Category: NSW News

More than 1,200 people who were sleeping rough in NSW have been helped into temporary accommodation through the rapid expansion of assertive outreach to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said this presents an opportunity to help some of the community’s most vulnerable people break the cycle of disadvantage by assisting them into longer-term accommodation.
“Our intense work since the beginning of April has resulted in many people sleeping rough accepting the offer of temporary accommodation for the first time in their lives,” Mr Ward said.
“While this is a positive outcome, now that these people have a roof over their head and a safe place to stay, we want to work with them to plan for the future and, where we can, assist them to secure a safe and stable home.”
As part of the Government’s $10 million investment in charities, Neami National will receive an additional $3 million to extend support services for people in the Greater Sydney area living in temporary accommodation as part of the effort to find permanent housing solutions.
Neami National CEO Tom Dalton said the collective response during the pandemic builds on the existing networks within the community.
“These connections are critical in supporting people to move into longer-term housing. This commitment provides us with the opportunity to work with each person to understand their needs and help identify the right support for them,” Mr Dalton said.
“We can assist people to find longer term housing and the right services that provide support to improve health, wellbeing and independence.”
In addition, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is working intensively with Specialist Homelessness Services in regional and rural NSW to assist people in temporary accommodation into longer-term housing.
These initiatives align with the NSW Government’s commitment to halve street sleeping by 2025 as part of its Premier’s Priorities.

In the past 24 hours, one person has been issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) COVID-19.
Yesterday’s PINs:

• About 9.30pm yesterday (Friday 15 May 2020), Traffic and Highway Patrol officers were patrolling Emu Plains when they stopped and spoke to a 19-year-old man on Mitchell’s Pass. The man could not provide a reasonable excuse for leaving home and was issued a $1000 PIN.

A fleet of 89 new state-of-the-art ambulances will be rolled out to communities across NSW as part of a $17 million funding boost from the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new fleet will bring provide additional capacity across the state and ensure the health system can deal with any potential surge in COVID-19 cases.
“This is another step we are taking to ensure our health system is prepared for any spike in COVID-19 cases, especially as we ease restrictions and head into winter,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The manufacture of the 89 extra ambulances is well underway and we expect to have them on road within weeks, in regional and metropolitan communities across the state.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $17 million investment also delivers additional medical supplies including upgraded life-saving defibrillators.
“The package will provide extra defibrillators with features previously only available in acute care environments, as well as critical airway equipment such as Laryngoscopes used for the intubation of seriously ill patients,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This new fleet follows the graduation of 467 new paramedic recruits who will now join NSW Ambulance’s incredible frontline troops who come to our aid and save our lives when we need them the most.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the new fleet and additional paramedics will go a long way to helping us meet the demands of the community during these extraordinary times.
“We are one of the largest ambulance services in the world and this boost to our workforce gives us new strength and support to our very valuable frontline workforce,” Dr Morgan said.
The allocation of new ambulances is currently being finalised, with priority being given to areas experiencing a higher demand for services.
The $17 million is part of the NSW Government’s $800 million investment to boost ICU capacity and purchase additional services and medical equipment

The NSW Government today announced plans to transform a portion of Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH), known as the Herbert Street Precinct, into a thriving community with additional health-related services, public open space, key worker housing and a new educational facility.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the Government’s vision for the Herbert Street Precinct will improve social, health and economic outcomes.
“This is a unique opportunity to improve health services, provide more open space and deliver up to 500 apartments within the site focusing on accommodation for key health-related workers, allowing hard working hospital staff and essential services workers to live close to their work,” Mrs Pavey said.
Member for North Shore, Felicity Wilson said the proposed redevelopment supports the growth of Royal North Shore Hospital as one of the State’s most important health, research and training facilities.
“The development of the Herbert Street Precinct provides the opportunity to improve facilities for key workers, clinicians, patients and allied health services,” Ms Wilson said.
Key features of the transformation include:

• Affordable key worker accommodation (to support the Northern Sydney Local Health District) and ‘build to rent’ apartments
• New commercial office space to support the broader health and education precinct (including office space, retail and short stay accommodation)
• A new educational facility
• 6,000m² additional public domain and open space
• Adaptive re-use of heritage buildings
• Improved connectivity and pedestrian access to public transport; and
• Additional car parking for commercial, retail and residential uses.

The Government will shortly undertake a detailed consultation program with the RNSH community, government agencies, Willoughby Council, local businesses and the general public. Details of the consultation activities and events will be made available shortly.
A planning submission for the rezoning of the Herbert Street Precinct and redevelopment proposal will follow this preliminary consultation period.
There will be no immediate change to the RNSH Campus and no disruption to clinicians, patients, staff or visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To view the Herbert Street Precinct transformation fly-through and images, visit: www.herbertstreetprecinct.com.au, https://virtualideas.sharefile.com/share/view/sc146ca066ba4e549

A woman has been charged after drugs and several weapons were seized from a property in the Hunter yesterday.
About 6am (Thursday 14 May 2020), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police Target Action Group – with the assistance of Operation Utah officers – executed a firearms and weapons prohibition order at a home on Wattle Close, Metford.
During the search, police located and seized two long arm rifles, two ‘gel blaster’ style firearms, cannabis, amphetamines and stolen number plates.
A 35-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.
She was charged with 11 offences, including:

• Goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not m/v)
• Possess prohibited drug (x2)
• Acquire etc firearm – subject to prohibition order
• Possess unauthorised firearm (x2)
• Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm (x2)
• Not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm/pistol
• Not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm
• Possess more than three unregistered firearms without licence/permit

The woman was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Thursday 14 May 2020), where she was again refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 27 May 2020.

In the past 24 hours, two people have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) COVID-19.
Yesterday’s PINs:

• About 2.45pm yesterday (Thursday 14 May 2020), officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling Maroubra, when they stopped and spoke to a man at the intersection of Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road, who was drinking a can of Jim Beam in an alcohol-free zone. The man had previously been issued with a PIN at the same location three days earlier. He was given another $1000 infringement.
• About 10am yesterday, officers from Leichhardt Traffic and Highway Patrol spoke with a man on The Crescent, Annandale. When it was determined the 38-year-old had already been warned three times in relation to breaches of the Public Health Act, he was issued with a PIN.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction 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.

Additional police officers have been allocated to the Cybercrime Squad as COVID-19 restrictions see a rise in cybercrime reports.
Eight additional investigators have been added to the Cybercrime Squad following a noticeable increase in online scams, including vendors selling personal protective equipment for vastly elevated prices.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said these officers would join thousands of others across the state helping the community through the pandemic.
“We have more than 17,000 police officers in NSW, who have been working around the clock to protect the community, including enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, overseeing quarantine hotels and patrolling our roads,” Ms Berejiklian.
“NSW has some of the finest police officers in the world, and every one of them has had a role to play in the fight against this pandemic, adapting to a fast-changing and unprecedented environment, implementing new policies, procedures and legislation.
“The NSW Police Force has played, and continues to play an incredibly important role during the pandemic, and we are grateful for their efforts.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new positions are part of the NSW Government’s $583 million investment in 1,500 additional police over four years.
“The Premier, the Health Minister and I have been working in lock-step with the Police Commissioner over the past weeks and months and the work of our police can’t be faulted,” Mr Elliott said.
“NSW Police have laid 187 charges and issued more than 1,200 Penalty Infringement Notices for non-compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, and have responded to around 17,000 calls to Crime Stoppers. As we start to ease restrictions across the state, the police will once again step up to ensure our citizens are safe.”
“On behalf of the NSW Government, I thank our Police Force for their unwavering service and commitment.”

Small businesses facing challenges amid COVID-19 can receive free advice on support options available from the NSW Government through a series of new webinars.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the webinars would provide valuable information for businesses on the following topics:

• $10,000 small business COVID-19 support grant
• cash flow
• tax concessions
• workplace safety
• commercial leases and procurement opportunities.

“We know small businesses are doing it tough and the information in these webinars will help business owners make decisions about the steps they should take to get through this challenging time,” Mr Tudehope said.
“We are featuring speakers from Business Connect, Service NSW, Revenue NSW, SafeWork NSW, Training Services NSW, NSW Small Business Commission, Procurement NSW and the Industry Capability Network (ICN).”
“The webinars will feature a live question and answer session with participants able to direct questions to the various Government representatives.”
The NSW Government has also rolled out a series of eight short videos focusing on individual small businesses from across the metropolitan area and regional NSW.
Each video provides insights from small business owners on how they have successfully diversified their operations amid the current challenges.
“I know small business owners are looking for advice on a number of issues including how to transfer to online operation, and these videos will give you tips on how you can.
To book in for today’s COVID-19 Small Business Support Information webinar, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/covid-19-small-business-support-webinar-tickets-104388027400
To book in for the COVID-19 Small Business Procurement Opportunities webinar on Thursday 21 May, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/covid-19-small-business-procurement-opportunities-tickets-104625361272?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

The NSW Government further extends its support to the communities recovering from bushfires with a range of fee-free vocational education courses, following an initial suite of courses announced earlier this year on the South Coast.
Fee-free courses are being introduced in areas such as Port Macquarie, West Kempsey, Wauchope, Tuncurry, Taree, Macksville, Cooma and Tumut. Courses available range from First Aid, White Card, Chainsaw and Fell Trees, Dozer Operations and more.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said more than 500 people were enrolled in the fee-free courses in the South Coast.
“One of the best ways we can support disaster affected communities is with practical training programs,” Mr Lee said.
“These courses will equip communities with the skills they need as they rebuild and repair critical infrastructure such as homes and businesses. They also create new employment opportunities to assist locals to get back on their feet.
“The training will be delivered by TAFE NSW and other Registered Training Organisations.”
For more information about the range of fee-free courses available to bushfire affected communities, visit www.training.nsw.gov.au or call 13 28 11.

The NSW Government has today announced the approval of a $1.49 billion revamp of the Mt Druitt CBD, which will create 15,000 jobs and breathe new life into Western Sydney.
The green light for the rezoning proposal paves the way for more than 2,800 new homes to be built in the precinct, as well as new cafés, restaurants, retail outlets and commercial space in taller buildings.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Mt Druitt CBD rezoning was one of the first projects to have its assessment fast-tracked as part the Planning System Acceleration Program that is keeping people in jobs and the economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This project has been three years in the making and marks the beginning of an exciting new future for Western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“More than 2,900 construction jobs will be created to build this vibrant new hub, as well as thousands more permanent jobs as the new CBD comes to life.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Mt Druitt CBD rezoning is the sixth project to be determined through the Government’s new fast-tracked assessment program.   “In the past two weeks alone, the Planning System Acceleration Program has injected $1.87 billion in to the State’s economy and created opportunities for more than 16,000 jobs,” Mr Stokes said.
“Today’s approval is another exciting step forward for Western Sydney and means development applications for the Mt Druitt CBD can be lodged immediately.”
The NSW Government has worked closely with Blacktown City Council to amend its Local Environmental Plan, which rezones 24 hectares of land to facilitate more mixed-use commercial and residential development.
For more information visit: https://bit.ly/2SVusO3