Month: July 2025

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Stronger security for ATO online services (myGov and ATO app)

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

3 steps to secure

We encourage you to be proactive and secure your ATO online services access (through myGov) to protect against fraud. Read the following steps to check you have the strongest security possible for your circumstances.

Step 1: make your myID as strong as possible

We recommend using myID, the Australian Government’s Digital ID app, as your sign in option to access ATO online services (through myGov).

myID requires you to verify your ID in the app making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate you.

Download the myID app from the App Store or Google Play. Set up your myID to a Strong or Standard identity strengthExternal Link. For the highest security, set up your myID to Strong if you can.

 

Step 2: use your myID to access or link to ATO online services

Using your myID to link to or access ATO online services through myGov:

  • helps protect you from fraudsters trying to impersonate you or access your account
  • gives you a flexible sign in option – your myID isn’t locked to a specific mobile number or device, and can be set up again using only an internet connection if you get a new phone
  • sets your ‘online access strength’ – this means you must always use your myID to access ATO online services through myGov because it’s the most secure access method.

If you’re already linked to ATO online services, use your myID to sign in to myGovExternal Link and access ATO online services to secure your account.

If you don’t have a myGov account or aren’t linked to ATO online services, find out how to get started. To secure your access, use your myID to create or sign in to your myGov account and then link to the ATO.

Step 3: get the ATO app and allow push notifications

The ATO app is a simple and easy way you can access and manage your tax and super on the go. The ATO app is free to download and use.

The ATO app’s year-round security benefits include:

  • real time security messages alerting you when key changes are made to your ATO account
  • the ability to lock your account to help keep you safe.

Even if you don’t use the app to manage your tax, it provides an additional level of security.

Download the ATO app from the App Store or Google Play. Once installed, make sure to enable push notifications so you’re instantly alerted to changes in your account.

 

More information

For more information about protecting your identity, see How to stay scam safe.

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City of Wanneroo adopts 2025/26 budget

Source: South Australia Police

The City of Wanneroo has adopted its 2025/26 budget, prioritising a range of services and facilities to keep our community connected, safe and sustainable.

Council adopted a 3.5 per cent rate increase across all rating categories, and a 3 per cent increase for residential ratepayers which amounts to less than $1 per week for most homeowners.

Mayor Linda Aitken said the $353.4 million budget included a $132.6 million capital works program and investment in a range of community services and facilities to benefit all residents.

“We are committed to providing the programs, services, facilities and infrastructure our community needs and expects, while remaining mindful of the cost-of-living challenges people are facing,” she said.

“As one of Australia’s fastest-growing local government areas, we have a duty to ensure value for money for our ratepayers. Half of this year’s budget is funded from sources beyond rates, thanks to strong partnerships and a strategic focus on alternative revenue streams.”

“The City looks forward to delivering on this budget and continuing to build a thriving, inclusive and sustainable City for the generations to come.”

2025/26 capital works program highlights

Community recreation and facilities

Over the next 12 months, the City will spend $60.9 million on upgrades to existing sporting facilities and the construction of new facilities to ensure local families and sporting clubs can stay healthy, active and connected.

This includes $48.9 million to progress the construction of the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

A $1.3 million investment will progress the design of a new sports hub for the Wanneroo Recreation Centre, a further $470,000 will progress a new amenities building at Abbeville Park in Mindarie, and $230,000 for an extension to the existing Wanneroo Showgrounds Clubrooms.

Construction of the highly anticipated Dordaak Kepup library and youth innovation hub is scheduled for completion, with the $18 million Landsdale facility set to open its doors in December 2025.

$1.6 million will support upgrades to Gumblossom Community Centre in Quinns Rocks, Yanchep Community Centre, Carramar Community and Butler Community Centre.

An additional $1 million will support the Girrawheen Hub Redevelopment project.

Waste management

We’ve allocated $4.4 million to support more sustainable and efficient waste management processes. Funding will progress the development of a recycling centre in Neerabup and waste transfer stations in Neerabup and Wangara.

Community safety

We’re investing $3.7 million to community safety measures this year, including $1.6 million to upgrade the Two Rocks Bush Fire Brigade.

We’ll also spend $1.6 million to commence detailed design for the Wanneroo Emergency Services Precinct, to ensure the City is better prepared for bushfires and other emergencies.

Parks, playgrounds and pathways

We’re committing $6.7 million towards park and playground upgrades, to ensure the community can enjoy our City’s natural environment. This work will include replacing playground equipment, shade structures, picnic shelters, barbecues and drink fountains.

A $515,000 investment will provide new play spaces at Rotary Park, and $320,000 will complete the construction of new toilet facilities at Amery Park in Hocking.

We’ve allocated $6.7 million to new and upgraded pathways and trails across the City, including new shared paths in Alexander Heights and from Butler to Alkimos Station.

A further $815,000 will provide pathway lighting at Kingsbridge, Chesterfield, Brampton, Lighthouse and Delamere parks.

Local roads

With a focus on creating a safe and connected City, we’ve allocated $18.2 million this year to road upgrades and traffic treatments.

This includes $4.8 million for Flynn Drive upgrades between Mather Drive and Old Yanchep Road.

We’re also spending $1.3 million on upgrades to the intersection of Marangaroo Drive and Girrawheen Avenue, and $750,000 on the construction of a dual carriageway between Marmion Avenue to Spinnaker Boulevard on Yanchep Beach Road.

In additional to the budget, the City is launching a new online payment portal this August, providing residents with a more flexible and user-friendly way to manage their rates.

The portal offers a variety of automated payment options, such as weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments, depending on what suits your budget.

For more information on the City’s 2025/26 budget and or the online payment portal, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/budget.

Please note, some figures have been rounded to nearest decimal whole number.

 

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Police seek public assistance for investigation into online prescriptions

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police seek public assistance for investigation into online prescriptions

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 – 3:00 pm.

Investigators from Tasmania Police are appealing for public assistance as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged fraudulent online prescriptions.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said police are seeking to speak with anyone who has sought or obtained prescriptions through the website athleteswarehouse.com.au.
“We believe members of the community may have interacted with this website in good faith,” she said.
“Now is the time to come forward and assist police with critical information that may support the investigation.”
“Those people who have used the website, or who may have knowledge of its operations, are urged to contact us.”
Anyone with information should call Tasmania Police’s Western Criminal Investigation Branch on 131 444 and quote OR774910.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

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Woman charged over multiple deceptions

Source: New South Wales – News

Today, Detectives from SAPOL’s Anti-Corruption Section arrested and charged a 24-year-old woman from Victoria with 101 counts of deception and 26 counts of attempted deception after a lengthy investigation.

The woman appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today and was granted conditional bail to appear again on 29 September.

CO2500007860

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Winter underquoting blitz targets Hume

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Property auctions in the City of Hume were targeted by Consumer Affairs Victoria’s underquoting taskforce over the weekend.

Taskforce inspectors visited Craigieburn and surrounds to monitor auctions for compliance with auction and sales rules, after tracking 70 sales campaigns in the lead up to the weekend. This follows a spike in underquoting complaints in the area, which is popular with first home buyers.

Inspectors also took the opportunity to educate agents and buyers about underquoting laws.

The taskforce uses a range of methods to monitor the property market. This includes tracking sales campaigns, inspecting estate agencies and attending auctions. This latest auction sweep follows an inspection blitz in the Doncaster area earlier in the year.

Since it launched in September 2022, the taskforce has:

  • received more than 4,200 complaints through its dedicated webform
  • monitored over 2,500 sales campaigns
  • attended 275 auctions
  • issued 185 fines totalling over $2 million, and
  • issued 244 official warnings to agents caught breaching their obligations.

It is also taking legal action against several agents for alleged breaches of the law.

More than one third of complaints are submitted by real estate agents, showing that agents doing the right thing are also frustrated with unfair and unlawful practices in their industry.

The underquoting taskforce was made permanent in August 2024.

If you suspect underquoting, report it to us.

Find more information about underquoting.

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May crime statistics

Source: New South Wales – News

Property related crime including house break-ins, shop theft and car theft have continued to decline considerably in South Australia, the latest crime statistics have revealed.

The May rolling year crime statistics reveal the total number of property related offences has decreased by eight per cent – or 7,604 offences – in the period with significant reductions in most offences within the category.

Robbery and related offences have also continued to fall with a 10 per cent decline in offences recorded in the period – 80 offences – which is the sixteenth successive decrease in offences within that category.

The May figures reveal aggravated robberies declined by 14 per cent – from 490 to 432 offences reported and non-aggravated robberies rose by three per cent – from 75 to 77 offences reported.

Within the property related offences category theft and related offences recorded a 10 per cent decline in the period with a reduction in 5,709 offences – from 56,630 to 50,921.

Car theft recorded a six per cent decline – from 3,725 to 3,513 offences – and theft from a vehicle recorded a 20 per cent drop in offences – from 9,567 to 7,639 offences. This followed similar falls in the previous three reporting periods.

Shop theft has continued to fall in South Australia as ongoing proactive operations targeting recidivist offenders pay dividends with a seven per cent decline in the May period when 1,224 fewer offences were reported – from 18,405 to 17,181 incidents. This is the seventh successive decline in reported offences.

House break-ins have also continued to decline with a 10 per cent decrease recorded in the May period – from 5,822 to 5,228 offences – or 594 fewer incidents reported. This followed an 11 per cent decrease in the April period, eight per cent in March and seven per cent in February.

Non-residential break-ins also showed another healthy decrease with 318 fewer offences reported – from 3,708 to 3,390. The nine per cent drop followed a seven per cent decline in the April period and five per cent reductions in March and February.

The May rolling year statistics reveal acts intended to cause injury, which includes serious assault resulting in injury and common assault, increased by four per cent from 23,546 to 24,428 incidents reported.

Within that category the number of assault police incidents reported decreased by four per cent -from 626 to 601 incidents.

Reported homicides have returned to traditional levels with 10 recorded in the rolling year period compared with 23 in the corresponding period. A similar number were reported in the March and April periods.

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Search for remains near Port Lincoln

Source: New South Wales – News

Detectives from Major Crime Investigation Branch and local Eyre Western police, with the assistance of local support services will conduct further searches at several locations over the coming days to locate the missing remains of murder victim Julian Story.

Police will allege Julian was murdered by his partner, 34-year-old Port Lincoln woman Tamika Chesser on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

Major Crime Investigation Branch, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said information received by the investigation team coupled with the use of specialist equipment has identified several additional search sites in and around Port Lincoln.

“In the days following the murder, Major Crime Detectives, local police, Water Operations Unit and the SA State Emergency Service conducted extensive searches around Port Lincoln without success,” Detective Superintendent Fielke said.

“New search areas have been identified and by undertaking these renewed searches, we hope to find Julian’s missing remains, which will give comfort to his family and allow them to peacefully lay him to rest.

“Police have reviewed a significant amount of CCTV footage since the incident which has provided a number of investigational leads. We also appreciate the ongoing assistance the community of Port Lincoln has provided throughout the investigation.”

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

CO2500025517.

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Outage advice – Saturday July 26, 2025

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Please be aware that our Payment Portal, Online Customer Requests and Building Application lodgment portal will be unavailable between:

Starts: 7:00am on Saturday July 26, 2025

Ends: 12:00pm on Saturday July 26, 2025

For any payments please refer to your invoice or statement for other payment options during this period.

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UPDATE: Charges – Domestic violence – Angurugu

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

NT Police have now charged a 21-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Angurugu over the weekend.

Yesterday, with support from the Community Justice Group, the alleged offender handed himself into police at Angurugu Police Station. He has since been charged with Recklessly endangering serious harm (aggravated), Aggravated assault and Armed with an offensive weapon. He will face Darwin Local Court on 23 July 2025.  

The 18-year-old female remains at Royal Darwin Hospital receiving treatment.

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Arrest – Domestic violence – Katherine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a 33-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred on Monday night.

Around 11:55pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a 29-year-old female had allegedly been assaulted by a male known to her.

It is alleged that the male assaulted the victim to the back of the head before fleeing the scene.

Police and St John Ambulance attended, and she was conveyed to Katherine Hospital in a critical condition. She will be transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment today.

The 33-year-old male has since been arrested and remains in custody with charges expected to follow.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25195201. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.