Category: NSW News

Two off-duty police officers have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) after breaching public health orders over the weekend.
About 8.30pm on Saturday (4 April 2020) officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting a patrol in Sydney’s CBD when they observed a woman who appeared to be intoxicated being assisted by a man on King Street.
The woman was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. She was released around 2am the following morning (Sunday 5 April 2020).
Police conducted further inquiries and established the 27-year-old woman, a serving Senior Constable attached to Police Transport Command, and the 31-year-old man had been at a nearby apartment at a social gathering.
A 27-year-old man, a serving Senior Constable attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command, a 28-year-old woman, and a 31-year-old woman, were also in attendance.
Earlier today (7 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued all five individuals with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW).

A suite of 21 fee-free TAFE NSW short courses are available online to assist anyone across the State who wants to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic, following an announcement from the NSW Government today.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the pandemic response has had a dramatic effect on communities and working life, but these select courses will assist job seekers and workers looking to diversify their skills during these times.
“The NSW Government understands that circumstances have changed for a lot of people and business owners, which means the way they work and how they conduct their business has also changed,” Mr Lee said.
“The TAFE NSW fee-free accredited courses will contribute to helping businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs. It’s vital we keep people employed and ensure we have the ability to rebound when things do improve.
“We also understand that many industries are in hibernation, so using this period to upskill for the future is time well spent.”
The 21 short courses include:

• eMarketing for Small Business;
• Engaging Customers Using Social Media;
• Writing and Presentation Skills;
• Computing Skills;
• Team Leader Skill Set; and
• Administration Skills for Team Leaders.

TAFE NSW Managing Director Steffen Faurby said the organisation is committed to ensuring people have access to first-class, customised training to meet their needs.
“For over 130 years, TAFE NSW has been preparing the State’s workforce for the jobs of tomorrow and it is no different during this time,” Mr Faurby said.
More information, including a full list of courses, is available here or by calling 131 601.

More than 150 new jobs will be created and $55 million injected into regional NSW, as the NSW Government gives the go-ahead for construction of the Snowy Hydro Segment Factory – the next crucial stage of the Snowy 2.0 expansion.
Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the approval of the Snowy Hydro Segment Factory was fantastic news for the region, with construction of the concrete production facility to begin within weeks.
“The Snowy Hydro Scheme is part of the folklore of the Monaro and this approval means work can get underway on a critical part of the project’s infrastructure which will provide huge benefits and job opportunities for the area,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Around 150 jobs will be created as part of the new infrastructure with many of these being entry-level positions, with all training provided.
“These opportunities couldn’t come at a better time with many in our community facing unexpected unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the planning system has a key role to play in keeping the economy moving both now and in the months ahead.
“We’re working to get shovel-ready projects out the door, to create jobs and drive investment into our local economies during these extraordinary times,” Mr Stokes said.
“This project will unlock new industry investment in regional NSW, creating 30 jobs during construction and about 125 jobs once operational.”
Construction of the factory is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The factory will manufacture more than 130,000 concrete tunnel segments for use during exploratory works and once approved, as part of the main works for Snowy 2.0.
For more information visit https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/14716

NSW seniors at risk of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic will be the focus of $600,000 in funding to keep our older community connected.
Acting Minister for Seniors Geoff Lee urged eligible organisations to apply for the grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
“While more seniors are staying at home to protect their health, we do not want to create an epidemic of loneliness in our community,” Mr Lee said.
“Our most vulnerable age groups are being advised to follow social distancing rules, so face to face catch-ups and normal daily routines have become difficult.”
Applications for the Combatting Social Isolation for Seniors During COVID-19 grants program are now open until April 26.
“We want to fund innovative ideas to help seniors keep in touch by utilising phone calls, online platforms or other methods of communication,” said Mr Lee.
“With so many seniors now missing their regular social activities, we want to encourage programs which foster inclusion and encourage positive social outcomes.”
Social inclusion is a key priority of the NSW Ageing Strategy and is part of the NSW Government’s key commitment to meet the needs of our ageing population.
For more information: www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/combatting-social-isolation-for-seniors
Seniors are urged to get the latest COVID-19 information at: www.health.nsw.gov.au

The Ruby Princess will be berthing at the port of Port Kembla from today (Monday 6 April 2020) to allow for safer access for medical assessments, treatment, or emergency extractions of her crew.
It is believed the vessel may remain in place for up to 10 days, but the crew will not disembark unless in an emergency and approved by the NSW Police Commissioner.
She will also be refuelling and restocking provisions, as required for her home journey.
The berthing will be conducted under strict health and biosecurity guidelines and will not pose a risk to employees at the port or the broader community.
While no further information is available at this time, if and when it does, it will be issued either as a media release or official statement.

Police have issued another 15 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
These include:

• About 1am yesterday (Sunday 5 April 2020) police from Blue Mountains Police Area Command were called to the old Queen Victoria Hospital at Wentworth Falls after two men were sighted on CCTV trespassing on the premises. Police spoke with a 35-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, who were both issued infringements for trespass and failing to comply with noticed direction.

• On Sunday 22 March 2020 a 65-year-old woman returned to Sydney on a flight from Indonesia and was given a direction to self-isolate at home. About 3pm last Tuesday (1 April 2020) officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District received information the woman had entered a shopping centre at Grafton. Two hours later, at about 5pm, police located the woman in her car. She told officers she had been to seven separate retail stores that day, including the supermarket. The woman was directed to return home immediately and was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 2.15am yesterday officers from South Coast Police District were conducting patrols of the North Nowra area when they located a vehicle parked near bushland. As police approached, four women were sighted in the vehicle, including three who were lying down in the backseat. The women told police they had been at a party but had been asked to leave. They were each issued with a $1000 PIN.

• Just before 11am yesterday, a 32-year-old male and 31-year-old female were observed by officers from Mid North Coast Police District to have left their homes at South Kempsey without reasonable excuse. Police issued a warning to both individuals to return to their homes. Later in the day, about 1.45pm, police observed the male and the female in a vehicle nearby. When asked by police why they had not complied with direction, the male advised police they were ‘bored’. Both were issued with $1000 PINs.

The remaining infringements include:

• 1 x Sydney City Police Area Command
• 2 x Sutherland Shire Police Area Command
• 1 x Port Stephens-Hunter Police District
• 1 x Wollongong Police District
• 1 x Oxley Police District

Further information is available on request.
Since Tuesday 17 March 2020, police have issued 98 PINs and 8 Court Attendance Notices (CANs) for breaches of the Public Health Act NSW (2010).
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 Police Force Marine Area Command has concluded the largest maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour to coordinate the crew movements and departure of five cruise ships.
‘Operation Nemesis’, planned and executed by the NSW Police Marine Area Command, worked closely with the NSW Ports Authority and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to coordinate the safe return of the ships to their home ports.
Following the departure of the Spectrum of the Seas and the Radiance of the Seas yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020) afternoon, the three remaining Royal Caribbean ships were also anchored in the harbour during the course of Saturday evening and the early hours of this morning (Sunday 5 April 2020).
The Voyager of the Seas was the first of the final three vessels to leave NSW waters departing about 8pm (Saturday 4 April 2020) to return to an international port. It was followed by the Ovation of the Seas about midnight (Sunday 5 April 2020) and the Celebrity Solstice about 1.45am.
In total more than 1300 crew members, who were Foreign Nationals, were moved between the five ships in numerous tender operations, before the ships departed NSW waters to return to their home countries.
Five Australian crew members elected to remain on the ships and continue to international ports.

The NSW Police Force has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess last month.
After being tasked by the NSW Premier to conduct initial investigations, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller today (Sunday 5 April 2020) announced that a criminal investigation is now underway to fully examine the communications, actions, and other circumstances that led to the docking and disembarking of the vessel at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020.
The investigation is being led by the Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Jason Dickinson, who is experienced in complex and protracted investigations, with oversight from the NSW Coroner.
It is expected the investigation will involve interviewing thousands of witnesses, including the Ruby Princess’ captain and doctors, the crew and passengers; and staff from various Commonwealth and NSW Government offices and agencies.
Commissioner Fuller said his initial assessment of the vessel’s pratique left questions about the transparency in conceptualising the health conditions of passengers and crew in relation to COVID-19.
“I’ve examined a number of phone calls between NSW Ambulance, NSW Port Authority and NSW Police that stemmed from the initial 17-minute Triple Zero call from the ship to NSW Ambulance on 18 March,” the Commissioner said.
“There appears to have been an exceptional amount of effort put in by Ports to determine the true nature of the conditions on board – and even delayed the vessels arrival until they were provided additional information.
“After reviewing the information at hand, the only way I can determine whether our national biosecurity laws or our state laws were broken is through a criminal investigation.”
The Commissioner added that investigators will examine the actions of everyone involved – whether from the cruise company or government agencies.
“This is a complex issue and we will need information from many witnesses to answer all the questions about how this ship ended up docking last month,” the Commissioner said.
“We are mindful that some of the key information we need will also come from passengers, so I urge those who were on-board to reach out to us – please contact Crime Stoppers as soon as possible.”
Anyone who was on-board the Ruby Princess and has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the journey is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Aspen Medical are continuing to assess the health of the crew on board the Ruby Princess and have developed a plan in conjunction with NSW Health, the NSW Police Force’s Marine Area Command, and Australian Border Force to manage their welfare until they can depart Australian waters.
Police have been advised that up to 200 of the 1040 crew members currently on board the vessel are displaying symptoms, while 16 crew members are confirmed to have returned positive results for COVID-19.

CHARGES:
– About 9am today (Sunday 4 April 2020), lifeguards at Bondi Beach approached police for assistance with a man who had ignored the council’s ‘beach closed’ signs. Officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command spoke with a 21-year-old man and cautioned him for failing to comply with terms of notice erected by council. After the man allegedly refused to follow move-on directions, he was arrested, during which, he allegedly coughed at an officer, claiming to have COVID-19. He was taken to Waverley Police Station and charged with fail to comply with terms of notice erected by council, fail or refuse to comply with requirement of police officer, resist officer in execution of duty and intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court tomorrow (Monday 6 April 2020). It has since been confirmed that the man does not have COVID-19.
– A 59-year-old man has been charged with trespassing and breaching the Public Health Act after officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to a Dee Why hotel about 8.30pm yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020). The same man has already been issued with two PINs (Thursday 2 and Friday 3 April 2020) for similar breaches. He’s due to appear in Manly Local Court on Wednesday 3 June 2020.
– A man has been charged over allegedly breaching an Apprehensive Violence Order and not complying with the Public Health Act. Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home in East Maitland about 9.30am yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), responding to reports a woman was being assaulted. They arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene and took him to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO, possess prohibited drug, and not comply with direction under section 7. He’s been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 5 April 2020).
– A 37-year-old man claiming to have COVID-19 virus will appear in Nowra court today after allegedly assaulting and spitting at officers. Officers from South Coast Police District were attempting to arrest the man about 8.30am yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), when he allegedly punched an officer in the face. It’s alleged the man spat in the face of the injured senior constable, while claiming to have the COVID-19 virus. He’s been charged with assault police causing actual bodily harm, assault police, and intimidate police.
PINS:
A total of 18 new Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued in relation to alleged breaches of the Public Health Act:
– About 2.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Murrumbidgee Police District were called to Benerembah Lane, Griffith, following reports of an intoxicated person. A 55-year-old man was spoken to and moved on from the area. At 4pm the same day, officers returned after the man was seen again in that location and could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Police were also made aware that he had been warned to obey social distancing regulations on Tuesday 31 March 2020. The man was issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN).
– About 5pm Friday 3 April 2020, police attached to New England Police District attended a licensed premise in Tenterfield Street, Deepwater. They spoke to a 27-year-old man, who was sitting with a group of patrons drinking. He was issued with a PIN as he had been spoken to by police the previous day about social-distancing and issued with a warning.
– A 37-year-old Newtown man has been issued with a PIN after officers from Inner West PAC spoke with him twice on Friday night about breaching the Public Health Act. Police spoke with the man on Federation Road about 8.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, where he was warned about associating with four other adults. About two hours later, the same man was stopped on King Street, Newtown, and was then issued with a PIN.
– About 8.30pm Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command noticed a car double parked in Restwell Street, Bankstown. Officers pulled over the car and spoke to the 20-year-old female driver and her 21-year-old female passenger. The pair were unable to provide a valid reason for driving around. The passenger provided incorrect identification information to the police and become argumentative. She was issued with a PIN. The driver was issued with an official move on direction.
– Just after 10.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling San Cristobal Drive, Green Valley, when they saw three men – one aged 36 and two 18-year-olds – not obeying social distancing regulations. The men were spoken to and could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Two of the men had allegedly exited a vehicle believed to have been stolen. All three were issued PINs. Investigations regarding the vehicle are continuing.
– At 1.15am Saturday 4 April 2020, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command pulled over a car after it had allegedly accelerated away after seeing police on Edgar Street, Bankstown. The 30-year-old driver was spoken to by police about his reason for driving. He was unable to provide a valid reason and changed his version several times and continued to be argumentative with police. He was issued with a PIN.
– A passenger in a car being driven by a food delivery driver has been issued with a PIN by officers from Quakers Hill Police Area Command. Police stopped the vehicle about midday yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020) and spoke with two people in the car. The driver was employed delivering food; however, police allege the 33-year-old woman from Toongabbie, who was the front-seat passenger, was only there because she said she was bored being at home.
– A 38-year-old woman has been issued with a PIN after she was found drinking with six people in Jonson Street, Byron Bay, just before 6pm yesterday, in breach of the Public Health Act. Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District had issued a warning to the woman earlier in the day.
– Police investigating an alleged assault at a home in Goulburn last night have issued two men with PINs for breaching the Public Health Act. Officers from The Hume Police District were called to the home in Teece Place about 9.20pm (Saturday 4 April 2020), after a 34-year-old man sustained a cut above his eye. He was treated at Goulburn Hospital and released. Police later issued him and his 24-year-old friend with a PIN; inquiries are continuing into the alleged assault.
– A man has been issued with a PIN after being stopped at the Sydney Opera House about 10.15pm yesterday. Officers from Sydney City PAC had already issued the man last Wednesday (1 April 2020), with a warning about breaching the Public Health Act.
– Two people were given PINs and three people received cautions after gathering for a barbeque in the state’s north. Yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), about 11pm, officers attached to New England Police District responded to a noise complaint at a caravan park on Rouse Street, Tenterfield. Five people were in the bungalow; breaching ministerial orders related to the congregation of more than two people. A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were identified as people who had previously received cautions for not complying with ministerial directions and were fined $1000. The three others were issued with cautions.
– Just after midnight (Sunday 5 April 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended the Lilli Pilli Baths, in Lilli Pilli, following reports of a gathering of people not adhering to social distancing regulations. Police attended and spoke with four men – aged 22, 24, 19 and 19 – who were drinking and having a barbeque. Officers reminded them of their requirements under the Public Health Act and asked them to move on; however, the men became argumentative and refused to leave. All three men were issued infringement notices.

A man claiming to have COVID-19 virus will appear in court today after allegedly assaulting and spitting at officer’s while being arrested on the state’s south coast yesterday.
About 8.30am (Saturday 4 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District attended Scenic Drive, Nowra, and spoke with a man who had been seen acting erratically.
The man allegedly punched a senior constable in the face. The injured officer struggled with the man, and further police attended to assist with OC spray deployed.
During the struggle, it is alleged the man spat in the face of the injured senior constable, while claiming to have the COVID-19 virus.
The 37-year-old man was arrested and taken to Shoalhaven Hospital under police guard.
After being released, he was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, assault officer in execution of duty. and intimidate police in execution of duty.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Nowra Local Court today (Sunday 5 April 2020).
During the arrest the senior constable sustained bruising and abrasions to his face. The senior constable who assisted in the arrest sprained her wrist.