NSW Police are to be congratulated for this display of transparency, however it does make for hard reading

The last 31 days have not exactly been a public relations success for NSW Police.

It is to be congratulated for this display of transparency, however it does make for hard reading.

Please note that the following information is taken from NSW Police News entries for 4 September to 4 October 2022. This information does not imply that charges have been proven.

4 October 2022: Constable – Central Metropolitan Region – for the offence of fabricate false evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal. Court date set. Employment status is under review.

2 October 2022: – South West Metropolitan Region – charged with two counts of have sexual intercourse with child >=14 & <16 years and holder of public office misconduct. Stood down from duties while employment status is under review.

27 September 2022: Constable – North-West Metropolitan Region – charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Court date set. Employment status is currently under review.

20 September 2022: Former senior constable - Northern Region – charged with eight offences while a serving officer including common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal, destroy or damage property, and do act intend to pervert the course of justice. No longer with the NSW Police Force

20 September 2022: Detective senior constable – attached to a specialist command – charged with domestic-related assault offences. Court date set. On restricted duties.

20 September 2022: Senior constable – attached to a Northern Region command – charged with perverting the course of justice. Court date set. Duty status is under review.

14 September 2022: Constable – Western Region – charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. Court date set.

12 September 2022: Senior constable – attached to a specialist command – additional charges were laid including two counts of supply prohibited drug and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. Suspended without pay.

11 September 2022: Constable – Southern Region – charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) and stalk/ intimidate intending to cause fear of physical or mental harm (DV). Employment status is under review.

8 September 2022: Constable – Western Region – issued with an infringement for low-level drink driving.

8 September 2022: Constable – South West Region – charged after allegedly driving while her licence was suspended.

4 September 2022: Senior constable – South West Region – charged with three counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, two counts of contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO, two counts of use postal/similar service to menace/harass/be offensive and Attempt to breach prohibition/restriction in Domestic AVO. Employment status is under review.

Yamba CAN elected it's board and gained new members

 

Clarence Valley Independent, 5 October 2022:

The Yamba Community Action Network continues to gain momentum…..

A fresh injection of ideas and opinions greeted the stalwarts of Yamba CAN when they met at Wooli Street Hall on Wednesday, September 28.

“We had about 50 people there which was fantastic and the majority of them were new people,” Mr Lamerton said.

“Twenty-two people joined Yamba CAN on the night.

“We had a really good mix of people there, a lot of new people and young people.

“Ten of the regular people who turn up to meetings were there so there were about 40 people who were new, which was great.

“We got the constitution ratified and we had a board elected all within about 30 minutes…...

“All in all, it a was a great productive meeting, people were energised and everyone saw the humour in the double-booking.”

The Yamba Community Action Network CAN committee (l to r) Lynne Cairns – Secretary; Patricia Cancannon – Minutes Secretary; Ian Warlters – Committee Member; James Lamerton – Chair; Lynnie Deacon – Committee Member; Alex Devantier – Deputy-Chair; Col Shepard – Treasurer. Image: contributed.

Mr Lamerton said he and the elected Yamba CAN board of Lynnie Deacon, Lynne Cairns, Col Shephard, Alex Devantier, Ian Warlters, Patricia Concannon met on Saturday, October 2, to elect the committee.

The committee of Lynne Cairns – Secretary; Patricia Cancannon – Minutes Secretary; James Lamerton – Chair; Alex Devantier – Deputy-Chair; Col Shepard – Treasurer; Ian Warlters – Committee Member; Lynnie Deacon – Committee Member, was elected.

With the state election looming in March 2023, the Yamba CAN board has identified several issues and actions they will pursue.

“Once all candidates are preselected Yamba CAN will be holding a candidates forum for Yamba specifically,” Mr Lamerton said.

“We don’t want to hear about national and state politics, we just want to hear about issues around Yamba, so we’ll be inviting all endorsed candidates to that.

“Another focus is an absolute campaign that there will be no sale of the library and the Wooli Street Hall site, plus all of development in West Yamba.

“We will be telling the council in no uncertain terms that we are absolutely opposed to any potential sale of the Wooli Street Hall area, and that we have serious concerns about the Park Avenue development, and we strongly suggest council review that.

“We want Yamba to be a better place for our grandchildren than what it is for us now, and we can’t see that happening at the moment.”

Tweets of the Week

Witness from the Rural Doctors’ Association of NSW tells the Inquiry how some cancer patients in the Northern Rivers are going home after having chemotherapy to a tent. In the rain.

They’re still homeless 7 months after the floods.

This is our national shame.#nswpol #auspol

— Cate Faehrmann 🌏🐨 (@greencate) October 5, 2022

Cartoons of the Week

 

David Rowe

John Shakespeare

Cathy Wilcox

Alan Moir

Dr. Monique Ryan Independent MP for Kooyong: "In rapidly dismantling most measures to identify and limit the spread of COVID in our community, the government has chosen to leave the most vulnerable Australians behind. It has also rolled the dice on its own political fortunes"

Dr. Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong, writing in The Age, 3 October 2022:

The Albanese government would like to pretend that the global pandemic is over. Sadly, it’s not.

In rapidly dismantling most measures to identify and limit the spread of COVID in our community, the government has chosen to leave the most vulnerable Australians behind. It has also rolled the dice on its own political fortunes, gambling there won’t be another summer like the last; one of uncontrolled spread, unavailable testing, unstocked shelves, cancelled family gatherings, anxiety and uncertainty.

The public has a right to know how and why the decisions to end mandatory isolation periods for COVID-19 were made. It appears that the only health advice considered by the national cabinet last week came from the Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly. It is disturbing that the new Labor government excluded the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – our key expert body for health emergencies, the state health officers who’ve guided our COVID response in the past three years – from this crucial decision on pandemic management.

The Albanese government has generally been on point in its first four months. Other than an aborted attempt at stopping pandemic leave in July, this is its first real misstep, one which could have grave consequences.

Australians would like COVID to go away so that we could just get back to normal. The government would like COVID to go away so that our workforce and economy can recover. Healthcare workers would like COVID to go away, so they can make inroads into the massive backlogs for elective surgery and outpatient appointments. Most poignantly, the aged, chronically ill, disabled and immunocompromised would like COVID to go away, so they could safely re-join the rest of us. Many feel isolated, at risk and increasingly marginalised by the desire of mainstream Australia – and now of their government – to pretend that COVID is no longer a threat.

Sadly, COVID is still a threat. About 10 million Australians have had COVID this year. Most have not been too unwell, but at least 200,000 have developed long COVID, with its persistent fatigue, brain fog and breathing difficulties. While more likely to develop in unvaccinated, older and sicker patients, long COVID also affects the immunised and the young. It’s more common after repeated infection. Other complications – stroke, heart attack, blood clots and sudden death – are twice as frequent in the year after having COVID in people of all ages.

Comparisons of COVID with the flu are nonsensical. Influenza is much less infectious and much less lethal than COVID. Flu does not cause a disabling chronic illness in 5 per cent of people. Flu does not cause a 17 per cent increase in the national death rate. Flu does not cause late cardiac events, stroke or dementia.

Australia’s most severe wave of COVID ended just two months ago. Unfortunately, the emergence of new variants is almost guaranteed. We’ve learnt that immunity from vaccines and previous infection wanes after four to six months. Without quarantine, easily available testing, masks or other public health measures to limit its spread, a variant as infectious as Omicron and as severe as Delta could cause chaos in this country within weeks…..

Read the full article here.

STATE OF PLAY NSW 2018-2022: Trapped In Harm's Way

 

Global Climate Change is not something that will happen on some vague future date, it is occurring right now and is being experienced by regions and populations around the world.

Globally the Earth has warmed by at least an average 1.1° Celsius (1.9° Fahrenheit) since 1880 according to U.S. NASA analysis (2022) - with the majority of the warming occurring since 1975, at a rate of roughly 0.15 to 0.20°C per decade. Australia has warmed on average by 1.44 ± 0.24 °C since national records began in 1910 according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (2020) – with the majority of this warming occurring since the 1960s. In NSW, the average temperature is about 1.4°C higher than in 1910, with 2018 and 2019 being the warmest years on record according to NSW EPA (2022).

The complex interactions such warming is causing affects atmospheric and ocean circulation patterns, seasons of the year and regional/local weather patterns. Which means that ongoing change can no longer be reliably separated out into incidents caused by “climate change” and incidents caused by ordinary “weather”.

One of the ways changing climate is being experienced is by an increase in frequency and/or intensity of what are often described as either “adverse weather” events or “natural disasters”.

This post looks at natural disaster declarations in New South Wales over the last five years as an indication of the level at which our communities are becoming trapped in harm’s way by our geography.

Disaster declarations are a during or after event acknowledgement of significant damage to natural and built environments, industry and businesses within one or more of the state’s 128 local government areas.

Natural disaster declarations

A Disaster Declaration is a frequently updated list of Local Government Areas (LGA) that have been impacted by a natural disaster. With a disaster declaration for their area, affected communities and individuals can access a range of special assistance measures.

Disaster declarations are issued by the NSW Government and incorporate an Australian Government reference number (AGRN).

NSW DISASTER DECLARATIONS 1 JULY 2018 to 14 SEPTEMBER 2022

1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

• Shoalhaven bushfires: 11 August 2018 onwards

• Richmond Valley, Lismore and Kyogle bushfires: 12 August 2018 onwards

• Clarence Valley and Glen Innes Severn bushfires: 14 August 2018 onwards

• Cessnock and Port Stephens bushfires: 15 August 2018 onwards

• Bega Valley and Eurobodalla bushfires: 15 August 2018 onwards

• Tamworth (Rockview) Bushfire: 30 October 2018 onwards

• Port Stephens and Cessnock Bushfires: 22 November 2018 onwards

• Armidale (Melrose) Bushfire: 1 December 2018 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods: 13 December 2018 onwards – including Clarence Valley LGA

• NSW Storms and Floods: 20 December 2018 [extending the declaration] – including Ballina & Clarence Valley LGAs

• Glen Innes Severn (Highland Creek) Bushfire: 25 December 2018 onwards

• Tamworth (Halls Creek Road) Bushfire: 3 January 2019 onwards

• Newcastle (Kooragang Island) Bushfires: 5 January 2019 onwards

• Parkes and Cabonne (Curembenya) Bushfire: 5 January 2019 onwards

• Inland New South Wales Storms and Floods: 11 January 2019 onwards

• Snowy Valleys Bushfires: 17 January 2019 onwards

• Parkes and Greater Hume Storms: 22 and 23 January 2019 onwards

• Hilltops and Cootamundra-Gundagai Storms and Floods: 5 February 2019 onwards

• Eastern NSW Storms: 8 February 2019 onwards

• Singleton and Muswellbrook Bushfires: 11 February 2019 onwards

• Tamworth Regional and Upper Hunter Bushfires: 11 February 2019 onwards

• Northern NSW Bushfires: 11 February 2019 onwards – including Kyogle LGA

• Tenterfield Bushfires: 9 March 2019 onwards

• Central West and Orana Storms and Floods: 29 March 2019 onwards

• NSW – Carrathool Floods: 22 April 2019 onwards

• Berrigan Shire Storms – 29 June 2019 onwards

1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020

• NSW North Coast Bushfires: Commencing 18 July 2019 onwards – including Clarence Valley, Kyogle & Richmond Valley

• NSW Bushfires: 31 August 2019 onwards – including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley & Tweed LGAs

• Sydney and Southern Highlands Storms: 5 September 2019 onwards

• NSW Storms: 26 November 2019 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods: 15 January 2020 onwards – including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley & Tweed LGAs

• Western NSW Floods: 26 February 2020 onwards

• Cabonne Shire Storms and Floods: 25 March 2020 onwards

• Western NSW Storms and Floods: 3 to 4 April 2020

• Western NSW Storms and Floods: 10 to 12 April 2020

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

• NSW Storms and Floods: 25 July 2020 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods: 5 August 2020 onwards

• Central NSW Storms: 18 August 2020

• NSW storms and floods: 20 October 2020 onwards

• NSW Storms: 28 November 2020 onwards

• NSW Storms: 2 December 2020 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods: 10 December 2020 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods: 2 January 2021 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods: 19 February 2021 onwards

• Eurobodalla Storms from 26 December 2020 onwards

• NSW Storms and Floods 10 March 2021 onwards – including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley & Tweed LGAs

• Snowy Valleys Storms from 3 February 2021 onwards

• Southern NSW Storms and Floods from 5 May 2021 onwards

• NSW Storms from 10 June 2021 onwards

1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

• NSW storms and floods from 16 July 2021 onwards

• Armidale storm from October 14 2021 onwards

• North East NSW severe weather from 20 October onwards

• NSW storms and floods from 22 August onwards

• Severe weather event across NSW from 23 October onwards

• NSW severe weather and flooding 9 November 2021 onwards – including Kyogle, Lismore & Richmond Valley

• Narrabri storm and tornado of 30 September 2021

• NSW storms and floods from 30 July 2021 onwards

• Northern Beaches severe storm as of 19 December 2021

• Lithgow severe storm and flash flooding as of 11 January

• Southern NSW storms and floods from 5 January 2022 onwards

• NSW Severe Weather and Flooding from 22 February 2022 onwards – including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley & Tweed LGAs

• Broken Hill Severe Thunderstorm 15 March 2022

• Wingecarribee Severe Storm - 19 April 2022

1 July 2022 to 4 August 2022 (financial year 2022-23)

• NSW Severe Weather and Flooding from 27 June 2022 onwards

• NSW Severe Weather and Flooding from 4 August 2022 onwards

• NSW Severe Weather and Flooding from 14 September 2022 onwards

Note: 

The Clarence Valley Local Government Area (LGA) has been part of a NSW Natural Disaster Declaration 8 times in 4 consecutive financial years - declarations occurring between August 2018 to February-March 2022.

Kyogle Shire LGA has also been part of a NSW Natural Disaster Declaration 8 times, Richmond Valley 7 times, Lismore City LGA 6 times, Ballina Shire 5 times, Byron Shire LGA 4 times and Tweed Shire 4 times, between August 2018 to February-March 2022.

NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) releases its draft Climate Policy and Action Plan

Environmental Defenders Office, 30 September 2022:

First ever NSW plan for climate action released after landmark win by bushfire survivors

One year after the landmark win by Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action in the NSW Land and Environment Court, NSW’s environmental regulator has released a draft of their first climate policy and action plan.

The Court found last August that the NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has a legal duty to take serious action on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change – the first time that an Australian court has ordered a government to take meaningful action on climate change.

EDO’s case on behalf of our client, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA), argued that the EPA has a duty to develop policies, objectives and guidelines to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and protect communities from the impacts of climate change. BSCA spokesperson Fiona Lee, who lost her home in the Black Summer fires almost three years ago, said that this draft plan is an important step in answering that call.

“After the worst bushfire season on record in 2019/20, BSCA decided to use the law to ensure the authority tasked with protecting people and the environment does so effectively,” Ms Lee said.

“Bushfire survivors like me have already endured the devastating effect of climate change on our lives, homes, jobs and security and we know that extreme weather events like these will only increase in intensity and frequency as global temperatures increase. We need drastic emissions reductions this decade to keep our communities safe from further climate dangers.

“We’re pleased that the EPA has released this draft climate change policy and public consultation period. We look forward to getting across the details and preparing our submission in response.

“We also look forward to continuing to work closely with NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage, James Griffin, and the new EPA chief executive, Tony Chappel, to ensure this process delivers real impact in reducing emissions.”

Elaine Johnson, EDO’s Legal Strategy Director said: “This is a significant day for the Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action after their historic win last year, when the court found the NSW EPA was required to act on climate.

“We see the release of this draft policy as an important first step – but the devil will be in the details.

“We have analysed the draft policy and action plan and we are working with our clients, partners and the community to ensure we end up with an effective climate plan which delivers real results, and fast. Ahead of our webinar, we will be publishing our analysis and submission guide on key issues to support and strengthen the policy and action plan.

“This is our last chance to get it right. Climate change has already begun. How much worse it gets depends on how quickly we can drive emissions towards zero.

“The Court has made it clear that it’s the EPA’s job to protect Australians from greenhouse gases and climate change – there is no more time to lose.”

Have your say

The draft plan will be open for public submissions until 3 November 2022, and is an opportunity to ensure the EPA implements robust measures, safeguarding Australians and the environment we live in.

Join our community briefing webinar on Thursday 6 October, 6pm-7:30pm to hear independent expert legal analysis of the EPA’s draft Climate Policy and Action Plan. This webinar will be useful for anyone intending to make a submission. Register here.

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NSW EPA Draft Climate Change Policy document is at

https://hdp-au-prod-app-nswepa-yoursay-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/5316/6253/3253/EPA_Climate_Change_Policy.pdf

NSW EPA Draft Climate Change Action Plan 2022-2025 document is at

https://hdp-au-prod-app-nswepa-yoursay-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/8816/6253/3292/Climate_Change_Action_Plan_2022-25.pdf