NSW Police have issued more than $30,000 in Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to a group of tree-loppers who breached Public Health Orders in the Lake Macquarie area.
On Wednesday 1 September, officers received reports from members of the public via Crime Stoppers about a number of employees, apparently from Sau Tree Services, who had been canvassing the region for work.
Even Hunter New England Local Health District public health controller Dr David Durrheim said the company, and its staff, was considered an “urgent exposure” threat after some of them returned positive COVID-19 tests.
Police then spoke with one of the groups on Thursday 2 September, who told police they had been working in the region on weekdays and returning to Greater Sydney on weekends, including to LGAs of concern.
Inquiries revealed the 27-year-old company owner’s Service NSW permit to leave Greater Sydney to enter regional NSW contained untrue and inaccurate information.
Further investigation revealed that the 25-year-old co-owner of the business did not have a permit to leave Greater Sydney for work purposes in regional NSW, and that other employees hadn’t had a COVID-19 test prior to leaving Greater Sydney, as required under the Public Health Order.
As a result, police issued seven men – aged between 25 and 61 – PINs totalling $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; and
- Not ensure true and accurate information provided to Service NSW.
All seven men were directed to return to their homes in Greater Sydney.
Investigations into other reports from the community are ongoing.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction, which is treated in strict confidence, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
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