Category: NSW News

New mothers with severe mental illness will soon be able to access care alongside their babies, with the site of NSW’s first public purpose-built Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) announced today at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the specialised Mother and Baby Unit is a crucial development in the delivery of mental healthcare in NSW.
“This unit will be accessible to new mums and mums-to-be across the state who require care in a hospital for a perinatal (immediately before and after birth) mental illness,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We want these women to receive the specialist mental health care they need, as well as the opportunity to form a bond with their babies in those all-important formative months.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the unit will support up to 120 women with acute or ongoing severe mental illness from across the state each year.
“Perinatal mental illness can impact a parent’s relationship with their baby, family dynamics and the ongoing development of a child,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We want to ensure that women receive the best possible treatment, with their partners and family’s involvement, so children and families can thrive.”
Each of the eight bedrooms at the MBU will be able to accommodate a mother, up to two infants under 12-months of age and a partner or family member.
The MBU will also include space and equipment for antenatal care, a 24-hour respite nursery, a mothercraft room, a play area, a retreat room and communal areas to accommodate multiple families with children.
The MBU at RPA is expected to open by the end of 2021. A second MBU at Westmead Hospital is also in the initial planning stage.
Mother and Baby Units are part of the NSW Government’s $700 million statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program – the single biggest investment in mental health infrastructure to date.

More than 2,750 families and individuals who were homeless or at risk of homelessness are now living in safe and stable housing, thanks to the NSW Government’s work to prevent and respond to homelessness during the pandemic.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said more than $70 million had gone towards new and expanded programs since March, to help support some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
“Whether it’s people who are sleeping on our streets, people couch surfing or victims of domestic violence – our Government is working tirelessly to bolster support and protect those most in need,” Mr Ward said.
“Today marks the start of Homelessness Week, and it is an opportunity to share the incredible stories of people who have overcome adversity and broken the cycle of homelessness.”
More than 1,900 individuals and families who were homeless or at risk of homelessness have moved into social housing since April, including more than 230 rough sleepers who had spent time in temporary accommodation, such as hotels.
Another 850 individuals and families have received assistance to rent homes in the private market, including through programs like Start Safely for people escaping domestic violence, and Rent Choice Youth.
The recently announced Together Home project will significantly expand work to secure housing for rough sleepers, with some positive results achieved already.
“Together Home is providing people with a place to call home and the support they need to improve their health and wellbeing, and rebuild their life,” Mr Ward said.
“This initiative will deliver life-changing outcomes for hundreds of people, and we are committed to working closely with our housing and homelessness providers to help people reach their full potential.”
The work undertaken during the pandemic aligns with the NSW Premier’s Priority to halve street sleeping across the state by 2025.

A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a police officer as he was being arrested for trying to evade a NSW-Victorian checkpoint on the weekend.
Three police officers and two Defence Force personnel were manning a border crossing at Federation Way at Corowa when a car, with three people on board, was stopped about 4.50am on Saturday (1 August 2020).
The 22-year-old female driver and a 25-year-old woman in the front-passenger seat presented valid permits and ID; however, police allege a man travelling in the back seat provided false information.
After checks revealed the man was wanted on seven outstanding warrants – including a revocation of parole warrant – the 21-year-old man attempted to run from the vehicle, allegedly punching a senior constable in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Police and Defence Force officers intervened and arrested the man after a short struggle.
He was taken to Corowa Hospital due to concerns about the effects of suspected drug ingestion. Officers seized drug paraphernalia when the vehicle was searched.
The driver returned a positive roadside drug test for methamphetamine and had her licence suspended for 24 hours. Any further action will depend on the outcome of the secondary testing.
After the man was released from hospital, he was taken to Corowa Police Station where he was charged with assault police in execution of duty, and resist officer in execution of duty.
He was also charged with the outstanding warrants.
The Ashmont man was refused bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday (5 August 2020).
The senior constable has been treated for facial swelling and bruising; all officers were checked and released.
 

A woman has been charged with deliberately coughing on a police officer in the state’s south west.
About 11.15am yesterday (Sunday 2 August 2020), officers from Riverina Police District attended a home on Tarakan Avenue, Ashmont, following reports of a domestic violence incident.
On arrival, police arrested a 27-year-old man outside the home, before attempting to speak with a 24-year-old woman.
The woman allegedly told the man to cough on police and informed attending officers that they were both waiting on results of a COVID-19 test.
The woman then allegedly moved in front of a male constable and coughed deliberately in his face, twice, before letting two large dogs off their leads.
The man was released pending further inquiries and the pair was permitted to attend a COVID-19 pop-up clinic for testing.
As a result of the incident, the two officers were taken for COVID-19 testing. They have since returned negative results.
The woman has since been charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of their duty.
She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 16 September 2020.

Police have issued a total of 16 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for non-compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders across the weekend.
In addition to the nine people fined following indoor gatherings at East Jindabyne and Maroubra that exceeded the 20-person limit, as reported yesterday (Sunday 2 August 2020), police issued another seven PINs following eight incidents of failing to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9-COVID-19.
From 5.30am on Friday (31 July 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Hyde Park South and monitoring a group who had gathered for an unauthorised public assembly. When the group exceeded 20 people about 11am, a move-on direction was issued to the spokesman before formal directions under the Public Health Act were issued to each participant. After the spokesman refused to comply with directions and attempted to incite the rest of the group, he was arrested. He then refused to provide his details and was subsequently taken to Day Street Police Station. The 47-year-old man was identified and issued with a $1000 PIN.
At a second, yet unrelated, unauthorised public assembly at a university at Camperdown, officers from Inner West Police Area Command were monitoring a group from about 11.30am on Friday. After numbers in the group increased to about 40 people, police issued a formal direction under the Public Health Act. Two men, aged 34 and 38, failed to comply with the move-on direction and were each issued a $1000 PIN.
Just after midday on Friday, officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command attended a hotel on Scott Street, Liverpool, to speak with a 44-year-old woman after it was determined she provided false compassionate reasons on her entry permit to travel into NSW from Victoria. Police informed the woman her application had been rejected, her permit was invalid and directed her to return to Victoria. She was also issued a $1000 PIN.
As part of proactive compliance operations, officers from the Mid North Coast Police District attended a licensed premises on East Street, Crescent Head, about 7.30pm on Friday. Police spoke with the male licensee about their COVID-Safe Plan and issues raised during a previous inspection. While conducting the walk-through, the officers noted that the premises was full, but only nine names were recorded on the register. Further, tables and chairs had not been removed to ensure physical distancing and it was not being observed.
The 50-year-old man was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
About 2.45am on Saturday (1 August 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were called to a house party on Melaleuca Drive, Mullumbimby Creek. Police saw a large number of people inside and outside the house, none of whom were appropriately physically distanced. The 53-year-old male resident told police he was aware there were too many attendees but wasn’t worried because he believes Coronavirus is just a flu. The group was dispersed, and he was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling the Springdale area on Saturday, when they stopped a vehicle on Burley Griffin Way just before 11am. Checks revealed the 24-year-old female driver was disqualified from driving and was in breach of her self-isolation requirements as she had returned from Victoria on 20 July. Police issued the woman with a $1000 PIN and a Court Attendance Notice for drive while disqualified before directing her to return home to complete the self-isolation period.
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.

Nine people will be issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for non-compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders after police dispersed two indoor gatherings across the state that exceeded the 20-person limit.
About 11pm yesterday (Saturday 1 August 2020), officers from Monaro Police District were called to resort on Kosciuszko Road, East Jindabyne, following a noise complaint.
Police were directed to a room where loud music was being played and discovered 27 people inside. Only eight were actually staying at the resort.
Seven men – aged 31, 29, 26, two aged 27 and two aged 24 – and a 29-year-old woman, will be issued with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with a ministerial direction
The remaining people inside the room were moved-on after their details were taken by police.
In a separate incident, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to a unit on Anzac Parade, Maroubra, just before 1am today (Sunday 2 August 2020), after reports of a loud gathering.
Police arrived to find a large group of people at the unit, in excess of the 20-person limit, and were told it was an after-party for an earlier birthday celebration.
The party was shut down, with attendees moved-on from the location.
The resident, a 29-year-old man, will be issued a PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 COVID-19.
Meanwhile, emergency services were called Mosman overnight due to concerns that two teenage girls needed medical attention after attending an unauthorised party.
Officers from North Shore Police Area Command and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to Whiting Beach, off Athol Wharf Road, shortly before 9pm (Saturday 1 August 2020), after two girls were found unconscious.
The girls, believed to be aged 16, were taken by paramedics to Royal North Hospital where they were treated for the effects of alcohol.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers were called to assist with the retrieval as the site had to accessed by about 50 steps down to the beach.
Police were told between 20-40 young people had been gathered drinking on the beach before the girls were found unconscious.
Many of the partygoers had left the scene before emergency services arrived; however, police inquiries continue into the party, which is believed to have breached current 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.

A police officer has been assaulted during the arrest of a man wanted on seven outstanding warrants, when he tried to evade a NSW-Victorian border checkpoint this morning.
Three police officers and two Defence Force personnel were manning a border crossing at Federation Way at Corowa when a car, with three people on board, was stopped about 4.50am today (Saturday 1 August 2020).
The 22-year-old female driver and a 25-year-old woman in the front-passenger seat presented valid permits and ID; however, police allege a man travelling in the back seat provided false information.
After checks revealed the man was wanted on seven outstanding warrants – including a revocation of parole warrant – the 21-year-old man attempted to run from the vehicle, allegedly punching a senior constable in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Police and Defence Force officers intervened and arrested the man after a short struggle.
He has been taken to Corowa Hospital due to concerns about the effects of suspected drug ingestion. Officers seized drug paraphernalia when the vehicle was searched.
The driver returned a positive roadside drug test for methamphetamine and has had her licence suspended for 24 hours. Any further action will depend on the outcome of the secondary testing.
Police are waiting for the man to be released from hospital.
The senior constable has been treated for facial swelling and bruising; all officers have now been checked at hospital and released.
 

A new 20-year vision for Pyrmont will shape the waterfront peninsula as an innovative, connected and creative around-the-clock destination, providing much-needed jobs, investment and economic growth, part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
Up to 23,000 new jobs and 800,000 square metres of new commercial and office space are forecast in a new draft plan released today, supported by better transport connectivity to grow a mix of hi-tech, tourism, media and information industries.
Launching the plan, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the NSW Government’s draft Pyrmont Peninsula PlaceStrategy and Economic Development Strategy would help map the area’s future.
The strategy considers big moves for transformation such as a potential metro station at Pyrmont as part of the Sydney Metro West project, a new indoor sports and entertainment venue like our own Madison Square Garden, more and better public spaces (including the return of Wentworth Park as local parkland) and the revitalisation of key sites to attract commercial investment.
“Great cities evolve, grow and continue to improve all the time, and our vision is to ensure Pyrmont leads Sydney as a home for innovation, employment and  entertainment as well as retaining its unique character,” Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Stokes added that Pyrmont has always been an extension of the CBD as a bustling hub for a variety of industries, and the draft strategy outlines the latest incarnation in the peninsula’s renewal.
“Pyrmont has always been a hub for cutting edge industry. In recent decades it was transformed into commercial and entertainment precinct with accessible pedestrian walkways and the Light Rail,” Mr Stokes said.
“This new vision builds upon that. As well as a jobs hub of the future, we want the peninsula to be a premier cultural and entertainment destination which is connected to museums, theatres, bars and cafes, the Sydney Fish Market, the ICC, Harbourside and The Star.
“It has the potential to be a 24/7 destination for locals and visitors alike within walking distance from the city. Pyrmont is more than a local village – it is a vital part of our global city.”
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said world-class public transport was a vital part of the innovative plan.
“This vision would cement Pyrmont as one of the key employment hubs in Sydney and the entire NSW Government has come together to ensure it will have the infrastructure it needs,” he said
“Connecting Pyrmont with Western Sydney would encourage jobs, investment and economic growth. My job is to ensure the area is easily accessible and has the right transport options in place.
“We’re still working through the potential for a Metro station in Pyrmont, but it has progressed to the next stage of the process.”
Mr Stokes said the revitalisation will focus on key sites for renewal, including the existing Sydney Fish Market site at Blackwattle Bay, The Star site at Darling Island, development of Harbourside Shopping Centre, and the UTS Haymarket campus.
“These sites have been identified for revitalisation over the next 20 years and we are keen to ensure that parks, public spaces and the unique character of Pyrmont is protected,” he said.
“Delivering public benefit is also vitally important which is why part of our vision is to return Wentworth Park to the people as beautiful, high-quality green open space.”
The Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy and Economic Development Strategy are on public exhibition for community feedback until 13 September 2020.
To view the strategies and have your say visitwww.planning.nsw.gov.au/pyrmontpeninsula

A pub at Temora, which was fined $5000 and its licensee $1000, are among three incidents and six Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for non-compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders in the last 24 hours.
About 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday 30 July 2020), officers from Riverina Police District attended the premises on Hoskins Street, Temora, as part of proactive compliance operations.
On arrival, police noted there was no sign-in book at the entry to the premises, and when officers asked the licensee to provide advice regarding his COVID-19 Safety Plan, he claimed to not speak English.
It was subsequently established by officers that no steps had been taken by the business to comply with COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
The pub was issued with a $5000 PIN for failing to comply with a ministerial direction, and the licensee was issued with a $1000 PIN for the same offence.
In a second incident, officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended serviced apartments at Bondi Junction following reports a woman had breached self-isolation requirements.
Police were told the 26-year-old woman arrived in Sydney from Victoria on Wednesday (29 July 2020), and was self-isolating at the Bondi apartments, but left on Thursday to apply for a visa at a nearby embassy.
Following inquiries, it was determined that applying for a visa was not a valid exemption to enter NSW and she did not meet the requirements for a permit. Further, she was not permitted to leave isolation.
The woman was issued with a $1000 PIN before being directed to return to Victoria.
In a third incident, officers from Murrumbidgee Police District attended a house at Griffith to conduct compliance checks on three men, who are Malaysian Nationals and had travelled into NSW from Victoria earlier in the week.
Inquiries revealed the men – aged 22, 28 and 34 – had been going to pick fruit at local farms and therefore not self-isolating as required under their exemption permit to enter NSW.
The men were subsequently each issued with $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Local police have also referred inquiries into the men’s immigration status to Australian Border Force.
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.
 

Police have charged a Victorian man with breaching a Public Health Order after he flew from Melbourne to Sydney allegedly without a permit to enter NSW.
Just before 1pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 July 2020), officers who were deployed at Sydney Airport for Operation Coronavirus, were requested to assist NSW Health who were talking with a man who had just arrived on a flight from Melbourne.
Police were told the 21-year-old man from Roxbough Park, Victoria, was unable to produce a NSW Health exemption.
The man was assisted to charge his phone before it was established that he did not have a permit but would apply for one so he could care for his children.
It’s alleged that the man made a number of applications for a permit and had provided false information.
After establishing that the man did not have children, nor a valid reason to be in NSW, police directed him to return to Victoria. He was offered options for travel and further assistance from NSW Health.
The man allegedly refused to make travel plans and failed to comply with police directions and was arrested about 3.30pm before being taken to Mascot Police Station.
During a subsequent search of the man and his bags, officers located a bottle of alprazolam, which was not prescribed to him.
He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and possess prescribed restricted substance.
The man was granted conditional bail but is required to quarantine in a Health-managed hotel until he appears at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 17 August 2020.
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.