Category: NSW News

A man has been charged after allegedly deliberately coughing on an NSW Police Force employee while pretending to be infected with COVID-19 at Coffs Harbour.
About 2.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 24 March 2020), police will allege a man entered Coffs Harbour Police Station and approached a 71-year-old female general station officer.
Police will allege in court that the man deliberately coughed on the woman and claimed he had COVID-19, while a friend filmed the incident.
While inquiries were being made regarding the man’s claims, the police station was closed, and the necessary isolation protocols were put in place.
Upon further inquiries, it was revealed the man did not have the virus.
Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District arrested a 21-year-old man at the station, where he was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
The Coffs Harbour man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 6 May 2020.

Police are urging the community to remain vigilant and ensure they comply with orders and directions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Following the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that it is a requirement for all entrants to Australia, including returning travellers, to self-isolate for 14 days, NSW Health and the NSW Police Force are working together to ensure risks to the community are minimised.
The community has been very responsive to public health information and the government’s recent direction to self-isolate and the vast majority of people have done the right thing and complied with the Public Health Order.
The Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) provides NSW Police with the power to enforce public health orders. It is an offence for a person to fail to comply with an order.
As part of the NSW Police Force’s commitment to the safety of the NSW community, Crime Stoppers now has a reporting option to take information from the public about anyone not complying with Public Health Orders.
You can report online to: www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
If you are unable to report online, you can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Your information will be treated confidentially.
The public is reminded to utilise this service responsibly and not to abuse it. The time of emergency services is valuable and is best directed toward legitimate reports.
As always, for urgent or life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
To report a crime, contact the Police Assistance Line on 131444.
For any inquiries related to COVID-19, please call the Coronavirus Health National Information Line on 1800 020 080.
Please call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 if you require health information and advice.

The NSW Government has taken significant new steps to increase restrictions across the state – triggering the next level of enforcement necessary to fight COVID-19.
Following the decisions made by National Cabinet, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the shutdown to protect NSW citizens.
“I understand many in the community are worried, and these changes will affect everyday lives, and may be upsetting,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But these decisions will make us all safer, they are taken with the health of all citizens in mind, and they must be taken now.
“If you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so.”
In line with health advice, from midday today, the following non-essential activities and businesses will be temporarily shut down:

• Pubs, registered clubs
• Gyms, indoor sporting venues
• Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
• Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
• Religious gatherings, places of worship (excluding small weddings and funerals that comply with the 4m2 rule, which can proceed).

It is important to note essential gatherings at places such as hospitals, workplaces, constructions sites and for public transport are exempt and will continue.
As confirmed last night by the Prime Minister schools will remain open, based on health advice, which has not changed.
But from tomorrow, in NSW, for practical reasons, parents are encouraged to keep their children at home.
“Because nearly 30 per cent of children are already being kept out of school, for practical reasons NSW is encouraging parents to keep their children at home,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This will ensure there is only one unit of work, whether the student is at home or at school.
“No child will be turned away from school.”

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has charged a second man with a terrorism offence following the execution of further search warrants over the past five days on NSW’s South Coast.
The 23-year-old Batemans Bay man was arrested outside Nowra Police Station last Sunday (15 March 2020), after hunting knives and survivalist equipment were found in the car he was driving.
The man was detained under specified time provisions of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) as members of the JCTT conducted enquiries into his links to a 21-year-old Sanctuary Point man, who was charged with a terrorism offence that day (Sunday 15 March 2020).
The Batemans Bay man was charged with one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts, last night (Friday 20 March 2020). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He was also charged with two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Prohibited Firearms Act 1996 (Cth).
Police will allege in court that the 23-year-old man was involved in early-stage planning and preparation for a terrorist act.
It will further be alleged he was working with the Sanctuary Point man to acquire military equipment, including firearms and other items capable of making improvised explosive devices.
During a search of the man’s Catalina home, police seized electronic items, hunting knives, survivalist equipment and a replica firearm.
An initial forensic examination of the electronic items uncovered a large quantity of extreme right-wing and anti-government material.
Further search warrants on properties at Sanctuary Point, Falls Creek and Tapitallee – all located near Nowra – between Thursday (19 March 2020) and today (Saturday 21 March 2020), resulted in the seizure of items that could be used in the construction of an improvised explosive device, electronic devices and other material which will be subjected to further examination.
These locations were of interest to JCTT investigators due to possible links to both men charged as part of this investigation.
The 23-year-old man is expected to face Nowra Local Court later today.
Investigations by the NSW JCTT remain ongoing.
The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team is comprised of the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and NSW Crime Commission.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be.

Supermarkets across the State are now able to receive deliveries 24 hours a day to restock their shelves under new rules introduced by the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Government had moved to override local council rules that restrict some stores from restocking their shelves and operating their loading docks outside regular business hours.
“We need to make sure these products can move from factories to shelves as quickly as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are moving quickly so truck drivers can make deliveries to supermarkets around the clock.
“It is important that people now stop unnecessary panic buying.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (COVID-19 Response) 2020 makes clear that truck deliveries are able to supply shops and retailers with essential goods at all times to support communities.
“Councils and retailers have been working well together to allow greater flexibility in delivery hours, and this change gives everyone the certainty we need to ensure these deliveries can continue,” Mr Stokes said.
“The SEPP makes clear that truck deliveries are able to supply shops and retailers with essential goods at all times.”
The new rules apply immediately and will be kept in place until the crisis is over.

Experts from across the NSW Government have been brought together under one roof to lead the State’s coordinated, emergency response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.
Starting this week, experts from more than 20 critical agencies including Police, Education and Transport will join NSW Health in the purpose-built operations centre at the Rural Fire Services headquarters in Homebush.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) would allow all arms of government to respond quickly to COVID-19.
“Having all of our experts across many government agencies under the one roof will allow us to respond quickly to this emerging health crisis in a coordinated way,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said this was another proactive step from the NSW Government to slow the spread of COVID-19
“Embedding Health operations teams with other critical agencies will ensure clear, up-to-date information and communication to action decisions to protect the wider community,” Minister Hazzard said.
The SEOC will be led by Deputy Police Commissioner, Gary Worboys, who said this will be a central hub where experts can monitor the situation in real time and coordinate response efforts.
“The SEOC will be operating 24/7, with the team accessing the advanced technology at RFS headquarters, including live information, intelligence sharing, digital mapping, as well as public information and media broadcasting resources so we can quickly get critical information to the public,” Mr Worboys said.
“COVID-19 is affecting so many parts of our state, from transport to education and business, and it is critical for the SEOC to bring everyone together to share information, develop effective plans and take immediate action.”

A man has been charged for the alleged assault of staff and shoppers at a supermarket in the state’s north yesterday.
About 3.30pm (Tuesday 17 March 2020), police received reports a man assaulted multiple people at a supermarket in a shopping centre on Uralba Street, Lismore.
It is alleged, after becoming agitated when he was unable to find items he wanted to buy, the man pushed his trolley into two women, believed to be aged in their 70s, knocking one to the ground.
He then allegedly pinned a 45-year-old female store attendant against the shelving and punched her in the face and chest.
The store manager and a security guard approached the man and were also allegedly assaulted, before the man was removed from the premises.
The 45-year-old woman sustained bruising and swelling to her left jaw, bruising and swelling to her left forearm, a small laceration to her left forearm, stiffness to her neck, bruising to her chest but declined medical assistance.
The two older women left the store without leaving their details and it’s unknown if they were injured.
Following a public appeal, a 63-year-old man was arrested by officers from Richmond Police District on Nimbin Road, North Lismore and taken to Lismore Police Station.
He was charged with affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
The man was refused bail and will appear at Lismore Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 19 March 2020).

The NSW Government today announced a major $2.3 billion health boost and economic stimulus package to protect the community and help protect jobs in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak over the next six months.
This package has two key components: $700 million in extra health funding and $1.6 billion in tax cuts to support jobs.
Key elements of the NSW COVID-19 package announced today include:
Health boost

• $700 million extra funding for NSW Health. This will assist in doubling ICU capacity, preparing for additional COVID-19 testing, purchasing additional ventilators and medical equipment, establishing acute respiratory clinics and bringing forward elective surgeries to private hospitals;

Business support and jobs

• $450 million for the waiver of payroll tax for businesses with payrolls of up to $10 million for three months (the rest of 2019-20). This means these businesses will save a quarter of their annual payroll tax bill in 2019-20.
• $56 million to bring forward the next round of payroll tax cuts by raising the threshold limit to $1 million in 2020-21;
• $80 million to waive a range of fees and charges for small businesses including bars, cafes, restaurants and tradies;
• $250 million to employ additional cleaners of public infrastructure such as transport assets, schools and other public buildings;
• More than $250 million to bring forward maintenance on public assets including social housing and crown land fencing;
• $500 million to bring forward capital works and maintenance.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government’s package bolstered the health system, cuts taxes for business that employed tens of thousands of people across the State, and would help secure jobs at a very challenging time.
“Our first priority is always the health of the people of this State and looking after their families and jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This package works hand-in-hand with the recent moves by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Federal Government. It will provide more resources to help slow the spread of this virus and boost treatment for those people in our community who need it most.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW package would help businesses struggling with a once-in-a-generation event.
“The Government stands ready to do whatever it takes to keep people safe and ensure our economy withstands this storm,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Today we are injecting $700 million into the health system and almost $1.6 billion to boost business. In simple terms, this money will help save the lives of loved ones and protect jobs.
“We are supporting business by lowering their costs through tax cuts and fee reductions, and working to boost jobs by funding ready-to-go capital work and maintenance projects as a priority.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the Government was doing whatever it took to support front line health workers, and urged people to follow important safety messages.
“Our health workers are doing an amazing job,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This extra funding backs the work of our doctors, nurses, allied health staff, ambulance officers and support staff in the fight to prevent the spread of and prepare for COVID-19.”

From today, Netball NSW wishes to advise that it has adopted the following guidance with regard to all community netball competitions.
To assist with infection control and in the absence of a defined position on community sport from Government, it is the strong recommendation of Netball NSW that all community netball competitions in NSW should be suspended until Saturday 2nd May 2020. This, in our view, includes all activity: playing, training, grading, umpire training etc. – at all levels up to and including Metro League/ Regional League.
However, we note that some of these activities may be subject to a risk analysis on a case by case basis.
While this is obviously an unfortunate disruption to the netball season, Netball NSW believes that a blanket guidance such as this leaves all Associations, clubs, players, coaches, officials and administrators in the state in the same position while we watch developments around COVID-19.
It is important to note that the season is not being cancelled. At this time, the recommended action is seen as a socially responsible position for the netball community in NSW to take.
Netball NSW will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis. A formal update will be provided on Wednesday 15 April, 2020 (the Wednesday after Easter). This update will include the latest information on competition start dates plus advice on recommencing training etc. If the situation is to change significantly, an update will be provided earlier.
The reason for the guidance applying at the level of Metro League/Regional League and below is purely based on the volume of people congregating at any given time. We note that some associations may consider certain activities could proceed (e.g. training in small groups) due to your own circumstances and where there is a reduced risk.
Specific program-by-program information follows:
State Titles
State Titles have not been cancelled at this stage.
A decision on Senior State Titles (6-8 June) will be made by Wednesday 15 April. Until that time the following key dates remain:
9 April (Thursday) – Senior State Titles entries close
14 April – Senior State Titles late entries close
A decision on Junior State Titles (4-6 July) will be made by Wednesday 13 May. Until that time the following key dates remain:
1 May (Friday) – Junior State Titles entries close
5 May – Junior State Titles late entries close ($500 late entry fee applies)
We understand the planning and commitment required in the lead-up to State Titles. However, given the length of time until these competitions commence it was felt that a decision to cancel at this stage was premature.
Premier League
Premier League is the only level of competition netball permitted to continue to train in the immediate term under this guidance (including Premier League umpires) due to the relatively low number of participants. At this stage, and subject to the update which will be provided on 15 April, the competition will be pushed back at least one week to commence on Wednesday 6 May 2020.
Metro League
The Metro League competition will not commence as scheduled and all training should now cease in line with this guidance. The Metro League competition structure and draw is currently being reviewed and all changes will be communicated at the earliest opportunity. Currently the competition will not commence prior to Monday 4 May, subject to the update which will be provided on 15 April.
Regional Leagues
Regional Leagues with finals pending (West / Central West) are advised to postpone finals until such time as Netball NSW recommends competitions re-commence. Regional Leagues yet to commence (including Hunter) are also advised to postpone their competitions until after 2 May, pending further advice.
Swifts & Giants Academies and Emerging Talent Squads
Due to the relatively low number of participants, the QBE Swifts Academy and the Giants Netball Academy will continue to train, as will the NSW Emerging Talent squads.
Competitions already underway
Netball NSW understands and is aware that there are a number of Association competitions that are currently in progress, such as midweek competitions which run all year round. Netball NSW advises that under this guidance, those competitions should be suspended until Saturday 2 May, pending further advice.
Netball NSW will be here to assist our members when we can confidently move forward with a resumption of all activities.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Netball NSW office if you would like clarification on this guidance, further advice or assistance.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has made an Order under Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010 to force the immediate cancellation of public events with more than 500 people.
Mr Hazzard said under the planned changes, individuals who fail to comply could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to $11,000 or both, plus additional penalties for each day the offence continues. Corporations face even harsher fines.
“I urge the community to do the right thing and obey the decisions and advice of the National and NSW Chief Medical Officers,” Mr Hazzard  said.
“But we will be tough if needed, to protect the wider community.”
Mr Hazzard said the Order ensures the new requirements of the National Cabinet are operational immediately after midnight 15 March, 2020.
The NSW Government COVID-19 “War Cabinet” met by teleconference yesterday to endorse the Chief Health Officer’s advice on keeping schools open.
NSW public schools will remain open but with enhanced safeguards including students not being required to attend assemblies and other measures to ensure a focus on increased physical separation.
All Chief Health Officers of Australia believe that school closures should not be recommended at this stage in the pandemic. This decision will remain under constant review to ensure the best outcome for children and young people.
As agreed by the National Cabinet all entrants to Australia, including returning residents and citizens, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. NSW will continue to support the Commonwealth Government in implementing this requirement. If any individual fails to do so the NSW Chief Health Officer may issue an order to forcibly require compliance. Any enforcement required would be in consultation with NSW Police.
“The spread here has been slowed significantly by the Government’s actions on the advice of health experts, and we will use our legislative public health powers to best safeguard the community,” Mr Hazzard said.