognised the work of the other emergency services during 2020, including NSW Health, Ambulance NSW, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Australian Defence Force.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Police Force, alongside our other emergency services, has played a pivotal role in protecting our State.
“Every member of the NSW Police Force deserves our State’s greatest thanks after a year that saw Police play an unprecedented role in keeping our community safe,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“On behalf of the State, congratulations to our newest recruits and thank you to our police officers and emergency service workers for their incredible effort over 2020.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott welcomed the new recruits and said the NSW Government is committed to supporting them throughout their careers.
“Our Police cadets have faced exceptional challenges this year, but they have shown they can overcome difficult circumstances to complete their training, and they will now use the same resilience to push them forward in their new careers,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police put their lives on the line every day to protect our community and I thank and congratulate each and every one of these officers for choosing to join the Force, I wish them all a long and successful career.”
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller APM said the ‘Classes of 2020’ attestation ceremony acknowledges the efforts of all serving officers over the course of this year.
“It has been a challenging year for NSW and Police have taken on an extraordinary role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic threat, alongside the other critical issues we have faced this year,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“I am proud to be able to honour our newest recruits and all of the ‘Classes of 2020’ recruits in this official parade – an unprecedented and significant event.”
The NSW Government has committed $583 million to introduce 1500 extra Police over four years and recently announced a $60 million upgrade to Goulburn Police Academy.

Police have conducted a review after two German Nationals flew to Melbourne after arriving in Sydney on an International flight in contravention of Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020.
The pair – a 53-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy – arrived into Sydney International Airport about 9.45am yesterday (Saturday 5 December 2020) on a flight from Tokyo, Japan, and were screened by NSW Health.
After being cleared, all travellers were directed to board a bus to hotel quarantine before the pair advised police that they were booked on a flight to Melbourne.
Police made inquiries as to travel and exemptions, which subsequently allowed the pair to travel to Melbourne on a domestic flight under standard protocols for exempt travellers.
On arrival in Melbourne, Victoria Health advised NSW Health that the pair were not in possession of an approved exemption and had been escorted to hotel quarantine, where they remain.
The NSW Police Force has since conducted a review into the circumstances of the incident and identified police had incorrectly allowed the two travellers to proceed to Melbourne.
Police practices and systems at the airport have also been reviewed and strengthened as a result of this incident.
Since Sunday 29 March 2020, more than 100,000 people have entered the NSW hotel quarantine program, with more than 5500 currently in 17 police-managed hotels across Sydney.

A Lithgow woman has been charged after allegedly posing as a volunteer firefighter to claim relief funds of more than $190,000.
Detectives from Chifley Police District initiated inquiries after multiple submissions were allegedly made between Friday 17 January 2020 and Saturday 20 June 2020, applying for the bushfire volunteer firefighter payment.
Police will allege a 49-year-old woman submitted 522 claims online and was paid for 34, for a total of more than $190,000.
Following inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Calero Street, Lithgow, shortly after 9am on Wednesday (2 December 2020), and arrested the woman at the scene.
Several items – including clothing, electrical items and identification – were also seized.
The woman was taken to Lithgow Police Station where she has been charged with 34 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and four counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception (attempted).
She was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Lithgow Local Court on Thursday 28 January 2021.
Under this scheme, each volunteer could claim up to $6000.
The woman is not – and never has been – a volunteer firefighter.

A woman has been reunited with her dog after she was found nearly 300km from home in Sydney’s CBD this week.
About 11am on Wednesday 2 December 2020, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a carpark on Elizabeth Street after reports a dog had been found in a vehicle.
Upon arrival, police located a black and white cattle dog cross in a Toyota RAV 4 and later spoke to the vehicle owner, a 28-year-old woman.
The woman told police she was travelling through Yass – in the state’s south – earlier that morning when she found the dog on the side of the road, before continuing to Sydney.
The dog was in good spirits when police found her and was examined by vets, with no injuries reported.
After extensive inquires to locate the owner, police were contacted by a woman who had heard from a neighbour via social media that her dog, Speck, had been located and was waiting for her in Sydney.
Police were told Speck had dug her way under a fence and escaped before she was found alone, on the side of the road and was driven three hours to Sydney.
Speck and his owner, a 21-year-old woman, were reunited at Day Street Police Station today (Friday 4 December 2020).
“This little pup has had quite the adventure this week and we want to thank the public for their help in reuniting Speck with her very worried owner,” Detective Inspector David El-Badawi, Crime Manager, Sydney City Police Area Command said.
The one-year old dog will return to Yass with her owner later today.

A new express turn-up-and-go bus service will be introduced along Victoria Road from West Ryde to the city as part of network changes delivering an extra 700 weekly services.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said customers in Sydney’s North West and Lower North Shore will benefit from the timetable changes with the extra weekly services including the new West Ryde to City and Chatswood to City frequent routes introduced next month.
“From January we’ll be making changes to increase the frequency of services on key routes, with improved connections for customers travelling to the city or within the local area.
“This will include a new limited stops turn-up-and-go bus for the people of West Ryde right into the heart of the city at Hyde Park on the 500X route.
“Chatswood and Willoughby will also see regular services on route 120 into the QVB, at least every 10 minutes on every day of the week, giving customers more choice around when they travel,” Mr Constance said.
There will be some changes to existing local and city services to support the new frequent routes and to allow for better connections to other modes of public transport such as ferries.
The changes to respond to customer demand will affect some bus services in locations such as Parramatta, Carlingford, Macquarie Park, Ryde and Eastwood.
To help reduce duplication on the network, some routes will be replaced by new routes or extra services on other routes, while some current routes will be shortened but retain their current route numbers.
Existing overnight services on route 520 will operate under a new route number between Parramatta and the city.
The changes will be introduced in January 2021. A full list of changes will be available at www.transportnsw.info.

More than 50 new electric buses will roll out across Sydney over the next year, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver faster and quieter services.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the government is transitioning the state’s fleet of 8,000 buses to zero emission technology.
“I want to scale up our efforts towards tackling climate change  so I am challenging  Transport for NSW to aim for my goal of electrifying the state’s entire bus fleet by 2030,” Mr Constance said.
“I am excited to see us one step closer to our vision of creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, with more people now able to enjoy our electric bus fleet right across Sydney.
“Over the last 18 months we’ve been trialling five electric buses in the Inner West, and the feedback from drivers and customers has been positive.
The new electric buses are part of the Government’s fleet replacement program, with the first vehicles expected on the road during the first quarter of 2021.
They have been ordered from a range of manufacturers, including BCI, Yutong, Nexport BYD Gemilang and Nexport BYD Volgren.
They will be rolled out by several operators – Punchbowl Bus Company, Busabout  and Interline  in the south west, Transdev  in the north, with Transit Systems making the largest order for the inner west with more than 30.

Transport for NSW’s Deputy Secretary of Greater Sydney Elizabeth Mildwater said more local manufacturers will feature in future orders of zero emission buses.
“There are a lot more zero emission buses to come and we’re delighted that local manufacturers like Bustech and Custom Buses are getting into the game with their buses currently undergoing a review to ensure they meet local standards, while Nexport is planning to set up a local plant,” Ms Mildwater said.
“Once they and other manufacturers are ready, our operators will have more choices to buy locally. In the current order, the Volgren bus is being assembled in Victoria using a chassis made by Nexport BYD overseas.”

The 2sqm rule will be expanded and venue caps will be removed under a major easing of restrictions, as NSW continues to record zero cases of community transmission.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the timing is right to ease restrictions and replace the 4sqm rule with the 2sqm rule, except at gyms and nightclubs.
“We are grateful to the people in NSW for their patience and understanding over what has been an incredibly difficult year,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The rolling back of restrictions across the State is only possible because of the excellent work of the community who have followed social distancing guidelines and continued to come forward for testing.”
On Monday, 7 December, the NSW Government will ease the following restrictions allowing:
Venues including hospitality venues, retail and places of worship:

• 1 person per 2sqm (with 25 people permitted before the rule applies), except for:
  • Gyms and nightclubs (1 person per 4sqm, with a maximum of 50 people allowed in gym classes or on the dancefloor at nightclubs)

Stadiums and theatres:

• Outdoors: 100 per cent seated capacity, and 1 person per 2sqm rule for unstructured seating areas.
• Indoors: 75 per cent seated capacity.

Gatherings in outdoor public spaces:

• Up to 100 people for outdoor gatherings (up from 50).
• Up to 5,000 people for outdoor events that are fenced, ticketed and seated (subject to the 2sqm rule).
• Up to 3,000 people for other organised outdoor events i.e. community sport and outdoor protests (subject to the 2sqm rule).

Dance Floors:

• Up to 50 people indoors.

Singing

• Up to 50 performers indoors, no maximum cap outdoors.
• Advice is for congregation/audience to continue wearing masks if singing.

Under the changes, maximum capacity caps will be removed subject to the 2sqm rule for:

• Bookings at hospitality venues;
• Weddings;
• Funerals;
• Regional agricultural shows;
• Corporate events; and
• Religious services.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the people of NSW have worked hard to keep COVID-19 under control and deserved this major easing of restrictions.
“Today is a great day for the people of NSW and great timing with Christmas fast approaching, as we will soon see larger crowds at venues and events and the expansion of the 2sqm rule state-wide,” Mr Barilaro said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said under the changes most venues will be able to double their capacity, which will have an immediate and substantial impact on the economy.
“This change will make a big difference to many businesses and will provide a real boost for jobs particularly in the service industry which has been hit hard over the past nine months,” Mr Perrottet said
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said as restrictions are eased the community needs to continue playing their part and being COVID-Safe.
“Keep getting tested with even the slightest of symptoms, maintain your social distance, don’t go to work if you are unwell and wear a mask where you cannot guarantee social distancing,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government would continue to work with business and industry to ensure they operate in a COVID-Safe way.
“We have worked closely with industry representatives throughout 2020 to safely ease restrictions and we appreciate their patience and know these changes will be incredibly well received,” Mr Ayres said.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said despite there being no recent cases of community transmission the community should continue to be COVID-Safe.
“It is critical that people continue to come forward for testing and practice COVID-safe behaviour when out and about and catching up with family and friends,” Dr Chant said.

The New South Wales economy has helped power Australia back to economic growth and out of the first recession in almost three decades, with ABS data released today showing a 6.8 per cent rebound in state final demand for the September quarter.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the positive result was driven by a number of factors including a 10.8 per cent increase in household consumption and strong investment by the NSW Government in the public sector, which saw public demand up two per cent in the quarter and 6.4 per cent through the year.
“There are many challenges ahead but we are now seeing greater confidence in the community and a return to solid economic growth for NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our ability to keep as much of NSW open as possible and in the process support jobs and businesses with $29 billion in health, economic and social support measures is reflected in these latest economic results.”
Mr Perrottet said the Government would continue to do everything possible to boost employment, support businesses and ensure the community remained safe.
“Today we announced the further easing of restrictions around the number of people allowed in a range of venues, and this will further boost economic activity and support jobs at a critical time for the economy,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As we regain more freedom ahead of Christmas it’s vital people continue to remember the real risk of COVID-19 and use commonsense and follow health advice.”
The latest data follows more than 36,000 people returning to work in NSW in October with the state’s unemployment rate falling 0.6 per cent to 6.5 per cent.
Female participation increased by 0.3 percentage points to 60.6 per cent, the highest it’s been in the history of the series.
For more information on the State’s economic recovery, reform agenda, and the NSW Budget released on November 17 please visit budget.nsw.gov.au.

New, green life will be breathed into Greater Sydney with more than 40,000 trees to be planted and a series of innovation projects delivered thanks to $10 million in NSW Government grants.
The Greening Our City program will provide grants to 30 councils and two partner organisations across two funding streams – Cooler Suburbs and Green Innovations.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the program would help reach her target to plant one million trees across Greater Sydney by 2022 and increase the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes’ walk of quality green, open and public space by 10% by 2023.
“This fantastic program will result in more than 40,000 trees being planted in the ground and will also see exciting innovation projects that protect native species and help to green urban spaces,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said planting more trees would bring enormous environmental benefit while making public spaces more attractive.
“Our city is framed by parks – we know how valuable tree cover is for lowering heat, providing shade and enhancing our neighbourhoods,” Mr Stokes said.
“This program will see trees planted in more developed areas like Miranda and Parramatta and in growing areas like Camden, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Hawkesbury.”
Local Government NSW President Linda Scott welcomed the announcement and said the program was a great example of partnership between local and State Government.
“Councils take a lead role cultivating healthy and sustainable environments for local communities and funding support is always welcome,” Cr Scott said.
Under the Cooler Suburbs stream, 29 local councils will receive more than $8 million in funding, supporting 39 tree planting projects that will add more than 40,000 trees to Greater Sydney.
The 12 projects to receive funding in the Green Innovations stream include:

• Planting 500 genetically diverse Camden White Gum within the Nepean River corridor at Camden South, a species listed as vulnerable;
• Transformation of a Penrith carpark into an open, green space;
• Revegetation of native trees and grasses across Randwick;
• A new state-of-the-art research facility and demonstration site testing the growth and performance of 48 diverse native and exotic tree species in the Hawkesbury.

The grant program is being administered by Local Government NSW on behalf of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
A list of successful applicants is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/greening-our-city

The NSW Government is handing back more than 15,000 hectares of land to Aboriginal owners in the State’s central west which will be reserved to form the new Mt Grenfell National Park and the Mt Grenfell State Conservation Area.
The new National Park and State Conservation Area will add 15,285 hectares to the existing Mt Grenfell Historic Site effectively forming a protective ring around some of the most significant Aboriginal art and cultural sites in Australia.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said these new reservations mean the protected area at Mt Grenfell now covers nearly 17,000 hectares.
“This area is home to the renowned Ngiyampaa rock art galleries and a rich cultural landscape of immense significance to the Aboriginal community,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Reserving these lands supports Aboriginal owners  in maintaining their physical and spiritual connection to Country.“
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the return of these lands to their traditional owners not only has immense cultural significance but an important environmental significance as well.
“These parks are irreplaceable and an important part of our commitment to add 400,000 hectares of national park to our network by the end of 2022,” Mr Kean said.
“The new parks build on existing protections, securing outback ecosystems including habitat for some 130 bird species and 12 threatened species.”
The new park will be Aboriginal-owned land held by Cobar Aboriginal Land Council and co-managed with the Mount Grenfell Board of Management and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The new Mount Grenfell National Park and adjacent Mount Grenfell State Conservation Area lies about 70 kilometres north-west of Cobar in the dry back Country of the Cobar Peneplain. They surround the Mount Grenfell Historic Site which was handed back to the Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan Aboriginal owners in July 2004 and leased back to the NSW Government for management as part of the national parks system.
In recognition of the Aboriginal cultural significance, ownership of these two new reserves is also to be handed over to the Traditional Owners and leased-back to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for co-management with the Mount Grenfell Board of Management.

Key Facts

• Size: Mount Grenfell National Park is 9,189 hectares and Mount Grenfell State Conservation Area is 6,096 hectares.
• Aboriginal heritage: The reserves are an important part of ngurrampaa (Country) for Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan. They provide resources which are of importance in people’s lives: spiritually, as a physical connection to Creation stories and Creation beings; culturally, through providing opportunities for cultural practice; and physically, through the provision of food, water, shelter and resources. All these facets of Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan life is found in the one location. The reserves are rich in the physical evidence of Ngiyampaa culture including rock art, campsites and hearths associated with a waterhole, quarries, ochre pits, grinding grooves, artefact scatters and scar trees. Many other sites are yet to be discovered.
• Bioregional significance: Mount Grenfell National Park and State Conservation Area make a contribution to a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system by:
  • Increasing the level of protection for the Cobar Peneplain bioregion from 2.61% to 2.82%.
  • Increasing the level of protection for the Barnato Downs subregion from 3.3% to 4.14%.
  • Protecting one landscape type (Mt Grenfell Ridges) that is currently not represented in any other reserve and another landscape (Barnato Wide Valleys) which is inadequately protected with only 20 hectares sampled in national parks system.
• Ecosystems: The reserves:
  • increase the protection of eight vegetation communities, including two communities that were not previously sampled in Mount Grenfell Historic site (Belah-Rosewood Open Woodland and River Red Gum – Poplar Box Riparian Woodland).
  • support at least 234 native plant species, many of these traditional food and medicine resources for Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan. Those used for food include the seeds of a range of plants such as Yaama (kurrajong), Mithirr (miljee), nardoo, Kawanthaa (quandong), Wilkarr (wilga) and Yarrayipipan (rosewood), all of which were ground for flour and baked into johnny cakes.
• Threatened species: The reserves provide a range of habitat types with varying structural complexity and floristic diversity which supports 195 bird and animal species. The most diverse groups of animals recorded are bats (13 species) and birds (134 species), including 12 threatened species. These include the kultarr, yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat, little pied bat, inland forest bat, Corbens long-eared bat. Other threatened mammals expected to use this habitat are the stripe-faced dunnart and bristle-faced freetailed-bat.
• European heritage: The reserves provide an example of turn-of-the-century pastoral occupation in the Western Division of New South Wales.