Category: NSW News

Entertainment facilities including theatres, cinemas and concert halls across NSW will be able to increase their capacity to 50 per cent and corporate events at function centres will be able to welcome up to 300 attendees from next week.
The Premier’s Major Events Taskforce has agreed theatre, cinema and concert goers can return to entertainment venues in greater numbers and that corporate events at function centres can increase attendance, provided venues have COVID-Safe plans and adhere to public health requirements.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said this is a major step forward to recovery for the performing arts sector, with entertainment facilities now able to sell tickets for seated events at 50 per cent of capacity, to a maximum of 1,000 tickets.
“For workers across the full spectrum of the performing arts – from box office staff to ushers, from technicians and roadies to the artists – this change means more jobs,” Mr Harwin said.
“For audiences, it means we can soon enjoy the experiences we have all missed so much during the pandemic.
“It’s a win for jobs, it’s a win for our theatres and it’s a win for communities across NSW.”
The changes mean a boost to box office revenues for the hundreds of theatres, cinemas and concert halls across the state. For some it means reopening their doors.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said getting more people into entertainment venues and function centres was key to re-starting the NSW visitor economy.
“Function centres will now be able to host up to whichever is the lesser of 300 people or one person per four square metres for a corporate event. It’s vitally important for the business community to get back on its feet by being able to collaborate and share ideas in person once again”. The limit of 300 people is an increase from the current limit of 150 for corporate events,” Mr Ayres said.
“This will help people get back to work and back to doing more of the things they love to do in NSW as our COVID-19 recovery plan continues to take shape.”
The NSW Government has supported the arts and cultural sector throughout the pandemic with support packages such as the $6.34 million support for arts, screen and cultural organisations as well as the $50 million Rescue and Restart package.

More families can attend community sports, music ensembles and school camps can proceed, and a modest increase dancing at weddings is allowed under new COVID-19 safety rules.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the latest easing of restrictions around school and community life is due to lower case numbers.
“While we are by no means out of the woods, low case numbers give health authorities the confidence to allow mums and dads back onto the sideline,” Mr Hazzard said.
“NSW Health has also given the green light for up to 20 people in the official Wedding Party to take to the dance floor, where previously only the happy couple were permitted.”
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the updated health advice comes as NSW schools prepare for a two-week break before returning for the final term of 2020.
“Everyone is committed to providing a safe environment for children, students and staff and these changes will ensure COVID-safe celebrations can happen,” she said.
“Schools have done an incredible job, and it’s exciting to see things returning closer to normal. However, we need to stay vigilant.”
Changes to Term 4 school guidelines include:

• Community Languages Schools Program will recommence face to face learning;
• Interschool activities can recommence on September 26 where there is a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place;
• Playing wind instruments, singing and chanting is permitted with strict restrictions;
• Year 6 formals and graduations are permitted;
• High school formals are permitted from 12 November to limit any HSC disruption; and
• Kindergarten orientation, Year 7 transition, excursions and camps can resume with strict guidelines.

Musical ensembles can also resume, as long as players keep a 1.5 metre distance from one another, or three metres for players of non-reeded woodwind instruments.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the changes to community sport will be a welcome relief for parents.
“From this weekend, more than one parent may now attend community sporting activities if physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres can be maintained between people that are not from the same household,” Mr Lee said.
“We know the last few months has been hard on families who want to see their kids score a try or kick a goal on the weekend.
“I would like to thank all the parents and volunteers in community sport for their commitment to following the guidelines to help keep our community safe.”
Accommodation facilities and overnight event organisers should develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan. All carpooling should continue to be avoided.
There is no restriction on school holiday travel within NSW for people who live within the State however, anyone who is unwell should defer travel plans and get tested.
Updated school guidelines are available here and the full health advice is here.

Supermarkets and pharmacies can continue to trade and receive deliveries 24 hours a day as rules introduced by the NSW Government have been extended until next year.
The Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in March by amending the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 to allow around-the-clock trading and delivery hours as well as the extension of café and restaurant take away capabilities.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the orders will be extended for another six months until March 25, 2021.
“Our quick response to the immediate challenges of the pandemic ensured everyone had access to essential household goods, businesses remained viable and the economy kept ticking,” Mr Stokes said.
“Six months down the track it’s obvious we still need this flexibility. The pandemic has taught us that we can be nimble and reduce red tape where necessary.
“We have to live with the virus for a little while yet, so we’ve extended these orders and will review them before the new expiry date in March next year.”
Mr Stokes added that extended operating hours for the construction industry, introduced to ensure COVID Safe working conditions, will also continue.
“The construction industry is a key driver for jobs growth during the recession so we needed to find ways to support it while keeping workers safe from the virus,” he said.
Since March, the NSW Government has issued eight Ministerial orders under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to:
– Extend retail trading, delivery and waste removal hours;
– Allow home businesses to operate 24 hours a day;
– Provide more flexible conditions for takeaway food and beverage facilities, food trucks and ‘dark kitchens’;
– Allow construction sites to operate the same hours on weekends and public holidays as they would on weekdays;
– Permit temporary pop up cycleways within the City of Sydney; and
– Allow temporary vehicle sanitisation stations to be built to provide professional cleaning for taxis, Ubers and community transport vehicles.
Further information on the Planning Ministerial orders can be found here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/COVID19-response

The NSW Government will become the first jurisdiction to write the new Agricultural Workers Code into public health orders, paving the way for the $15.9 billion NSW primary industries sector to find skilled workers for the upcoming harvest.
Premier Berejiklian said the Code was critical to supporting the agricultural industry and ensuring regional communities can capitalise on this year’s bumper crops.
“NSW is an agriculture production powerhouse and the Agricultural Workers’ Code enables the State’s farmers to be the launching pad for NSW to commence recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Code means that farmers from Warialda to Wagga Wagga can get the best skilled workers to help them with this year’s harvest, regardless if they’re from Queensland, South Australia, Victoria or the Northern Territory.”
Acting Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Code was common sense policy that would ensure farmers could access the workers they need to run their farms.
“I’m glad NSW has worked proactively to ensure our farmers can tap into the skills they need despite the unprecedented COVID-19 restrictions impacting movement across State borders – from shearers to contract harvesters and fruit pickers,” Mr Toole said.
“This is a win for farmers and will support jobs in agriculture right across the state.”
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall said the NSW Government had been a driving force behind the interjurisdictional agreement.
“Our farmers have just come out of the worst drought on record, and they are now poised to begin their recovery with the largest winter crop harvest since 2016, and they need the workforce to take advantage of that,” Mr Marshall said.
“This Code will allow the critical free movement of agricultural workers across state borders so that primary industries can not only continue to feed and clothe the nation, but be the driving force behind the economic recovery from COVID-19.”
Agricultural workers travelling between NSW and Victoria will need a permit and relevant identification and will be required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as appropriate.
Travelling workers will also need to keep records of their movements. Agricultural employers need to support workers to perform self-isolation in the first 14 days after entry into NSW, and must have a COVID safety plan in place

Police will issue 21 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for breaching the Public Health Order following an unauthorised protest at Broadway today.
Officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command attended the grounds of a Sydney university about 11.30am (Wednesday 23 September 2020), in response to information received about planned protest activity.
Following an outdoor seminar, the group moved through the grounds about 1.30pm, sitting down on City Road, obstructing traffic.
With the assistance of officers from Leichhardt and South Sydney Police Area Commands along with Traffic and Highway Patrol, the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operation ODIN, and the Mounted Unit, they were removed from the road.
After moving to Victoria Park, the large group were warned the mass gathering was in breach of the NSW Public Health Order.
The crowd dispersed with 21 people to be issued $1000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) in relation to breaches of the Public Health Order.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related Public Health Order is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

The NSW Government can today reveal it has allocated another $400m of its $3 billion Jobs and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund to regional projects.
Last week, the government announced $2.4 billion in funding, which included $1.4 billion in accelerated funding for regional projects. This brings the total spend so far to almost $1.8 billion for regional projects.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 80 infrastructure and local community projects would be funded in the regions over the next two years as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
“We’re turbocharging the regions as we set our state up for a dynamic recovery,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“By investing almost $1.8 billion to accelerate new and existing projects in priority sectors in the regions we are helping to get people, businesses and communities back on their feet following COVID-19.”
Acting Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NSW Government was supporting the regions by creating thousands of jobs at a time when they are needed most.
“We’re laying down the path to employment by accelerating new and existing projects and investing heavily in every corner of the State,” Mr Toole said.
“The Fund will inject millions into health, education, transport and roads right across regional NSW, providing jobs and helping our regions recover after battling years of drought and last summer’s bushfires.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this investment would keep people in jobs and businesses in business, supporting and creating up to 12,000 regional jobs.
“The NSW economy is the engine room of the nation, and our regions will need to be firing on all cylinders as we reignite our economy and get jobs flowing again,” Mr Perrottet said.
“These projects will not only help our regional communities recover from the impacts of drought, bushfires and the pandemic but will also set them up for long-term success.”

Drivers across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and ACT now have a one-stop shop for road disruption information on Transport for NSW’s www.livetraffic.com website.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said from today the Live Traffic NSW website will help drivers to avoid congestion by showing the impact of fire, flood, snow, roadworks, crashes and more on roads across five jurisdictions.
“During the unprecedented summer bushfires Live Traffic usage was up 25 per cent, with about 195,000 customers accessing the website, and a further 170,000 using the mobile apps,” Mr Constance said.
“We’re very proud that Transport for NSW has brought together different government agencies to provide more information to communities during an emergency situation and road users travelling interstate.”
The website is optimised for mobile, tablet and desktop, and users are able explore a map and list of incidents or input a journey to discover incidents on their route which may impact their travel.
Acting Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole said this was the first time a transport agency had been able to consolidate multiple data feeds into one government platform, with about 1500 incidents across five jurisdictions taking place on any given day
“In the last year alone, regional NSW has been hit by unprecedented challenges of drought, bushfires, flood and now COVID-19. This new service will allow locals, as well as tourists, to better plan how they move around the regions,” Mr Toole said.
“This will become particularly important when we see travel restrictions start to ease, so we can more safely explore our own backyard and help regenerate regional economies.”
The Transport Management Centre and interstate counterparts publish information first-hand from emergency services and our front line staff making Live Traffic more accurate, timely and reliable than information published by third party services.
Transport for NSW is continuing to improve the coverage of incidents by working with data providers across the country.
The Live Traffic NSW mobile apps are being updated for iOS and Android for release later this year.

A Victorian man has been issued a Penalty Infringement Notice after crossing the border with intent to travel beyond the border bubble.
About 5pm yesterday (Monday 21 September 2020), officers from Griffith Highway Patrol stopped a Subaru in a carpark on Leonard Street, Hay, after checks revealed the vehicle had a warning about previously attempting to cross the border last Wednesday (16 September 2020).
Police spoke with the driver, a 26-year-old man, who stated he resided in Irymple, Victoria, and was travelling to Wagga Wagga for work, but intended to move to Burwood, Sydney.
The man produced a permit and was advised by officers it was only valid to enter the border region.
He was issued with a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to s7, 8, 9 – COVID-19 and directed to return to the border region.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
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 new plan will ensure NSW residents can get out and about this summer in a COVID-safe way, while keeping the economy moving.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello, Member for Manly James Griffin and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant outlined the NSW Government’s new COVID Safe Summer Plan this morning.
The Plan supports local businesses by encouraging more outdoor dining in the lead up to the Christmas-New Year period and throughout the summer months.
It also provides clear instructions to help keep COVID under control as residents enjoy the warmer months.
“We know how much our community loves fresh air, beaches and parklands, but we will all need to do that a bit differently this summer,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The COVID Safe Summer Plan encourages the community and local businesses to take advantage of our glorious warm weather while using public spaces safely.
“In NSW we are continuing to try to get the right balance between keeping the State open for business, while keeping control of the virus.”
The Plan has five pillars which will help support the current public health orders, rules and regulations:

• Marking out safe distancing in our parklands and highly visited public spaces from the beginning of October,
• Encouraging all beachgoers to ‘Keep a beach towel length between you’ (1.5 metres) and anyone not from the same household,
• Running a COVID Safe summer program of events in our parklands and public spaces,
• Encouraging local businesses to take advantage of outdoor dining, and
• Partnering with councils on a ‘new local’ campaign, to showcase alternative public spaces for the community to enjoy.

Mr Stokes thanked local councils who are already keeping the community safe as the warmer months arrive.
“Our councils are leading the way, by trialling approaches on their beaches like changing parking arrangements and creating safe swimming areas so that beaches remain safe and welcoming places for the community,” Mr Stokes said.
“Sydney is the greatest parkland city on earth, and the pandemic has emphasised how important it is for our well-being that we all have access to public spaces and parklands. This plan ensures a common-sense approach.”
Mr Dominello said COVID safety must be the priority of every citizen and business owner this summer.
“While summer is a time to get out and about and spend time with friends and families, we cannot be complacent because we are still in the midst of a pandemic. We must all remain vigilant and look out for each other,” Mr Dominello said.
“We need people to continue to do the simple things. Whether it’s maintaining good hand hygiene, keeping physical distance, wearing a mask in public places where physical distance can’t be maintained and using digital check-in solutions such as the Service NSW app – these behaviours are now part of the new normal. We can’t afford to drop our guard over the summer months.”
Mr Griffin said NSW will lead the way in showing the world how to still enjoy the summer while remaining COVID Safe.
“We don’t need to retreat indoors this summer – we just have to do things a little differently so we can enjoy places like the Northern Beaches and stay safe,” Mr Griffin said.
Dr Kerry Chant said outdoor activity was inherently safer than indoor activity.
“People need to remember to stay home, isolate and get tested if they have symptoms, always practice good hand hygiene and maintain one and a half metre social distancing,” Dr Chant said.
The COVID Safe Summer Plan can be accessed here: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/covid-safe-summer.

A man will re-appear in court today after being charged with providing false details at a border checkpoint, while two others were charged for illegally crossing the border, and 31 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued for other COVID-19 breaches at the weekend.
Officers from Operation Border Control stopped a Ford Focus at the Wodonga Place checkpoint at South Albury about 8.30am on Friday (18 September 2020), and spoke with the occupants – a 27-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman.
The man presented a ‘child access and care arrangement’ permit stating he had dropped the children off in Victoria and was returning to NSW, while the woman presented a permit, which only allowed her entry via Sydney Airport.
Police noted that the vehicle was not equipped with child restraints and the man provided different names for the children while talking with different officers and could not recall their ages or dates of birth.
Following further inquiries, police searched the man and his vehicle, locating and seizing a butterfly knife, a folding knife, a replica Glock pistol, a wooden mace, a tomahawk and drug paraphernalia.
The man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with not provide/give false etc info – COVID-19 Border Control, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, custody of knife in public place, have custody of an offensive implement in a public place and two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
He was refused bail and is due to re-appear at Albury Local Court today (Monday 21 September 2020).
The woman was refused entry to NSW and directed to return to Victoria.
As previously reported, a Victorian couple were charged with fraud, property and drug offences after alleging hiding in a utility to enter NSW without valid permits earlier this month.
The 31-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested at Mathoura by officers from Murray River Police District about 4pm on Friday (18 September 2020).
The pair have been refused bail to next appear at Griffith Local Court on Wednesday (23 September 2020).
In a separate and unrelated incident, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were called to a park on South Beach Road, Brunswick Heads, about 7pm yesterday (Sunday 20 September 2020), following reports of a large gathering.
On arrival, police could hear loud drums and observed about 100 people dancing, who also noticed the police’s arrival and ran from the location.
Three people were stopped by police, with one man – aged 45 – initially refusing to provide his details. After being advised he would be arrested if he refused to provide identification, the man produced his driver’s licence.
Following inquiries, police issued $1000 PINs to the 45-year-old man, a 42-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman and directed them to leave the area.
Additionally – also as previously reported – 28 people will be issued $1000 PINs after being located at a house party at Bondi Junction about 1.20am on Saturday (19 September 2020), which was in breach of the Public Health Order.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
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.