Error: no decision tree source folder detected A Cranebrook man has fronted Penrith Local Court today charged with online child abuse material offences. The Australian Federal Police’s Child Protection Operations team charged the man, 47-year-old Michael John Camilleri-Gray, yesterday at his Cranebrook home. The AFP allegedly identified the man following a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a user uploading child abuse material online. A search warrant was executed at the man’s home yesterday, with investigators allegedly locating child abuse material on a mobile phone and laptop. The electronic devices will be subject to further forensic examination. The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years’ imprisonment. He was granted conditional bail, including house arrest, and is due to return to court on May 9. He has also been suspended from his job as a nurse at Blacktown Hospital. AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said the AFP worked closely with both domestic and international partners to help protect children. “The shared goal of law enforcement is to protect children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts,” Tsardoulias said. “Our message to offenders has not changed. If you procure, access or transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.” This post has been published by the team in our newsroom. Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman who has gone missing from Cranebrook. Yvonne Skidmore, aged 80, was last seen on Church Lane, Cranebrook about 12.30am today (Monday, February 10). When she could not be located or contacted, officers from Nepean Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts. Concerns are held for Yvonne’s welfare as she lives with a medical condition. She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm tall, slim build and grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a grey “Peter Alexander” dressing gown and a straw hat. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. A lot on Laycock Street in Cranebrook has received an approval to remove identified trees and undertake an integrated housing development Located within close proximity to Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre Penrith City Council has given the associated Development Application (DA) the green light The development will see the construction of 16 detached two-storey dwellings with community title subdivision at a cost of $5,425,000 “The development will deliver a total of 16 new lots capable of accommodating 16 separate residential dwellings,” the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the DA said “It is noting that all 16 dwellings are … architecturally designed in such a manner that each dwelling has its own distinct architectural features and façade presentation.” The development also includes the construction of private roads stormwater and other associated civil infrastructure works The proposal follows a prior refused application that sees the dwellings reduced from 22 to 16 and the removal of trees from 85 per cent to 39 per cent to reduce earthworks and overdeveloping the site and an increase of the setback to the front remaining compatible with the low-density character of the existing local area The proposed developed lots will range from 305.86m2 to 508m2 and will contain four bedrooms and a double garage The new development plan is set to deliver a more traditional residential subdivision lot pattern A substantial number of new planting is also proposed in accordance with the Landscape Plan attached to the DA to offset the planned tree removal A Traffic Management Report was conducted to assess the impact of the development on the local street network The developed site will consist of three precincts of houses that are connected via private roads and expects 13 additional peak hour vehicle trips from the site compared to the previous one “The development is within proximity to local bus services that are scheduled to provide direct connection with CityRail services and the bus services provide access to Penrith and associated railway station,” the SEE said Situated close to Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre the Laycock Street development has strong access to many local facilities “The development site is in close proximity to a local high school public reserves/sports grounds and a large industrial precinct,” the SEE said “In redeveloping one of the last few remaining large land parcels within the area this development is proposed to increase the stock of modern high-quality housing within Cranebrook.” Hayley is an intern with The Western Weekender currently studying at Macquarie University A man will face court today after he was charged with allegedly resisting police and domestic violence offences Officers from Nepean Police Area Command were called to a home on Collitt Crescent following a report of a domestic incident after 1.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 26 November 2024) Police arrived and were told a 29-year-old man had allegedly destroyed a door and assaulted a woman known to him The 29-year-old man had left the scene prior to police arrival Police attached to the Nepean Domestic Violence Arrest Team attended the same house about 8.40am today (Wednesday 27 November 2024) The man allegedly resisted arrest before he was taken to Penrith Police Station He was charged with common assault (DV); destroy or damage property (DV); and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty The man was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Wednesday 27 November 2024) Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024 and covers local news - primarily courts and politics A graduate of the University of Wollongong Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist North Ward is currently represented by five Councillors including some of Penrith’s most experienced local government representatives It takes in major population hubs like Emu Plains and Cranebrook Jonathan Pullen is not running at the election The major change in North Ward at this election is that Councillor Glen Gardiner will head up an Independent ticket with long-time Councillor Kevin Crameri second on that ticket There is also a second Independent ticket in North Ward North Ward’s huge point of difference at this election is that it is the only ward with Liberal candidates after the party’s nomination debacle last month Veteran Councillor Ross Fowler leads the Liberal ticket Former Mayor John Thain heads up the Labor ticket in North Ward Where to vote in North Ward on September 14 More details on pre-poll locations and other information can be found here working as an Electrical Fitter Mechanic before I transitioned into the Power Transmission Industry I worked my way up from a Sales Engineer to the National Project Manager for both mechanical and electrical drive systems my career took a new direction when I started working with providers of the NDIS I am part of the NDIS Partners in the Community Program I have accumulated a wealth of experience in Local Government having served as Mayor of the City and Deputy Mayor twice My extensive knowledge covers all aspects of Council business from Strategic and Management plans to Zonings and Master Plans all while maintaining a strong connection to local issues One of my significant contributions has been as a driving force behind Urban Renewal in older My efforts have led to the revitalisation of Cranebrook Shops the creation of the all-weather Little Athletics Track the development of the Trinity Drive Mixed Recreation Space I successfully initiated an audit of rural land drainage which identified priorities and established a work schedule This project secured $800,000 in funding for the first year with plans to increase this amount in subsequent years to accelerate completion As I seek another term representing Penrith North Ward in the upcoming election on September 14 I remain committed to continuing my work for the community leveraging my vast experience and dedication to local issues Also on John Thain’s ticket: Robin Cook Penrith needs Councillors who think independently and act decisively free from political influences and external pressures They should be dedicated to putting the community’s needs first other than independent candidates this has not been occurring I believe I am well-suited and can bring the fresh perspective that is urgently needed I completed my HSC at St Marys Senior High School and have been working since I was 14 which has instilled a strong work ethic in me I’ve built a successful career in the Project Management field This experience has given me a deep understanding of budget and schedule management and effective spending I’ve seen firsthand how inefficiencies can affect projects and am committed to tackling these issues head-on I would focus on balancing the immediate needs of our residents with long-term goals My approach would ensure that our decisions are both practical and forward-thinking addressing current concerns while planning for sustainable growth and development I am particularly committed to advocating for weekly rubbish collection and implementing greater safety measures for our community I am dedicated to enhancing our city’s amenities and delivering crucial infrastructure improvements in the North Ward particularly in drainage repairs and flood resilience independent Council to make Penrith a safer and better place to live and work My team and I are also focused on addressing the current lack of female representation in North Ward and ensuring the Council remains accountable with greater female North Ward representation to its residents I plan to donate 25 per cent of my first year’s net income as a Councillor to charities that support women including those focused on domestic violence Also on Amanda Cardwell’s ticket: Geetha Rajagopalan I live in Londonderry with my wife and two children and I was first elected to Penrith Council in December 2021 I believe that Council should be focused on the basics such as giving residents the best possible access to quality roads great community parks and a thriving local economy I am passionate about flood management and I represent Penrith Council on the Nepean-Hawkesbury Floodplain Committee Following my criticism of government responses to emergencies during recent flooding events in Llandilo and Londonderry my advocacy and submission to the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry contributed to the creation of the Community First Responder Program The single biggest issue facing council now is the flooding risk that is present for rural areas of North Ward Maintenance to storm water drains has been neglected for many years and a recent audit has found that it will cost $7.1m to bring the rural storm water drainage up to specification currently there is $800k allocated to this maintenance requirement On July 22 I moved a motion to provide $7.1m in funding from the surplus funds realised from the sale of the Emu Plains Industrial site – only Sue Day and Kevin Crameri supported this motion and so it failed My intention is to continue to advocate for this maintenance to occur and find alternate funding sources – I will not give up on this issue where the road network hasn’t seen any substantial upgrades in over 40 years I believe that sensible and well thought out plans for managing development and population growth will determine our city’s liability and therefore I will seek to ensure that future developments enhance our city rather than reduce the quality of living for current residents Also on Glenn Gardiner’s ticket: Kevin Crameri I am in my eighth consecutive term on Council after first being elected in 1991 am a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants a registered Company Auditor and Tax Agent and am the Principal of Ross Fowler and Co Since 1991 I have represented Council on CivicRisk Mutual Ltd (formerly Westpool) – the local government insurance and risk management mutual and am currently Board Chairman I was instrumental in securing the Penrith Whitewater Stadium ahead of the 2000 Olympics and was Board Chairman of the company which operated the facility I am a member of the Boards of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts Ltd and Penrith City Children’s Services Cooperative Risk and Improvement Committee and Heritage Advisory Committee I am leading Council’s objective to increase Council’s property portfolio and therefore reduce Council’s financial reliance on rates income My extensive financial acumen has been of great benefit to Council over many years My goal if re-elected is to continue to help support a strong local economy help create job opportunities for local residents and to ensure that Council remains in a sound financial position to best meet the needs and expectations of residents and ratepayers a Cranebrook local and youth advocate who was the 2023 Penrith Young Citizen of the Year the North Ward Liberal team will continue to support investment in local sporting facilities safe and fun local entertainment and hospitality opportunities and quality preschool and childcare facilities We will continue to advocate for funding for North Ward to ensure we get our fair share of upgrades to parks recreation facilities roads and drainage Also on Ross Fowler’s ticket: Reece Nuttall Running for Councillor at Penrith North Ward can be a rewarding experience for several reasons for myself: I have the opportunity to directly influence local policies and projects that affect the daily lives of residents This includes improvements in infrastructure Representation: North Ward covers diverse areas Representing these communities allows me to advocate for their specific needs and ensure their voices are heard in council decisions Leadership Opportunities: Serving as a Councillor can provide valuable leadership experience I can work on various committees and initiatives Networking: Being a Councillor connects myself with other local leaders This can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations that benefit the community Community Advocacy: Representing the interests and concerns of residents in areas like Emu Plains This involves listening to community feedback and ensuring their voices are heard in council decisions Local Development: Working on projects that enhance local infrastructure This also includes supporting sustainable development and urban renewal initiatives Public Services: Improving and maintaining essential services like waste management Environmental Stewardship: Promoting and implementing policies that protect the local environment Economic Growth: Supporting local businesses and attracting new investments to boost the local economy and create job opportunities I am founder and CEO of Pehchan TV and the President of the AusPak Women’s Association I have been serving the Pakistani community in Australia for over 14 years Also on Shafaq Jaffery’s ticket: Nick Best Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist working with some of Australia's leading media organisations he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager missing from Cranebrook When he failed to return and could not be located officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts with a search conducted of the area Diesel lives with autism with family and police hold serious concerns for his welfare Diesel is described as being of Caucasian appearance He was last seen wearing a grey hooded jumper and dark tracksuit pants Diesel is believed to be travelling on foot and in the Cranebrook or surrounding areas Anyone who may have seen Diesel or has information into his whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 This post has been published by the team in our newsroom Long-standing swimming records at Cranebrook High School fell earlier this year when Year 7 student Jesse Worley took down four records from the 1990s The 12-year-old former dancer broke the 50m freestyle record by 3.32 seconds; the 50m breaststroke record by 9.03 seconds; the 50m backstroke record by 4.42 seconds; and the 50m butterfly record by 8.69 seconds “The Deputy Principal said they’ve never seen anyone like me,” Jesse proudly told the Weekender Making Jesse’s feats that little bit cooler was the fact the original record holder was at the swimming meet at Penrith Ripples to see it all go down “I didn’t know he was there until I broke my first record ‘I’m the old record holder’,” Jesse recalled Shane goes down to watch the swimming carnival every year to see if someone will break his records but this year he was contemplating not going at all until someone said he must go because there’s a kid that’s going to break your records.” Jesse not only broke Pirrie’s three-decade-old records but he smashed them out of the park We even got messages from him saying he’s never seen a swimmer as good as him He’s the best swimmer Cranebrook High has ever had,” Jesse’s mum Following his exceptional performance at the Cranebrook High Swimming Carnival Jesse went on to compete at the Werrington Zone Swimming Carnival where he destroyed another four long-standing records to be awarded Age Champion The Cranebrook resident then broke another 13-year record at the 2024 Sydney West Regional Championships and took home six gold medals in the process Jesse then qualified for the NSW Combined High School Swimming Championships where he won another five gold medals before his toughest test came at the 2024 NSW All School Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Up against the best of the best in the state Jesse won the 50m backstroke and collected bronze in the 50m butterfly He finished fourth in both the 50m and 100m freestyle “The All Schools was tough… I was the only swimmer from Cranebrook High there,” Jesse said I would’ve made Nationals in two events that I placed however there’s no age group at Nationals for it.” Making Jesse’s accomplishments this season that more impressive is he’s only been swimming competitively since May 2022 The big Michael Klim fan trains at Nepean Aquatic Centre Swim Club under the guidance of top local swimming coach Sarah-Jane Weir “I’m at the pool at 4.45am four or five times a week,” Jesse said “My next goal is to make the State Development Program Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column who has worked at the Weekender for a decade A Development Application (DA) for a Taco Bell El Jannah and Hungry Jacks in Cranebrook will now go to the NSW Land and Environment Court after Penrith City Council refused it which was slated for the Waterside industrial area also planned to include a 100-place childcare centre The Weekender first reported on the proposal in November last year. The DA was submitted by the applicant Isaac Property Developments for the subject site on the corner of Andrews Road and Renshaw Street in November last year The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) said the food and drink premises would be able to operate 24 hours a day It would deliver Penrith’s second El Jannah restaurant and its first Taco Bell “The proposed development aims to provide convenient and accessible goods and services for the local Cranebrook and broader Penrith community,” the SEE said “The proposal is considered to be in the public interest as it will develop an underutilised site at the entrance to the Waterside industrial area while delivering a number of public social and economic benefits with minimal adverse impacts.” The document also highlighted the service station would be run by convenience retailer and South Australian family business On The Run (OTR) that has 145 stores “OTR is seeking to expand their offerings into the state of NSW with this particular site in Cranebrook to be one of the first OTR service stations in Metropolitan NSW,” it said “OTR at Cranebrook will provide a point of difference from traditional service station developments due to the added benefit of a drive-through attached to the control building.” The proposed development was set to feature 128 car parking spaces and bicycle racks for 20 bikes Under the Penrith Local Environmental Plan 2010 the site in question is zoned IN2 Light Industrial a Major Assessment Report stated that the proposal does not meet key objectives of the light industrial zone to provide a wide range of light industrial The proposed land uses were also deemed incompatible and was predicted to result in negative impacts relating to traffic That leaves the developer with the option of taking the matter to court An Isaac Property Developments spokesperson told the Weekender that the development would be a great addition to the community if the court process proves successful in the future “We are delivering a convenience retail hub for the local community with a focus on family-oriented amenities including a learn to swim school and childcare centre,” the spokesperson said “Our development will deliver a number of public social and economic benefits for the area including the creation of approximately 400 job opportunities once under construction as well as injecting approximately $15 million into the local economy.” State and Federal politics for the Weekender Police are continuing to investigate a break and enter at a Cranebrook shopping centre this morning police were called to the shopping centre on Borrowdale Way Officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command attended A man will face court today charged after allegedly concealing information in relation to the suspicious death of a woman in Cranebrook a decade ago was last seen by neighbours on Greenhalgh Road After failing to hear from Ms Ardler and holding concerns for her welfare her family reported her missing in June 2013 Detectives from Nepean Police Area Command established Strike Force Bardsley to investigate her disappearance and despite exhaustive inquiries and numerous searches human remains were located in bushland near Laycock Street which were later forensically confirmed to be Ms Ardler Detectives from the Unsolved Homicide Unit with the assistance of Nepean Police Area Command commenced a renewed investigation which led to the arrest and charge of a man in April 2019 He has since been convicted of manslaughter a 38-year-old man spoke with Unsolved Homicide Unit detectives at Penrith Police Station He was subsequently arrested and charged with ‘improperly interfere with corpse or human remains’ and ‘conceal serious indictable offence of another person’ The Kingswood man has been refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time A man wanted by police over the death of 31-year-old teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones in a western Sydney home on Sunday has been charged with her murder after a lengthy police operation in the Blue Mountains allegedly fled the Cranebrook home where Finlay-Jones was found fatally injured on Sunday afternoon Police believe the pair had spent the night at the home where two of Finlay-Jones’ friends lived with Gaddie leaving sometime in the morning Police negotiate the surrender of Ashley Gaddie in Wentworth Falls Despite the efforts of emergency services who were called to the scene at 2.30pm Finlay-Jones could not be revived and was declared dead at the home A manhunt was launched for her alleged killer with police establishing Strike Force Eynahm to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death officers found Gaddie at Fletchers Lookout in Wentworth Falls He was standing on the cliff edge outside the safety barriers “Police negotiators attended and engaged the man in conversation before he was arrested about 12am [on Wednesday],” a statement from NSW Police said The police operation at Wentworth Falls on Tuesday.Credit: Wolter Peeters Police on Wednesday afternoon released a statement to say Gaddie was “taken to Katoomba Police Station Gaddie chose not to appear on screen at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail The court heard he had refused to provide a forensic swab to police and an interim order was in place for him to do so with the admissibility of the resulting evidence to be debated before the court at a later date Prosecutors were given a 10-week adjournment to prepare the brief of evidence and Gaddie is due to return to court on March 3 police said Finlay-Jones’ death was not “random” and detectives were looking into whether the pair met online shows a series of selfies at work on a construction site and on hikes in what appears to be the Blue Mountains Finlay-Jones has been remembered as a “beautiful person” Paramedics were called to the Cranebrook home on Sunday afternoon but could not revive Finlay-Jones.Credit: Nine News she was described as “much loved and very well respected” throughout the local footballing community in a statement on the Facebook page of Ramsgate RSL FC “Her tireless and unselfish commitment to football within the community will be sorely missed and her legacy will be everlasting,” the club said Finlay-Jones also worked as a teacher and a student learning support officer for the NSW Department of Education you can contact the National Sexual Assault Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) The men’s referral service is on 1300 766 491 Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here Police believe the pair had spent the night at the home where two of Finlay-Jones\\u2019 friends lived \\u201CPolice negotiators attended and engaged the man in conversation before he was arrested about 12am [on Wednesday],\\u201D a statement from NSW Police said Police on Wednesday afternoon released a statement to say Gaddie was \\u201Ctaken to Katoomba Police Station police said Finlay-Jones\\u2019 death was not \\u201Crandom\\u201D and detectives were looking into whether the pair met online Finlay-Jones has been remembered as a \\u201Cbeautiful person\\u201D she was described as \\u201Cmuch loved and very well respected\\u201D throughout the local footballing community in a statement on the Facebook page of Ramsgate RSL FC \\u201CHer tireless and unselfish commitment to football within the community will be sorely missed and her legacy will be everlasting,\\u201D the club said The men\\u2019s referral service is on 1300 766 491 Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens Police are searching for a 33-year-old man it is understood is connected to the investigation into the death of a woman at Cranebrook earlier this week police issued an appeal for assistance from the community to locate a man wanted “on an outstanding warrant” is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for murder,” the appeal said “Officers from Nepean Police Area Command have conducted extensive inquiries into his whereabouts; however He is described as being of Caucasian appearance The man is known to frequent the areas of Five Dock The Weekender understands police want to speak to Gaddie after a body was found at a Cranebrook home earlier this week The 31-year-old woman was found dead on Sunday Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or who sight’s Ashley is urged not to approach him and to call Triple Zero (000) immediately A Cranebrook woman accused of destroying a property last year has been refused bail fronted Penrith Local Court via video link on Wednesday charged with ‘destroying or damaging property in company by means of fire or explosives’ ‘larceny’ and three accounts of ‘supplying a prohibited drug’ It is alleged that the fire caused $250,000 worth of damage to a home that has since been declared uninhabitable She was also accused of supplying methylamphetamine and purchasing $203.70 worth of groceries from the Woolworths in Jordan Springs using his credit card The Cranebrook local was represented by a lawyer who proposed that home detention would be a more suitable sentence “Jail can have a positive impact on people and their attitudes,” he told Magistrate Gregory Moore The Magistrate found that granting her bail would pose an unacceptable risk to the community Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University She covers a variety of news topics for the Weekender For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders This is probably not the page you’re looking for The newly redeveloped shopping complex has hit the market A PRIME piece of property in the Penrith region is for sale — and investors are jumping at the chance to snap it up The recently redeveloped Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre has hit the market with price expectations of $45 million Savills Australia’s national director of retail investments Steven Lerche told thePress the 6633 sqm site in Borrowdale Way was attracting local “It is offering a security of income and that is the most important thing for buyers,” Mr Lerche said Residents from a nearby housing estate use the popular shopping centre Interested parties had also been drawn to it being new with limited maintenance required Designed by architecture firm i2C and built by Mainbrace Constructions the sprawling complex cost about $14.3 million to build It is owned by a private developer and has two supermarkets — Woolworths and Aldi — as well as 13 specialty shops The stores have an average lease term of 14 years Shoppers can enjoy a coffee near the complex’s green space “If you have two major anchor tenants such as Coles or Woolworths that is always a bonus but to have one of those plus an Aldi is great because they complement each other,” he said “Many people shop at Aldi and top up their other grocery and fresh food items at the Woolworths … a lot of Jordan Springs residents now go over there to shop which is interesting because they have a Woolworths.” SIGN UP FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER Samuel Terry Public School and a skate park The commercial site is being sold in conjunction with CBRE third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Small businesses in Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre are struggling to accept they might not come back when the centre closes in six months Business owners received a letter last week asking them to vacate by November 6 for complete demolition of the centre that will make way for Woolworths and Aldi Kate Brown has seen three generations of families come through her store in the last 25 years but said this will be the end of her Cranebrook newsagency we can’t wait two years to reopen – it will be the end of us,” Ms Brown said Ms Brown said it feels like a slap in the face to have been told construction would be rolled out in stages “Penrith City Council told us they were going to build around us… we saw it coming but we were told we weren’t being shut down,” she said Construction was to be rolled out in stages but when Ritchies IGA elected to leave sooner than expected new owners Cranebrook Village Pty Ltd with project developers AusPacific Property Group decided to completely demolish the whole centre at once A Cranebrook Village Pty Ltd representative said the previous staging concept was based around Ritchies IGA’s long term lease until 2016 and them leaving will speed up the process But locals will be forced to shop elsewhere while construction is underway “Ritchies IGA are looking to vacate the centre early… so we decided to do it all at once By doing it all at once it can be built in around 44 weeks and can be open late next year as opposed to two and a half years later if we went in stages,” the representative said “There’s certainly a possibility [businesses can move back in] but no decisions have been made as we haven’t gone down the leasing path yet.” Craig Field from Top Drops liquor store said it’s hard to believe his business will go back in the centre with the likelihood of a BWS moving in when Woolworths does “It’s hard for independent liquor stores to get back in centres… if they put in a BWS and we haven’t been told we have another business when they rebuild UPGRADED facilities and amenities for Aussie Rules players and the local Little Athletics Club at Cranebrook’s Grey Gums Oval will headline a $1.8 million commitment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the funding which includes upgrading the oval’s floodlights would help improve amenities and enhance accessibility for girls and women playing sport in the local area “Grassroots sport plays a critical role in the fabric of our communities and helps to keep people healthy which is why the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to making our local sporting facilities more accessible to all,” Mr Henskens said The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sports infrastructure and programs since 2017 with a focus on boosting female participation Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the commitment by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government would play an important part in removing the barriers that stop people “This is a big win for AFL players and our Little Athletics community who call Grey Gums Oval their homeground,” Mr Ayres said “This investment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will go a long way in making sure our local sports clubs can continue to grow their registrations Penrith Rams President John Rix said this upgrade will allow the local AFL club to provide better facilities for players “Expanded change room options will provide us with more flexibility on game day particularly when it comes to hosting female payers,” Mr Rix said Taco Bell has set its sights on Cranebrook with the American fast food chain one of three restaurants slated for a new development in the Waterside industrial area the $8 million Development Application (DA) will feature Lebanese-Australian charcoal chicken chain El Jannah along with another Hungry Jacks with all three franchises possibly operating 24 hours a day slated for vacant land on the corner of Andrews Road and Renshaw Street 100-place childcare centre and service station with car wash “The proposed development aims to provide convenient and accessible goods and services for the local Cranebrook and broader Penrith community,” a document attached to the DA states Leading convenience retailer and South Australian family business On The Run (OTR) is behind the proposal “OTR is seeking to expand their offerings into the state of NSW with this particular site in Cranebrook to be one of the first OTR service stations in Metropolitan NSW,” the Statement of Environmental Effects shows “OTR at Cranebrook will provide a point of difference from traditional service station developments due to the added benefit of a drive-through attached to the control building top quality products and exceptional customer service making it an invaluable facility for the community.” After receiving feedback from Council following its pre-lodgment meeting the applicant has relocated the childcare centre 85 metres away from the service station and abandoned plans for a gym The development will feature 128 car parking spaces and bicycle racks for 20 bikes Penrith was once home to a joint KFC and Taco Bell on The Northern Road in the early 2000s Taco Bell pulled out of Australia for a second time in 2005 It had first tried to establish itself in Australia in the 1980s The project would deliver Penrith’s second El Jannah and fourth Hungry Jacks Alena Higgins is the Weekender's Senior News Reporter primarily covering courts and Council issues Schools across Penrith are set to receive a slice of $1.09 billion next year through the needs-based Resource Allocation Model funding method NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the funding in Cranebrook this morning which is an increase of $80 million on last year’s funding “This year we will be giving $1.09 billion to support all of our public schools in both equipment and support teachers to allow them to get to that next level,’ Ms Berejiklian said “This also means those schools most in need will get their allocation of funding “Funding needs to go to the schools that need it most.” Stuart Ayres were with the Premier for the announcement made at Samuel Terry Public School where resourcing has made a huge impact on the school “The results in standardised national testing have increased at more than the state average here at Samuel Terry which is a great endorsement that this additional funding is seeing real results on the ground,” Mr Stokes said The $442,761 the school received through needs-based funding this year employed 11 additional staff to assist students with learning difficulties 20 laptops and contributed to staff training “Schools need the flexibility to shape the teaching and learning they provide to the needs of the students within the school,” Mr Stokes added Mr Ayres said that the needs-based funding method helps to deliver results to schools that need extra help “There’s no doubt that the needs-based funding model is a massive win for western Sydney,” he said “The Penrith community alone is receiving $12 million in needs-based funding in this financial year “We’re equipping students with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow Every school will develop its own plan to spend the funding in consultation with their local community.” Cranebrook High School is set to receive over $1.5 million and Penrith Public School will receive $648,724 Ms Berejiklian said she is “passionate about public education” and is thrilled to be able to offer more funding to education should have an equal opportunity to be their best and have the best learning environment,” she said “To be able to give every student the chance to be their best is absolutely inspiring.” 82 per cent of the funding is from the State while the remaining 18 per cent is funded by the Federal Government The full funding list is available at education.nsw.gov.au Emily Newton is the Weekender's police and political reporter Emily is also the Weekender's Senior Journalist Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre has been sold to a private local investor for a record $48.1 million – $3.1 million above asking price highlighting investor interest in western Sydney Savills Australia’s Steven Lerche and Andrew Palmer brokered the deal in conjunction with CBRE’s Nick Willis and Justin Dowers on behalf of AusPacific Property Group after receiving 270 enquiries via an international expressions-of-interest campaign “The property attracted enquiries from a wide buyer pool interstate and offshore investors,” Mr Lerche said high-quality neighbourhood shopping centre formally offered to the market in Sydney for a long time and could only compare it to the likes of Coburg North Village in Melbourne which sold for $38 million at a record yield of 4.98 per cent “The sale of Cranebrook Village represents a strong result in the current retail market but matches the result achieved for the sale of Thornleigh Village another metropolitan Sydney neighbourhood that was sold by Charter Hall in June 2018 for $43.1 million.” Mr Lerche said the buyer was attracted to the “absolute security” of the centre with 70 per cent of its income stream underpinned by Woolworths and Aldi the centre features 13 specialty retailers including Terry White Chemist and First Care Medical Centre The sale of Cranebrook Village is one of only seven NSW neighbourhood shopping centres sold in the calendar year to October “This indicates an acute shortage of this type of investment stock that has come to the market in NSW,” Mr Lerche said “The trend is reflected nationally to some extent with declines in both NSW and Queensland partially offset by increases in Victoria and Western Australia “Neighbourhood shopping centres are in heavy demand from private investors across Australia with Coles and Woolworths-anchored assets the preferred investment.” Nicola Barton is a news journalist with the Western Weekender Gardening lovers looking for unique and unusual plants and homewares to brighten up and transform their gardens are invited to explore an exciting new local nursery Mother Earth Nursery has taken over from Bosch Nursery in Cranebrook after the Bosch family decided to hang up their gardening gloves after 40 years of service Mother Earth Nursery Cranebrook is known for being a real gardener’s nursery boasting show-stopping and hard-to-find varieties as well as everything for your gardening needs “We have a lot of unusual plants you probably wouldn’t see at a standard nursery and are known for being a bit more fun and quirky,” owner and horticulturalist Mark Massey said we have a lot of garden ornaments and pots and all sorts of bits and pieces that go into your garden Following on from the success of its Mother Earth Nursery in Kenthurst the Australian family-owned business purchased Bosch Nursery in May and began to give the large site a Mother Earth makeover Mark encouraged green thumbs to come and say ‘hello’ check out the picturesque settings and see what they were all about “It’s a great place to visit and come and check out and have a look around and wander through our beautiful new indoor and outdoor displays,” he said “We’ve opened a new little potting room full of homewares and garden treasures as is our beautiful range of stunning hydrangeas that are now in season “We also have gift vouchers and lots of giftwares and trinkets that would make perfect Christmas presents.” Located between Penrith and Cranebrook on the corner of Cranebrook Road and Church Lane Mother Earth Nursery Cranebrook’s friendly and knowledgeable staff are always there to answer your questions and lend a hand Mark said it has been a privilege to meet new customers and service the amazing western Sydney and Blue Mountains gardening communities and he was excited to make new friends and many wonderful gardens for many years to come For more information, visit motherearthnursery.com.au or call 4777 4227 Penrith is about to welcome its second Bunker venue following the opening of its third venue earlier this year Residents of North Penrith can anticipate a fresh dining experience right in their neighbourhood as The Bunker officially opens its doors on November 6 The Bunker will operate during the following hours: 7am to 4pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 7am until late on Fridays to Sundays the site has been on his bucket list for a long time “I initially looked at that site over two years ago and I lived in Waterside for over five years,” he said visitors can relish in all the Bunker classics including an all-day breakfast menu available until 3pm and an intimate dinner destination starting at 5pm complete with an array of creative cocktails Online ordering for takeaway and free delivery are also available from 6pm to 9pm on Fridays to Sundays through their website The Bunker Castlereagh will additionally serve as a fantastic new venue for weddings with bookings currently open via their website With the first venue opening in Springwood nine years ago Purser said he can’t wait to expand to another area of Penrith “I’m particularly pumped about being able to bring a morning breakfast offer to that pocket of Waterside all the way up to Jordan Springs who don’t have that type of venue near them without potentially being in traffic down the Northern or Castlereagh Road,” he said The Bunker places a strong emphasis on community serving as a meeting place and welcoming dining destination that feels like home “We really are passionate about the community in the areas we operate in and I’ve already engaged in works to get involved and support that area,” Purser said “That’s our core thing – that we can support the people around us supporting us and keep giving back.” The Bunker is currently on the lookout for new team members, including baristas, bartenders, chefs, wait staff, and a supervisor. They take pride in assembling a team of passionate individuals who work with locally sourced produce. If you are well-presented, customer-focused, and a team player, you can apply at thebunker.au To stay updated on the progress of the new Castlereagh venue be sure to follow The Bunker on their Facebook and Instagram pages Police are tonight in a tense stand-off with the man wanted for questioning over the death of Dannielle Finlay-Jones at Cranebrook on Sunday Police are at Fletcher’s Lookout in the Blue Mountains where it is understood they are in ongoing negotiations with Ashley Gaddie currently the subject of an arrest warrant 33-year-old Mr Gaddie is wanted by police after Ms Finlay-Jones was found dead at a property on Borrowdale Way A roadblock has been set up at Wentworth Falls near where the negotiations with Mr Gaddie are continuing That’s the selling approach by the agents of the dilapidated home at 136 Tadmore Road in Cranebrook, New South Wales. Joe Masters and Darren Latty of PRD Penrith begin the listing by encouraging potential buyers to “bring their bulldozer” as the property requires “many tonnes of work”. The listing also states that the burnt-out home – which has an auction date set for Saturday, April 13 – was once a dumping ground for cars. There is also the absence of a foundation wall, adding to its uninhabitable state. No interior shots are shown on the listing, and the buyer will bring imagination and a plan to the table, in a postcode which has enjoyed huge capital gains over the past five years. Masters and Latty warn potential buyers to “enter at their own risk” and say the property is ideal for “someone that owns their own bulldozer”. They also suggest the neighbours will adore you as you add “significant value to their properties by fixing the eyesore”. Waterfront property for sale from $38,000 but there's a serious catch...it's a toilet block Renovation-ready terrace sells in Sydney's Dulwich Hill for $1.6 million Family splashes $6.85m on Albert Park two-bedder with reno plans Cranebrook is just a few kilometres north of central Penrith. Domain’s latest data reveals the median house price for Cranebrook is $862,500. This represents a five-year spike of 32.7 per cent. An auction has been scheduled for 11am on Saturday, April 13. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate The Penrith area has a lengthy colonial history Irish ex-convict James McCarthy settled in what is now known as Cranebrook having been granted a 100-acre lot named ‘Crane Brook Farm’ where he would successfully farm wheat and maize Many of McCarthy’s belongings would be passed down from generation to generation where they’ve now ended up with descendant Ann Dwyer via her father Kevin Dwyer – a former Mayor and Councillor on Penrith City Council over a span of 22 years Dwyer said she’s ended up with what could very easily be turned into a museum from convict bricks and heirlooms to fragile paperwork and just about anything to do with Penrith Show and Penrith Lakes from the past century – as well as what she believes to be Penrith’s oldest photo Though she can’t place a specific date on the photo Dwyer estimates it was taken over 100 years ago It depicts a section of the Nepean River and she thought it was about time it resurfaced in the public eye “I just thought it was a photo people might want to look at – I don’t want it to go to waste,” she said Having lived in her current home for almost her entire life Dwyer said she’s no stranger to being surrounded by historical treasures she admits it took her a while to learn to love it all with her appreciation for the items coming with age she said her favourite part of having it all is reading old letters and recounts of day-to-day life what she’s had for breakfast – just their life and how easy it was,” she said Confirming she has no intention of selling any of the items Dwyer said she’s still making a decision about what to do with it all she said she’s enjoying spending her days reading with some of the letters even inspiring her to do the same “Some of us were actually talking about it the other day and we all decided that we were going to post letters to our friends this Christmas,” she said Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022 Many kids play cricket in the summer and rugby league in the winter but not many do it at an elite level quite like Ryley Smith Not only does the 15-year-old play junior representative footy with the Penrith Panthers but he’s also a very accomplished grade cricketer with the Penrith Cricket Club while playing for NSW at the U15 Schoolboys Nationals Ryley was the top run scorer in his side and was subsequently chosen to represent Australia on an upcoming tour of Dubai the Cranebrook local said he was shocked to discover he was selected as a member of Australia’s U16s squad “I didn’t even know they were picking an Australian team until the day we arrived at the tournament,” Ryley said “As it was my first time representing my state “When they called my name out after the tournament it was mixed emotions – I didn’t realise what was happening After scoring a total of 304 runs across his six innings selectors had little choice but to pick the talented opening batsman for next January’s series against Pakistan Before the side heads to the United Arab Emirates in early 2019 they’ll play as a team at next summer’s Cricket Australia U17 National Championships While the Year 10 St Columba’s Catholic College student has dedicated his life to sport since the tender age of four he hasn’t done it without the help of plenty in his corner One person who has been instrumental in his success recently is fellow local cricketer and Women’s Big Bash League star Mikayla Hinkley Hinkley has helped take Ryley’s game to another level in recent years “When I first met Mikayla I was a bit shy at first I didn’t know what to say but then I had a few training sessions with her and she’s helped me through a lot of things these last couple of years,” Ryley said “She’s helped me with my batting and passes on any advice that she gets from her own coaches “I wouldn’t be the player I am now without her.” Ryley says he’ll continue to give it his all in both rugby league and cricket This Cranebrook home is set to become the area’s most expensive A MANSION in Sydney’s west has hit the market for the first time since it was built — and it is set to smash a suburb record The unique property at 191-195 Linden Cres, Cranebrook, near Penrith is for sale with expectations of $2.5 million to $2.7 million such a result would triple the area’s median price and beat the current house record by at least $300,000 this will be one of the area’s significant homes — it will be the one everyone knows,” agent Andrew Lia of Jim Aitken and Partners Emu Plains said Mr Lia sold the 4102 sqm block to the owners At the time it was considered prime real estate “There are a few acre lots in the area but they are not vacant; a virgin piece of land in western Sydney It features five-metre high cathedral ceilings and spans 650 sqm — the average size of a parcel of land Vendor Charlie Chahoud was project manager for the build Mr Chahoud said they wanted a timeless look “A lot of colonial sandstone was used throughout the home and we have all timber windows,” he said “The block has a northerly aspect so consideration went into mapping winter sun movement The home has flowing pavilions with stacks of room “We don’t have airconditioning on during the day because the sun comes through the front of the house and warms it up.” The elevated site takes in sweeping Blue Mountains views Mr Chahoud named the property Magnolia House after being inspired by English-style gardens and those typical of the Southern Highlands The landscaping wraps around the house for privacy and incorporates magnolia and oak trees as well as hedges SIGN UP FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER close to schools including St Paul’s Grammar Samuel Terry Public and Henry Fulton Public The owners are selling with plans to relocate to the Southern Highlands Mr Lia said buyers from as far as the Central Coast had expressed interest in the property The man wanted over the alleged murder of a woman at Cranebrook is currently on a two-year Community Correction Order after he was convicted of assaulting stalking and choking another woman in 2020 A police manhunt is underway for 33-year-old Ashley Gaddie who is wanted in connection with the death of Dannielle Finlay-Jones at Cranebrook last Sunday Ms Finlay-Jones and Mr Gaddie met on a dating app and had only known each other for a short time emergency services were called to a home on Borrowdale Way after Ms Finlay-Jones was located with serious injuries inside It is understood her injuries were horrific and first responders were met with a confronting scene police issued an appeal for assistance from the community to locate a man they believe is connected to the incident is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for murder,” a police spokesperson said “Officers from Nepean Police Area Command have conducted extensive inquiries into his whereabouts; however He is known to frequent the areas of Five Dock It is understood that Ms Finlay-Jones and Mr Gaddie had recently met online and were at the Marsden Brewhouse on Saturday night before going back to a friend’s house in Cranebrook Police believe that they spent the night together before the occupants of the house located Ms Finlay-Jones the next afternoon after entering a bedroom to check on the pair “They returned to the location in the early hours of the morning and at some point between then and 2.30pm something has happened to this poor young lady,” Acting Superintendent from Nepean Police Area Command John Nelson said “We ask that residents around that Cranebrook area that may have any information of anything untoward that happened that they noticed in the early hours of Sunday morning through to mid-morning contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.” A neighbour told the Weekender that they were not aware of an incident until there was a large response from emergency responders but others reported seeing a man running from the house around 5am Forensic experts were seen examining a window at the crime scene which looked to be damaged The Weekender has learned that Mr Gaddie is currently on a two-year Community Correction Order after he was convicted of assaulting He was sentenced on December 2 last year and is a little over a year into serving the Order It is understood Mr Gaddie also on bail for another alleged domestic related violence offence and is due to front court on those charges in June next year The Weekender has learned that NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman has requested a briefing on the current investigation and the previous offences to understand why Mr Gaddie was still in the community who was a support officer at the NSW Department of Education and lived in the Kogarah area with Acting Superintendent Nelson telling media that they are devastated “as any family would be” “While her family appreciate the media’s interest they have requested their privacy at this difficult time in their lives,” a police spokesperson said A friend said Ms Finlay-Jones was an “incredible person inside and out” “She is cherished by everyone who knew her and words cannot describe the shock that this has happened,” she told Daily Mail Australia “She did not deserve this and will be dearly missed.” The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Finlay-Jones’ death is being led by detectives from Nepean Police Area Command under Strike Force Eynahm Anyone with information regarding Mr Gaddie’s whereabouts or who spots him is urged not to approach him but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately Homes and cars have been damaged after two bushfires burned out of control in NSW on Friday afternoon fire crews battled to save homes from fires at Llandilo A massive bushfire in Llandilo and Cranbrook burned ferociously for four hours causing police officers to knock on doors and evacuate homes Some residents set up lawn sprinklers on their roofs while others had no time to grab pets or property before they fled The fire in Llandilo at its worst point on Friday afternoon.Credit: Fire and Rescue NSW 200 firefighters from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW were able to get the blaze under control at 6pm The crews were joined by several air tankers which dumped water on the blaze and helped it quickly downgrade in severity At 3pm, the Rural Fire Service had issued an emergency warning, but the firefighting effort meant this was downgraded to Watch and Act an hour and a half later Areas worst-hit in Llandilo included Vincent Road Fire crews work on Northern Road in Llandilo where a fire burned through the reserve.Credit: Wolter Peeters fallen power lines and smouldering wooden fences were left behind as anxious homeowners stood on their driveways watching firefighters work in the late afternoon were arrested near the fire on Vincent Road and were expected to be charged on Friday night with deliberately lighting the blaze The rural fire service's DC-10 water bombing aircraft dumps its load along Cranebrook Road.Credit: Wolter Peeters The Rural Fire Service reported damage to a number of properties on streets bordering the blaze were damaged by ember showers that set surrounding trees alight and got into roof cavities Fire investigation crews inspect the scene on Vincent Road in Llandilo where it is thought the fire began.Credit: Wolter Peeters but ambulances waited near the fire ground in case residents were overcome with smoke Photos from students at Xavier College in Llandilo showed black billowing clouds looming down on the school oval as they evacuated The fire's intense heat partially melted some cars Mr McGregor had parked on the side of Vincent Road next to the Wianamatta Reserve and went with a friend to return hired landscaping equipment The 23-year-old soon received frantic phone calls "We've got everyone calling us saying 'everything's on fire," he said the ute was on fire and we were trying to get stuff out of it." The pair managed to salvage a generator and a nail gun he bought on Friday morning but the ute itself was burned beyond repair by the fast-moving blaze "We [saw] it jump around 20 foot across the road and it started burning," Mr McGregor said was driving home from work when the blaze was at its height She stood on her porch with her son as investigators began to comb through Wianamatta Reserve on Friday evening Detectives from NSW Police and fire service arson investigators brought in a sniffer dog and led it through the reserve while other investigators took photographs of the charred trees The blaze burned to the road's edge opposite Ms Dolan's house and ignited a spot fire at the side of her home a neighbour's car was hit by an ember attack "We were very lucky," Ms Dolan said "My daughter's partner came over while it was roaring and grabbed hoses and started to fight it As the Llandilo fire was gradually brought under control another emergency warning was issued for an out-of-control fire near the small community of Callala Bay It came as the RFS issued its first total fire bans for the season on the north coast and far north coast Mr Fitzsimmons said NSW had seen a wet winter but Friday's fires were a worrying reminder that we are amid bushfire season "Clearly today is a reminder of just how quickly fires can spread when it's hot its dry and it's windy," he said "We can't be complacent because we've had a really wet winter and lots of water around the state it was a very high fire danger but we're only talking temperatures in the 30s." Police remained on the scene in Llandilo on Friday night directing traffic as firefighters mopped up after the blaze and ensured some trees which continued to smoulder were entirely extinguished Firefighters from the National Parks and Wildlife Service also attended the scene the Rural Fire Service had issued an emergency warning but the firefighting effort meant this was downgraded to an hour and a half later The fire's intense heat partially melted some cars \\\"We've got everyone calling us saying 'everything's on fire,\\\" he said the ute was on fire and we were trying to get stuff out of it.\\\" \\\"We [saw] it jump around 20 foot across the road and it started burning,\\\" Mr McGregor said The blaze burned to the road's edge opposite Ms Dolan's house and ignited a spot fire at the side of her home a neighbour's car was hit by an ember attack \\\"My daughter's partner came over while it was roaring and grabbed hoses and started to fight it Mr Fitzsimmons said NSW had seen a wet winter but Friday's fires were a worrying reminder that we are amid bushfire season \\\"Clearly today is a reminder of just how quickly fires can spread when it's hot \\\"We can't be complacent because we've had a really wet winter and lots of water around the state it was a very high fire danger but we're only talking temperatures in the 30s.\\\" Organised Crime Squad detectives have arrested three men and seized 96kg of MDMA following an investigation into an alleged drug ring under Strike Force Eastport Strike Force Eastport was established by State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad in August 2023 to investigate an alleged drug ring operating across Sydney with significant Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) links about 10.50am yesterday (Wednesday 5 March 2024) strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit – attended an address in Cranebrook where they arrested a 40-year-old man strike force detectives seized 30kg of MDMA The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with a total of four counts of supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity manufacture prohibited drug >= commercial quantity and knowingly direct activities of criminal group He was refused bail to appear in Penrith Local Court today (Thursday 7 March 2024) strike force detectives executed a number of simultaneous search warrants in Chatswood officers arrested a 53-year-old man who was taken to Chatswood Police Station and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty He was refused bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court today officers arrested a 32-year-old man who was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity participate criminal group and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction He was refused bail to appear before Mt Druitt Local Court today detectives located an alleged clandestine laboratory and assistance was sought from the Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations Unit to process it approximately 100 litres of hypophosphorous acid and other items relevant to their investigation 96kg of MDMA was seized with an estimated street value of $24 million Investigations under Strike Force Eastport continue Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or 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 After serving as their shepherd for six years Fr Christopher Antwi-Boasiako has farewelled his family at Corpus Christi Parish The parish recently came together to farewell the ‘gift’ and ‘blessing’ of their parish priest who will be returning to his home country of Ghana to be with his family Fr Chris was appointed administrator of Corpus Christi in February 2017 whilst parish priest Fr George O’Mara was battling with cancer with the parish community and members of the African migrant chaplaincy celebrating his installation in November who exemplifies the missionary spirit by his embrace of the unknown,” Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv told the congregation at Fr Chris’ installation In thanking the parish following his installation in 2018 Fr Chris shared that following a short appointment as administrator of the parish in 2015 he hoped he would return to serve the community “Hardly did I know that I would be back so early to serve the community in the capacity of a parish priest while still young and energetic,” he said at the time vibrancy and faithfulness was a key asset to the parish as detailed in a farewell message from the parish’s pastoral council “Throughout his priestly ministry here at Corpus Christi he [Fr Chris] has shown us faithful commitment as he engaged in constantly serving God by walking with and loving his people here in Cranebrook,” it read through our teens and adults to our golden ‘young at heart’ seniors “We are proud and grateful that you have been you will always find a welcome here among us.” Parish Priest Fr Chris Antwi-Boasiako greets parishioners during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish Fr Chris a ‘vibrant central focus’ of community The Parish Finance Council also appreciated Fr Chris’ work to strengthen the ties between the parish Corpus Christi Primary School and Xavier College “Fr Chris has been instrumental in bringing these groups together and in doing so it has been clear that he is truly passionate about the children and youth of the parish,” the council said “He has a special relationship with them and has ensured that they have been a central focus of all parish activities distributes communion to students during Mass at Xavier College “Fr Chris has supported our parish groups and helped them find their place and carry out their ministries in the parish Not to mention fostering a wonderful community of acolytes “We thank you for your unwavering love and dedication to each and every member of our parish “You have made a lasting impression in our community and left it in a stronger position.” were grateful for the impact he has made on the parish and its parishioners we have had the opportunity to learn of the dedicated and caring person he is,” they wrote “He quickly became a special part of our team and constantly offered us guidance and support in the running of the parish “We have experienced many happy memories and some occasions that have challenged us and Fr Chris has been there to share and guide us but we understand that God has special plans for him and that wherever he goes he will have much influence on those he meets and works with.” Parish Priest Fr Chris Antwi-Boasiako consecrates the Eucharist during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish In his own farewell message written to the parishioners in the parish’s bulletin Fr Chris was honoured with the various farewell celebrations he was able to share with the parish “I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for welcoming me into your lives during my time here,” he wrote inspiration as well as some challenges (especially navigating our way through COVID-19 together!) “I hope I have helped all of you in some way on your spiritual journey through life “I wish you every blessing as you move on to the next chapter of parish life at Corpus Christi.” The Diocese of Parramatta thanks Fr Chris for his years of faithful service to the people of Corpus Christi Parish as well as his previous parishes of St Bernadette’s Parish We wish him all the best and will continue to pray for his generous