Category: NSW News

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.

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.