Category: NSW News

The NSW Police Force Marine Area Command is leading the largest maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour to coordinate the provisioning and crew movements of five cruise ships.
‘Operation Nemesis’, assisted by the Port Authority of NSW, has been working closely with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to safely coordinate the return of the ships to their home ports.
Following several days of planning, Spectrum of the Seas entered the port of Sydney about 4.30pm yesterday (Friday 3 April 2020), guided by a marine pilot, and anchored at Athol Bay to re-provision essential supplies, including fuel, food and medical materials.
It was joined by Radiance of the Seas which entered Sydney Harbour after 5am today (Saturday 4 April 2020).
More than 600 crew members, who are Foreign Nationals, were moved between the two ships in numerous tender operations, before both ships departed NSW waters to return to their home countries just before 2pm.
A third ship – Celebrity Solstice – entered Sydney Harbour just after 2pm, and a further two ships – Voyager of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas – are scheduled to enter the harbour later today.
A further 780 crew members will be transferred in multiple tender operations this evening, before the remaining three ships depart.
A total of five Australian crew members remain on the ships.
Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Steve Hegarty, said the operation has been planned and executed by the Marine Area Command.
“NSW Police has been instrumental in facilitating the movement of more than 750,000 tonnes of shipping through the Port of Sydney over about a 30-hour period,” Supt Hegarty said.
“It will be the largest peace time maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour and has relied on the cooperation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Port Authority of NSW to ensure its success.”
Further information will be available at the conclusion of the operation.

A total of 12 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued yesterday (Friday 3 April 2020) in relation to alleged breaches of the Public Health Act:
– About 6.40am, police were called to a home in Wagga Wagga following reports of a disturbance. Officers spoke with five men at the premises who were not residents of the home and couldn’t provide a legitimate reason for being there. The men – aged 21, 28, 31, and two aged 33 – were each searched, before being issued with an infringement notice and sent home. While at the home, officers found and seized methamphetamine and cannabis. Inquiries are continuing, with charges expected.
– About 3.20pm, officers from Liverpool Police Area Command were patrolling Macquarie Street Mall when they noticed a group of men sitting on a bench in the park. The men were all sitting on a bench that was fenced off with council tape, and displayed a sign indicating the area was closed due to the Federal Government regulations on social distancing. The group were approached by police who asked them to move along. Two of the men complied, however, the third man, aged 23, refused to leave and became abusive. He was issued with an infringement notice.
– Just before 2pm, a 37-year-old man and his 35-year-old female passenger were stopped by Bankstown Police on Bransgrove Road, Revesby. The man submitted to a roadside drug test which proved positive. Police searched the car and located a knife as well as four envelopes in the names of other people. The man was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station where he charged with custody of a knife in a public place, and goods in custody. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court 22 July 2020. For not having a legitimate reason for being in public, the pair were also issued infringement notices.
– A 34-year-old man was warned for failing to comply with a Public Health Order on Thursday (2 April 2020). About 10am the following day (Friday 3 April 2020) the same man was seen in Darlinghurst, allegedly swearing and yelling in the street. He was charged with offensive language and issued with a PIN for breaching the Public Health Act.
– About 3.40pm the Fairfield Proactive Crime Team saw two men, aged 54 and 40, sitting closely together drinking alcohol in a Fairfield plaza. Police issued the pair with infringements, as they had spoken to the same men earlier that day and warned them about not complying with the Public Health Act.
– At 10.20pm on Thursday 2 April 2020, police attached to Richmond Police District pulled over a car travelling on Ballina Road, Goonellabah. The 32-year-old man was subjected to a breath test, which returned a positive reading. He was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station and submitted to a breath analysis returning a reading of 0.132. He was charged with mid-range PCA and was granted conditional bail to appear in Ballina Local Court on 23 June 2020. The man informed police that he had returned from Singapore on 22 March 2020 and was self-isolating: however, he had left the house and did not have a reasonable excuse. For breaching the Public Health Act, he also received an infringement.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Thousands of small businesses across NSW struggling to cope with the COVID-19 shutdown will receive grants of up to $10,000 under a new assistance scheme announced today by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope.
The NSW Government will put $750 million into the Small Business Support Fund as the centrepiece of a third wave of support measures to keep small businesses afloat.
Ms Berejiklian said the new fund was based on the hugely successful scheme rolled-out during the recent NSW bushfires, which provided $42 million to 4,200 businesses within the first ten days of launching.
“This is about getting cash into small businesses when they are struggling right now in the face of an unprecedented situation,” Ms Berejiklian said.
These grants will provide a big boost, and we will make the application process easy to ensure small businesses can receive some cash-flow as soon as possible to meet pressing needs.”
Mr Perrottet said the fund was designed to provide help fast and would benefit tens of thousands of businesses across NSW.
“Many local cafés, restaurants, corner shops, gyms and small accommodation providers will be eligible to apply,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We have the structures in place after the bushfires and expect to see this money rolling out the door shortly.”
“This is real, rapid relief for tens of thousands of businesses and it will help ensure many businesses that are not eligible for payroll tax waivers and deferrals can live to trade another day.”
Mr Tudehope said the fund would offer a vital lifeline for businesses across NSW.
“This is the largest support package for small businesses in the history of NSW, it will make a huge difference to many lives,” Mr Tudehope said.
To be eligible, businesses will need to:

• Have between 1-19 employees and a turnover of more than $75,000;
• A payroll below the NSW Government 2019-20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000;
• Have an Australian Business Number as at 1 March 2020, be based in NSW and employ staff as at 1 March 2020;
• Be highly impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 issued on 30 March 2020;
• Use the funding for unavoidable business costs such as utilities, overheads, legal costs and financial advice;
• Provide appropriate documentation upon application.

Applications for a small business grant of up to $10,000 will be available through Service NSW within a fortnight and remain open until 1 June 2020.
This latest move follows two assistance packages from NSW in the past fortnight, whose combined value far exceeds the support offered by any other state, including:

• More than $5 billion in payroll tax waivers, deferrals and other tax deferrals;
• A $1 billion Working for NSW fund to create jobs;
• $700 million in additional funding for the health system;
• $250 million to bring forward capital works and maintenance on public assets;
• $500 million to bring forward capital works, maintenance and shovel ready infrastructure projects;
• $80 million to waive a range of fees and charges;
• $80 million to help the vulnerable through a range of measures.

Passengers can now ride the new L3 light rail from Circular Quay to Kingsford.
In a first for the NSW Government, Minister for Transport Andrew Constance welcomed the start of services remotely.
“The L3 Kingsford Line completes the 12-kilometre CBD and South East Light Rail and gives people in the South East a sustainable public transport system connecting people to and from the city,” Mr Constance said.
“In the current environment our focus is ensuring essential travel options are available. South East bus services will continue unchanged in the short term.
As with all travel at the moment, you must stay at home, except for:

• work and education, where you can’t work remotely
• shopping for food and essentials
• for medical needs or the care of others
• for exercise.

“I would like to thank the tram drivers and workers who will ensure this light rail service runs, providing a direct link to the city from Kingsford as well as connections to the L2 Randwick Line which services the Randwick health precinct.
“There will be a period of bedding in services as we fine tune our operations to integrate the new L3 Kingsford Line with the L2 Randwick Line,” Mr Constance said.
Road users are reminded the L3 Kingsford Line runs in the middle of Anzac Parade through Kensington and Kingsford. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists need to follow traffic signals, and pedestrians in particular need to be aware there are two-stage crossings to connect to the light rail stops.
The first passenger tram departed Juniors Kingsford at 5am and will run until 1am tomorrow.
From then on, trams on both the L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line will operate between 5am and 1am, with services every 4-8 minutes in the CBD and every 8-12 minutes in the South East.

A man will appear in court today after allegedly coughing at police in Sydney’s north west.
Just before 1pm yesterday (Thursday 2 April 2020), officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command attended a home on Budigieg Avenue, Plumpton, following reports of a domestic-related incident involving a man and a teenage boy.
Upon arrival, police spoke to the pair before the 22-year-old man allegedly ran at the officers and coughed towards their faces.
He was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with intimidation of officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, damage or destroy property (DV), and common assault (DV).
Police will allege in court that the man assaulted a 13-year-old boy who was known to him and destroyed property inside the Plumpton home.
The Plumpton man was refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today (Friday 3 April 2020).
In a separate incident, a man has been charged after allegedly coughing at supermarket employees and shoppers on the Central Coast.
About 4.40pm yesterday, officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District were called to a shopping centre at on Lake Haven Drive, Lake Haven, following reports a man was coughing on people.
A 48-year-old man was arrested at the centre, before being taken to Wyong Hospital.
The Blue Haven man was later issued a Court Attendance Notice for stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm and breach of bail.
He is due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2020.
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 faced court after breaching ministerial directions for the second time in a week.
About 2.20pm (Thursday 2 April 2020), officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command approached a group consuming alcohol within Bankstown City Plaza. They were warned about their obligations under the Public Health Act before they were directed to move on.
Following further inquiries, it was identified that a member of the group had already been served with Penalty Infringement Notice for not comply with noticed direction (section 7/8/9 of the Public Health Act 2010) on Tuesday (31 March 2020).
Police attended a home at Brancourt Avenue, Yagoona and arrested a 68-year-old man. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction (section 7/8/9 of the Public Health Act 2010).
He was refused bail and appeared at Bankstown Local Court today (Friday 3 April 2020) where he was fined $1500.
Additionally, a total of 12 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued yesterday in relation to alleged breaches of the Public Health Act:

• About 6.40pm on Wednesday (1 April 2020), a man entered Dee Why Police Station, and told officers he was “meeting a mate” and did not require the services of police. He was advised that he was breaching ministerial direction and should return home immediately. The 50-year-old returned to the station at 3.40am (Thursday 2 April 2020), drinking a bottle of beer and smoking a cigarette. He was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home and was handed a $1000 fine.

• Officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command spoke to a 21-year-old man at Macquarie Street, Liverpool, about his obligations to ministerial directions under the Public Health Act. He was issued a warning and given a move-on direction. Despite this, the man refused to leave the location and was issued with a PIN.

• About midday yesterday (Thursday 2 April 2020), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped a vehicle on Rabaul Road, Georges Hall. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Currans Hill, allegedly claimed he was visiting a friend and was informed by officers this was not permitted under current regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was given a warning and directed to return home. Shortly after he was stopped again by police travelling away from his registered address and was fined for a breach of ministerial directions.

• A vehicle containing five people was stopped by officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District on Yarran Street, Coonamble, about 1am, Thursday 2 April 2020. None of the occupants were able to provide a valid reason for not being home. One occupant, an 18-year-old man had been subject to multiple warnings the prior day and was fined. The remaining occupants were given a warning, before being directed to return to their respective homes. Shortly after the driver and one of the passengers, both 21-year-old men, were stopped by police walking along Yarran Street and were issued with PINs.

• About 5.45pm (Thursday 2 April 2020), two men were seen sitting in a parked car by officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command conducting patrols on Wilson Road, Green Valley. Police spoke with the men and searched their vehicle, locating drug paraphernalia. The men, aged 18 and 19 respectively, could not provide a reason for not being home and were fined $1000 each.

• About 7.40pm (Thursday 2 April 2020), police responded to reports of a man allegedly dealing drugs at a hotel on Hurley Street, Cootamundra. Officers attached to Riverina Police Area Command attended, and located a clear bag containing methylamphetamine which was seized. Following inquiries, police stopped a Ford Falcon on Hurley Street and arrested a 36-year-old man and seized cash alleged to be the proceeds of crime. He was taken to Cootamundra Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug and deal with the proceeds of crime. The man, who resides 150km away in Tumbarumba, was unable to provide reasonable excuse for being away from his registered address and – in addition to his charges – was issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN). He was granted conditional bail to appear at Cootamundra Local Court on Monday 4 May 2020.

• Yesterday about 11.45pm (Thursday 2 April 2020), officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command approached a vehicle parked on Cooper Road, Yagoona with two occupants. Police spoke with two men, aged 24 and 27, who were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. Following inquiries, police conducted a search of the vehicle and located multiple prohibited substances. Both men were issued with PINs for their breach of ministerial orders and the younger man was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and possess prescribed drug. He was given a Field Court Attendance Notice to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 25 June 2020.

• Officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command were conducting a patrol of Meredith Street, Bankstown, when they spoke to a 50-year-old man about 11pm (Thursday 2 April 2020). When questioned regarding his reason for not being at home, he provided varying accounts to police before admitting he was only out to see a friend. For his failure to comply with Ministerial directions under the Public Health Act he was fined $1000.

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.

Construction sites can now operate on weekends and public holidays under new rules introduced today by the NSW Government to support the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the move allows workers to abide by social distancing rules while keeping construction projects progressing by allowing building work to be spread across more days of the week.
“The construction and development sectors, which make up almost 10 per cent of NSW’s economy, will be vital in keeping people in jobs and keeping investment flowing over the coming weeks and months,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’re doing what we can to support the industry in line with the current medical advice by extending weekday construction site operating hours to weekends and public holidays.
“The extended hours allow the industry to facilitate social distancing on construction sites, while minimising the potential for lost productivity during the pandemic.”
The Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Construction Work Days) Order 2020 is now in place and will continue until the COVID-19 pandemic is over, or the advice of NSW Health changes.
“In NSW there are almost 400,000 people employed in the property and construction industry and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep each of them in work, but most importantly, to keep them safe and healthy,” Mr Stokes said.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 was amended on 24 March to enable Mr Stokes to issue orders that override normal planning controls during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health, safety and welfare of communities.
Compliance with this Order will be monitored and reviewed if there any adverse impacts on the community or from a public health perspective.

The NSW Government today established the new Department of Regional NSW to better coordinate support for communities, businesses and farmers in the bush that have endured drought, bushfire and flood and now face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the department will bring together Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Resources and Geoscience and regional coordination across government to form a central agency dedicated to regional issues.
“We are urgently responding to the desperate needs of people in the regions and this new agency will work to ensure community wellbeing, resilient economies and strong key regional industries,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We know that the issues faced by the people of Cootamundra are very different to those faced in Coogee and so it is imperative we have a government designed to properly support every corner of this State.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made a big impact on what has already been a devastating start to 2020, as farmers continue to suffer through the worst drought in recorded history and towns torn apart by bushfires continue to feel the effects months on.
“The new Department of Regional NSW will be a voice in government for people in the bush and will have a laser-like focus on the challenges and opportunities unique to regional communities, helping them to get through hardships many of us have not seen in our time.
“This department will allow a more streamlined response to regional issues as experts in areas such as primary industries, land management, resources, regional development, drought response and bushfire recovery work closer together than ever before.”
Mr Barilaro said the department will drive the delivery of recent bushfire and COVID-19 stimulus and industry recovery packages along with the NSW Government’s drought initiatives, $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund and $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
“I said that regional communities would get their fair share and to date, we have fulfilled that commitment, from securing billions in funding to the urgent measures we have rolled out for farmers, business owners and families,” Mr Barilaro said.
The Department of Regional NSW will be led by incoming Secretary Gary Barnes, currently the Coordinator General, Regional NSW, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The NSW Government is calling on manufacturers around the State to help fill gaps in the global supply of medical equipment and hygiene products, redeploying spare capacity to save lives and jobs.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres today launched a portal for companies to offer to build parts or supply eight urgently needed items during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ms Berejiklian said the world was running short on hand sanitiser, handwash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products.
“This is a call to arms for NSW manufacturers to look at ways to convert production lines into making the items we so desperately need,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have the ability within NSW to meet our local demand and the Government is moving to help manufacturers re-tool quickly to achieve this.
“Importantly, providing this opportunity to manufacturers will also allow some businesses to keep people in jobs when they may not have been able to do so.”
Local alcohol makers are already converting to produce items such as hand sanitiser, while other firms have switched to face masks, providing much-needed equipment while keeping their business going and safeguarding jobs.
With supply of Personal Protective Equipment and disinfectant expected to be constrained for at least 12 months, further opportunities exist for other NSW companies to join them.
Mr Ayres said the Government will use information provided through the portal to connect the supply chain so more finished products can be provided where needed.
“This is an opportunity for businesses to not only diversify their supply but produce incredibly important products for our State in a time of need,” Mr Ayres said.
“We will work to find solutions to provide our hospitals and our people with the protection they need, while keeping as many workers as possible in a job,” Mr Ayres said.
Businesses can register their interest through the portal at nsw.gov.au.

No infringements have been issued anywhere in the state of New South Wales in connection with the new powers which commenced at midnight Monday.
In the last 24 hours only one infringement has been issued in the entire state for a breach of self-isolation and that infringement does not relate to increased powers in place since midnight Monday (30 March 2020).
I am on the record that NSW Police Force continues to use discretion in applying these regulations and the community must continue to work with police and the Government to ensure the safety of everyone in New South Wales.
If people continue to flout the rules and ignore the message, then tickets will be issued.