Category: NSW News

A man has been charged after police at a border checkpoint at Albury discovered he was trying to cross into NSW driving a stolen ute.
NSW Police manning the checkpoint stopped the utility on the Hume Highway at Albury about 7am today (Wednesday 5 August 2020).
The 27-year-old driver was unable to produce permits or ID, and further checks revealed the ute had been reported stolen from a business in West Melbourne yesterday (Tuesday 4 August 2020).
The man was arrested and was taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged three offences
• Receive property stolen outside NSW
• Not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19, and,
• Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The man, of no fixed address, appeared in Albury Local Court today, where he was refused bail to re-appear in the same court on Friday 11 September 2020.

Councils across NSW will have the opportunity to deliver new and improved public spaces for their local communities thanks to a $250 million program announced today, as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said local councils that focus on fast-tracking development assessments for projects that deliver much-needed jobs and housing will be eligible for up to $5.5 million each in funding for parklands, town squares and main streets.
“As part of the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, councils that push forward with assessments of job-creating projects will be incentivised with funding for more, and better, public spaces,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This program will unlock construction jobs across the State helping combat the economic shocks of COVID-19 while making communities a better place to live.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the program would create a lasting community benefit across the state.
“In NSW, we’ve already fast-tracked the determination of 67 projects since the pandemic began – creating opportunities for 40,000 jobs, 18,000 homes, 400 hectares of open space and $17.7 billion in economic benefit through our Planning System Acceleration Program,” Mr Stokes said.
“Now we’re helping councils to prioritise local planning projects that will boost jobs and investment in their communities with a $250 million incentive to create new and improved public spaces.
“We want councils to think big and bold and deliver legacy projects – new parks, new walking trails, more walkable and inviting streets and open spaces for their communities.”
Mr Stokes added that the program will drive more efficient local development and support the delivery of the Premier’s Priorities to increase the amount of green, open and public space.
“It builds on the success of the Planning System Acceleration Program to bring greater benefits to neighbourhoods and streets by providing councils the funds to create new or improved public space, as well as encouraging more efficient planning processes.”
This new program is only available to the 68 councils currently participating in the e-planning system.
For more information about the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and to see if your council is eligible visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/publicspaceslegacy

Construction of the new Sydney Football Stadium site is powering on through the COVID pandemic with contractor John Holland laying the first concrete building slabs at Moore Park today.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said development hasn’t stopped during COVID, providing job security for workers, boosting NSW’s COVID-19 recovery and ensuring the project remains on schedule.
“The Sydney Football Stadium project is investing in local companies during the pandemic with a Western Sydney business providing the concrete for today’s pour,” Mr Lee said.
“Over 150 cubic metres of concrete will be poured this week, over an area that will be part of the new stadium’s player and coaching facilities.
“This is another exciting milestone setting the foundations for the stadium to start rising from the ground.”
To complete the stadium, a further 40,000m³ of concrete will be poured which is the equivalent of 16 Olympic swimming pools.
The project will utilise as many local suppliers and subcontractors as possible through to completion.
Over the next two years, the Sydney Football Stadium Redevelopment will create over 800 jobs and inject hundreds of millions into the NSW economy through the procurement of construction materials and labour.
“Our stage two contractor John Holland has already safely logged over 140,000 hours by workers on site since the beginning of the outbreak and there has been an average of 180 workers on site in July alone,” Mr Lee said.
“We have extended hours on weekends to enable work to continue safely with social distancing, no job losses or reduced hours for employees.”
The new Sydney Football Stadium will be a modern, world-class sporting and entertainment precinct to ensure NSW remains the number one choice for the best events. The stadium remains on track to be ready to host the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

Following updated health advice, NSW residents returning from Victoria must go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.
This regime, designed to protect the wider NSW community from the escalating COVID-19 situation in Victoria, will come into effect at 12.01am this Friday.
All returning NSW residents, unless they live within the NSW border regions, will only be allowed to return to NSW through Sydney airport.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this new line of defence would further reduce the risk during this critical time in the pandemic.
“I realise this may be difficult for some people, but the changing situation in Victoria means we must exercise extreme caution,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The health of our citizens and economy must be protected – and the health advice says this is the best way to do it.
“We will also further limit the reasons Victorians can seek exemptions to come into NSW.”
There is no change to existing arrangements for border communities.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a robust health screening process will continue at the airport to protect the NSW community.
“NSW Health staff will continue to rigorously screen incoming passengers from Victoria, doing health and temperature checks, ensuring masks are worn and checking their permits,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Our staff will also continue to ensure that anyone who is unwell or showing symptoms is shuttled safely to our quarantine health hotels for care under isolation.”
Dr Kerry Chant said this latest change would reduce the number of people entering NSW from Victoria, and reduce the risk of community transmission.
“This is a critical time in the NSW response and we need to reduce any further risk of seeding of cases from Victoria,” Dr Chant said.
The cost of hotel quarantine will be the same as for returning international travellers.

A licensed premises in Dubbo has been issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN) following a breach of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just after 1pm on Sunday (2 August 2020) officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District attended a licensed premises on Talbragar Street, Dubbo, after reports of an altercation.
Following inquiries and after viewing CCTV, police will allege upward of 30 patrons occupied the gaming room of the premises and were standing with no social distancing maintained.
Officers attended the premise about 10am today (Wednesday 5 August 2020) and the venue was issued with a $5000 fine for failing to comply with requirements of a Public Health Order – COVID-19.
The maximum penalty for contravening a Public Health Order is a fine of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
The standard penalty is a fine by way of an on-the-spot Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) – $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander, Superintendent Peter McKenna, said police will continue to work with businesses in relation to their COVID-19 safety plans and provide advice and guidance.
“Whilst it is the responsibility of licensed premises to ensure they’re complying with Public Health Orders, the public have to understand they’re putting those premises at risk and they may also be held liable,” Supt McKenna said.
“They’re putting the livelihoods of these businesses at risk, and if people don’t think it’s going to happen in our area they only have to look at other regions that are being impacted.”

Police have charged a man and issued a licensee with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) in the past 24 hours following two separate breaches of COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
Officers from Operation Border Closure were conducting permit checks at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, Albury, when they stopped a vehicle about 9.30pm (Monday 3 August 2020), and spoke with the male driver.
The 49-year-old Nelson Bay man told police he travelled into Victoria on Saturday (1 August 2020), and did not have a current permit to re-enter NSW.
Police conducted various inquiries which revealed that the man had previously re-entered NSW on 19 July with his permit directing he self-isolate at his Nelson Bay home. Further, it was established that he had breached the direction to self-isolate on 23 July, when local police conducted a compliance check and were unable to locate him.
It’s alleged that the man became aggressive and argumentative and, after he was advised he was being arrested, he resisted police and refused to comply with reasonable directions.
After being arrested, the man was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was observed throwing an item into a rubbish bin, which is alleged to be a satchel of cannabis.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9-COVID-19 and possess prohibited drug. He’s been refused bail to appear at Albury Local Court today (Tuesday 4 August 2020).
In a separate incident, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were conducting compliance checks on Friday (31 July 2020), and spoke with the female licensee at a hotel at Kiama about 6pm.
She was unable to produce a completed COVID-Safe plan but showed police blank forms which had been provided by officers during an inspection the previous week. During a subsequent walk-through, police observed patrons standing around and various areas were not appropriately set up to ensure physical distancing – all of which would be addressed in the COVID Safety Plan.
Following further inquiries, the 58-year-old woman was issued a $1000 PIN yesterday (Monday 3 August 2020), before being formally warned to ensure the business complies with COVID restrictions.
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.

Education Week 2020 begins today, celebrating the many achievements of our public schools and the critical role they play in equipping our students for the future.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said ‘Learning together’ is a fitting theme given the extraordinary challenges this year has presented.
“In the face of drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, our school communities have proven just how strong and adaptable they are,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Teachers and support staff moved quickly to online lessons; parents and carers took on additional responsibilities at home and students adjusted to a new way of learning.”
Ms Mitchell said many exciting opportunities lie ahead to build on the strengths of the public education system.
“Already 42 new and upgraded schools have been built in 2020 as part of the NSW Government’s $6.7 billion school infrastructure program, with more to come,” she said.
“We are also rebuilding the NSW curriculum to cut unnecessary content, focus on literacy and numeracy and modernise vocational education and training.”
Ms Mitchell said Education Week has been a highlight of the NSW public education calendar for more than 60 years, and this year provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements over the past year.
“This is particularly relevant for the past year, as our education system has triumphed amidst difficult circumstances,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I cannot overstate the appreciation I have for the incredible way everyone has responded to the challenges of this year. Right across the state, students and families have received incredible support from their schools and teachers, and stronger relationships have grown between schools and their communities.
“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that schools are the cornerstone of our communities in NSW and together we can achieve great things.”
Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott said this year’s Education Week will look a little different with many schools opting for virtual celebrations in place of the usual open classrooms and school assemblies.
“We are using technology to encourage schools to run virtual celebrations and the department has put together a series of events for the whole week,” Mr Scott said.
Education Week starts with a launch live stream on Monday, 3 August, featuring students and staff from more than 50 public schools across NSW. Other events include a celebration of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and their language app; a student film festival introduced by actor Bryan Brown; a technology webinar for parents for the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations; and the Secretary, Mark Scott, in conversation with secondary students.
“Learning together is our theme for Education Week 2020 and it couldn’t be a more apt way to celebrate NSW public school communities in this remarkable year,” Mr Scott said.
“The resilience, endurance and creativity of people in Education is just incredible.”
Visit the Education Week website for full details of the virtual celebrations: education.nsw.gov.au/edweek20
#EdWeek20

Seven Hills High School has been selected to introduce specialist vocational education facilities as part of the NSW Government’s $34 million election commitment.
Within three years, purpose built facilities and classes will allow students to pursue careers in Community and Health Services, Construction (Electrotechnology and Plumbing), and Transport and Logistics.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said equipping students to fill the jobs of the future is an important part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
“Specialised training facilities are critical to ensuring NSW students can receive world-class skills training and be provided the skills of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for our state. It’s crucial we look to reskill, retrain and support school leavers to access opportunities in industries where there are skills shortages and emerging employment opportunities.
“Seven Hills High School will now be well placed to take advantage of major projects in Western Sydney, including the construction of the Aerotropolis, which will require a steady pipeline of skilled tradies for decades to come.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the high school will operate with a renewed focus on Vocational Education and Training (VET) from 2023.
“We have to inspire all students to consider VET as an alternative career pathway, including about 50 per cent of high school graduates who do not pursue a university pathway,” Mr Lee said.
“Skills training is vital to propelling our State forward, particularly following the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Sarah Mitchell said this investment would put young people wanting to pursue a career in vocational education in the best position to develop their learning.
“This development supports young people to engage in learning that builds skills and supports access to apprenticeships and traineeships. The school will continue to offer the full range of study options, VET courses will be additional options,” Ms Mitchell said.
The selection of Seven Hills High School (Years 7 to 10) follows a comprehensive analysis of all potential secondary schools in the state – up to 45 per cent of students at nearby Wyndham College undertake at least one VET course as part of their HSC. More than 91 per cent of students transition from Seven Hills to Wyndham for Year 11 and 12.
This initiative will benefit from work already underway by the NSW Government to address the barriers student’s face when choosing a VET pathway.

Local groups are being encouraged to put forward their ideas for programs designed to improve road safety in their own community with Round Six of the NSW Government’s Community Road Safety Grants program open today.
Minister for Roads and Transport Andrew Constance said the aim of the Community Road Safety Grants program is to bring people with a passion and commitment for road safety together and support their ideas to lower the NSW road toll.
“We all have a part to play in helping to bring down the road toll and community groups are in a great position to connect with local people about local road safety issues,” Mr Constance said.
“Some brilliant initiatives have already been born out of this program, including a state-wide initiative to discourage young surfers from texting and driving led by Surfing NSW.
“The Clontarf Foundation runs a program to help teenage Aboriginal men in NSW grow into safe and confident drivers, while Jubilee Community Services in Mortdale ran workshops on pedestrian and driver safety, and basic first aid.”
Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Paul Toole said two categories of grants are available: one for smaller projects with up to $5,000 available for each idea and another for more substantial projects, worth up to $30,000.
“This is about delivering programs that save lives. Preliminary figures from 2019 show that 352 people lost their lives on our roads and more than 10,000 people were seriously injured,” Mr Toole said.
“These are not just numbers. They are members of a community – mums, dads, sisters, brothers, friends, someone’s loved one. We want to do all we possibly can to lower the road toll around the state so that no one has to go through the pain of losing someone they love.
“Almost 170 projects have been delivered across the state thanks to the Community Road Safety Grants Program, including 30 projects in the last financial year.”
Applications for round six are now open with community groups invited to submit ideas for local road safety projects by August 31^st.
More information about the program and how to submit an application can be found at: http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/aboutthecentre/communitygrants/

Local Government Week is a time to acknowledge the significant role councils are playing to support communities across the State to recover from the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said today.
“Our communities are facing some of the most difficult times in the modern era and our local councils have once again stepped up to the challenge,” Mrs Hancock said.
“During the bushfire crisis, local councils operated evacuation centres, co-ordinated the distribution of donated goods and services, carried out emergency bushfire response works, and repaired and rebuilt community infrastructure.
“Councils have also been vital in responding to COVID-19, retraining and redeploying staff to minimise job losses and maintaining essential community facilities and services in the face of significant restrictions and financial distress.
“They have also provided financial relief for residents and businesses by deferring rates, providing rate rebates, waiving fees and interest, reducing rents, offering grants and making donations.
“I urge everybody to take a moment during Local Government Week to recognise the critical role your local council is playing to support your community during these trying times.”
The theme of Local Government Week this year is Councils Do, highlighting the significant work councils do in their communities and the wide variety of services they provide including libraries, roads, waste collection, footpaths, parks, pools and animal shelters.
Local Government Week 2020 runs from August 3-9. The highlight of celebrations is the presentation of the Local Government Week Awards on August 6 to recognise the best and brightest in NSW councils.
The Office of Local Government has published council success stories on its website to recognise the efforts of the local government sector during the pandemic.