Category: NSW News

Four teens will face court today charged after a police vehicle was rammed in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.
About 7.50am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling Liverpool CBD, when they saw two stolen vehicles – a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Honda Odyssey van – and followed them.
The vehicles stopped in traffic at the intersection of Orange Grove Road and Viscount Place and police approached them. The Honda allegedly rammed a police vehicle and mounted the median strip before mounting the kerb and hitting bollards in an attempt to flee.
The Honda driver, aged 17, attempted to run but was arrested nearby.
Two passengers, aged 14 and 17, were arrested in the Honda and three teens, aged 16, 14, and 17, were arrested in the Jeep.
They were all taken to Liverpool Police Station.
The 17-year-old male Honda driver was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), never licensed person drive vehicle on road, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The 16-year-old female Jeep driver was charged with take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, driver never licensed, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The two passengers, a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, were charged with be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, and Not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
They were all refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Friday 17 April 2020).
The two additional passengers, aged 17, will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Three officers received minor injuries when the police vehicle airbags were deployed.

Police have outlined the breadth of the investigation under Strike Force Bast and appealed for assistance from passengers from the last two voyages of the Ruby Princess to assist with ongoing inquiries.
Detectives from across State Crime, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics and Marine Area Commands are conducting inquiries under Strike Force Bast surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020.
The priority of the investigation is to determine whether there was criminal negligence by the company or crew relevant to health issues prevailing on the ship, as well as any actions or omissions by any other entity, including NSW or Commonwealth departments, which may have directly or indirectly related to the death of a person from COVID-19.
This would include the nature of – and deficiencies in – decision-making processes both on-board and on-shore surrounding the management of the vessel, and its crew and passengers.
Strike Force Bast will refer any and all information relevant to jurisdictional responsibilities to the Special Commission of Inquiry.
Information relevant to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of people who either contracted COVID-19 on board the vessel or through contact with a passenger will be reported to the NSW Coroner’s Court in due course.
The State Coroner will not make a decision about whether an inquest will be held until after the criminal investigation and the Special Commission of Inquiry are completed.
Information from the vessel’s voyage data recorder (black box) – which was seized last Wednesday (8 April 2020) – and believed to contain telemetry, as well as engine and systems management, and voice recordings of ship-to-shore communications, is currently undergoing forensic examination.
All necessary inquiries have been conducted on-board and, as communication has been established with the crew, there are no operational or investigative issues that would impede the vessel’s impending departure.
Further, strike force investigators are continuing to receive relevant documentation from the cruise company; the process of logging, triaging and assessing the information is ongoing.
Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place across the globe, strike force detectives are being flexible and agile in their approach to investigations management and witness contact, which includes a strong reliance on remote communications and digital technology.
In recent days, investigators have provided a survey to the crew currently on board the vessel, which will assist with guiding relevance of information, and witness statements will be obtained remotely, as required.
Strike force investigators will also reach out in coming days to passengers from both the 24 February to 8 March and 8-19 March voyages to conduct a similar survey, which will help prioritise the order in which statements are obtained.
The manifests list passengers from across the globe, including 2995 people on the first voyage and 2647 people on the second voyage – many with travel agents as their primary contact – and at this time, investigators are making their way through the list contacting via email and text.
They will be provided a link to an online questionnaire, which will provide the information directly to Strike Force Bast. This Initial triage will assist with prioritising key witnesses for a timely investigative response.
All passengers who receive the investigator’s electronic survey request are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible.
Passengers who have not received the survey by next Friday (24 April 2020) should register their best contact details with Crime Stoppers online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, which will assist with establishing a direct contact within the strike force and ensuring the timely recording of relevant information.
While the rosters show many of the same crew were part of the more the 1100-strong workforce on-board for both voyages, there are numerous members who have since returned to their home country.
Given the expanse of the proposed inquiries – both in volume and distance – this may take some time to complete.
As such, Strike Force Bast may enlist the assistance of interstate and international law enforcement colleagues for liaison and to finalise statements.
These inquiries are expected to include the canvass of some 7000 people, the analysis of thousands of pages of documentation, and hundreds of hours of footage, and information may also be referred to the NSW Government’s Special Commission of Inquiry.
It is of critical importance that detectives ensure they maintain the integrity and thoroughness of this investigation – as they would any investigation – despite the current restrictions and guidelines under the Public Health Act.
Anyone who has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the voyage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The community is reminded that their information is treated in strict confidence.

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

• Officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men near Steel Street, Newcastle West, just before 2pm (Thursday 16 April 2020). Police will allege one of the men – aged 20 – refused to provide his personal details and repeatedly used offensive language. Following checks, it was established the man had previously been warned and issued a $1000 PIN on Tuesday (14 April 2020) for breaching the Public Health Act. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Newcastle 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. The Clarence Town man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 17 April 2020).

• About 8.30pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police District stopped a Toyota Kluger on the Princess Highway at Figtree and spoke to the driver, a 37-year-old Victorian woman, and her two passengers, as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of GBL under Strike Force Braky. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, police found 375ml of GBL in a water bottle, two smaller bottles also containing GBL, an electronic stun device, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia including digital scales and a glass pipe. The total estimated potential street value of the drugs is $14,400. The driver was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Police will allege the woman was supplying GBL across the Wollongong area. The Bundoora woman was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. Both passengers were given warnings for not complying with a ministerial direction.

• About 3.15pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from the Police Transport Command were patrolling near Wollongong Railway Station, when they stopped and spoke with three men. None of them could provide a reasonable excuse to not be at home. A 19-year-old North Nowra man was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. The two other men were issued formal warnings.

• About 8am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police attempted to stop a man on a bicycle at Fairy Meadow as part of investigations into a number of nuisance calls to Triple Zero (000) made in the early hours of the morning. The 29-year-old man initially ignored direction from police, before he was stopped and searched. During the search, police found a 25cm tactical knife concealed in his pocket and a 30cm hunting knife in his backpack. He was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service to menace/harass/offend, custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence, breach of bail, goods in custody suspected of being stolen (mountain bike), rider not wear approved bicycle helmet, and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today.

• Just before 8am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command saw two stolen cars – a Honda Odyssey and a Jeep Cherokee – travelling along the Hume Highway, Liverpool. Both vehicles attempted to evade police, with the Honda allegedly ramming a police car and crashing into the front entrance of a bottle shop. The occupants of both vehicles – six teenagers aged between 14 and 17 – were arrested. Four were charged with a range of offences relating to vehicle theft, drugs, traffic, and breach of bail. Two of the four were also charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Four of the teens were refused bail to appear before a children’s court today. The remaining two teens were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

• Just after 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), police attached Liverpool City Proactive Crime Team spoke to a 57-year-old man on Burlison Street, Warwick Farm. Officers searched the man and his Holden utility, seizing cannabis and cash from the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with drug supply, drug possession, goods in custody, dealing with proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 11 June 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 3am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended a service station on Pittwater Road, Brookvale, when they saw a Holden Commodore utility at the bowser. Police spoke to the occupants – a 24-year-old Green Valley man and a 33-year-old Busby man – who could not provide police with a reasonable excuse to travel. Both men were issued $1000 PINs.

• About 5.20am, officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command stopped a blue Nissan Navara utility on Tamborine Drive, Minto, and spoke to three occupants. The female passenger – aged 24 – had previously been issued a PIN on Saturday 11 April 2020 for not complying with a ministerial direction. Due to the occupants being in the vehicle without a reasonable excuse, the woman was issued a second $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and two men – aged 20 and 23 – were issued warnings.

• Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District stopped a Ford Territory station wagon with four occupants on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie, about 12.50am for the purpose of a random breath test. A 21-year-old man had previously been issued a warning for breaching the Minister’s direction on Wednesday 1 April 2020, while a second man – aged 23 – and a 17-year-old girl had also been issued a warning on Thursday 9 April 2020. All four people, including a 15-year-old boy, were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out with each other. The two men and teenage girl were issued a $1000 PIN. The teenage boy received a warning.

• About 5.15pm, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke to a man sitting with a group of other people at Little Hay Street, Haymarket. The man had previously been warned by officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command on Tuesday 7 April 2020 at Bondi for breaching the Health Act and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• Just before 4.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Darling Harbour and spoke to a 29-year-old man sitting in the centre of a water feature using his mobile phone. The Redfern man allegedly told officers he was meditating. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• Just after 9am, officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command spoke to a 25-year-old man at Hornsby Railway Station. He was issued a warning after telling officers he had travelled from Wyong to have lunch with his brother. About 9.45am, officers spoke to the man again on-board a train at Epping. He allegedly told them he was travelling to Central to collect money from a friend and was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 1.50am, officers from Central West Police District were patrolling Calarie Road, Forbes, when they spoke to a 22-year-old man, who was walking on the road with alcohol bottles. When asked where he was going, police allege the man did not provide a reasonable excuse under the Public Health Act. The man was issued a $1000 PIN. Police had issued the man with a warning last Friday (10 April 2020).

• About 3.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued a $1000 PIN to a 54-year-old man after he was found drinking alcohol in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Police had previously warned the man on Sunday (12 April 2020).

• About 6pm, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were patrolling when they stopped a 25-year-old man outside a home on Pur Pur Avenue, Lake Illawarra. He allegedly told police he was visiting a mate. Checks revealed the man had received two prior warnings on Saturday (11 April 2020) and Wednesday (15 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.

Police have charged five people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 25 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• Just before 1am (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to an 18-year-old man on Allen Street, near Experiment Street, Pyrmont. He allegedly told police he was going to “hang out with a mate in Kings Cross” and during a subsequent search he was allegedly found in possession of cannabis and a prescription medication. Checks revealed the man was issued a warning under the Public Health Act the day prior (Tuesday 14 April 2020). He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Pyrmont man was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 8 June 2020.

• About midday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a man attended a golf club on Marsh Street, Arncliffe, and verbally threatened two employees before leaving. Officers from St George Police Area Command were notified and a short time later, a 46-year-old man was arrested at a park off the Princes Highway, Wolli Creek. He was taken to St George Police Station and charged with two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Parramatta man has since been taken to hospital for assessment.

• Just before 1pm (Wednesday 15 April 2020) police arrested a 27-year-old man at a basketball stadium on Ralph Place, Mount Druitt following his fifth breach of ministerial directions under the Public Health Act. The man received a warning on Thursday 2 April 2020 for failing to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. Despite this he repeated the offence the following day (Friday 3 April 2020), then twice again last week resulting in three PINs being issued. On each occasion the man was allegedly found consuming alcohol in a public place with others. Following his arrest, the man was taken to Mount Druitt Police Station and charged with larceny, enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Thursday 16 April 2020).

• Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 15 April 2020), police from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command approached a 39-year-old man who was drinking alcohol in a park on Little Bay Road, Little Bay. Checks revealed the man had been given two warnings earlier in the month for breaching isolation rules. He was issued with an infringement notice on 14 April for failing to comply with direction. The man was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with not comply with direction. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on 1 July 2020.

• About 6.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended Florence Street, Tweed Heads, after receiving information about a man who had arrived in a car acting aggressively. The man returned a positive roadside breath test, before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he allegedly refused a breath analysis. He was charged with breach of bail, refuse breath analysis, drive unregistered vehicle and unlicensed driver. The man had been issued with a $1000 PIN on 7 April 2020 for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. He was also charged with not comply with noticed direction and refused bail, to appear at Lismore Local Court today (16 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• Infringement notices were issued to two women aged 23 and 37, about 8.30pm last night (Wednesday 15 April 2020) after police from Sydney City Police Area Command saw them sitting in a car in Sussex Street. Both women had been issued warnings in the days prior.

• A 23-year-old man was issued his second infringement notice under the Public Health Act. About 7.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command saw a group of people sitting on a stairwell at Colo Lane, Blacktown. The group ran from officers, and the 23-year-old man found nearby told officers he had been going to the doctors but did not know the location of the practice or the name of the doctor. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• A 21-year-old man was issued a fourth PIN, after being stopped by police on Lawson St Penrith. About 4.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), the man told officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command that he had been at a friend’s birthday. He was issued with a $1000 PIN. A passenger in his vehicle was also issued a $1000 fine.

• Two people have been issued fines for travelling from Victoria to use ‘Return and Earn’ facilities. About 9.20am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a 61-year-old man was issued a fine after travelling from Wangaratta, Victoria, to Corowa to return cans and bottles. About 3.40pm, officers from Murray River Police District spoke to a woman also at a Corowa ‘Return and Earn’ facility, the 24-year-old had travelled from Yarrawonga, Victoria, and was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

• Four men have been issued fines, after being seen drinking in a park on Carinya Avenue, St Marys. About 1.30am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command observed the men, aged 20, 25, 26 and 28, in Lang park and they failed to provide a reasonable excuse. All four were issued $1000 PINS and one of the men was issued a Court Attendance Notice for breaching his bail conditions.

• Two women have been issued infringement notices after travelling to a caravan park at Broadwater. Officers from Richmond Police District were notified the two women, aged 19 and 29, had travelled to the caravan park from Taree. About 10.20am the pair were spoken to by police and were issued $1000 PINs for non-essential travel.

• About 1.45am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a security guard alerted police that a group of five was climbing scaffolding on a building site at Bathurst Street, Sydney. Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended and spoke to five males, aged 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21, all from Kellyville. The group admitted to climbing the building with the intention of taking photos. The 21-year-old was issued an infringement for breaching the Public Health Act and trespass, while the juveniles were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

• About 5pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Bryon Police District stopped a vehicle at Fawcett Street, Brunswick Heads, and spoke to the three occupants. The 20-year-old driver failed to provide a reasonable excuse for travel, telling officers he answers to a higher authority. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN. The other two occupants, men aged 46 and 56, were given warnings.

• About 4.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a 29-year-old man was stopped by offices attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District, riding a bike. The man told police he was going to a friend’s place to “chill” and was aware of the restrictions in place. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

• A two teenage boys have been issued infringements for failing to provide a reasonable excuse for being out of home at Carrington Street, Woonona. It is the second time the 15-year-old and 17-year-old have been issued $1000 PINs while visiting each other.

• Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District issued an infringement notice to a 42-year-old man at Morisset after he was issued multiple warnings. The man was warned twice yesterday, at 3.50am and 4.30pm in different locations on the Central Coast, for being out of home without a reasonable excuse. At about 6.20pm he was issued a $1000 PIN Gateway Boulevard, Morisset.

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.

Vital infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked in regional NSW to help local industries, councils and communities rebuild and recover from the impacts of drought, bushfire and COVID-19.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said more than $100 million of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package will go towards the expansion of plantation nurseries to boost production, infrastructure repairs in State forests, the rebuild of local showgrounds, and vital upgrades to regional hospitals, courthouses and Aboriginal housing.
“The NSW Government is responding to the needs of regional communities and this funding will help to protect jobs, support business, upgrade infrastructure and support the regions’ most vulnerable,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Regional NSW has done it incredibly tough over the past few years with the worst drought on record, unprecedented bushfire and now COVID-19 taking its toll, so it is important our regional communities get the backing they deserve to get them through this difficult period.
“This funding will protect vital jobs and production in forestry areas badly impacted by bushfire and deliver essential upgrades to almost 170 showgrounds around the state, where our local agriculture sector gathers to showcase produce and achievements.”
Funding committed under the COVID-19 stimulus package includes:

• $46 million as an equity injection into Forestry Corporation to repair damaged public infrastructure, and expand Blowering and Grafton nurseries and begin planting activities in bushfire affected State forests.
• $25 million for local councils to rebuild and refurbish infrastructure for up to 171 local showgrounds.
• $20 million to Aboriginal Housing for minor projects and maintenance across NSW.
• $9.5 million to Health to accelerate regional hospital minor projects and maintenance.
• $9 million to the Stronger Communities Cluster to accelerate minor projects and maintenance on assets such as regional courthouses and correctional facilities.

For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 52 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

• Just after 2pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020) officers from Inner West Police Area Command saw a man known to them on Enmore Road, Newtown. Officers were aware the man had previously been issued with two formal warnings and one $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. After a short interaction the 45-year-old man was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station, where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
• On Monday (13 April 2020) a 52-year-old man attended Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he was tested for COVID-19. He was told by health officials to self-isolate for 48 hours while he awaited his test results. About 1.30pm the next day (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended the man’s residence on a proactive compliance check, where they allegedly witnessed him walk out of his home. The man advised officers he was going to the shops and then to a friend’s house. When police asked him why he wasn’t self-isolating as directed, the man allegedly told officers he didn’t care, and he could leave his house whenever he wanted to. The man was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
• At about 6.45pm on Monday (13 April 2020) saw a man walking through the Bourke township. Officers from Central North Police District asked the man why he was out of his home and he allegedly told them he was locked out and was attempting to find his keys. A short time later, just after midnight (Tuesday 14 April 2020), police sighted the man nearby. When he was questioned, police will allege he said he was helping his friend who was locked out to find his keys, in contradiction to his earlier statement. Further inquiries revealed he had already been issued with three warnings and one $1000 PIN for breaching a ministerial direction. The man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction and is due to appear at Bourke Local Court on 11 June 2020.

PINs include:

• About 3.30pm on Monday (13 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a unit complex in Distillery Drive, Pyrmont, following reports of a social gathering in breach of the public health order. On arrival, officers found a group of people at the property holding an Easter party. Five women – aged 30, 29, 27, 26 and 21 – and a 28-year-old man were issued PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction.
• Eight people have been issued with PINs by police from Central North PD after they were found where burnouts had allegedly been conducted at Cobar last week. Police had been investigating the incident after receiving a driving complaint on Lerida Street about 11.20pm (Monday 6 April 2020). Officers found two unregistered Commodores with blown rear tyres, as well as a ute and a 4WD. They have now issued PINs to six men – one aged 18, three aged 20, two aged 25 – as well as a 16-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman, all from Cobar.
• About 5.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were called to Pilot Street, Yamba, following reports of a group of youths in a vehicle creating a disturbance. Officers spoke to a 19-year-old man who said he was driving to visit friends and members of his family. He was issued with a $1000 PIN. He was also charged with breach of bail and will appear at Lismore Local Court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
• A 22-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man both from Cobar have been issued with PINs for breaching a Public Health Order after they were stopped for an RBT on Lerida Road, Cobar, about 4.15pm on Monday (13 April 2020). The male driver tested negative, but neither was able to provide a reasonable excuse for travelling.
• About 9am yesterday (14 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command spoke with a man on Sadleir Avenue at Heckenberg. When questioned by police, the 26-year-old man told officers he was going to see a friend for relationship advice. He was given a formal warning for failing to comply with a public health order and directed to go home. About 10 minutes later, police stopped the man again after he failed to comply and issued him with a $1000 PIN.
• Around 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020) officers from Newcastle City Police District spoke with a man at Broadmeadow Railway Station. When asked by officers why he was out of his home, the 24-year-old said he was aware of the current COVID-19 restrictions but had to get out as he was sick of being at home. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.
• About 6.15pm on Monday (13 April 2020), officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to Roulstone Avenue, Belrose, after reports of youths loitering in the area. Police spoke with an 18-year-old teenager and gave him a formal warning. Further inquiries revealed he had been given warnings on two other occasions, and officers subsequently issued him with a $1000 PIN.
• A 53-year-old man from Tharbogan and a 23-year-old man from Yoogali were spoken to by police from Central North PD after they were found at truck stop on the Mitchell Highway at about 12pm Saturday (11 April 2020). The group had been spoken to by police twice previously. The two men were issued with $1000 PINs.
• Two men have been issued with PINs and four have been warned after police from Central North PD were told a group of people were gathered on Clugoa Street, Bourke, about 6.30am Sunday (12 April 2020). Most of the group dispersed when police arrived; however, two men, aged 18 and 26, and both from Bourke, were identified as having been warning previously and were issued with fines.
• A 28-year-old Victorian man has been issued with a $1000 PIN after his campervan was stopped on Head Street, Forster, on Monday (13 April 2020). The man had been warned the previous day after he was found in at a camping ground at Tuncurry.
• A 64-year-old Woollahra man has been issued with a $1000 PIN after he allegedly breached the Public Health Order when he was found on Boomerang Beach, 20km south of Forster, about midday Monday (13 April 2020). The man informed police he had been on the beach for two hours using his mobile phone.
• A 20-year-old Parramatta man has been issued with a $1000 PIN by officers from Mt Druitt PAC after he was found drinking wine while sitting in a camping chair in a commuter carpark at North Parade, Mt Druitt, just after 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020). The man had been given a warning by police about 11.30am.
• Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District stopped a Toyota van travelling on Kennedy Drive at Tweed Heads over its alleged faulty taillights about 3pm on Friday (10 April 2020). Officers spoke with the driver, a 42-year-old man, who told them he was going to visit a friend nearby. The man was issued infringement notices for driving an unregistered vehicle, not updating his licence details, no functioning break lights, and for not complying with noticed direction.
• About 9.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to Bunnerong Road at La Perouse, following reports of a man walking around in an intoxicated state. The 39-year-old Randwick man could not provide a reasonable excuse as to why he was not at home. Following inquiries, police discovered he had been warned for breaching the public health order on both Thursday 9 April 2020 and Sunday 12 April 2020. He was issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction.
• Just before 2am yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command stopped a vehicle on Maroubra Road, near Mons Avenue, at Maroubra and spoke with the driver, a 29-year-old man. The man told officers he was driving to Wollongong for a visit. He was issued a PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction.
• About 1.10am yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the Albury area when they spoke with a 30-year-old man near on Creek Street. The man could not provide a reasonable excuse as to why he was not at home and was issued a PIN.
• About 11.45pm on Monday (13 April 2020), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command noticed a Ford Fiesta allegedly travelling over the speed limit on Mandarin Street, Fairfield East. The vehicle allegedly failed to stop for officers and a pursuit was initiated. The car stopped a short distance away on Lisbon Street, where the driver and passenger, both aged 17, were arrested. A 45-year-old relative arrived at the scene and it’s alleged he became aggressive towards police. He has been charged with hindering police and is due to appear before Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2020. The 17-year-old driver was issued with Traffic Infringement Notices for Learner Not Display L Plates as prescribed, Learner Not Accompanied by Licensed Driver, Class A Motor Vehicle exceed Speed Limit – Over 20 km/h. Both 17-year-olds were also issued $1000 PINS in relation to the Public Health Act.
• About 3.30pm on Sunday (12 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling Parkway Avenue, Raymond Terrace, when they stopped and spoke to the occupants of a Mitsubishi Mirage sedan. The two men – aged 40 and 47 – did not have a reasonable excuse for being out and were given a warning to return home. Officers stopped the vehicle again a short time later after they failed to comply with this direction and issued both men with PINs.
• About 8.30pm on Friday (10 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens Highway Patrol were patrolling Kingston parade, Heatherbrae, when they stopped a 31-year-old male who was not able to provide police with a reasonable excuse for his travel. He was issued with $1000 PIN.
• About 9pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Richmond Police District located a 30-year-old man on River Street, Ballina. The officer recognised the man from an interaction with him on Tuesday 7 April 2020, where he was warned about returning to his hometown in Maclean. The man was not able to come up with a valid excuse for being in the area, informing police that he simply preferred the location. He was issued with $1000 PIN.
• About 12.05am yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), an officer from Quakers Hill Police Area Command issued a warning to an 18-year-old man for sitting his car at Glenwood Reserve, Blacktown, without a valid reason. The man was given a move on direction to return home. About 12.30am police returned to the location and found the man had not moved. He was issued with $1000 PIN.

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 66 Court Attendance Notices and 560 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
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.

Earlier today (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Nepean Police Area Command conducted inquiries after a health care worker at an aged care facility at Caddens tested positive to COVID-19.
Police spoke with the organization’s CEO and the facility manager, and have been provided significant information relating to possible contacts with residents and other staff, as well as workplace health and safety arrangements.
It is understood the woman was not symptomatic while at work, and was last on duty on Thursday 2 April 2020.
She was tested after this date when advised of contact with a person – not from the facility – who tested positive to COVID-19.
No further police action is expected to be required.

The Board and Management of Netball NSW have been continuing to closely monitor developments with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic since our Memo entitled “Netball NSW Covid-19 Response” issued on 16 March 2020. We can now provide a further status update to our NSW netball community.
Netball NSW has continued our scenario planning to prepare for what the 2020 season might look like subject to the status of the public health advice by certain milestones. Everyone would appreciate that there is still a lot we do not know about how Australia may be impacted by this pandemic moving forward, and how all tiers of Government may need to respond.
Netball NSW considers it important that we provide ongoing guidance to our Membership on our current thinking at this review date so that all of our Clubs and Associations can continue their own planning and preparation for a potential deferred season in 2020.
The current NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 (Public Health Order) is presently in force until Monday, 29 June 2020. Netball NSW confirms that the suspension of all netball activities must therefore continue until at least that date, unless the NSW Government decides to lift the Public Health Order earlier.
Netball NSW will continue to strictly follow the Government advice so that we will only get back out on court when it is deemed safe to do so.
This Memo therefore outlines Netball NSW’s scenario for a re-start of netball activities from July 2020 and our current planning around each level of competition commencing from that time. This guidance will be further reviewed and confirmed by no later than 1 June 2020 subject to the existing Government advice available.
Club Netball and Suncorp NetSetGO
Starting dates of Association’s Club Netball competitions and NetSetGO programs are at the discretion of individual Associations. Noting that under the current Public Health Order there can be no training sessions until 30 June, Netball NSW would recommend that competitions start on approximately Saturday 18 July.
This date coincides with the end of mid-year school holidays and was also the date which many Associations nominated as their preferred start date to get an abbreviated season underway in our recent survey.
Origin Premier League
Premier League is now due to commence with Round 1 on Wednesday 29 July, with a pre-season warm-up round to be held the week prior. This will allow for an appropriate period of training in the lead-up to Round 1. As the pinnacle Netball Competition in NSW we are working towards completing a full season of the Premier League competition and details around the fixture continue to be worked through.
Communication in relation to the fixture for 2020 will be circulated to Premier League Licensees by the end of April.
DOOLEYS Metro League
The Metro League competition will commence with Round 1 being held in the week starting Monday 27 July. This will allow for an appropriate period of training in the lead-up to Round 1. The competition will include nine rounds (all teams playing each other once) with a shortened finals series. Only Grand Finals (between first and second on the ladder of the respective divisions following minor rounds) will be played from Monday 28 September.
BING LEE Regional Leagues
Dates of the various Regional League competitions are at the discretion of the region and Netball NSW Regional Managers will work with the Associations on re-scheduling and the format of the competitions.
Some competitions will be able to proceed as planned, with some changes to the format (ie Far North Coast, Northern Inland) whereas others will need to be re-scheduled. Further information will be provided to the affected Associations by 1 June.
The Regional State Cup is now due to be held on the weekend of 17-18 October 2020.  A review of the venue is currently taking place and an update will be provided by 1 June.
HART Junior & Senior State Titles
After considering a range of scenarios, following are the updated plans for State Titles: Both Junior and Senior State Titles (with the exception of Opens) will now be held on the October long weekend – Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th October. This aligns with the feedback received in the recent survey where the vast majority of Associations believed the last weekend in September was the appropriate finish of a delayed winter Club season.
Netball NSW are currently working through the logistics due to the change in dates, and working closely with host Associations and local councils on the challenges these new dates present at the various locations.
Discussions with these stakeholders are ongoing and as a result we are yet to determine the final allocation of venues. Once a final allocation is known it will be communicated to all Associations as soon as possible.
We understand that these revised dates will cause varying challenges for Associations and participants, including but not limited to, accommodation, tent allocations, umpires and officials availability, player workload, school holidays, HSC preparation etc. We will endeavour to work with Associations where we can to alleviate some of the challenges. However, in these unprecedented times we are doing all that we can to ensure State Titles are played and acknowledge that individuals will need to make their own decisions around their priorities and what is right for them.
Seniors

• Entries for Senior State Titles have now closed.
• We thank all Associations that worked with us, getting their entries in for the Senior State Titles, as this has helped significantly to work through the logistics and venue allocation.
• Provisional grading will be issued on 1 June providing Associations the knowledge of where they will be allocated in 2020. Standard appeal opportunities will be in place.
• A two-week window period where all entries can be confirmed, withdrawn or modified as required will be advised at a time closer to the event. However, if you have entered a team in the Senior State Titles, but now with the change of dates are confident that you are unable to attend please advise at your earliest opportunity.

Juniors

• Entries for Junior State Titles close on Tuesday 5 May. Teams should be entered using the standard three-step Competition entry process. Please refer to the Netball NSW website (State Titles page) for details.
• Provisional grading will be issued on 1 June providing Associations the knowledge of where they will be allocated in 2020. Standard appeal opportunities will be in place.
• A two-week window period where all entries can be confirmed, withdrawn or modified as required will be advised at a time closer to the event.

Hart Open State Titles, Bing Lee Masters State Titles and Social Masters
The Senior State Titles Opens Division will now be included to run concurrently with Masters State Titles and Social Masters on the scheduled Masters dates of 17-18 October 2020. As with the Senior and Junior State Titles, due to the change in format for 2020 a review of the host venue is currently taking place and an update will be provided by 1 June.
Competitions already underway
Competitions which were already underway and were suspended due to the restrictions imposed can re-commence at the Association’s discretion from Tuesday 30 June 2020.
Scheduling should however provide adequate time for players to prepare for the various levels of netball they will participate in, to limit the possibility of injury. This was an important consideration in planning for the Premier and Metro league seasons starting approximately one month following the end of the Public Health Order.
Performance and Pathway Programs
Performance and Pathways Programs including the QBE Swifts Academy, GIANTS Academy, Emerging Talent, Regional Emerging Talent and Regional Academy of Sport Programs are continuing to focus on supporting the long-term individual development of identified athletes.
Programs have been adapted to adjust to the unprecedented circumstances and will continue to adapt to ensure an optimum balance of development, load management and recovery when competition resumes.
Walking Netball and Fast5
Walking Netball Competitions (Social or Traditional), Walking Netball Exercise Classes and Fast5 Netball Competition start dates are at the discretion of individual Associations hosting programs and/or Netball NSW depending on who is running the program. Noting that under the current Public Health Order there can be no sessions until 30 June. Netball NSW is considering a Term 3 start for these programs. Further information will be communicated to all Associations hosting programs by 1 June.
Financial Position and Future Viability
The financial model behind the entire netball ecosystem in NSW is the contributions received from community players which flow up from Clubs to Associations, to Netball NSW and ultimately in part to Netball Australia. Without the flow of at least a portion of those funds in 2020, it will not be possible for Netball NSW to financially withstand the impact of COVID-19 without substantial government support.
It is important to repeat here that the single focus of Netball NSW over the course of the COVID-19 crisis is that no-one gets left behind. It is critical that the structures, competitions, pathways and opportunities which have been part of netball in NSW for generations are in place and available for the current and future generations when the COVID-19 dust settles.
In the last month the Netball NSW Board has overseen a budget re-calibration which has stripped over $10 million worth of expenditure from our $18 million budget for 2020 based on current estimates. We moved quickly and decisively, including the incredibly difficult situation regarding the standing down of staff – made before the Federal Government’s JobKeeper announcement. We hope to now be beneficiaries of JobKeeper, but it will not solve all of our financial problems.
Netball NSW are in regular contact with the NSW Government advocating a position for netball across New South Wales at all levels, and sport more broadly. This included a meeting between the Netball NSW President, CEO and the Minister for Sport last week. A key part of our discussions centre on the NSW Government’s Active Kids Vouchers (AKV). As we have stated previously, it has been confirmed by the NSW Government that the $100 AKV money used by a parent to partially offset registration fees cannot, under any circumstances, be returned as cash.
Netball NSW, along with all other State Sporting Organisations, are urging the NSW Government to confirm that the AKV money, which can’t be refunded, can be retained within the sport in which it was redeemed. We are hopeful this will be confirmed very soon. If it is, it will create a quasi ‘Government assistance package’ for our sport in the event that no netball is possible in 2020 and a full refund of registration fees is required.
If that situation was to eventuate, we would work closely with all Associations (and Associations would be asked to work with Clubs) to agree an appropriate split of the available amount to meet our goal of no-one being left behind. It is also a key reason for our current request for financial information from Associations, which we have asked to be returned by 21 April 2020.
Registration and Refunds
Consistent with our position that Netball NSW remains hopeful of having netball played in the second half of the year it remains the Board’s view that it would be premature for refunds of registration fees to be processed at this time.
This is a position consistent with other netball state bodies across Australia and the vast majority of other winter sports at present, as we all try to work towards the best possible season in the circumstances.
We are currently modelling a number of scenarios including worst case (ie, no season and full refunds), just like many Associations would be. However, in such a fast-moving environment, where Government advice and restrictions could change at any time, we remain of the view that holding our position on registration refunds for the immediate term, and until greater clarity is available, is appropriate.
Any refund process will be complex and difficult, so we want to ensure that if it is ultimately required we do it once, we do it properly and we do it in a way which means we safeguard the entire netball ecosystem to the best of our ability. We know not everyone will agree with this position at present but we believe that it remains the best current course of action for netball in NSW as a whole.
Netball NSW Annual General Meeting
As outlined in the Memo dated 18 March, the Netball NSW Annual General Meeting has been re-scheduled to Sunday 24 May 2020. Full details regarding the AGM, Council Meeting and Extraordinary Council Meeting will be provided in a separate communication from the Company Secretary in due course.
Review Date
Given the current unpredictable nature of the world we are living in Netball NSW will continue to keep all stakeholders as informed as possible over coming weeks should there be significant changes to any of the matters mentioned above. There will also be a formal update, similar to this one, provided by no later than Monday 1 June 2020.
Netball NSW and all of us in our netball community will need to be responsive to the continual changes to the government advice around risks to public health, and should it later become apparent that a July date may not be feasible, adjust and reassess at that time.
Once again, we thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding and wish you the very best of health.

Up to 200,000 licence holders operating across the trades and construction sectors will not have to pay up to $50 million worth of licence fees, thanks to the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the licence fee waivers were a crucial part of the NSW Government’s first economic stimulus package.
“These fee waivers will deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, at a time when cash flow is crucial,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Up to 200,000 licence holders will benefit from this fee relief package over the next 12 months. It is the least we can do to support these businesses and their staff through this challenging time.”
The measures will deliver close to $50 million worth of fee waivers to tradies for 12 months.
Mr Dominello said the measures would help businesses during one of the hardest economic challenges in our lifetime.
“These measures put business and workers first so they can continue to be the lifeblood for their communities across the State,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re going to help them withstand this storm, so they can hit the ground running later.”
Mr Tudehope said the NSW Government was focused on keeping businesses in business and as many people as possible in jobs.
“Our number one priority is the health and safety of the community, but this is a dual challenge and we need to do everything we can to ensure the NSW economy emerges with a strong beating heart,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Whether it’s a local café, restaurant, indoor sporting venue, gym or club, we want to ensure they have every chance to continue to support our communities. While it seems a long way off now this will pass and we don’t want any road blocks for people.”
Today’s announcement follows the first set of fee waivers which have started to come into effect, including $19.5 million in state-based fee relief for industries. It gives eligible businesses in the entertainment and hospitality sectors access to a 12-month waiver on liquor licences and certain SafeWork NSW and NSW Fair Trading fees and charges.
To date, the NSW Government has provided more than $8 billion in response to COVID-19 to support the NSW healthcare system and keep people in jobs.
For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Government has outlined its plan to reform developer levies and contributions to unlock new housing supply, deliver vital community infrastructure and boost investment in NSW.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes today announced he had appointed Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat to undertake a review of the current contributions and provide recommendations for a new system by the end of the year.
“The number one issue I hear from industry is that we need a more transparent and certain contributions system where everyone is clear about who pays for what,” Mr Stokes said.
“Contributions reform has been stuck in the too-hard basket for too long, but we are committed to working with industry to deliver true change.
“Our pathway forward includes a mix of quick wins and longer-term reforms, which will ensure NSW remains the economic powerhouse of Australia.
Mr Stokes said $70 million will also be invested to co-fund vital new community infrastructure in the high-growth areas of North West Sydney where thousands of new houses are being built.
“Our population is growing, and we need to make sure that where we’re unlocking housing supply, we’re also facilitating the delivery of vital community infrastructure so people are moving in to connected and vibrant communities,” Mr Stokes said.
“I also want to work with councils to help them spend money they already have to stimulate their local economy, create more jobs and great public spaces.”
A series of more immediate changes will also be released today for public comment, including measures to require councils to publish how much they have collected in developer levies and where they have been spent, new guidelines related to the State’s Special Infrastructure Contributions, options to simplify and shorten the process for reviewing s7.11 local contributions plans, and proposed changes to s7.12 levies and voluntary planning agreements.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet welcomed the appointment of Mr Achterstraat, and said the overhaul of the system would help boost the NSW economy at a critical time.
“We are facing unprecedented health and economic challenges at the moment, and we need to ensure we best position NSW to rebound,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is a great opportunity to undertake reform which will help boost investment and create jobs and enhance prosperity for the State.”
In November, Premier Gladys Berejiklian outlined four key areas for reform to the NSW planning system in 2020, including fixing the uncertainty of developer contributions to drive investment in NSW.