Category: Hume Travel Radio Network

Police are appealing for information after reports that a number of firearms were stolen from a home in Mullion, about 123km south west of Goulburn.

Officers attached to The Hume Local Area Command were contacted yesterday (Friday 11 September 2015), following reports firearms and car keys were stolen from a property on Mountain Creek Road.

It’s believed the items were taken between Wednesday 9 September 2015 and Friday 11 September 2015, after the property was broken into.

The items reported stolen include:

– 3 x .22 calibre rifle,

– 1 x .22 long rifle

– 1 x calibre 177 rifle

– 1 x double barrel shotgun

– 1 x single barrel shotgun,

– Ammunition, and

– Car keys.

No one was at the premises at the time of the incident.

As investigations into the incident continue, police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

Two men are expected to be charged after police searched two homes in Goulburn today.

Shortly after 8am (Tuesday 8 September 2015), two properties in Goulburn were searched as part of the enforcement of Firearms Prohibition Orders.

These included a home on Joshua Street and a home on Green Valley Road.

Inside the property on Joshua Street, police allegedly located a .223 calibre bullet. The occupant, a 40-year-old man, is expected to be dealt with by way of future court attendance notice for not keeping ammunition secure.

Inside the property on Green Valley Road, police allegedly located 0.1grams of what is believed to be the drug ‘ice’ and a number of prescription medications.

The occupant, a 40-year-old man, is also expected to be dealt with by way of future court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug and possess a prescribed restricted substance.

NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay is pursuing a speed limit increase along the Pacific and Hume Highways, from 110km/h to 120km/h on dry days, claiming that current speed limits didn’t reflect the latest automotive standards.

The minister’s comments follow a decision in the Northern Territory where motorists were permanently allowed to choose their own speed along a 276 kilometre section of highway following a successful 18 month evidence-based trial.

In a decision condemned by medical authorities, Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles on Thursday handed down a report confirming that open speed limits had reduced the number of accidents along the trial section of the Stuart Highway when compared with a 130km/h posting previously in place.

In NSW, Mr Gay has ordered Roads and Maritime Services to cost remediation works on both the Pacific and Hume Highways which would mandate grade-separated intersections and crossroads.

“We’re OK at 110km/h but when you’ve got crossroads coming in on most of those roads … that’s a problem,” Mr Gay said.

“The best way I can look at raising the speed limits in place is to put a proper road in to allow that happen … I’m awaiting the results of those costings shortly.”

Minister Giles in the Northern Territory confirmed a new 60-kilometre extension that will stretch the de-restricted zone to 336 kilometres between Alice Springs and the Ali Curung rail overpass. The developments follow a $4.4 million investment from the Territory government on upgrading the Stuart Highway to suit higher speeds.

“Driver safety has always been paramount during the trial and the sections of the Stuart Highway selected were chosen because they represented the least risk and lowest crash statistics,” Giles said.

“The traffic counter data shows there was only a small increase in driver speed in the trial sections, with 85 per cent of drivers travelling between 133 and 139 kilometres an hour.”

The report found the fastest speed admitted to by a driver was 295km/h. Prior to open speed limits, the average speed in the trial area was 134km/h, with the highest speed registered at 205km/h. Car makers including Porsche have returned to the Territory to conduct testing since the open speed trial commenced, pushing its 918 hypercar to 350km/h.

Whereas most Australian states have pursued lower speed limits in recent years, the Territory example provides an interesting case study.

Open speed limits were abolished by the former Territory Labor Government in 2006 and replaced by a maximum limit of 130km/h. More people died on Territory roads (307) in the six years after, than in the six years before the change (292).

Moreover, countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Denmark record lower annual road traffic deaths than Australia despite featuring speed limits of 130km/h or higher.

The Territory government announced a $2.5 million upgrade to coincide with Thursday’s 60km extension. Stakeholders believe clearing trees away from the edge of the highway, widening curves and improving the marking and signage not only reduces accidents, but helps eliminates fatigue.

“The Territory has a unique road network with long distances between towns and low traffic volume. With the expansion of open speed limit zones, we are putting responsibility on motorists to drive to their own capabilities and to the conditions of the road,” Transport minister Peter Chandler said.

Two people have been refused bail after police located an estimated $100,000 worth of drugs, including a commercial quantity of MDMA, in their car during a traffic stop near Goulburn.

Officers from Goulburn Highway Patrol stopped the black Mazda sedan on the Hume Highway shortly after 8pm on Monday night.

After the 25-year-old male driver tested positive for the drug ice, police searched the vehicle, locating mobile phones, balaclavas, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and prohibited drugs with a street value of up to $100,000.

The 25-year-old female passenger was then arrested and the car was seized.

They were charged with multiple drug offences including possessing a large commercial quantity of MDMA and an indictable quantity of methlyamphetamine, as well as possessing ammunition without a licence.

The man was additionally charged with possessing a means of disguising the face.

Both were due to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Tuesday.

Police are appealing for witnesses after rubbish was thrown on the Eternal Flame at Memorial Gardens in Wagga Wagga this morning.

About 1.15am (Wednesday 2 September 2015), officers from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command were called to Victory Memorial Gardens, on Baylis and Morrow Street, after reports of someone throwing rubbish at the location.

On arrival police saw a man and found rubbish in the flames of the Eternal Flame at the gardens.

Officers attempted to stop and speak to the man, who ran from the area.

There was no permanent damage to the Eternal Flame, and it remained alight.

Investigators are now appealing for assistance to identify a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm, thin build and black hair.

Police are investigating after a young girl was approached and grabbed by a man in Mount Austin, near Wagga Wagga, early this morning.

About 8.15am (Tuesday 1 September 2015), the 12-year-old girl was walking alone on Bourke Street, when she was approached by a man.

Police have been told that the man ran up to the girl and grabbed her from behind, before another man shouted at him from a distance and he ran away.

The girl ran to a nearby High School and reported the matter to staff, who in turn contacted police from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command, and an investigation commenced.

The man has been described as being in his mid 30s, wearing a black hooded jumper, and light coloured denim jeans.

Police are appealing for anyone with information, including the man who intervened, to come forward.

A man and woman have been charged with multiple drug offences after a traffic stop on the Hume Highway near Goulburn.

Shortly after 8pm on Monday 31 August, police attached to Goulburn HWP stopped a black Mazda sedan.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, underwent a roadside drug test, which was positive for methyl-amphetamine (ice).

He was placed under arrest.

Police searched the vehicle, locating mobile phones, balaclavas, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and prohibited drugs with the estimated potential street value of $100 000.

The 25-year-old female passenger was arrested.

The man and woman were taken to Goulburn Police Station. The vehicle was also seized.

The man was charged with

– Large commercial quantity of MDMA

– Indictable quantity of methyl-amphetamine

– Possess ammunition without license

– Possess drug x 4

– Possess means of disguising face.
The woman was charged with

– Large commercial quantity of MDMA

– Indictable quantity of methyl-amphetamine (ice) and

– Possess ammunition without license.

Both were refused bail and will appear at Goulburn Local Court today.

Police in the Wagga Region have been honoured during a gala community event at the weekend.

The Wagga Police Awards, conducted by the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Sunrise in conjunction with the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command, culminated on Saturday (29 August 2015), with a Gala Dinner at Wagga’s RSL Club.

Thirty three nominations were acknowledged on the night, and awards were presented in six categories, plus an overall award for the Wagga Police Officer of the year.

The winner of the Field Operations award which recognises the outstanding contribution of officers attached to local area commands, which include general duties, criminal investigators and other officers who operate in the local area command environment was Sergeant Ryan Sheaf.

Winner in the Specialist Operations and Corporate Services category which recognises the outstanding contribution of officers attached to Specialist Operations and Corporate Services commands, which includes technical officers, criminal investigators and other specialist officers who operate in the non-local area command environment was Inspector Peter Robertson.

The Rotary Community Award which recognises the efforts of NSW Police Force employees, both sworn and unsworn, whose work has been specially identified as providing benefits to the community directly through a program or other initiatives was awarded to Constable Kristian Swarbrick.

Police volunteers assist the Force in their own time and help to ensure that the community of New South Wales is best served by their police. The Police Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Ray Pelletier.

The Police employee of the Year award which recognises the outstanding contribution of NSW Police Force civilian employees and reflects the crucial supporting role they play in the daily business of policing was awarded to Claire Chapman.

Probationary Constable Dylan Mugridge was awarded the encouragement award for newer serving officers.

The overall winner awarded the trophy as Wagga Police Officer of the Year was Sergeant Ryan Sheaf.

The Awards are conducted by Rotary to recognise and acknowledge outstanding acts of courtesy, compassion, courage and devotion to duty by any member of the New South Wales Police Force in the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command, which also encompasses the surrounding towns of Coolamon, Ganmain, Junee, Temora, Lockhart, The Rock, Tarcutta, Ariah Park and Ardlethan.

Wagga Wagga Local Area Commander, Superintendent Bob Noble, and President of Sunrise Rotary, Dawn Smith, thanked the community and sponsors of the event for their overwhelming support of the awards.

A cheque for almost $5000, part of the proceeds, was presented to NSW Police Legacy, and the balance of funds raised will assist Sunrise Rotary charities.

Wagga Wagga Local Area Commander, Superintendent Bob Noble, praised the finalists and winners for their inspirational passion for serving the community.

“I am incredibly proud of all Rotary Police Officer of the Year nominees; they truly embody the Rotary motto ‘service above self’, which is evident in their commitment to their job,” Supt Noble said.

“It is wonderful for members of the community to share this night with us, and say thank you for the largely unheralded work that is carried out by local police and support staff.”

More information about the awards is available at: www.waggapoliceawards.org.au