Category: NSW News

A woman and a teenage girl will appear in court today over separate alleged spitting incidents in Sydney’s south west and Lower North Shore.
About 8.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2020), officers from Campbelltown City Police Area Command were called to a fast food restaurant at a shopping centre on Gould Road, Eagle Vale, after a woman allegedly spat at an employee and shattered a glass door at the store.
Police were told a 51-year-old woman became aggressive and spat at the 18-year-old staff member when her card failed while attempting to pay for her order.
Following inquiries, the woman was arrested in the shopping centre and taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
While in custody, it’s alleged the woman claimed she was positive for COVID-19 and coughed in the face of a male senior constable.
The woman was charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, common assault and destroy or damage property.
She was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 30 April 2020).
In a separate incident, about 3.20pm last Thursday (23 April 2020), a group of three girls got on a bus on Military Road at Cremorne Junction, and sat together at the back of the bus.
Police have been told the bus driver, a 52-year-old woman, approached the girls and spoke to them.
As the driver returned to the front of the bus, the girls followed and it’s alleged one of them, aged 13, spat at the driver as they exited.
Officers from North Shore Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, police arrested a 13-year-old girl at a home in East Killara about 1.30pm yesterday.
She was taken to Chatswood Police Station and charged with common assault and breach of bail.
The girl was refused bail to appear at a children’s court today.

Police have issued 23 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) and laid no charges under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 1pm yesterday (Tuesday 28 April 2020), officers from Riverina Police District were called to Willow Street, Kooringal, following reports of a suspected break and enter. Upon arrival, police stopped a 33-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman riding bicycles. During a search of the pair, torches and other tools were located. Checks revealed they had both been given a previous warning for breaching Ministerial Directions and were subsequently issued with $1000 PINs. The man was also issued infringement notices for trespass and rider not wear bicycle helmet.

• About 2.40am yesterday, police stopped and spoke with a 30-year-old man who was walking through Muswellbrook. The man could not provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his home and checks revealed he had been given three previous warnings for beaching Ministerial Directions. The man was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• Just after 12.30am yesterday, officers from South Sydney Police Area Command attended a home on Park Street, Erskineville, following a noise complaint. Upon arrival, a 34-year-old Burwood man spoke to police from a window of the home. He allegedly told police he was at the home for a party with friends. Checks revealed the man had been given a previous warning on Saturday 18 April 2020 and he was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 8.20pm yesterday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Parramatta Railway Station when they spoke to three youths. They group allegedly told police they were waiting for a friend. One of the youths, a 16-year-old girl from Macquarie Fields, also told police she had stayed with friends at a hotel in Parramatta on Monday (27 April 2020). Checks revealed she had previously been issued a warning on Wednesday 8 April 2020 and was issued with a $1000 PIN. The other youths were issued warnings.

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.

More than 550 new and redeployed cleaners are boosting the State’s first line of defence against COVID-19 under the NSW Government’s $250 million cleaners’ package.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the fresh wave of cleaners had resulted in enhanced cleaning of vital public infrastructure including schools, TAFE and transport facilities.
“While these cleaners are improving hygiene across the State, this package will provide a much-needed social and economic boost across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Not only will this package support jobs and businesses, importantly it will also give the public the peace of mind that the Government is ensuring our public transport and education facilities remain as clean as possible at all times.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was on track to see the equivalent of 3,000 full-time cleaners on board by the end of June.
“The thousands of jobs being generated from our stimulus package is also keeping people in jobs, and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We’re hiring new cleaners, increasing the hours of existing cleaners and redeploying cleaners who would otherwise have lost jobs due to the temporary closure of some public facilities.”
The funding has helped Western Sydney company VDG Services, who are sanitising more than 550 State Transit buses daily in the eastern suburbs, keep a dozen workers in jobs after some clients cut back on cleaning.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said this was one example of the Government’s package making a meaningful difference in Transport, where cleaning efforts across the network have increased by over 83,000 hours since March.
“We’ve introduced a number of new measures to ensure our transport network is as clean as possible with crews working through the night to disinfect trains, buses, metro, light rail, ferries, depots and facilities ready for the morning commute,” Mr Constance said.
“People catching a train might see one of our flying squads get on at one station and wipe down the train before getting off at another station to get on another train to do the job again. Or those catching a ferry, might see one of our teams wiping down the Opal readers or cleaning the terminal, making sure people are protected.”
Transport for NSW has distributed approximately 185,500 litres of hand sanitiser to staff, while 300 hand sanitiser stations across all 165 stations on the Sydney Trains network are available for customers, with the expansion to ferry wharves underway.
Thousands of personal hand sanitisers and packets of disinfectant wipes have also been distributed to staff at all train stations, bus depots, work sites and offices, including our frontline workers.
Mr Perrottet said small and medium-sized cleaning businesses could apply for supplementary Government cleaning contracts to help fight the spread of COVID-19 through a new business portal.
“We’re recruiting small and medium-sized cleaning businesses to help existing contractors with the cleaning task, with more than 50 businesses pre-qualified and able to get to work as ready-to-go teams,” Mr Perrottet said.
A compliant application takes around three days to be processed, with businesses placed on a pre-qualified list for Government agencies to engage with.
Supplementary contracts available include;

• General cleaning in low risk areas,
• Enhanced cleaning for COVID-19 risk reduction,
• Environment cleaning of facilities after a suspected COVID-19 diagnosis, and cleaning auditing services.

Registrations for supplementary cleaning contracts can be made here. More information about the NSW Government economic stimulus packages is available at nsw.gov.au.

Thousands of new homes, new industrial complexes and six schools are among the first wave of projects that will have their assessments fast-tracked to boost the State’s economy and create opportunities for thousands of new jobs in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have today announced the first 24 projects to undergo a fast-tracked assessment process as part of the NSW Government’s new Planning System Acceleration Program.
“By fast-tracking assessments, we will keep people in jobs and keep the construction industry moving as we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic and set our sights on economic recovery,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The 24 projects identified in the first tranche of fast-tracked assessments have the potential to: – Create almost 9,500 new jobs during construction and once complete; – Inject $7.54 billion into the State’s economy; – Deliver more than 325,000 square metres of new public open space, parks and environmental conservation lands; and – Allow more than 4,400 new homes to be built, including more than 1,000 social and affordable homes.
Mr Stokes said decisions will be made on the first tranche of projects within the next four weeks.
“This will mean shovel-ready projects can get underway and the construction pipeline can continue to grow,” Mr Stokes said.
“If approved, these projects will be a win-win for NSW: delivering jobs for today, and local community and business benefits tomorrow.”
“It’s important to note that this is not a greenlighting exercise, the same stringent checks, balances and community consultation that ensures transparency, public benefit and merit-based assessment of projects remain.”
The criteria to identify and progress projects through a fast-tracked assessment
process has also been released.
To be considered for a fast-tracked assessment, the development application (DA) or rezoning must already be in the system, deliver a public benefit, demonstrate an ability to create jobs during construction and once complete, be able to commence construction within six months (for a State Significant Development application or State Significant Infrastructure application) or allow a DA to be lodged within six months (for a rezoning).
The criteria has been formulated by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in consultation with government agencies and key industry groups. A probity advisor will continue to oversee and report on the fast-tracked process to ensure it is transparent and robust.
Mr Perrottet said additional projects that fit the new criteria would go through the fasttracked process, with further tranches to be announced.
“We know our planning system will be a key lever in driving investment in NSW as we come out of this crisis,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW already has the country’s biggest infrastructure program and we need to do what we can now to make sure that continues.”
Fast-tracking project assessments is one of the key pillars of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that will create opportunities for more than 30,000 jobs by the end of September 2020.
Other elements of the Program include a new one-stop shop for industry, clearing the backlog of cases stuck in the Land & Environment Court and investing $70 million to co-fund vital new community infrastructure in North West Sydney.
To view the fast-tracked assessment criteria and list of projects visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/fast-tracked-assessments.

The NSW Government has announced an update on COVID-19 restrictions and how our schools and retail outlets will look for the month of May.
There will be three key changes that will take effect across NSW next month:

• From Friday, 1 May up to two adults and their dependent children will be allowed to visit another household.
• We will see a return of face-to-face teaching from 11 May, and then will consider accelerating a full return to school as soon as possible.
• There have never been restrictions in NSW on what people can and cannot buy, however there may be increased retail activity, with some businesses choosing to re-open. It is important these shops maintain social distancing and hygiene requirements.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this update on visits to households has been made to reduce social isolation and improve mental health.
“It extends the existing guidelines of being able to leave home for ‘care or medical purposes’,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The two adults need not be related.
“The last thing any of us want to see is a huge spike in cases.
“We need anyone with even the mildest of symptoms anywhere in NSW to stay home and come forward for testing.”
There is no limit on how far you can travel within NSW so long as you respect the rules and the reason is consistent with one of the four categories for leaving home.
It is important when visiting another household social distancing is maintained and extra hygiene precautions are taken. When visiting, meeting in an outdoor environment such as home garden, backyard or verandah will help reduce the risk.
If you are visiting those aged over 70 or those with underlying health conditions we are urging you to be extra vigilant with social distancing and hygiene measures.
It is also important to remember that you do not visit anyone if you or they are unwell, even if you have mild symptoms like fatigue or a scratchy throat.
The two-person gathering limit still applies to public places.
For the latest information on COVID-19 please go to nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

Testing is ramping up on the New Intercity Fleet with the first two new trains now travelling on the network under their own power.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance and Minister for Regional Transport Paul Toole were given a close-up look at the progress being made.
“When the trains first arrived, on-track testing involved using a locomotive to haul the carriages. What we’re seeing today is a really exciting milestone because they’re now travelling around the network under their own power,” Mr Constance said.
“Over the next few months you’ll see more of these trains on the network as we progressively test all train systems including Automatic Train Protection, passenger door systems, passenger information, CCTV, ride comfort as well as the maximum speed of 160kph. We’ll also be using this time to familiarise the train crew with the new operating systems and technology on board.”
Mr Toole said work was continuing on important enabling works across the intercity network.
“These are modern trains featuring the latest technology, so we need to ensure we upgrade the infrastructure on the network to accommodate them,” Mr Toole said.
“Work is also continuing on sections of the Blue Mountains Line, which will enable customers living between Springwood and Lithgow to experience a new train for the first time since the last of the V-Sets were introduced in 1989.
“This work, along with the construction of the new maintenance facility at Kangy Angy, has helped to create around 1600 local jobs.”
The New Intercity Fleet is comprised of 55 10-car trains, which will service customers across the Central Coast, Newcastle, South Coast and Blue Mountains.
The new trains will feature more amenities for customers, including comfortable two-by-two seating, charging points for mobile devices, as well as storage for luggage and bicycles.

Police have charged seven people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 15 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charge:

• About 12.30pm (Monday 27 April 2020), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended a park on Botany Street, Randwick, and spoke to a 39-year-old man drinking alcohol at the location. Checks revealed he was in breach of his bail and had previously been charged for not complying with a ministerial direction on Wednesday 15 April 2020. He was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2020).

• About 1pm (Monday 27 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to two men on Goulburn Street, Sydney. During a search of a 43-year-old man, police allegedly located methylamphetamine. Checks revealed the Bondi man was issued a warning about breaching a ministerial direction on Friday 17 April 2020. He was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 2 July 2020.

• Just before 1pm (Monday 27 April 2020), officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to the intersection of Pittwater Road and Oaks Avenue, Dee Why, following reports of a brawl. Upon arrival, police found three separate groups of males. Two of the males – aged 17 and 18 – were arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station. The 18-year-old Punchbowl man was charged with affray, use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, resist officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today. The youth was charged with affray and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court today.

• About 11.30am (Monday 27 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended Hickson Road, Dawes Point, and spoke with a 44-year-old man. He allegedly told police he was there to smoke and “chill out”. Checks revealed he was previously issued a warning on Saturday 18 April 2020 at the same location. Following a search of the man, police allegedly located cannabis. The Blacktown man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with possess prohibited drug and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 15 July 2020.

• About 3am (Monday 27 April 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command were called to Ewos Parade, Cronulla, following reports of two males fighting in the street. Police attended and attempted to speak to the occupant of one of the units. It’s alleged the man, aged 25, verbally abused officers and a further man and woman also began to yell at the officers. Police arrested the 25-year-old man. He was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with use offensive language in/near public place and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 16 July 2020.

• About 9.45am (Monday 27 April 2020), officers from Inner West Police Area Command were patrolling the Marrickville area when they stopped and spoke to a 29-year-old man on Illawarra Road, near Hill Street. It’s alleged he could not provide a reasonable excuse for leaving home and became verbally abuse towards officers. He was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station where he was charged with use offensive language in/near public place, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 1.30am, officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command were patrolling Cronulla Street, Cronulla, when they stopped and spoke to a 39-year-old man who was not able to provide police with a reasonable excuse for leaving home. It’s alleged the man became abusive towards police. He was issued with an infringement for offensive behaviour and a $1000 PIN.

• About 8am, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling Patanga Street, Hawks Nest, when they stopped and spoke to the occupants of a stationary vehicle. The 41-year-old man and 39-year-old woman did not have a reasonable excuse for leaving home and checks revealed they were given a warning on Thursday 16 April 2020. Both were issued $1000 PINs.

• About 2.50pm, officers from Wollongong Police Transport Command were patrolling Wollongong Railway Station, when they stopped and spoke to a 30-year-old-man about a transport offence. The man was not able to provide police with a reasonable excuse for being in the area. The man had been given a warning last Thursday (23 April 2020) and 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: 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.

Thousands of new homes, new industrial complexes and six schools are among the first wave of projects that will have their assessments fast-tracked to boost the State’s economy and create opportunities for thousands of new jobs in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have today announced the first 24 projects to undergo a fast-tracked assessment process as part of the NSW Government’s new Planning System Acceleration Program.
“By fast-tracking assessments, we will keep people in jobs and keep the construction industry moving as we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic and set our sights on economic recovery,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The 24 projects identified in the first tranche of fast-tracked assessments have the potential to: – Create almost 9,500 new jobs during construction and once complete; – Inject $7.54 billion into the State’s economy; – Deliver more than 325,000 square metres of new public open space, parks and environmental conservation lands; and – Allow more than 4,400 new homes to be built, including more than 1,000 social and affordable homes.
Mr Stokes said decisions will be made on the first tranche of projects within the next four weeks.
“This will mean shovel-ready projects can get underway and the construction pipeline can continue to grow,” Mr Stokes said.
“If approved, these projects will be a win-win for NSW: delivering jobs for today, and local community and business benefits tomorrow.”
“It’s important to note that this is not a greenlighting exercise, the same stringent checks, balances and community consultation that ensures transparency, public benefit and merit-based assessment of projects remain.”
The criteria to identify and progress projects through a fast-tracked assessment
process has also been released.
To be considered for a fast-tracked assessment, the development application (DA) or rezoning must already be in the system, deliver a public benefit, demonstrate an ability to create jobs during construction and once complete, be able to commence construction within six months (for a State Significant Development application or State Significant Infrastructure application) or allow a DA to be lodged within six months (for a rezoning).
The criteria has been formulated by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in consultation with government agencies and key industry groups. A probity advisor will continue to oversee and report on the fast-tracked process to ensure it is transparent and robust.
Mr Perrottet said additional projects that fit the new criteria would go through the fasttracked process, with further tranches to be announced.
“We know our planning system will be a key lever in driving investment in NSW as we come out of this crisis,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW already has the country’s biggest infrastructure program and we need to do what we can now to make sure that continues.”
Fast-tracking project assessments is one of the key pillars of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that will create opportunities for more than 30,000 jobs by the end of September 2020.
Other elements of the Program include a new one-stop shop for industry, clearing the backlog of cases stuck in the Land & Environment Court and investing $70 million to co-fund vital new community infrastructure in North West Sydney.
To view the fast-tracked assessment criteria and list of projects visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/fast-tracked-assessments.

Households struggling to pay their energy bills during COVID-19 now have access to additional financial support directly through Service NSW and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, thanks to a $30 million boost to the Government’s emergency support Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the NSW Government is doing everything it can to ease cost-of-living pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic and has more than doubled the budget for the EAPA Scheme next financial year.
“For ease of access, residential energy customers can now apply for EAPA vouchers directly through Service NSW and will be called for an assessment without having to leave their house,” Mr Kean said.
“I encourage people that need bill support during this tough time to head to the Service NSW website and register for an energy voucher assessment.”
The EAPA assessment threshold has been temporarily increased so people can receive up to $400 per assessment twice per year, compared to the normal amount of $300.
“This means the annual maximum limit of vouchers for a household with both electricity and gas has increased from $1,200 to $1,600, up by $400,” Mr Kean said.
“We are expecting more people across NSW to need this emergency bill support as they are faced with unexpected changes to income and usage increases while working from home.”
During the assessment for EAPA vouchers, NSW Government representatives will also contact energy retailers with customers to assist with getting customers onto hardship plans, which will further protect customers during this extraordinarily difficult time.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding for EAPA was part of almost $100 million recently allocated to help our most vulnerable, including $34 million to prevent homelessness, $10 million to support charity programs and $6 million for Lifeline’s operations in NSW.
“We are deploying the financial strength of NSW to bolster the health system, keep people in jobs and assist those most in need of help during this difficult time,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding will help thousands of people meet their energy bills as we head into winter.”
People needing further information should visit service.nsw.gov.au and search EAPA.
At the same time, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders across NSW are being reminded to apply for the Seniors Energy Rebate now.
“With the COVID-19 virus keeping seniors, who are among the most at-risk in our community, confined to their households and using more electricity, we’re very aware of this extra pressure being applied on their back pockets,” Mr Kean said.
“This NSW Government annual rebate, which will ease electricity costs by $200 a year, has been available since July last year but a majority of those eligible are yet to apply, and we’re urging them to do so now before applications for this financial year close.”
The program extends NSW’s generous energy rebates to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders for the first time.
In 2019-20 over $329 million is being invested by the NSW Government on energy rebates alone, with almost a third of all electricity customers receiving a rebate.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) and be the primary account holder named on the electricity bill.
For more information and to apply online, customers can go to service.nsw.gov.au and type ‘Seniors Energy Rebate’ into the search function.
Customers who are unable to apply online can call Service NSW on 13 77 88. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders who have already applied this financial year can reapply again from 1 July 2020 for the new financial year.