Latest news with #PottsPoint
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Man, 86, dies and six hospitalised in Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Sydney
One man has died and six other people have been hospitalised in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in inner Sydney. The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and City of Sydney are conducting inspections and tests of contaminated water sources in Potts Point. 'Since late May, seven Potts Point residents have been diagnosed and hospitalised with Legionnaires' disease,' a statement from SESLHD reads. 'This includes a man in his eighties, who became unwell in late June, and has sadly died from the infection.' Six other people were hospitalised with the disease, five of whom have since returned home. 'None of the patients are known to each other, however they may have been exposed to a common source of infection in the area,' the statement reads. SESLHD public health unit director Vicky Sheppeard said no legionella bacteria – which is responsible for the disease – had been found but investigations were ongoing. The disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is spread by an infection with legionella bacteria, which can sometimes be caused by contaminated cooling towers on top of large buildings. It is not spread from person to person. 'The district has requested building owners disinfect their cooling towers on two occasions since the investigation began in June,' Dr Sheppeard said. 'Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated.' Dr Sheppeard said symptoms could take up to 10 days to appear, and could include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath. 'People who have recently been in Potts Point and develop these symptoms should see their GP or go to a hospital emergency department,' she said. Not everyone exposed to the bacteria will become sick. Those with weakened immune systems, chronic lung conditions or disease, are smokers or older than 50 are more susceptible to the disease. Left untreated, a person may suffer respiratory failure, septic shock or acute kidney failure. Building owners have been urged to ensure their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Climate visa won't turn tide on environmental damage
The new visa pathway for Tuvaluans indicates a significant and welcome shift in government policy in that it recognises for the first time that climate change can force people to leave their homes (' Four in five Tuvaluans apply to move to Australia. Frayzel is among them ', July 20). But while it offers a way out, it does not address the cause of their displacement. When Pacific nations ask Australia to cut emissions to help slow sea-level rise, the government is unwilling to act. Offering resettlement while enabling massive fossil fuel expansion ignores both our climate obligations and the human rights of those already bearing the consequences. Wouldn't the right approach be to match humanitarian support with a meaningful effort to reduce emissions driving the rising sea levels and climate warming? Anne Ammann, Dargan Parenting priorities I don't often agree with Parnell Palme McGuinness, but I do on this one (' Women's revolution will benefit all', July 20). Fifth-wave feminism, which will make it possible for parents to prioritise looking after their child themselves, particularly in the early years, has been highlighted by the current childcare scandals. Economic changes to make that possible make long-term sense for society and the economy, even if there is a short-term hit to government coffers. It was crazy to think that someone called an educator was a reasonable substitute for parents, particularly in the first two years of a child's life. Gary Barnes, Mosman Parnell is correct to spell out the obvious that babies need parents and parents need babies. This is an evolved genetic imperative we ignore to our peril with dire consequences for individuals and society. Business will also be a winner with happy, fulfilled and productive employees. Win-win all round. Mother and freelance writer Virginia Tapscott must be applauded for her enlightened manifesto, which we desperately need. The elephant we've been ignoring is the fundamental flaw of allowing the care of our young and their parents to be at the mercy of a profit-driven industry. Richard Hambly, Potts Point Investing in the future Many years ago, in the late 1970s, the old Marrickville Council decided to invest in multiple child care centres (' More must be done to attract quality childcare staff ', July 20). It was the best decision those long-departed councillors ever made. My children (and later grandchildren) have all benefited from a system where the staff has professional development and support, while parents have a ready avenue to express concerns. There is no good reason why child care cannot be provided by local government in the same way as libraries and other community services. Joanna Mendelssohn, Dulwich Hill Dollars not sense Richer by the day, thanks substantially to tax-free wealth gains on a property that houses a gymnasium, a guests' retreat, half a dozen bathrooms and serves as a domestic dwelling for two (' Rich lister sells house for $40m, doubles his money in five years ', July 20). Meanwhile, poorly paid workers struggling to find the money to enable their families to survive from day to day have to pay tax on their paltry earnings, and people think it's OK. Unbelievable. If those who make the rules were poor, lowly paid workers rather than overly well-to-do, things might be different, more reasonable, and society less unjust and not so sick. Ross Drynan, Lindfield Trump's hubris When Donald Trump's delicate sensitivities are offended, his default response is to sue, baby, sue (' Angry Trump sues Murdoch for $15b ', July 20). This is designed to cause the offender to surrender and has proved effective at times. However, he has underestimated Murdoch. Murdoch is far more savvy than Trump and would not have allowed The Wall Street Journal to publish the Epstein birthday letter without doing all the checks and balances. I suspect Trump will be forced to eat humble pie this time to avoid a court case that could open a very nasty can of worms. Graham Lum, North Rocks Live and learn Correspondent Trevor Somerville mentions that he is still a curious learner who owns a computer (Letters, July 20). May I suggest the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) may be of interest and help him fill his time. In a nutshell, universities from around the world make short courses available to the public on a wide range of subjects. These courses are open to all, with no prerequisites, and free options are available. Australian providers, including RMIT, Deakin and Melbourne Universities, offer courses on the UK's FutureLearn platform. A bonus of the MOOC experience is the variety of perspectives brought by learners from across the globe. Barbara Chapman, South Yarra (Vic) Best of them mall I grew up not far from Roselands shopping centre and it offered more than mere shops. (' Concerts, weddings: The history of western Sydney's shopping centres ' July 20). The 1960s were a different time. The Battle of the Bands held heats at the Raindrop Fountain, Johnny Farnham offered Sadie and Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head, and the beautiful pool offered summer joy in the 'burbs and allowed many of us to meet up. Special events like the film America the Beautiful in 360-surround merely added the icing. Shops were rarely even considered. Roselands was a destination in itself and simply the place to be in what appeared to be far simpler times. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Kiama MP Gareth Ward's criminal trial told of ‘unreliability' in closing address
A jury who have sat through the lengthy criminal trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward have been told a man who alleges the MP sexually abused him has a 'certain unreliability'. Mr Ward, a NSW independent MP, was charged in March 2022 with three counts of assault with act of indecency, an alternative charge of common assault against an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013, and intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015. Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts. In the Darlinghurst District Court on Monday, defence barrister David Campbell SC continued his closing address, telling the court that the first complainant, a parliamentary staffer who was 24 at the time of the alleged incident, has a 'certain unreliability' when it comes to his memory. In evidence, the man was earlier asked about which particular event he was attending at Parliament House on the night in question, to which he said he couldn't recall 'exactly' but gave details as to which event he believed it was. 'I believed it was that event,' the man said. 'Do you think it, do you believe it or do you know it … what's the position?' Mr Campbell replied, to which the man stated he 'believes it'. Mr Campbell told the jury that what the man couldn't do was say he 'knows it'. 'He (the complainant) said that sometimes memories can meld together, particularly given the amount of time that has passed,' he said. 'Due to that corrosive effect on the memory, there must be a certain unreliability of what (name redacted) is now suggesting to you the jury.' Mr Campbell went on to thank the jury for their patience over the past eight weeks. 'This is the last chance we have to say anything to you on behalf of Mr Ward … and there may well be bits we haven't covered,' he said. 'Our submission to you is clearly this: The Crown has simply not discharged the burden it has in either of those two complainants' cases.' The barrister urged the jury to find the MP not guilty on all counts. Mr Ward is alleged to have assaulted a man, who had just turned 18 at the time, at the MP's South Coast home in February 2013. It's also alleged Mr Ward sexually assaulted another man – who was 24 years old at the time – at his Potts Point apartment in September 2015. Beginning his political career in 2011, Mr Ward was a councillor on the Shoalhaven Council before becoming the Liberal member for Kiama in 2011, a seat he has held since.
News.com.au
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
9am dance party shows where Sydney's night life has gone
Sydney night life can be a little lacklustre with dining establishments closing early and few options outside of getting a drink — but a viral video has shown exactly where clubbers have gone. The video, shows a jam-packed room full of revellers, but while you might think it was filmed on a Saturday night, it's actually 9am. Connor Cameron and Tay Gwyther set out in November 2024 on one mission — to get people socialising in person again. 'We'd seen how well run clubs were doing, but that's for a very specific subset of society that wants to get up and run at five in the morning,' Mr Cameron told 'We figured there was a pretty natural extension into social events.' It started off with a single dinner, inviting 10 friends and asking them all to bring another person. Now, it's swelled into weekly events where anywhere up to 1000 people attend and meet new people. The Maple Social Club hosts events such as Affogato Hour at Blooms in Potts Point, tennis events, Messina in a car park and wine tastings at the Winery. But, one of their most popular events is Maple Social Club's Coffee and DJ sets that take place every other Saturday morning. 'It seems to be quite a global trend, this concept of dancing with a coffee in hand so that event has done really well,' he said. 'Our biggest event was the one with Messina.' It's important to have variety, as some are diehard supporters and go to every Maple Social Club event while others might just attend an event or two that interest them. Mr Cameron told the idea of the events is that they are supposed to add to your social life, meaning they often take place during the day on a Saturday or Sunday — or occasionally a Thursday night. As a rule events aren't planned on Friday or Saturday evenings where possible. 'I think there are probably very few places in the world that are as busy at sunrise than Sydney is — particularly if you go to Bondi at 6am. It's just as busy as it is at 6pm, so I think there is a particular interest in that,' he said. 'I think we are an early rising city — potentially as a result of the fact that we don't have much in terms of late night options. 'There's a societal trend here and around the world that socialising doesn't need to be going and getting a drink at a bar at night. People are exploring different ways that they can meet others. 'The novelty of being at a big party on a Saturday morning is astounding and I think if you came to one of those events, you'll find that the dancefloor has a lot more energy than a club at midnight.' Social media users have had a huge reaction to the warehouse raves. One said: 'Forget Saturday sleep ins. I want to maple Saturday sesh.' 'This is hectic,' another added. Mr Cameron said the key of their events is that everyone is there to socialise — and the activity of choice isn't so niche that people feel excluded. He said it feels easier to meet people through these events than somewhere like a bar. He said he wouldn't say that Sydney is harder to meet people than any other major city, but Sydney is driven to do more socially. He said coming out of Covid, for a lot of cities, there was pent up frustration from not being able to meet people. It's resulted in a big push for events such as the ones Maple Social Club runs. For those interested, the events are listed on the group's Instagram and all people have to do is RSVP.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
Defence accuses ex-detective of bungled investigation into Gareth Ward assault allegations
The former detective who led a sexual assault investigation into New South Wales MP Gareth Ward has come under fire from Mr Ward's counsel for breaching a court order after arriving hours late to give evidence despite being under subpoena. In March 2022 Mr Ward was charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency – an alternative charge of common assault – involving an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013. He was also charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent relating to a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015. Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Former detective senior constable Cameron Bignell failed to return to the witness box by the required 10am start time on Thursday. When the court resumed after 2pm he admitted, under cross-examination, to breaching his subpoena by arriving hours late. "I had commitments I could not get out of … and I advised I would be a little bit late," Mr Bignell told the court. Pressed on why he had not sought permission from the judge the previous day, he said he believed an officer would "handle it" after he explained the situation. Defence barrister David Campbell SC suggested Mr Bignell had shown disregard for his obligations and disrespect towards the court. "You defied that order, didn't you?" Mr Campbell asked. "I did, yes," Mr Bignell replied, before adding, "it certainly was not my intention to be disrespectful." The former detective said he had been unwell and had intended to get a medical certificate, but did not follow through after deciding to return to court. Mr Campbell accused the former officer of believing he could choose when to attend. "This is part of you, isn't it — that you do what you want to do, rather than what you should," Mr Campbell said. "Absolutely not," Mr Bignell replied. The defence said that same mindset had marked his handling of the case, which Mr Bignell also rejected. At one point, Bignell acknowledged telling police he was "happy to get arrested" but said he could not avoid his earlier commitments. He later described that as "an off-the-cuff comment". Mr Bignell, who led the investigation from May 2021 until his resignation from NSW Police in 2024, was called to give evidence by the Crown on Wednesday. He told the court he had reviewed and collected statements from both complainants, key witnesses and conducted a walk-through in Sydney's CBD in September 2021 related to the older complainant's account. But the defence grilled him on missed opportunities and delays in evidence collection. Mr Campbell questioned why police had never interviewed a third man who shared the Potts Point apartment with Mr Ward at the time of the alleged 2015 assault. "It would be rather central to determine whether [the flatmate] was in the lounge room," Mr Campbell said. "I agree," Mr Bignell responded. "You can't give us one reason why you didn't task anyone to make that enquiry?" Mr Campbell asked. "I cannot," the former officer said. The defence also criticised Mr Bignell's delay in seeking taxi records to verify the younger complainant's claim that Mr Ward paid for his ride home to Meroo Meadow. Police did not request the records until 2024, by which time the company had changed hands and the data was no longer available. "That was an unfortunate development, yes," Mr Bignell said. When asked why he had not spoken to Mr Ward's regular driver, Mr Bignell said he had relied on the complainant's version of events. The court has heard that Mr Ward, who is legally blind, was known to often rely on a driver for transport. Mr Campbell also challenged the pace of the investigation, including why the September 2021 walk-through – proposed months earlier – had taken so long to organise. "Why did it take you so long?" Mr Campbell asked. "I can't recall — scheduling conflicts," Mr Bignell replied. "It wasn't the only job I was working on." Mr Bignell pushed back on suggestions the complainant's movements during the walk-through were inconsistent or unclear and rejected claims he zig-zagged around the streets. "I think you're exaggerating there," Mr Bignell said. Mr Bignell is expected to continue being cross-examined tomorrow as the trial, now in its seventh week, continues.
