Category: NSW News

A man will face court today, charged after a pursuit with police in Maitland overnight.
About 1.35am (Tuesday 28 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, were patrolling the Rutherford area when they saw a Hyundai Tuscon on Harvey Road.
After turning on to the New England Highway, officers attempted to stop the Hyundai; however, it failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, travelling through several suburbs.
At the end of Wallace Street, South Maitland, the Hyundai drove through timber fence and through the backyard of a home on Anzac Street, before colliding with a police om Bloomfield Street.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, got out and ran away before being arrested by police, after a short struggle.
He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.
During a search of the car, officers allegedly located property, believed to have been stolen.
The man was later returned to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), and resist officer in execution of duty, and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2020).

Police have issued three COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences on the Mid North Coast at the weekend.
Officers attached to Manning-Great Lakes Police District commenced an investigation into alleged breaches of the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW), which had been documented on social media.
Police have been told a group of more than 10 men were at a gathering on a rural property near Taree on Saturday 25 April, in contravention of current ministerial directions.
Following extensive inquiries, today (Monday 27 April 2020), three men – two aged 22 and one aged 24 – have been issued with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with a ministerial direction.
The 24-year-old had previously received a warning for breaching the Public Health Act.
Inquiries are continuing to identify the other persons and continue investigations.
Investigations are also continuing into other potential offences, including potential breaches of the Firearms Act (1996) at the Taree property.
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 man has been charged after allegedly coughing at a security officer in a government building in Wollongong earlier today.
About 9am (Monday 27 April 2020), a 48-year-old man attended a government office on Burelli Street, Wollongong.
As the man was leaving the building, he allegedly became verbally abusive towards security staff.
As a security officer directed the man to leave the premises, the man allegedly turned and coughed in his face.
Officers from Wollongong Police District attended a short time later and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A 48-year-old man was arrested outside the building and taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he was charged with assault.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

Police have charged one person under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 23 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charge:

• About 2pm (Sunday 26 April 2020), a 26-year-old woman was at Nepean Hospital seeking treatment, when she allegedly became aggressive towards staff. After threatening them, the woman then allegedly spat on two nurses, two women aged 26 and 34, and a 49-year-old female doctor. Officers from Nepean Police Area Command were notified and attended the hospital. The 26-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station, where she was charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID19, and common assault. The Penrith woman was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 1am, three men – aged 20, 21 and 23 – attended a fast food restaurant on the Princes Highway, Nowra, and sat at an indoor table together. Staff spoke to the trio and informed them the restaurant was only open for take-away meals. They refused and continued to eat their meals before leaving. Officers from South Coast Police District were patrolling nearby and after speaking to staff, police stopped their vehicle. The 20-year-old driver told police he had driven from Bexley to Sussex Inlet to buy a boat with two friends. They were each issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

• About 1am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling when they observed two males drinking alcohol on Penrith Avenue, Wheeler Heights. When approaching, it’s alleged they ran from police. Following a short foot pursuit, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested. Officers had previously spoken to the pair two hours earlier about the current Ministerial Directions and were issued with $1000 PINs. The youth was also issued with an infringement for trespass.

• Just after 2am, officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men – aged 22 and 44 – on Glebe Point Road, Glebe. It’s alleged the men could not provide a reason for not being home. Checks revealed the younger man has previously been issued two warnings and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN. The older man was issued a warning.

• About 4pm, officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were called to a unit on West High Street, Coffs Harbour, following reports of a gathering. Police spoke to a 38-year-old man who did not reside at the location. Checks revealed he was previously issued a warning on Thursday 2 April at the same location and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 9am, officers from Riverina Police District were called to Bentley Place, Wagga Wagga, following reports a woman – armed with a tomahawk – was outside a home unit threatening the occupants – a 72-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman. Police attended and arrested a 33-year-old woman. She was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), destroy or damage property, and armed with intent to commit indictable offence. The woman was also issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with Ministerial Directions. She was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

• About 11.20pm, police attended a unit on Park Avenue, Kingswood, and spoke to a 36-year-old Werrington man and a 35-year-old St Marys woman. The pair allegedly told police they were at the location to visit two friends, who were the occupants of the unit. Checks revealed the man and woman had previously been issued warnings and the woman was issued a PIN last Wednesday (22 April 2020). They were subsequently issued $1000 PINs.

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.

The NSW Government today announced a $395 million economic stimulus package to safeguard council jobs, and local services and infrastructure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the COVID-19 crisis has hit councils hard financially and the NSW Government is determined to limit the impacts to keep more people in jobs and allow councils to deliver for communities across the State.
“Our State’s 128 local councils are a critical part of the NSW economy, especially in many regional and rural towns where they are sometimes the largest employer,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This about keeping people in jobs which will allow councils to continue to provide essential services in their communities throughout the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and bounce back faster once we come out the other side.”
The NSW Government’s local government economic stimulus package includes a $250 million increase in low-cost loans to eligible councils through the State’s borrowing facility provided by TCorp to kick-start community infrastructure projects.
This increase brings this low-cost loan facility up to $1.35 billion for the benefit of councils and their communities.
TCorp will also be offering principal and interest payments deferrals on existing council loans upon request for the next six months.
Other measures will include:

• Up to $112.5 million from the NSW Government’s ‘Jobs for NSW’ Fund to support a Council Job Retention Allowance of $1,500 per fortnight per employee to limit job losses in the NSW local government sector. The allowance will be paid for up to three months to qualifying staff working in the NSW local government sector.
• $32.8 million to assist councils meet the cost of the FY2020/21 increase in the Emergency Services Levy.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said this comprehensive package safeguards valuable council jobs and ensures staff with a wide range of skills and experience can continue to serve their communities.
“This funding injection enables councils to redirect funds to critical core services and deliver much-needed financial support for local communities,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Importantly, this package builds on the NSW Government’s $82 million to support 260 council-run childcare centres and $25 million for local councils to rebuild and refurbish local showgrounds, bringing our total support for the local government sector to over half a billion dollars.”

New regulations published in NSW will give immediate effect to the NSW Government’s COVID-19 rental relief measures, reflecting the National Cabinet’s Code of Conduct agreed to by all states.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the changes will support and guide tenants and landlords in negotiating agreements.
They are part of the NSW Government’s package of support for tenants and landlords which includes up to $440 million in land tax relief announced on April 13, to be split approximately 50-50 between the commercial and residential sectors.
“This is about adopting a national framework in NSW so agreements can be reached between parties and more businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs,” Mr Tudehope said.
“These new regulations require landlords to negotiate rent relief agreements with tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 by applying the leasing principles in the National Code of Conduct.”
Mr Tudehope said the regulations – which also apply to commercial leases – would provide a clear way forward for tenants and landlords to reach agreements.
“We’re taking action to provide certainty for landlords and tenants and enshrine into law the measures needed right now as agreed by the National Cabinet. If there is more the Government needs to do, we will address those gaps where possible.”
To facilitate these changes, and deliver increased mediation and advisory services to commercial parties, the NSW Small Business Commission will be bolstered with extra staff and an injection of $10 million from the $1 billion Working for NSW Fund.
Regulations relating to commercial leases were expedited under amendments passed by the NSW Parliament in March, which allow the Government to make laws that are reasonable to protect the health, safety and welfare of lessees or tenants during COVID-19.
New regulations to assist landlords and tenants in the residential sector were also published last week by the Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation.
Mr Perrottet said land tax relief would be available within weeks, with landlords also able to access a further land tax deferral for any outstanding amounts for a three-month period if they’ve claimed the land tax concession.
“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 Perrottet said.
The commercial lease policy will apply to business tenants with a turnover of less than $50 million that experience a 30 per cent (or more) reduction in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If circumstances have not significantly changed, tenants still need to fulfil the terms of their agreements.
For residential tenancies, households must show they have suffered a loss of income equal to or greater than 25 per cent due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make rental payments.
The National Cabinet Mandatory Code Of Conduct – SME Leasing Principles During COVID-19 was released by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, 7 April.
It is expected eligible landlords will be able to apply for land tax rebates from Service NSW from Monday, 4 May 2020.
More information is available via Service NSW, Visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au

Police have charged four people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 28 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• A woman has been charged after allegedly assaulting and spitting on two security officers at a hospital in Darlinghurst yesterday. About 3.50pm(Saturday 25 April 2020), a 28-year-old woman was at St Vincent’s Hospital seeking treatment and allegedly became frustrated with waiting. As the woman tried to leave, she allegedly assaulted a 49-year-old male security guard before spitting in the face of a second security officer, a 48-year-old man. Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command were notified and attended the hospital. The woman was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station, where she was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. The Surry Hills woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2020.

• About 4:30pm, officers from Sydney City PAC were called to World Square to assist paramedics, when a 23-year-old woman became aggressive and allegedly spat on one of the officers. She was treated at St Vincent’s Hospital before being released and taken to Day Street Police Station. The woman was charged with assault police, and not comply noticed direction re spitting/cough – COVID-19. She has been refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 26 April 2020).

• Despite two previous warnings by police and three PINs, a man has been charged for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. About 11.10pm, officers attached to Oxley Police District stopped a vehicle on Grace Street, Narrabri for the purposes of a roadside breath test. The driver, a 24-year-old man, returned a negative result but was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. Following inquiries, he was placed under arrest and taken to Narrabri Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court today.

• About 12.30am (Sunday 26 April 2020), police received reports of a group consuming alcohol and playing loud music at a park on Davidson Street, Warilla. Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District attended the location and spoke to a 20-year-old man who was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his residence. Following inquiries, police confirmed he had recently been charged for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, and prior to that had received a PIN for the same offence. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and is due to appear at Port Kembla Local Court Wednesday 24 June 2020. Two others in attendance were issued with warnings and directed to return home.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• A man has received his second PIN in two days after repeatedly flouting ministerial directions to stay home. About 2.45am, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District stopped a group of three males on Warrie Street, Gilgandra. None of them were able to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home and while two were given formal warnings, checks revealed the third, aged 18, received a warning earlier in the week and received a PIN the day prior. He was issued a $1000 PIN and the group were directed to return to their homes.

• About 9.30am, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were patrolling Devine’s Lookout at Ocean Shores when they spoke with a 24-year-old man who was sitting in his vehicle. Police established the man had previously been warned for breaching the Public Health Act he was stopped at Murwillumbah on Tuesday (21 April) and was issued with a PIN after he was stopped at Ocean Shores about 11.35pm the same day. He has now been issued with a second $1000 PIN.

• About 2.30pm, officers from Sydney City PAC spoke with a man who was walking along Barlow Street in Haymarket. Police allege the Newcastle man said he was visiting a friend in Sydney; however, he had previously been warned for breaching the Public Health Act after he was stopped in Sydney CBD on 16 April 2020. This time he was issued with a $1000 PIN and directed to return home to Newcastle.

• About 2.55pm, officers attached to Sutherland Police Area Command stopped a Holden Utility on Farnell Avenue, Bundeena, after it was allegedly seen driving on the incorrect side of the road. The driver, a 45-year-old man from Drummoyne, and his passenger, a 42-year-old woman from Five Dock, told police they planned to attend a nearby beach. This was deemed by officers not to be essential travel and the pair were issued with $1000 PINS. The driver was also infringed for crossing unbroken lines.

• A man has been issued with a PIN after being spoken to by police for a third time in relation to his obligations under the Public Health Act. About 5pm, officers from Police Transport Command approached a 66-year-old man found sitting in a public area near Strathfield Train Station. He was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. Following inquiries, police confirmed that the man had received two previous warnings for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions and issued him with a $1000 PIN.

• About 10.40pm, officers from Surry Hills PAC stopped a 36-year-old man riding a bicycle on Campbell Street, Surry Hills, without a helmet. Police allege the man said he was going to a friend’s house; however, checks revealed the same man had been given a warning the previous day (Friday 24 April 2020), for breaching the Public Health Act. He was issued a $1000 PIN for breaching COVID restrictions and was infringed for not wearing an approved bicycle helmet.

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 man will appear in court today, charged after allegedly spitting on a ferry worker at Circular Quay earlier this week.
About 12.50pm on Tuesday (22 April 2020), an 18-year-old female NSW ferries employee was walking along the Circular Quay ferry terminal when a man approached and allegedly spat at her, with saliva hitting her chest and neck.
The man continued walking and entered Circular Quay Railway Station.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 45-year-old man was arrested at Bass Hill Police Station about 1.30pm yesterday (Friday 24 April 2020).
He was charged with common assault and refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 23 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• Just after 2pm (Friday 24 April 2020), a 35-year-old man was assaulted outside a takeaway restaurant on Harris Street, Pyrmont. Officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command attended and as they approached a man on nearby Fig Street, he ran off. Following a short foot pursuit, a 26-year-old man was arrested. He was taken to Day Street Police Station where it was established he had received a warning for breaching COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday 15 April 2020. He was charged with common assault and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

• About 4.45pm, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Haymarket when they saw a man approach a black Mazda 3 on Thomas Street, and following a short interaction walk away. Police stopped the vehicle as it attempted to leave and spoke to the driver, a 36-year-old man. Following inquires, officers searched the vehicle, allegedly seizing cocaine and cash. The driver was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station. He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

• About 6pm, officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command were patrolling Blacktown CBD when they stopped to speak to a man on Alpha Street. The man told officers he was going to “my mate’s party”, which is not considered a reasonable excuse for not being home and as such not compliant with orders under the Public Health Act. The 23-year-old had previously breached COVID-19 restrictions on five occasions, three of which he received PINs for. He was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 4.30am, officers attached to Wollongong Police District spoke with a 25-year-old man at Wollongong Train Station, who was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. He was given a warning for not complying with COVID-19 restrictions and directed to return home. About 30 minutes later, police found the man walking in the opposite direction to his home and issued him a $1000 PIN.

• About 10.50am, officers attached to Liverpool Police Area Command approached a parked car on Maxwells Avenue, Ashcroft. Police spoke with the three occupants, who were unable to provide a reason for being away from home, including a 49-year-old man who had received a warning for breaching ministerial directions the previous day (Thursday 23 April 2020). He was issued a $1000 PIN, and the group were all directed to return to their homes.

• Police have issued a PIN and given 10 formal warnings for breaching ministerial directions after responding to reports of a mass gathering overnight. About 9pm, officers attached to Riverina Police District attended a property on Boundary Street, Junee and located 15 people consuming alcohol together. Four people were identified as living at the address, while the rest were unable to provide a reason for not being at their own homes. Following inquiries, a 22-year-old man was found to have received a warning on Saturday 4 April 2020 and was issued with a $1000 fine. The rest received warnings, and all were directed to return to their registered addresses.

• A man has been fined after ignoring self-quarantine obligations given to him by his doctor as he awaited COVID-19 test results. Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended a home on Fraser Road, Long Jetty on Thursday (23 April 2020), and spoke to 62-year-old man in relation to his requirements to isolate until medically cleared. Following inquiries, police ascertained that the man had visited a supermarket yesterday and he was issued with an infringement notice for not complying with ministerial directions.

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 180 mental health workers will be deployed across the state as part of a $73 million package to boost mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor today announced the NSW Government funding boost, which will help support the mental health and wellbeing of people across the state.
Ms Berejiklian said the additional mental health staff and new digital resources would ensure anyone who requires support is able to access it when they need it.
“We know how challenging the past few months have been. Many people have lost their jobs and all of us have had to change the way we live,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“During this time it is vital we deliver robust mental health services that fit the evolving needs of the community – this means employing more frontline workers and greater investment in remote technology.”
The NSW Government’s mental health support package includes:

• Over 180 additional specialist, community-based mental health clinicians and peer support workers;
• Expanding the virtual mental health program to all local health districts;
• Free access to Tresillian’s digital SleepWellBaby program;
• Capacity for 60,000 extra calls to the 1800 NSW Mental Health Line;
• Creation of pop-up mental health Safe Space sites, reducing pressure on emergency departments.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government measures complement the Federal Government’s mental health plan and enhance the capacity to support people in their homes rather than in hospitals and emergency departments.
“The NSW Mental Health Line is staffed by specialist mental health clinicians who can provide immediate care and expert advice and make referrals to appropriate services, with this additional funding it will now be able to take an extra 60,000 calls,” Mrs Taylor said.
“In this time of extraordinary stress on the health system, we are preparing pop-up mental health Safe Space sites to divert people with mental health issues from emergency departments.”
Mr Perrottet said boosting technology for vulnerable people would have an immediate positive impact.
“Virtual services will connect specialist mental health clinicians with remote and at-risk populations where face-to-face service options are limited,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding will make a real difference to so many people who will be confronting an extremely difficult period in their lives at what is an extraordinarily challenging period.”
The NSW Government announced last month $6 million would be provided to Lifeline to ensure it is equipped to respond to the increased needs of the community throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
The NSW Government previously announced $800 million for NSW Health to support the health system including significantly increasing capacity in NSW public hospitals, particularly within ICUs.