Man arrested in relation to offences in Cobar and Nyngan

Officers from the Central North Police District last week charged a man following an investigation into a string of alleged offences in the Cobar and Nyngan areas. Strike Force Schwinghammer was formed by the Bourke Rural Crime Prevention Team to investigate increased rural crime related offences.

Following their inquiries, Strike Force Schwinghammer police arrested a 27-year-old man in Nyngan about 3pm last Wednesday. They executed a search warrant at the home, where a large amount of suspected stolen property was located, consisting of power tools, ammunition, hunting equipment, a prohibited firearm, and prohibited drugs.

The man was taken to Nyngan Police Station and charged with 29 offences, including: seven counts of enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence; four counts of larceny value less than or equal to $2000; two counts of break & enter house etc steal value less than or equal to $60,000; two counts of damage property by fire/explosion; destroy or damage property; break & enter house etc steal value greater than $60,000; aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company intend steal less than or equal to $60,000; possess ammunition without holding licence/ permit/authority; fire firearm at other than dwelling disregarding safety; possess unregistered firearm-pistol; supply unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity; larceny value greater than $5,000 & less than or equal to $15,000; goods suspected stolen in/on premises; goods in personal custody suspected being stolen; possess prohibited drug; supply prohibited drug less than or equal to small quantity; and Police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly.

He was refused bail and appeared before Dubbo Local Court last Wednesday where he was formally refused bail.

He will return to court in April.

Council approves annual donations

Cobar Shire Council has approved $15,500 worth of donations to local community and sporting groups.

Council received 10 applications (totalling $32,000) from various local groups requesting donations as part of Council’s annual Donations Policy.

Three of the 10 requests were granted the full amounts they had applied for (Cobar Netball Association $1,200 for assistance with lighting costs and court hire fees; Cobar Little Athletics Club $1,000 for assistance with lighting costs; and Cobar Girl Guides $1,500 to offset rates).

Seven other groups were approved for donations of $1,500 each and included: Cobar Pony Club (for annual charges assistance); Cobar Auto Club (for council rates and water); Cobar Pistol Club (for rate arrears); Cobar Clay Target Club (assist with running annual tournament); St John’s School (to assist with running school bazaar); and Cobar Rugby Union Club (general sponsorship).

Councillors were advised that Council also makes a further contribution (to a maximum of $25,000) to the Cobar Roosters Rugby League Club towards the cost of water at Tom Knight Memorial Oval (which is costed to Parks and Gardens in Council’s budget).

As part of the donations approval, it was also recommended that Council continue to contribute $200 Cobar Quids each to Cobar High School, Cobar Public School and St John’s School for their end of year awards and $200 cash to Euabalong West Primary School for its end of year awards.

Councillors approved the listed donations which all complied with the policy requirements and are in line with donation amounts made in previous years.