A Virgin flight from Sydney to Ballina on 14 July 2021 has now been added to the NSW exposure list after a passenger tested positive to COVID-19

ABC News, 25 July 2021:

A Virgin flight from Sydney to Ballina has been added to the NSW exposure list after a passenger tested positive to COVID-19.

Anyone who travelled or worked on Virgin Flight VA 1139 on July 14 must get tested and isolate for 14 days from the date of exposure, regardless of the result of the test.[Virgin Flight VA 1139 on 14 July 2021 – Sydney to Ballina, arriving 11.45am]

NSW Health has also asked that anyone who has spent time at the Campsie shopping centre (14-28 Amy Street, Campsie) and any businesses on Haldon Street in Lakemba in the last 14 days be particularly vigilant for symptoms given the number of exposure venues in these locations.

For the complete list of exposure venues, visit the NSW Health website.

On 20 July 2021 Covid-19 fragments were found at Byron Bay sewage treatment plant which serves about 19,000 people in Byron Bay, Wategos, Suffolk Park, Sunrise, and Broken Head.

In the face of growing community transmission NSW Police urge cooperation and compliance after concerning breaches of COVID-19 Public Health Orders

Words fail me......

NSW Police Public Site, News, 15-17 July 2051:

Police urge cooperation and compliance after concerning breaches of Public Health Orders

Police have issued more than 200 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for breaches of the Public Health Act in the past 24 hours as high-visibility operations continue across NSW.

Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, State Emergency Operations Controller, said the cooperation and support of the community – in the form of compliance – was key to the police operation.

“While the vast majority of the community is doing the right thing, it is concerning that three weeks into these restrictions, we are seeing an increase in non-compliance,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

“Police attended more than 960 COVID-related jobs yesterday, with about 600 of those coming from reports to Crime Stoppers.

“In total, police detected almost 400 people breaching the Public Health Orders, resulting in about 220 legal actions, ranging from fines through to criminal charges.

“These numbers are concerning, as the more people do the wrong thing, the more chance there is of the virus spreading,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott reminded people of the serious risk that this Delta variant of COVID-19 poses to the entire state.

“We are dealing with an increased risk of transmission of the virus within the Greater Sydney and surrounding areas, and now is not the time to lose our resolve,” Mr Elliott said.

“I want to remind people in the broader state of NSW not to be complacent, this Delta variant highly transmissible, so please abide by the rules no matter where you are in the state.”

An incident of note in Greater Sydney includes:

• About 1.30am yesterday, officers from Riverstone Police Area Command stopped a 22-year-old Blacktown woman and a 39-year-old Mt Druitt man at Dean Park, who were found to be out in breach of the Public Health Orders. They were each issued a $1000 PIN before being directed home. The pair were stopped at Quakers Hill about 7.30pm, again in breach of the stay home orders. Checks revealed the earlier interaction with police and legal action. Following further inquiries, it was established that the pair did not return home as directed, instead had travelled on public transport to at least nine different suburbs – from Richmond in the west through to Sydney CBD – throughout the day. Their activities included visiting a fast food restaurant and a hotel, where they spent time with two other people. They have been charged with not comply with noticed direction re: Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and are due to appear in court next month.

An incident of note in Regional NSW includes:

• Officers from South Coast Police District attended a short-term rental property at Catalina, near Batemans Bay, about 3.15pm, after receiving information that Sydneysiders were staying there. Police were told the eight people – aged between 18 and 19 – had travelled from their homes at Balgowlah Heights, Bellevue Hill, Bondi, Dover Heights, and Edgecliff to the stay at the property before they were due to return to university. Inquiries established they were in breach of the Public Health Orders and were each issued with a $1000 PIN before being directed to return home via the most direct route.

Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing, Regional NSW Field Operations, thanked the South Coast community for their assistance in enforcing the public health orders.

“This case really shows that Sydneysiders have nowhere to hide in regional areas at the moment,” Deputy Commissioner Willing said.

“If you live in Greater Sydney and are thinking of travelling in contravention of the public health order, you should be aware that if police don’t pull you over proactively, the community will let us know you’re there.

“Regional people are actively working with police to protect themselves and their loved ones, which is so important given the incredibly contagious nature of the Delta strain.”

In total, 203 PINs were issued yesterday, with 93 of those $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.

A further 19 people were charged with failing to comply with Public Health Orders; the majority of those charges were associated with other criminal offences.

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. [my yellow highlighting]

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Three removalists who allegedly had knowledge they were COVID positive before travelling from metropolitan Sydney to regional NSW are among the latest people to breach the Public Health Order in the past 24 hours.

Just after 2.30pm yesterday (Friday 16 July 2021), officers from Central West Police District attended Speedy Street, Molong, and spoke with four men – aged 21, 49 and two aged 27 – after receiving information they had travelled there from West Hoxton.

Police established the men, who were working as removalists, had travelled from West Hoxton to Figtree, before travelling to Molong, stopping in regional areas including South Bowenfels and Orange along the way.

It will be alleged three of the men travelled to Molong after being notified they had tested positive to COVID-19.

Police escorted all the men and their vehicles back to Greater Sydney where they have been instructed to isolate for 14-days.

The younger three men were issued Court Attendance Notices for not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott was troubled by this significant breach of the Public Health Orders.

“This thoughtless act has now placed our regional communities in NSW at the greatest risk so far with this pandemic,” Mr Elliott said.

“We know that the delta variant is highly transmissible, and it is unfathomable to think that, with all the public information and health warnings, people could so blatantly ignore the health orders.”

State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said police will be increasing their response to ensure public safety is the number one priority.

“Currently, we are seeing millions of people right across this state doing the right thing being let down by a small minority who continue to be irresponsible and put themselves and their communities at risk,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

“Today’s strengthening of the health orders means that people will have to change the way that they behave.

“The greater restrictions will see police ramping up our response across all of greater Sydney and regional areas to ensure people comply with the health orders and that public safety is the number one priority,” he said.

In total, police have issued 162 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) and charged 18 people for breaches of the Public Health Act in the past 24 hours.

Police attended more than 1,000 COVID-related jobs yesterday, with about 630 of those coming from reports to Crime Stoppers.

Incidents of note in Greater Sydney includes:

• A 25-year-old man who worked in an aged care facility in south-western Sydney and had been informed that he had tested positive to COVID-19 and was directed to stay-at-home. About 10.30pm (Friday 16 July 2021), officers from the North West Region Operations Support Group discovered the man had left his Mr Druitt home and travelled by car to Blacktown to buy dumbbell weights. The man has since been issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction – individual.

Other incidents of note in regional NSW includes:

• Just before 11am (Friday 16 July 2021), officers attached to Tenterfield Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting patrols when they stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer on the New England Highway, south of Guyra, and spoke to the driver, a 20-year-old man, and his male passenger. Inquiries revealed they were from Knawal and Charmhaven on the Central Coast and they were each issued $1000 PINs. Inquiries are continuing.

• About 6.20pm (Friday 16 July 2021), officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District observed a grey Audi sedan travelling at speed on the Pacific Highway, Doyalson. Police stopped the car on Scenic Drive and spoke to the driver, a 27-year-old man, and a male passenger, also aged 27. Following inquiries, both men were issued a $1000 PIN for not complying with current health orders as they do not reside in the same household and did not have a reasonable excuse to leave their homes.

• At 12.40am today (Saturday 17 July 2021), police spoke to a man who was asleep in the rear of a white Volkswagen Tiguan on Booner Street, Hawks Nest. The 60-year-old man said he travelled from his Turramurra home to the area for some peace and quiet. After being reminded of the current stay-at-home order, he was issued a $1000 PIN before being directed to return home via the most direct route. [my yellow highlighting]

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Michael West Media, 15 July 2021:

A NSW Police Force spokesperson said:

“Officers from Monaro Police District have issued a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for failing to comply with direction under the Public Health Act after an alleged breach by a 20-year-old woman.

“It’s alleged the woman travelled from regional NSW to Sydney then to the ACT, before returning to her home in regional NSW last Friday (9 July 2021).

“She was very helpful and apologetic with police. She has since been issued with the $1000 PIN.”

She received the smallest possible penalty for breaching public health orders. The maximum penalty is “imprisonment for 6 months and/or a penalty of up to $11,000.......

The ACT police force, NSW police force and John Barilaro himself have all refused to comment on whether or not John Barilaro or an associate was in contact with the police regarding the matter. 

NOTE:

(John) Giovanni Domenic Barilaro is the NSW Deputy Premier and National Party MLA for Monaro.

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The Daily Telegraph, 16 July 2021:

Outspoken former boxer Anthony Mundine has copped a $1000 fine for breaking Covid rules, while police investigate a second potential breach.

The high-profile Sydney resident was handed the fine after flying to Ballina on July 7, despite the citywide lockdown.

“Officers from Richmond Police District issued a 46-year-old man with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice after inquiries revealed he travelled from metropolitan Sydney to Ballina without a reasonable excuse on Wednesday 7 July 2021,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Police are also investigating a second alleged breach after Mundine went to Yamba, in northern NSW.

On July 14 officers launched an inquiry following reports Mundine visited a licenced premises in the regional town, police said.

Travel outside of Sydney, where Mr Mundine lives, is banned under the strict lockdown measures unless people have an exemption…..

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As a Byron Bay resident tested positive for COVID-19 on 30 March 2021 new restrictions are now in place for residents and visitors in the local government areas of Tweed Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Byron Shire Council and Lismore City Council

Northern NSW Local Health District, media release, 1 April 2021:

With Easter holidays now upon us, health authorities are encouraging people to celebrate safely as health restrictions come into force for certain local government areas in Northern NSW.

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said the current rules around mask wearing, private gatherings and social distancing shouldn’t mean that people need to miss out on connecting with loved ones and friends over the Easter break.

“If you’re meeting up with friends, hosting a family gathering or celebrating at a religious service, please ensure you are following the current health advice,” Mr Jones said.

New restrictions are now in place for residents and visitors in the local government areas of Tweed Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Byron Shire Council and Lismore City Council:

• mask wearing is compulsory on public transport, in retail stores, and in all public indoor settings;

• the one person per four square metre rule will apply at all public indoor settings including hospitality venues;

• the number of household visitors will be capped at 30 including holiday rental properties.

“If you’re going out to celebrate, check-in and then check-out with the QR codes, so if needed, our contact tracers can quickly locate anyone who may have been a venue of concern,” Mr Jones said.

“If you are having people gather at your home, please also keep a list of your guests, because it’s vital that our health teams are able to track down potential close contacts of any positive COVID-19 cases.”

 

There have now been 70 cases of COVID-19 among residents in the Northern NSW Local Health District since the pandemic began, with the latest locally acquired case announced yesterday (Wednesday 31 March).

Prior to this case, the region had experienced 248 days without a locally acquired infection.

NNSWLHD cases by likely source of infection:

Source                                          Total

Overseas or interstate acquired 64

Locally acquired – contact of a

confirmed case or in a known cluster 5

Locally acquired – source not identified 1

Under investigation 0

Total 70

Of these cases, 67 are considered to have recovered.

HOSPITAL VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

Visitor restrictions in hospitals and health facilities have been strengthened to protect patients and staff.

Patients are now permitted to have one visitor for one hour, twice a day, between the hours of 1pm and 6pm. Two separate visitors could visit a patient during these hours.

Temperature checking is in place, and visitors who have been in the Greater Brisbane area over the last 14 days are not permitted to enter. Visitors also need to check in with the QR code.

Maternity services have also further restricted visitors. Women can continue to nominate two support people for her labour and birth, and these support people can also visit after the birth. No other visitors are permitted at this time.

“Wherever you are over this holiday period, it’s critical that you continue to practise COVID-safe behaviours and come forward for testing, with even the mildest of symptoms,” Mr Jones said.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19:

– If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay. Remain isolated until you receive your test result.

– Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.

– Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.

– It is strongly recommended you wear a mask in situations where you can’t physically distance.

To find your nearest testing clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-toprotect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Rental housing is becoming beyond the reach of locals in 2021

ABC News, 1 March 2021:

After years of supporting others to find secure accommodation, Cherie Bromley never imagined she would find herself on the receiving end of the housing crisis on the far north coast of New South Wales.

Key points:

Valuable members of regional communities are being forced out of the area due to a shortage of affordable rental properties

A woman who applied for rental properties says she was told the successful applicants offered to pay $100 more than the advertised price

The head of a homeless support group says many of her own staff are struggling to find accommodation for themselves

"I didn't even approach the real estates because I just knew there was nothing out there," she said.

For the past decade, Ms Bromley has been working for the Byron Community Centre, which provides a number of services, including support for the town's homeless population.

The Byron Bay resident of 29 years said she began the search for a home when the lease on her share house ended late last year, thrusting her into a rental market with a vacancy rate close to zero.

"This is the worst it's ever been," she said.

"There is no housing stock that is affordable."

Ms Bromley said she was extremely fortunate to have a good network of friends who were able to find her and her 14-year-old daughter temporary accommodation.

"I'm sleeping in the kitchen area [and] I gave my daughter the bedroom, but I have to pass through her bedroom to go to the bathroom," she said.

"It's not sustainable long-term."

Cherie Bromley is sharing a one-bedroom unit with her teenage daughter.
(ABC North Coast: Leah White)

'Catastrophic proportions'

The term "traumatic experience" is not one Ballina solicitor Sadie Hunt thought she would ever use to describe trying to secure a rental property in regional NSW.

After all, she works in conveyancing, has a regular and respectable income, and has contacts in the local real estate industry — how hard could it be?

"I thought I had a pretty good chance of getting a rental property, but I was rejected from all the properties I applied for," Ms Hunt said.

"I was basically told that if you weren't a DINK (double income, no kids) … you just had zero chance of getting a rental property."

Ms Hunt said she sold her Lennox Head property in November 2020 and gave herself a five-week settlement period to find a new place.

But she said even the first hurdle into the rental market — property viewings — proved challenging.

"You get sent an email and if you don't respond to that email within two minutes those little 4-minute appointment slots are all filled," Ms Hunt said.

"You turn up and there's 30 to 50 people there … that you're essentially competing with to get a home for you and your family to live in."

Ms Hunt said she was able to find a private rental at the eleventh hour but was knocked back for the three rentals she applied for through real estate agents.

She said that the real estate agents later informed her that, in at least two of the homes she missed out on, other prospective tenants had offered higher rental payments to secure the properties…...

Right now a three bedroom house rental in Yamba is likely to cost between 35% and 50% of the 2020-21 middle tier median annual income of $67,000 in regional New South Wales. In Ballina a three bedroom rental is likely to take between 35% to 61% out of that same income if suitable housing stock is available. While renting a three bedroom home in Tweed Heads would reduce that median annual income by between 43% to 56% and, in Lismore such a rental would likely subtract between 34% to 43% from that $67,000 if there was suitable housing stock available.

A single parent raising a child on an annual Centrelink payment of $21,920 from March 2021 who is attempting to secure private rental of even a one-bedroom unit between Clarence Valley and the NSW-Qld border faces a daunting task.

Forty-one NSW towns are part of the initial rollout of the national vaccination program commencing on Monday 22 February 2021

 

Well today is the day....Monday 22 February 2021.

Australian Department of Health, media release excerpt, 18 February 2021:

Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program will commence from next week. People in priority groups who are most at risk and who need protection the most – will receive a vaccine first.

The rollout will begin with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and following the approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on Tuesday, will include the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine from early March.

The initial priority groups include aged care and disability care residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers, and quarantine and border workers.

A full list of the initial national rollout towns can be found at

https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/initial-towns-suburbs-and-hubs-for-covid-19-vaccine.

This is a list of the 41 NSW towns which will be part of the initial rollout of the national vaccination program:

Alstonville, Austral, Ballina, Bangor, Barden Ridge, Blacktown, Collaroy, Collaroy Plateau, Corrimal, Cronulla, Dean Park, Emu Plains, Engadine, Glenfield, Gosford West, Heathcote, Illawong, Jamisontown, Marayong, Minto, Mortdale, Mount Austin, Narrabeen, Orange, Peakhurst, Penrith, Penshurst, Point Clare, Port Macquarie, Prestons, Roseland, Springwood, Stanwell Park, Tarrawanna, Terrey Hills, Thirroul, Umina Beach, Wagga Wagga, Warriewood, Woonona, Woy Woy.

This is Prime Minister #ScottyFromPhotoOps getting one of the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine injections one day ahead of official national vaccination program rollout and, I kid you not, he applauded himself afterwards accompanied by clapping from Health Minister Hunt & others pic.twitter.com/xHl6e9CTD4

— no_filter_Yamba (@no_filter_Yamba) February 21, 2021

 

 

Around the Northern Rivers in December 2020

 

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On 7 December 2020 Development Application SUB2020/0038 (Lot 104 DP 751388) lodged by Robert Donges (a former Maclean and Clarence Valley council officer) on behalf of Kahuna No. 1 Pty Ltd was withdrawn while still within the Clarence Valley Council public exhibition period.

The development application included 336 residential lots, four drainage reserves, one commercial lot and one public reserve in what is essentially a high density configuration along James Creek Rd, James Creek.

IMAGE: Clarence Valley Independent

Withdrawal was hardly surprising given the lack of transport and other infrastructure which would be needed to be in place for a potential village-sized population of at least 840 people, as well as storm water and environmental concerns.

The owner of this lot has submitted a request to Clarence Valley Council that the unspent portion of application fees which it sets at $20,000. As council policy will only allow return of up to 50 per cent of an application fee (being $11,415.00 in this case) the matter is going to council’s ordinary monthly meeting on 15 December 2020.

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In August 2020 Maclean High School announced it was starting a cattle and livestock showing team, under the guidance of Primary Industries Teacher, Christopher Kirkland. Last month Maclean students took part in the Northern Schools Prime Steer Show at Glen Innes, NSW. I'm sure that experience will set them up for success in 2021.

Maclean High School – Cattle and Livestock Showing Team 2020

IMAGE: Clarence Valley Independent

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The Maclean Agricultural Show was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Maclean Show Society will be given $10,000 from the federal government towards its 2021 show to held on 20 to 21 April next year. The Clarence Pastoral & Agricultural Society Ltd will receive $17,682.68 towards its 2021 agricultural show.

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From 1 March 2021 Clarence Valley travellers will be able to connect through to Melbourne as part of Regional Express’ expansion on the back of the collapse of other regional airlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic’ From March Rex will begin flying nine return flights from Sydney to Melbourne and travellers boarding from Grafton Airport will be able to connect straight through, with baggage checked to their destination.

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Yaegl woman Pauline Clague has been awarded this year’s $20,000 Natalie Miller Fellowship. She is the 9th recipient of this fellowship and the first Indigenous person. 

The Natalie Miller Fellowship (NMF) supports the professional leadership of aspirational women in all sectors of the Australian screen industry; developing further skills, knowledge and connections through fellowships and programs. Its vision is to achieve gender diversity in screen leadership, resulting in a greater breadth of storytelling, better company performances, innovation, and a more dynamic, inclusive and robust industry for everyone.

Well-known as a producer of documentaries and short stories, Pauline has at least 16 films to her credit.

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It appears that Lismore City Council and Rous County Council wrote to the NSW Berejiklian Government encouraging the development of a $220 million 50 giglitre second dam on Rocky Creek to the south-west of the existing dam, before the dam proposal went to puclic exhibition for community input. Many local residents are not amused by this discovery. The proposed dam is supposed to supply four local government areas.

IMAGE: https://rous.myglobe.app/bulk-water

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Clarence Valley Independent, 9 December 2020:

Greg Clancy: “…if [mining companies] spend millions on exploration then they expect [to mine] … we need to speak out strongly against all mining proposals.”

Andrew Baker: “…to turn our back on any potential mining at this stage is doing the community a disservice.

“We should, rather than just accept there are concerned people in the community … we should be fully informed before making these decisions.

“…we should find out where council and councillors fit within our sphere of influence and not give people false hope that we can extinguish mining licences.”

Arthur Lysaught: “I think it was three years ago when Greg gave me the Greens [position] … but I said at the time, if I ever thought someone would affect the river, I would stand beside him to preserve the most pristine river in the country, maybe the world.

“The unfortunate part of this; whatever stance we take, others make the decision.”

Peter Ellem: “Yes and the greed merchants will continue to have a crack, whether to harvest dam water or reopen a mining industry through exploration.

“The end result is they want to mine … and with the government supporting one company [with an exploration grant], we have to be ever watchful to protect our river catchment and [associated] industries [like] tourism and recreation.

“…just like damming the Clarence and CSG mining, this kind of mining is not appropriate here and there should be a moratorium.”

Karen Toms: “We have an amazing river … but I am concerned because I heard what our state MP [Chris Gulaptis] has said.

“The general manager is right, we need to have a position … but 10,000 signatures … well done to the community to start rallying.

“We are here to represent our people … we are the responsible authority for our water so we do have some skin in the game.

“Tell them [mining companies] … to bugger off.

“It’s important send a strong message to the state and federal governments and the miners: leave our water alone.”

Deborah Novak: “A lot of people out there are scared to step up … but this is where they have come together [to gather 10,000 signatures].

“It’s important for the state and federal governments to see that the [petition organisers] are professional … and really amazing and it’s the young people who have stepped up.”

Greg Clancy (right of reply): “Over 10,000 signatures suggest that this is not only the concerns of a few people.

“…despite covid, the groups have worked very hard; I commend the Clarence Catchment Alliance and the Clarence Environment Centre … all working hard on this issue to make the general public aware.

“…it’s scientific, it’s facts about what we know mining does to river systems.

“We only need one accident and there goes the entire river.

“It’s not a case of not having mining anywhere, but it has to be in areas of minimal impact.”

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Echo Net Daily, December 2020:

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has blown the whistle on the government after obtaining a ‘damning’ NSW Department of Education School Profile of Murwillumbah High School, the proposed site of the mega campus, which shows major capital works are badly needed there.

Making cost savings by shelving replacement or maintenance of buildings at four public schools appears to be the main driver of the NSW government’s agenda for its mega Murwillumbah Education Campus, says Ms Saffin.

These four public schools – Murwillumbah High, Wollumbin High, Murwillumbah East Public and Murwillumbah Public – all have their own well-established traditions of academic, sporting and cultural excellence,’ Ms Saffin said.

Ms Saffin has invited NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell MLC to come to Murwillumbah early next year to meet with the four Parents & Citizens Associations and other representatives of students, teachers and staff, and the local community.

‘Our school communities deserve to hear from Minister Mitchell what the evidence-based educational benefits to Murwillumbah’s primary and secondary school students are of the government’s plan to merge them into one “mega” campus by 2024.

‘However, the evidence is mounting that the Department has dragged the chain on capital works and maintenance at Murwillumbah High and Murwillumbah East Public School, badly affected by the 2017 floods, and the Department’s fix is to close four schools and replace them with a centralised American model.’……

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