A Waverley construction site has been temporarily shut down and $13,500 in Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) issued after multiple breaches of the Public Health Orders were detected by police.
Just after 11am yesterday (Thursday 2 September 2021), officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were patrolling Bronte Road, Waverley, when they stopped to speak with three construction workers who weren't wearing face masks.
After it was established that the men were from Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern, police requested to see the men's permits for leaving their areas and evidence of one dose of vaccine.
None were able to produce a permit, and two were unable to provide evidence of a COVID-19 vaccine. They all told police they were unaware of the requirements under the Public Health Orders.
In the process of shutting the site down for the day, police noticed there was no QR code on the site before establishing that there was no COVID Safety Plan.
The owner of the company was contacted, who told officers that he was unaware of his obligations, including for ensuring his employees complied with the Public Health Orders.
Following further inquiries, the 23-year-old owner was advised his business would receive a $10,000 PIN for occupier of construction site permit unlawful entry.
Two of the employees – aged 24 and 27 – were advised they would each be issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a noticed direction re s7/8/9-COVID-19 and a $500 PIN for failing to wear a face covering.
The third employee was advised he would be issued with a $500 PIN for failing to wear a face covering.
Further, they were all advised that they were not permitted to work outside of their LGAs until they had met the requirements in the Public Health Orders before being directed to return to their homes.
Anyone with information in relation to breaches if the Public Health Orders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
