EXCLUSIVE! Nelson Bay Man Fined $10K For Breaching Health Orders Twice On Same Day

BY IAN CROUCH

A Nelson Bay man has been slapped with $10,000 in fines for breaching the COVID Public Health orders.

Health officials advised the 29-year-old on Wednesday he had tested positive to Coronavirus and Police attended his Donald Street home on Thursday morning for a compliance check.

Police say 10 minutes after they departed a neighbour reported the man had left his home - he was found out-and-about about 90 minutes later and handed a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice.

It's further alleged he left his home again after returning there and was issued a second $5000 fine when patrolling police spotted him at about 3.30pm.

Police have considered seeking a Section 62 order from NSW Health to have the man placed under guard in hotel quarantine.

However, Police carried out a subsequent compliance check and found he was self-isolating. 

Sydney Arborists Hit With $30K In Fines Over COVID-19 Health Breaches

BY IAN CROUCH

A group of arborists have been hit with more than $30,000 in fines for breaching Public Health Orders in the Lake Macquarie area.

Inquiries revealed the group had been canvassing for business in the area on Wednesday and had been travelling to and from Greater Sydney.

It's alleged the 27-year-old owner of the business obtained a permit to enter Regional NSW based on untrue and inaccurate information, while the 25-year-old co-owner of the business did not have a permit.

Police say other employees did not have a COVID-19 test prior to leaving Greater Sydney as required by the Public Health Order.

As a result, police issued seven men – aged between 25 and 61 – PINs totaling $33,000 for the offences of:

* Leave Greater Sydney for prescribed purposes without a permit

* Fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to s 7/8/9 – COVID-19

* Not comply with requirements for testing – workers leaving Greater Sydney

* Not ensure true and accurate information provided to Service NSW

All seven men were directed to return to their homes in Greater Sydney.

Police say investigations into other reports from the community are ongoing.

A separate investigation is under way after another Sydney company sent tree loppers to the region, going door-to-door looking for work from mid to late August. Several of the workers subsequently tested positive to COVID-19.

Two Men Fined For Public Health Order Breaches In Upper Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley Police have fined two men overnight for breaches of the Public Health Order.

A 24 year old man from the Blue Mountains was fined after travelling to Aberdeen on Thursday night without a reasonable excuse.

A 23-year-old truck driver from Blacktown was also fined after he was caught delivering goods to Bridge Street Muswellbrook just after 11.30pm on Thursday - he's not supposed to travel further than 5 kilometres outside the hard lockdown area of Sydney.

Both men were told to return to their homes immediately.

Police Break Up Religious Gathering At Seahampton Home

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie Police have issued fines of $1000 each to nie people after breaking up a large gathering at Seahampton over the weekend.

Fairfax reports 25 to 30 people were at a home on George Booth Drive on Sunday morning without face masks.

A 42-year-old man who lives at the home told Police it was a religious service.

He was fined for breaching the 5 person limit on visitors, while eight others were also fined for breaching public health orders.

BREAKING! Central Coast Man Caught With Firearm, Drugs And Credit Cards At Waratah

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court after leading police on a short pursuit at Waratah early Tuesday morning.

Officers noticed a car parked in Station Street just before 2.30am and went to speak to the driver, but the car took off before pulling over a short distance away.

A search allegedly uncovered an air rifle, 500 air gun pellets, a quantity of methamphetamine and several credit cards suspected of being stolen.

The 28-year-old from the Central Coast has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today charged with drug possession, possessing an unregistered firearm, goods in custody and breaching the Public Health Order.