Category: NSW News

In the past 24 hours, seven people have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) after breaching the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) COVID-19.
Yesterday’s PINs:
• About 1.30pm yesterday (Friday 8 May 2020), officers from Brisbane Water Police District attended Burns Park, Gosford, where a group of five people were consuming alcohol, contrary to the alcohol-free zone. After speaking with the group, three women, aged 28, 40 and 44, were issued a $1000 PIN after they had each been previously warned.
• About 6.45pm, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers stopped a Subaru on Carrington Road, Castle Hill, after it was alleged to have committed a number of traffic offences. The driver, an 18-year-old man was spoken to and was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. He was issued traffic infringements for exceed speed limit more than 10 km/h, not give sufficient right change of direction signal, not display P-plates, and use mobile phone while driving. The Castle Hill man was also issued a $1000 PIN after previously being warned.
• About 8pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling George Street, when they spoke to a man regarding some unrelated outstanding matters. The 33-year-old was arrested and told officers he was out to ‘breath’. He was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with larceny and trespass. He will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 19 July 2020. The Surry Hills man was also issued a $1000 PIN after previously being warned.
• Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to the intersection of Maroubra Road and Anzac Parade, Maroubra just after 8pm, after reports a woman had verbally abused a 27-year-old man and damaged his home. The 42-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station. She was charged with common assault and malicious damage and will appear at Waverley Local Court on Monday 27 July 2020. The Maroubra woman was also issued a $1000 PIN after previously being warned.
• About 9pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Pirrama Park, Pyrmont when they stopped and spoke to four teenagers. The group were unable to provide police with a reasonable excuse for being out. A 17-year-old boy was issued a $1000 PIN after previously being warned. All were given a move on direction to return home.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

An extension of George Street’s car-free zone in Sydney’s CBD, a new pedestrian-only boulevard in Liverpool’s Railway Street and a ‘people’s loop’ in Parramatta Park have been given the green light today as part of a plan to transform streets into shared spaces in response to COVID-19.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes today announced three trial pedestrianisation programs alongside a new $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program that will fund council projects to provide more space for communities to safely walk, cycle and exercise.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for more public spaces – and easy, safe access to it,” Mr Stokes said.
“Whether it’s new cycle lanes, pedestrian-only streets or wider footpaths, we’re committed to working with councils and communities to fund projects that can make life better for everyone – both now and once the pandemic is over.”
Councils will be able to apply for Streets as Shared Spaces program grants of up to $100,000 for immediate temporary projects, such as widening footpaths and cycle lanes and up to $1 million for medium-term pilot projects, such as extra crossing points, wider kerbs and trialling lower speed limits.
The community can also submit their ideas for local projects through an new online social pinpoint map that allows users to click on an area and leave their comments and ideas.
The three trial programs announced today include:

• Eastern Harbour City: The NSW Government is partnering with the City of Sydney to extend George Street’s car-free zone in both directions between Bathurst and Campbell Streets and extended in the southbound direction to Rawson Place. The existing temporary closure in the southbound direction from Bathurst to Campbell Street will be made permanent.
• Central River City: World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park’s People Loop Trial will see temporary changes made to vehicle access, parking and circulation for two-months from 19 May 2020, to improve the experience of walking and cycling in the Park.
• Western Parkland City: The NSW Government is partnering with Liverpool City Council to install temporary street furniture and trees to slow vehicle traffic and pedestrianise the laneway behind Railway Street in the Liverpool City Centre.

Transport for NSW has worked with the City of Sydney to continue to deliver on the benefits of the Light Rail to transform George Street into the civic spine of the CBD.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “The George Street light rail has changed not just how people get around the city, but how they experience the city.
“With new street trees, planter boxes, outdoor dining, seating and pedestrianisation, people were already taking back and enjoying George Street before COVID-19 hit. When the crisis passes, it will once again be a place to linger and gather rather than just hurrying through,” Ms Moore said.
The Streets as Shared Spaces program will also help the NSW Government reach its ambitious target to increase the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes’ walk of quality green, open and public space by 10 per cent by 2023.
Councils can apply for Streets as Shared Spaces grants until 10 June 2020.
For more information visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/streets

Incredible firsthand video accounts from veterans who served in the Second World War have recalled the moment victory in Europe was declared 75 years ago.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said the remarkable stories take us back in time to commemorate VE Day, an important event in Australia’s war time history.
“We are privileged to have these recordings of our veterans’ eyewitness accounts of VE Day so their stories can be told again and again to future generations,” said Mr Lee.
“Our soldiers escaped dangerous situations, risking their lives to support the Allied Forces’ fight against German occupation in Europe.”
95 year old Max Barry was a Royal Australian Air Force rear gunner and tells his story of great escapes and survival, after parachuting from a Lancaster bomber in 1944.
“We caught on fire and one engine after another packed up. The pilot said we had to bail out… so we did,” said Mr Barry.
Mr Barry spent 11 months as a prisoner of war before VE Day led to his freedom but he always had a deep sense he would make it back home.
“I was always confident I was going to survive. I’m still doing it!”
100 year old Bill Geoghegan who served with the Royal Australian Air Force and Bomber Command said he is lucky to have survived.
“One night there were two crews and they tossed up to see who would go on the operation. The other crew went and they never came back. It wasn’t my time,” said Mr Geoghegan.
Mr Lee encourages everyone to watch and read the veterans’ incredible accounts on the new NSW Stories section of the War Memorial Register website, which has been launched especially for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Nearly one million Australians served in the Second World War with 39,000 Australians losing their lives and another 30,000 taken prisoner.
For more information: www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/nsw-stories

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

• About 1.30am yesterday (Thursday 7 May 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a cyclist on Thomas Street, Haymarket, with the 44-year-old Artarmon man saying he doesn’t like being at home. When checks revealed the man may be riding a stolen bike, police were told he had bought it cheap a few days ago, but he couldn’t recall from whom or where. Further checks revealed the man had received multiple warnings and fines, so he was arrested and charged with breach of bail, goods in custody and fail to comply with noticed direction – COVID 19. He appeared at Central Local Court yesterday.

• About 9.45am, officers from Police Transport Command stopped a 29-year-old man at Cabramatta Railway Station for travelling without a valid ticket/Opal card. When asked why he had travelled to the area, the Wiley Park man advised he was bored and wanted to look at the pretty women. After checks revealed the man was not to attend Cabramatta, he was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station. It’s alleged the man became irate on arrest and began swearing continuously. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and use offensive language in/near public place. He was refused bail and appeared at court yesterday, where he was granted conditional bail to re-appear on Thursday 21 May 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs:

• About 9.45am (Thursday 7 May 2020), officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command spoke to a 40-year-old man, who was drinking beer in the alcohol exclusion zone at Dawson Mall. Police directed him to dispose the drink and he was moved-on. When police responded to reports of an altercation at Dawson Mall about 2.40pm, they again spoke with the man. Officers were told he had entered a nearby shopping centre in contravention of a banning notice and purchased alcohol. The man was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with trespass and issued a $1000 PIN.

• Officers from Oxley Police District were patrolling at Quirindi, when they stopped and spoke to a 27-year-old man on George Street about 5pm. The man did not have any purpose for being out and during a subsequent search, police located cannabis and drug paraphernalia. He was advised he would be issued a Court Attendance Notice in relation to the seized items and after checks revealed he had received numerous previous COVID-related warnings, he was issued with a $1000 PIN and given a move-on direction. The man was again located hanging around the same area about 90 minutes later and given another warning and move-on direction.

• About 10pm, officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command were called to home on De Witt Place, Willmot in relation to a noise complaint. On arrival, police observed a group of at least 15 people inside the home celebrating a birthday. All non-residents were given warnings in relation to breaching Ministerial Directions and told to leave the home. Police were called back to the property about 11.35pm as the noise was continuing and a 27-year-old woman, who was not a resident and previously given a warning, was still at the property. She was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

A woman will appear in court today charged over allegedly spitting on a bus driver in Sydney’s CBD.
About 5pm on Wednesday (6 May 2020), a woman, carrying a dog, boarded a bus stopped on Eddy Avenue in Haymarket.
Police will allege in court that when the bus driver, a 44-year-old man, told her that dogs were not permitted onboard, she refused to leave and spat on him.
The woman then ran from the bus through the front doors.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, including a public appeal, police arrested a 52-year-old woman in Dacey Gardens about 10.30am today (Friday 8 May 2020).
She was taken to Maroubra Police Station, where she was charged with common assault.
The Matraville woman was refused bail to appear before Central Local Court today.

In the past 24 hours, three men have been dealt with under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) COVID-19, with one charged and two others issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs).
Yesterday’s charge:
• About 3am yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command responded to reports three people were arguing on The Kingsway, Gymea. As police arrived, two men – aged 18 and 21 – ran from the location and were located nearby hiding behind a parked car. The men and a woman were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out. When an officer identified one of the men as being wanted for a recent stealing offence, he allegedly ran from the area, pursued on foot by police, who arrested him after a short struggle near Gymea Railway Station. The 21-year-old man was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with resist officer in the execution of duty and larceny. He has been refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 7 May 2020). Checks revealed the 18-year-old man had previously received numerous warnings and was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday 29 July 2020. The 22-year-old woman was given a warning for the breach of the Ministerial Directions.
Yesterday’s PINs:
• Just before 3pm (Wednesday 6 May 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling George Street, when they observed three men sitting on the footpath near Railway Square. When police approached, one man became aggressive, stating the laws did not apply to him and allegedly continued to shout and swear. He was arrested and moved away from the other two men while checks were conducted, which revealed he had previously received a warning. The 48-year-old man was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN, while the other two men were issued warnings.
• About 6.40pm, officers from Blacktown Police Area Command were patrolling when they stopped to speak with a 43-year-old man who was sitting on a bench outside Blacktown Library. Checks revealed the man had previously been warned by police on three separate occasions for breaching Ministerial Directions. After the man could not provide a reasonable excuse for being at the location, he was issued a $1000 PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

A woman will appear in court today after allegedly spitting on a woman at a park in Darling Harbour this morning.
About 7.15am (Thursday 7 May 2020), a 60-year-old woman and her husband were exercising in Tumbalong Park when they were approached by a 43-year-old woman.
The younger woman threw a glass coffee cup towards the woman and started yelling racial abuse before allegedly spitting on her.
The older woman and her husband tried to walk away, but she continued following while yelling abuse.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling nearby and were alerted to the incident.
They located the woman and placed her under arrest before taking her to Day Street Police Station where she was charged with intimidation, common assault, and offensive behaviour.
She was refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court today (Thursday 7 May 2020).

Service NSW has been contacted around 1.5 million times since COVID-19 began, with people turning to the app, calling the hotline and visiting the website to remain informed and learn about the impact of the virus on their local area.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 2 million people have downloaded the Service NSW app and 63,000 phone calls have been made to the hotline with the most common questions being about restrictions, traveling to visit family and providing transport.
“Families and businesses are under enormous stress right now, but we are helping make life easier for them by providing a one stop shop where they can get all the information and support they need,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Whether you’re a business owner after details on financial assistance, a couple wanting to book an appointment with a cost of living specialist, or a senior seeking the latest information on restrictions, Service NSW is here to help.”
The top five questions Service NSW has been asked are:

1. Can I travel interstate?
2. Can I travel to visit my kids/parents/brother/sister/friend/partner?
3. Can I travel to see my elderly parents on ANZAC Day?
4. Can I provide transport to family/friends to pick up food/essentials?
5. Can I travel for work purposes / medical purposes?

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said support is available at Service NSW Centres, over the phone, via the app and online.
“It’s the Service NSW way to put customers first and make access to information and programs as painless and efficient as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“Download the free Service NSW app to receive the latest COVID-19 information. Staff are also contactable around the clock to point customers in the right direction via the 24/7 hotline on 13 77 88.”
Other examples of COVID-19 assistance available via Service NSW includes:

• $10,000 small business grants – more than 18,750 grants have been approved;
• Cost of living support – phone appointments with specialists are available to assist customers with finding savings, including newly established COVID-19 specific rebates. Households have collectively saved more than $1.6 billion since July 2018, with the average customer saving $563;
• More than 200,000 businesses to benefit from up to $70 million in tradie and liquor licence fee waivers.

Further information on Service NSW is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au

Landlords providing rent relief for eligible tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 can now apply for land tax concessions online.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the land tax concessions were part of a wide range of support measures designed to help those in need and to support jobs and business.
“Eligible landlords will be able to apply for a land tax concession of up to 25 per cent of their 2020 land tax liability on relevant properties so long as they pass on the full savings in the form of a rent reduction to their tenants,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The land tax concession is expected to be divided approximately 50-50 with around $220 million going to the commercial sector and a further $220 million expected to benefit the residential sector.”
Once approved, a concession will be applied to any unpaid 2020 land tax notices, and refunds will be issued for payments already made this year. Those refunds are expected to take up to five days to process once determined.
Landlords can find out more about eligibility and apply for a tax concession online  and are encouraged to complete their applications before 31 October 2020.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was committed to supporting people, communities and businesses during COVID-19.
“We are doing everything we can to keep people in jobs and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Small businesses severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions may be eligible for the NSW Government’s $10,000 Small Business Support Fund grant and those with a payroll of $10 million or less can get a 25 per cent payroll waiver for 2019-20.”
To find out more about how the NSW Government is working to bolster our health resources, protect jobs and businesses visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/support

Volunteers are being empowered to provide welfare checks, deliver supplies and offer essential transport to vulnerable people through a new online platform linking community members with charities, NGOs and councils in need of support.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward encouraged volunteers and organisations to register on the new Emergency Support Volunteering website to help support people impacted by COVID-19.
“In times of crisis, we rally around each other and do everything we can to support those who are struggling. We saw it during the bushfire emergency and we are seeing it again now,” Mr Ward said.
“The pandemic is placing a significant strain on volunteer-driven organisations who support vulnerable members of our community, and many require more people to help meet demand.
“This platform allows you to register your details online and an organisation in your local area will get in touch and offer volunteering opportunities when they arise.”
The NSW Government has partnered with the Centre for Volunteering to develop the platform which is also operating in Victoria and Western Australia.
Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the platform prioritises the safety and wellbeing of participants and is designed to offer informal voluntary opportunities that consider physical distancing restrictions.
“There are many ways you can safely volunteer during the current pandemic, including by making welfare check phone calls from the comfort of your home, or by delivering groceries to those unable to do their own shopping,” Ms Rygate said.
“This new platform is a link for spontaneous volunteers and organisations, and has capacity to be used beyond COVID-19 as a means of connecting willing participants with organisations in need of support during an emergency.”
For more information, and to register, visit https://emergency.volunteer.org.au/.