Category: NSW News

A Victorian man who allegedly attempted to enter NSW using an invalid permit last night has been charged after police also located a knife, cash and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.
Officers from Operation Border Closure were conducting permit checks at a checkpoint on Wodonga Place, South Albury, when they stopped a Holden Captiva about 6pm (Tuesday 4 August 2020).
Police spoke with the 36-year-old male driver who produced a permit but was unable to provide any documentation or evidence relating to the essential work he would be conducting in NSW.
When questioned further, the man allegedly became aggressive towards police and refused to cooperate.
It’s alleged the man wound his window up and attempted to drive off before officers were able to stop the vehicle, but the man refused to get out or comply with police directions.
After further officers came to assist, the man opened the driver’s door and was arrested.
During a subsequent search of the man and his vehicle, police located a knife, $1600 cash and a bag containing items consistent with the supply of illicit drugs.
He was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with not complying with noticed direction – COVID 19, goods in custody and having custody of a knife in a public place.
The Rutherglen man was granted strict conditional bail and returned to Victoria. He is due to appear at Albury Local Court on Monday 21 September 2020.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
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.

Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad detectives have charged a man over the alleged sexual assault of young girl he met on social media in the state’s north.
Last month, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 12-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted earlier this year by a man she met on social media.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at a home at Cardiff about 8.40am yesterday (Tuesday 4 August 2020).
During the search, officers seized mobile phones and other electronic devices.
A 19-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with intentionally sexually touch child (between 10 and 16 years), five counts of have sexual intercourse with child (between 10 and 14 years), produce child abuse material and disseminate child abuse material.
Police will allege in court that the man used social media to communicate with the girl, before sexually assaulting her at a park at West Wallsend in April this year.
It will be further alleged the man shared recordings of the incident on social media.
He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Wednesday 5 August 2020).
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, said the incident is a timely reminder for parents and carers to speak with young people about potential dangers online.
“While social media apps allow us to be better connected with people we know, they also provide opportunity for people we don’t know to connect with us – and this includes strangers talking to our children,” Det Supt Kerlatec said.
“For young people, any online platform that allows them to be in contact with people they do not know – and have only met in the online environment – can put them at risk.
“We know that sexual predators may use the online environment to target children, so it is imperative that all young people know what to do if they are exposed to explicit or inappropriate conversations.
“It is common for young people to feel uncomfortable reporting these types of conversations, so I urge parents and carers to make sure they’re assured that they don’t need to be embarrassed or upset.
“From a police perspective our priority is protecting children from any type of harm, and we will track down anyone who uses the internet to groom and/or procure children for sex.
“Finally, I want to remind everyone to be careful about providing personal details on social media, especially to someone they only know online, and take extreme caution if making plans to meet up – consider whether you really know who it is you are meeting,” Det Supt Kerlatec said.
More information can be accessed via the eSafety website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/
 

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal crash at Charlestown last week.
Emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Charlestown about 9.25pm last Thursday (30 July 2020), following reports a car collided with a telegraph pole.
Police have been told a red Mitsubishi Lancer was travelling northbound when the vehicle left the road.
A 47-year-old male driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.
Police are appealing for any vehicles who may have been driving along the Pacific Highway at the time of the crash and may have witnessed the incident or have dashcam footage to contact Belmont Police on 4922 8899 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged after police at a border checkpoint at Albury discovered he was trying to cross into NSW driving a stolen ute.
NSW Police manning the checkpoint stopped the utility on the Hume Highway at Albury about 7am today (Wednesday 5 August 2020).
The 27-year-old driver was unable to produce permits or ID, and further checks revealed the ute had been reported stolen from a business in West Melbourne yesterday (Tuesday 4 August 2020).
The man was arrested and was taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged three offences
• Receive property stolen outside NSW
• Not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19, and,
• Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The man, of no fixed address, appeared in Albury Local Court today, where he was refused bail to re-appear in the same court on Friday 11 September 2020.

Councils across NSW will have the opportunity to deliver new and improved public spaces for their local communities thanks to a $250 million program announced today, as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said local councils that focus on fast-tracking development assessments for projects that deliver much-needed jobs and housing will be eligible for up to $5.5 million each in funding for parklands, town squares and main streets.
“As part of the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, councils that push forward with assessments of job-creating projects will be incentivised with funding for more, and better, public spaces,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This program will unlock construction jobs across the State helping combat the economic shocks of COVID-19 while making communities a better place to live.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the program would create a lasting community benefit across the state.
“In NSW, we’ve already fast-tracked the determination of 67 projects since the pandemic began – creating opportunities for 40,000 jobs, 18,000 homes, 400 hectares of open space and $17.7 billion in economic benefit through our Planning System Acceleration Program,” Mr Stokes said.
“Now we’re helping councils to prioritise local planning projects that will boost jobs and investment in their communities with a $250 million incentive to create new and improved public spaces.
“We want councils to think big and bold and deliver legacy projects – new parks, new walking trails, more walkable and inviting streets and open spaces for their communities.”
Mr Stokes added that the program will drive more efficient local development and support the delivery of the Premier’s Priorities to increase the amount of green, open and public space.
“It builds on the success of the Planning System Acceleration Program to bring greater benefits to neighbourhoods and streets by providing councils the funds to create new or improved public space, as well as encouraging more efficient planning processes.”
This new program is only available to the 68 councils currently participating in the e-planning system.
For more information about the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and to see if your council is eligible visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/publicspaceslegacy

Construction of the new Sydney Football Stadium site is powering on through the COVID pandemic with contractor John Holland laying the first concrete building slabs at Moore Park today.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said development hasn’t stopped during COVID, providing job security for workers, boosting NSW’s COVID-19 recovery and ensuring the project remains on schedule.
“The Sydney Football Stadium project is investing in local companies during the pandemic with a Western Sydney business providing the concrete for today’s pour,” Mr Lee said.
“Over 150 cubic metres of concrete will be poured this week, over an area that will be part of the new stadium’s player and coaching facilities.
“This is another exciting milestone setting the foundations for the stadium to start rising from the ground.”
To complete the stadium, a further 40,000m³ of concrete will be poured which is the equivalent of 16 Olympic swimming pools.
The project will utilise as many local suppliers and subcontractors as possible through to completion.
Over the next two years, the Sydney Football Stadium Redevelopment will create over 800 jobs and inject hundreds of millions into the NSW economy through the procurement of construction materials and labour.
“Our stage two contractor John Holland has already safely logged over 140,000 hours by workers on site since the beginning of the outbreak and there has been an average of 180 workers on site in July alone,” Mr Lee said.
“We have extended hours on weekends to enable work to continue safely with social distancing, no job losses or reduced hours for employees.”
The new Sydney Football Stadium will be a modern, world-class sporting and entertainment precinct to ensure NSW remains the number one choice for the best events. The stadium remains on track to be ready to host the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

Following updated health advice, NSW residents returning from Victoria must go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.
This regime, designed to protect the wider NSW community from the escalating COVID-19 situation in Victoria, will come into effect at 12.01am this Friday.
All returning NSW residents, unless they live within the NSW border regions, will only be allowed to return to NSW through Sydney airport.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this new line of defence would further reduce the risk during this critical time in the pandemic.
“I realise this may be difficult for some people, but the changing situation in Victoria means we must exercise extreme caution,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The health of our citizens and economy must be protected – and the health advice says this is the best way to do it.
“We will also further limit the reasons Victorians can seek exemptions to come into NSW.”
There is no change to existing arrangements for border communities.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a robust health screening process will continue at the airport to protect the NSW community.
“NSW Health staff will continue to rigorously screen incoming passengers from Victoria, doing health and temperature checks, ensuring masks are worn and checking their permits,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Our staff will also continue to ensure that anyone who is unwell or showing symptoms is shuttled safely to our quarantine health hotels for care under isolation.”
Dr Kerry Chant said this latest change would reduce the number of people entering NSW from Victoria, and reduce the risk of community transmission.
“This is a critical time in the NSW response and we need to reduce any further risk of seeding of cases from Victoria,” Dr Chant said.
The cost of hotel quarantine will be the same as for returning international travellers.

A licensed premises in Dubbo has been issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN) following a breach of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just after 1pm on Sunday (2 August 2020) officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District attended a licensed premises on Talbragar Street, Dubbo, after reports of an altercation.
Following inquiries and after viewing CCTV, police will allege upward of 30 patrons occupied the gaming room of the premises and were standing with no social distancing maintained.
Officers attended the premise about 10am today (Wednesday 5 August 2020) and the venue was issued with a $5000 fine for failing to comply with requirements of a Public Health Order – COVID-19.
The maximum penalty for contravening a Public Health Order is a fine of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
The standard penalty is a fine by way of an on-the-spot Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) – $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander, Superintendent Peter McKenna, said police will continue to work with businesses in relation to their COVID-19 safety plans and provide advice and guidance.
“Whilst it is the responsibility of licensed premises to ensure they’re complying with Public Health Orders, the public have to understand they’re putting those premises at risk and they may also be held liable,” Supt McKenna said.
“They’re putting the livelihoods of these businesses at risk, and if people don’t think it’s going to happen in our area they only have to look at other regions that are being impacted.”

Police have charged a man and issued a licensee with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) in the past 24 hours following two separate breaches of COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
Officers from Operation Border Closure were conducting permit checks at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, Albury, when they stopped a vehicle about 9.30pm (Monday 3 August 2020), and spoke with the male driver.
The 49-year-old Nelson Bay man told police he travelled into Victoria on Saturday (1 August 2020), and did not have a current permit to re-enter NSW.
Police conducted various inquiries which revealed that the man had previously re-entered NSW on 19 July with his permit directing he self-isolate at his Nelson Bay home. Further, it was established that he had breached the direction to self-isolate on 23 July, when local police conducted a compliance check and were unable to locate him.
It’s alleged that the man became aggressive and argumentative and, after he was advised he was being arrested, he resisted police and refused to comply with reasonable directions.
After being arrested, the man was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was observed throwing an item into a rubbish bin, which is alleged to be a satchel of cannabis.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9-COVID-19 and possess prohibited drug. He’s been refused bail to appear at Albury Local Court today (Tuesday 4 August 2020).
In a separate incident, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were conducting compliance checks on Friday (31 July 2020), and spoke with the female licensee at a hotel at Kiama about 6pm.
She was unable to produce a completed COVID-Safe plan but showed police blank forms which had been provided by officers during an inspection the previous week. During a subsequent walk-through, police observed patrons standing around and various areas were not appropriately set up to ensure physical distancing – all of which would be addressed in the COVID Safety Plan.
Following further inquiries, the 58-year-old woman was issued a $1000 PIN yesterday (Monday 3 August 2020), before being formally warned to ensure the business complies with COVID restrictions.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
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.

Education Week 2020 begins today, celebrating the many achievements of our public schools and the critical role they play in equipping our students for the future.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said ‘Learning together’ is a fitting theme given the extraordinary challenges this year has presented.
“In the face of drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, our school communities have proven just how strong and adaptable they are,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Teachers and support staff moved quickly to online lessons; parents and carers took on additional responsibilities at home and students adjusted to a new way of learning.”
Ms Mitchell said many exciting opportunities lie ahead to build on the strengths of the public education system.
“Already 42 new and upgraded schools have been built in 2020 as part of the NSW Government’s $6.7 billion school infrastructure program, with more to come,” she said.
“We are also rebuilding the NSW curriculum to cut unnecessary content, focus on literacy and numeracy and modernise vocational education and training.”
Ms Mitchell said Education Week has been a highlight of the NSW public education calendar for more than 60 years, and this year provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements over the past year.
“This is particularly relevant for the past year, as our education system has triumphed amidst difficult circumstances,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I cannot overstate the appreciation I have for the incredible way everyone has responded to the challenges of this year. Right across the state, students and families have received incredible support from their schools and teachers, and stronger relationships have grown between schools and their communities.
“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that schools are the cornerstone of our communities in NSW and together we can achieve great things.”
Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott said this year’s Education Week will look a little different with many schools opting for virtual celebrations in place of the usual open classrooms and school assemblies.
“We are using technology to encourage schools to run virtual celebrations and the department has put together a series of events for the whole week,” Mr Scott said.
Education Week starts with a launch live stream on Monday, 3 August, featuring students and staff from more than 50 public schools across NSW. Other events include a celebration of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and their language app; a student film festival introduced by actor Bryan Brown; a technology webinar for parents for the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations; and the Secretary, Mark Scott, in conversation with secondary students.
“Learning together is our theme for Education Week 2020 and it couldn’t be a more apt way to celebrate NSW public school communities in this remarkable year,” Mr Scott said.
“The resilience, endurance and creativity of people in Education is just incredible.”
Visit the Education Week website for full details of the virtual celebrations: education.nsw.gov.au/edweek20
#EdWeek20