Category: NSW News

A man will face court today charged with allegedly attempting to enter NSW from Victoria on numerous occasions without a valid permit.
About 1am today (Monday 7 September 2020), a 27-year-old man attempted to enter NSW at the Saddle Flaps Road border checkpoint at Rockton.
The man, who did not possess a valid permit, was denied entry and returned to Victoria.
About 2.45am the same day, the man allegedly attempted to enter NSW via the Princess Highway at Timbillica, south of Eden.
Inquiries revealed the man’s permit was invalid and he was directed to return to Victoria.
It’s alleged the man failed to comply and began verbally abusing officers at the checkpoint, before exiting his vehicle.
As police attempted to arrest him, he allegedly assaulted a male senior constable. The senior constable did not sustain any physical injuries.
The Western Australian man was arrested and taken to Eden Police Station, where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 COVID, offensive language, assault officer in execution of duty and resist officer in execution of duty.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear in Batemans Bay Local Court today (Monday 7 September 2020).
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 disqualified driver has been charged after allegedly attempting to travel across the NSW/Victorian border with a passenger hiding in the car boot.
About 8.45am yesterday (Saturday 5 September 2020), police stopped a Mitsubishi Magna at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, Albury.
The driver, a 34-year-old man, produced a valid permit but was unable to produce identification, and further checks revealed he was disqualified from driving.
He was arrested and a search of the vehicle was conducted.
During the search, police found a 41-year-old woman hiding in the boot of the Mitsubishi. She was unable to produce a permit and directed to return to Victoria.
The woman left in the Mitsubishi and allegedly travelled through a red light.
She was issued with two Traffic Infringement Notices for not stop at stop line at red light, passenger not occupy seat with seatbelt and a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice for fail to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
The West Wodonga man was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 -COVID-19, driver motor vehicle during disqualified period, and drive with passenger in/on part of vehicle no seatbelt.
He was refused bail and appeared at Wagga Wagga Bail Court today (Sunday 6 September 2020) where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Albury Local Court tomorrow (Monday 7 September 2020).
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 further six people have been charged following yesterday’s unauthorised protest activity in Sydney and Byron Bay.
High-visibility policing operations were launched in response to protests yesterday (Saturday 5 September 2020), to ensure the safety of participants, as well as the community and local businesses.
At Sydney Olympic Park, general duties from Auburn Police Area Command, assisted by specialist resources, were deployed the ensure peaceful and lawful demonstrations.
Two men – aged 45 and 34 – were arrested at a park at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush.
The older man was charged with assault officer in execution of duty assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction.
The younger man was charged with fail to comply with direction and not comply with noticed direction.
They were both granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 24 September 2020.
In Byron Bay, four men have been charged following yesterday’s protests at parks on Jonsons Street and Bay Street.
A 34-year-old man was charged with assault officer in execution of duty and resist officer in execution of duty.
He was granted conditional bail will appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 21 September 2020
A 36-year-old man was charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, wilfully obstruct officer in execution of duty and resist officer in execution of duty.
A 21-year-old man was charged with wilfully obstruct officer in execution of duty and resist officer in execution of duty.
A 42-year-old man was charged with resist officer in execution of duty.
They were granted conditional bail will appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 28 September 2020
In total, police charged nine people and issued 81 Penalty Infringement Notices of $1000 were issued for alleged breaches of the current NSW Public Health Orders.
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.

The NSW Government will work with the Commonwealth to allow greater movement of agriculture workers between States.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said while it’s disappointing a number of States did not sign on to the framework proposed at National Cabinet today, NSW will look to implement the principles of the new Agricultural Workers’ Code.
“Notwithstanding that National Cabinet could not reach a consensus on this issue, NSW will work towards new rules to allow movement of agriculture workers to benefit our regional communities,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I thank the Deputy Premier and the NSW Minister for Agriculture for their work and their advocacy on this issue.
“Subject to the health advice, we want to be able to provide more certainty for farmers and agriculture workers in NSW. We’re expecting a bumper harvest in many parts of the State this year and I don’t want our farmers and agriculture workers to lose that opportunity.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said NSW will continue to work towards ensuring our State’s agriculture sector has the workforce it needs to keep powering ahead in the midst of improving seasonal conditions.
“NSW is an agriculture production powerhouse and this needs to continue to help the economy recover after COVID-19, and bring many communities and farmers back from the brink after years of drought,” Mr Barilaro said.
“These measures will make sure that we seize the opportunity to convert a potentially huge harvest into dollars for our farmers.”
The NSW Government will work with the Commonwealth, Victoria and South Australia on the implementation of the principles of the new code including:

• Ensuring the agriculture industry, ancillary services and activities is not unnecessarily impeded by border arrangements for the movement of workers.
• Applying health and safety practices in the agriculture industry, services and activities as appropriate to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission and support responsiveness where transmission occurs.
• Allowing movement across borders will provide for animal health and welfare and biosecurity to be maintained.

A police operation has now concluded following unauthorised protest activity in Sydney and Byron Bay today.
About 11am, (Saturday 5 September 2020), 19 Penalty Infringement Notices of $1000 were issued by officers from Sydney City Police Area Command during an unauthorised gathering at Hyde Park on Elizabeth Street.
During the operation, three people – two men and a woman were arrested.
A 54-year old man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction, assault officer in the execution of duty and resist officer in the execution of duty.
In a separate incident, a 44-year-old man allegedly resisted a senior constable after failing to comply with a move-on direction.
He was also taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction and resist officer in the execution of duty.
A 56-year-old woman was also arrested and charged with not comply with police direction.
All three people granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 21 October 2020.
A 16-year-old boy was issued with a youth caution for not complying with Public Health Orders.
About 2pm (Saturday 5 September 2020) 57 Penalty Infringement Notices of $1000 were issued at an unauthorised protest at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush.
Two men were arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station where charges are expected to be laid later today.
Meanwhile, nine people have been arrested at parks on Jonsons Street and Bay Street, Byron Bay, during an unauthorised protest in Byron Bay earlier today.
Seven males and two females were taken to Byron Bay Police Station where charges are expected to be laid later today.
Among those arrested was a 34-year old man police will allege assaulted a senior constable.
Five Penalty Infringement Notices of $1000 were issued for alleged breaches of the current NSW Public Health Orders.
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 man has been charged over allegedly attempting to bribe a police officer at the NSW/Victoria border yesterday.
Just before 2pm (Friday 4 September 2020), a vehicle was stopped by NSW Police at the Barmah Bridge checkpoint.
Officers spoke with the driver, a 66-year-old man, and requested his border permit to enter NSW.
Police will allege in court that the man could not provide a valid permit and instead offered an envelope with $1000 to the officer.
The Victorian man was arrested and taken to Deniliquin Police Station, where he was charged with give/offer bribe to member of NSW Police.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Moama Local Court on Wednesday 4 November 2020.

Nine Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued after crew members and passengers on board a vessel travelling along the NSW coast from Victoria disembarked onto NSW soil, contrary to current Public Health Orders.
On Tuesday 25 August 2020, NSW Police Force’s Marine Area Command launched an investigation into the movements of a vessel, which was travelling from Victoria to the Gold Coast, while it was in NSW waters.
Inquiries revealed three occasions in which individuals had disembarked the vessel in contravention of the Public Health Order – at Eden on Wednesday 12 August, Port Stephens on Sunday 16 August and Yamba on Friday 21 August 2020.
As a result, officers from Tweed Heads Water Police, with the assistance of Queensland Police, spoke with the six individuals concerned today (Friday 4 September 2020) and advised them they would be issued with PINs as follows:

• A 64-year-old man, the skipper of the vessel, was issued with three $1000 PINs for failing to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order at Eden, Port Stephens and Yamba;
• A 61-year-old man, the owner of the vessel, was issued with two $1000 PINs for failing to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order at Eden and Yamba;
• A 51-year-old woman, a passenger of the vessel, was issued with one $1000 PIN for failing to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order at Eden;
• A 20-year-old woman, a passenger of the vessel, was issued with one $1000 PIN for failing to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order at Eden;
• An 18-year-old woman, a passenger of the vessel, was issued with one $1000 PIN for failing to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order at Eden;
• A 40-year-old woman, a crew member of the vessel, was issued with one $1000 PIN for failing to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order at Eden.

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.

Three Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued in relation to breaches of Public Health Orders at the NSW/Victoria border yesterday.
About 4.30pm (Wednesday 2 September 2020), police stopped a 50-year-old man at a border checkpoint on Jingellic Road, Jingellic, who was unable to produce a permit. The man provided a number of versions as to where his permit was and why he was crossing the border before it was established that he had provided false information in an attempt to cross unlawfully. He was subsequently issued a $4000 PIN under section 10 of the Public Health Act for give false information on request.
Police initiated a pursuit about 8.15pm after a white van approached a border checkpoint on Federation Way, Corowa, at speed and failed to stop. Officers stopped the vehicle on Honour Avenue and spoke with the 49-year-old male driver, who advised he did not have a permit to enter NSW. He was unable to provide a valid excuse to cross the border nor for leaving his home at Flemington, Victoria. Police directed the man to return to Victoria and issued him with a $1000 PIN.
About 8.30pm yesterday, police stopped a 28-year-old woman at a border checkpoint on Wodonga Place, South Albury, who presented a NSW driver’s licence, which expired in 2015, along with an expired border permit. The woman applied for a new permit online and when she presented it to police, it was established she had provided false information in her application. Following further inquiries, police issued a $4000 PIN under section 10 of the Public Health Act for give false information on request and a $581 traffic infringement notice for driving with an expired licence.
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.

Two restaurants and a registered club are among the latest businesses and individuals to be issued PINs for not complying with Public Health Orders.

• About 7.45pm yesterday (Thursday 3 September 2020), police received information a restaurant on Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne, was not complying with Public Health Orders. Officers from Monaro Police District attended the venue a short time later and observed a large crowd of people inside the venue. The female owner was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 6.30pm on Saturday 29 August 2020, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols when they noted a restaurant on Clovelly Rd, Randwick, appeared to be over capacity. Police claim the venue was failing to adhere to a COVID-19 Safety Plan and had been taking additional bookings. The male licensee was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 11.30pm on Wednesday 25 August 2020, officers from Monaro Police District were called to a unit at a ski resort on Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne, following reports of a party. Officers arrived to find more than 20 people in attendance. Police subsequently issued three occupants each with a $1000 PIN.

• About 8.15pm on Saturday 22 August 2020, police attended a recreational shooting club on Heathcote Road, Heathcote, after receiving reports it was not complying with Public Health Orders. Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command asked to see the club’s COVID-19 Safety Plan; however, they claim the club was unable to supply one. The woman was issued with a $1000 PIN.

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 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.

Original yellow Wiggle and cardiac arrest survivor Greg Page has thrown his support behind the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program today, which offers sport and recreation facilities the opportunity to share in up to $1 million this year to help purchase defibrillators.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the initiative encourages sports and councils to invest in equipment that could save lives.
“Up to 7,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in NSW,” Mr Lee said.
“Defibrillators save lives and since the launch of the program, more than 1,500 defibrillators have been purchased by sporting facilities and clubs across the State.
“Medical experts say the first eight minutes following a cardiac arrest are critical. Early access to CPR and a defibrillator is essential to increasing a patient’s likelihood of survival.”
Greg Page suffered a cardiac arrest while performing with the Wiggles and was treated with a defibrillator at the venue.
“I’m just fortunate there was a defibrillator at the venue otherwise I might not be here today,” Mr Page said.
“Early access to CPR and defibrillation can dramatically increase a person’s chance of survival after a heart attack.”
Heartbeat of Football founder Andy Paschalidis said it is vital venues are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.
“With more and more people of all ages participating in sport and recreation, I urge sports clubs and councils to apply for a grant and be trained and equipped to respond to these life-threatening situations,” Mr Paschalidis said.
The program is open from 3 September 2020 until 12 April 2021.
For more information: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/defibrillator