Month: September 2025

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Suspicious house fire at Newnham

Saturday, 13 September 2025 – 6:45 pm.

Police are calling for information on a house fire in the Launceston suburb of Newnham early Saturday, which investigators believe was deliberately lit.
Emergency services were called to Mount Stuart Drive about 2am on Saturday with the report of a fire at a house.
The fire was extinguished by Tasmania Fire Service crews, but it caused a significant amount of damage to the property.
No one was home at the time, and there were no injuries reported.
Fire investigators were at the scene earlier today and have determined the blaze is suspicious.
Anyone with information, or who may have video footage of the incident, is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote ORS 784 844.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Astronauts on long-duration space missions could benefit from new Antarctic research trialing ways to measure changes in brain and body function during deployments.
Led by doctors from the Australian Antarctic Division’s Polar Medicine Unit (PMU), in collaboration with the Translational Research Institute for Space Health* and University of Pennsylvania, the research is being conducted at Australia’s three Antarctic research stations and at Macquarie Island.
The results will be used to help optimise how astronauts and Antarctic expeditioners perform their work, and improve safety.

“We know that Antarctic expeditioners experience a slowing of their cognition and changes in physiology over an Antarctic winter,” PMU Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr John Cherry, said.
“These changes are very similar to the changes experienced by astronauts in both long and shorter duration spaceflight.
“Both groups have reported declines in mood and motivation, and experience sleep disturbance, which can increase the chances of interpersonal conflicts, affect group cohesion and impact mission success.
“Understanding these changes and their impacts, will allow us to better support our expeditioners’ health and wellbeing, to ensure they’re operating at a high cognitive level before undertaking Antarctic duties.
“It will also help space agencies understand and reduce behavioural health risks for astronauts in future long duration spaceflight.”
The cognitive research requires Antarctic expeditioners to perform a range of cognitive tests on a laptop, once a month, over winter.
The tests are currently used on the International Space Station and on crewed commercial spaceflights. They measure the speed and accuracy of mental processes such as thinking, learning, memory and perception.
At the same time, Antarctic expeditioners wear a small biosensor (Bio-Button) on their chest that measures physiological changes such as heart rate, temperature and breathing, as well as sleep and movement.
“We know cognitive changes can affect a person’s physiology, so for a few days around the time we’re doing cognitive testing, expeditioners wear a biosensor,” Dr Cherry said.
“We’re working with a team at the University of Pennsylvania to integrate the results from both tests into a model, to provide a more robust picture of the changes expeditioners experience.”
At Davis research station, wintering doctor, Anthony Rengel, is working with expeditioners to collect data for the project.
“They’re excited to be involved in science that is being conducted simultaneously in Antarctica and in space, knowing that it will contribute to the success of future space exploration,” Dr Rengel said.
The PMU team aim to extend the study later this year with a trial of vision tracking glasses from US eye-tracking technology company HarmonEyes.
“One of the challenges of cognitive testing is that it requires an expeditioner or astronaut to sit down for 20 minutes and use a laptop,” Dr Cherry said.
“New wearable technology that uses software algorithms to track eye movements, as a marker of both cognition and fatigue, could allow non-intrusive real-time assessment that may inform traditional testing.
“It’s exciting to be at the cutting edge of such innovative research that’s going to support Australian’s working in Antarctica and astronauts on the way to the Moon or Mars.”
*The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is a United States-based institute led by Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Space Medicine, in partnership with the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. TRISH is empowered by NASA’s Human Research Program and is funded through a cooperative agreement.
This content was last updated 39 minutes ago on 15 September 2025.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Cries of ‘help’ prompt search at South Riana

Sunday, 14 September 2025 – 8:23 pm.

Tasmania Police and State Emergency Service search teams have been active in the South Riana area over the weekend to determine the source of mystery cries for help heard coming from dense bushland on Saturday night.
Police conducted searches of the rural area near Wyllies Road, Riana, late Saturday night and then South Riana on Sunday, but have not located a person, items of interest or any other sign that a person in distress is in the area.
However, police have determined the nature of the cries for help – first heard by a resident and then later by officers in attendance – require further investigation.
As part of the investigation, police are seeking information from the public if they are aware of any potential missing person near the Blythe River, in the vicinity of the South Riana Dam, in the state’s North-West.
If anyone has information in relation to someone that was planning to visit this area and has not been heard from, or they have been unable to contact them, please notify police on 131 444.
About 8.15pm on Saturday, police received a call from a resident saying he had heard cries for help, in possibly a male voice, coming from behind Wyllies Road, Riana. The person tried to get a response, but was not successful.
Police attended shortly after and also heard the calls for help, but were unable to communicate with the source, or find any trace of a person in distress.
A search of the area was conducted by Tasmania Police Search and Rescue, including the use of police drones. However, due to the difficult, heavily wooded terrain, poor lighting and lack of response from a person, the search was suspended about 3am.
In daylight hours on Sunday, Tasmania Police Search and Rescue personnel, along with SES volunteers, conducted further comprehensive searches of the bushland with the support of the Westpac Rescue helicopter
No potential persons of interest were identified.
The search will be reviewed in the morning.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man rescued from partially submerged 4WD

Sunday, 14 September 2025 – 2:47 pm.

Police are warning campers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to the dangers of entering creeks and rivers in the Tasmanian bush after the rescue of a man from a partially submerged ute near West Takone, in the state’s North-West.
Tasmania Police Western District Inspector Adam Spencer said the Surf Life Saving Tasmania Swift Water Rescue Unit, Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police Search and Rescue officers were called in to retrieve the 32-year-old Burnie man on Saturday.
The man had sought safety on the tray of the dual-cab 4WD after almost being swept away as he tried to wade out to the vehicle stuck in a section of the Arthur River.
“This person is lucky that he was not taken away by the current in the river. While we were able to locate him and bring him safely back to shore, the situation could well have had a tragic ending,” Inspector Spencer said.
“Once he got into difficulty, it was fortunate he was able to cling to the vehicle and pull himself up out of the water and take refuge in the tray of the ute.
“But he was wet, he was cold, and simply unable to get back to shore due to the danger.”
The man remained with the 4WD for a few hours until the Swift Water Rescue team, using an IRB (inflatable rescue boat), was able to get to him.
“It’s yet another warning that people simply should not be taking risks by entering flowing water or flooded areas, whether it’s in their 4WD or car, or other means, such as wading into the water or swimming,” Inspector Spencer said.
Police are still investigating how the 4WD came to be in the water.
Initial reports to police were that a group of people was four-wheel-driving near Relapse Creek Road and Farquhars Road, in West Takone.
It’s believed a driver attempted to make a water crossing very early Saturday morning but struck trouble and rolled the 4WD into a section of the Arthur River.
About 11.30am that morning, another member of the party made an attempt to retrieve the vehicle. The man got into trouble as he waded out, forcing him to clamber into the back of the ute.
“Tasmania Police will investigate the driver and any offences committed by them will be prosecuted,” Inspector Spencer said.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Motorcycle riders sustain serious injuries in Norwood crash

Sunday, 14 September 2025 – 11:56 am.

Investigations are continuing into a two-vehicle traffic crash at Norwood, in Launceston, on Saturday night in which two teenagers riding a motorcycle sustained serious injuries.
A 17-year-old boy who was a pillion passenger on the motorcycle was initially treated at Launceston General Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where he is in a critical condition with head injuries.
A 17-year-old boy is in Launceston General Hospital receiving treatment for leg and pelvic injuries.
Police are calling for any witnesses to the crash at the roundabout on Boiton Hill Road.
The crash happened about 8.45pm Saturday at the intersection of Boiton Hill Road and Norwood Avenue, involving a collision between a trailbike and a Subaru Forester.
The impact of the collision caused both riders to come off the trailbike.
Initial investigations indicate the male riders were not wearing helmets at the time of the collision.
The driver of the car was not physically injured.
Boiton Hill Road near the crash site was closed for about three hours while emergency services and Tasmania Police resources, including Northern Crash Investigation Services and Forensic Services, worked at the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant footage (dashcam or CCTV) is urged to contact police on 131 444 or submit information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (reference 000398-13092025).

Source: New South Wales – News

This is a joint Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police media release.

The arrests were made between 6-11 September as part of a National Child Protection Week operation. They followed separate investigations by the South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation (SA JACET) team, which comprises the AFP and South Australia Police.

The investigations were sparked by reports from national and international law enforcement agencies.

AFP Detective Sergeant Jarrod Cook said the AFP and its domestic and global law enforcement partners were committed to stopping online child sexual abuse.

“Unfortunately, with the prevalence of children and young people accessing the internet, online safety is becoming an increasing concern around the world,” Det Sgt Cook said.

“The AFP and its partners work tirelessly, sharing intelligence and all available tools to arrest alleged offenders and make it harder for predators to target children.

“Since its formation a decade ago, investigations by the SA JACET team have led to more than 370 child victims, including toddlers, being identified and removed from further harm in Australia, the United Kingdom, United States and Southeast Asia.

“This has been through the dedication and tenacity of the SA JACET team and its work with Australian and international law enforcement agencies.”

Detective Sergeant Cook said SA JACET investigators trawled through hundreds of thousands of confronting images each year to identify and pursue online sexual predators and remove children from harm.

“It is confronting and horrific work, but our investigators know their efforts are critical to safeguard our vulnerable young people,” Det Sgt Cook said.

“We issue this warning to any person who would seek to prey on children: The SA JACET team will use the full force of the law to find, expose and prosecute you – no matter when or where the abuse occurred. There is nowhere for you to hide.

“The AFP and its law enforcement partners will never stop fighting to bring online predators to justice and protect children from these horrific crimes.”

South Australia Police Chief Inspector George Fenwick encouraged parents to have important conversations with their children during National Child Protection Week.

“Talk to them about what unsafe or inappropriate behaviour might look and feel like at home, in the community, online or at school – and make plans about what to do if they feel unsafe. Understand what children are doing online,” C/Insp Fenwick said.

“Be aware of the manner in which offenders initially engage with children. Inappropriate engagement with children and grooming behaviour can be initiated through online gaming platforms. Offenders can pose as someone they are not on these platforms, where they make contact with children before encouraging them to move to another platform for private interactions.

“While children and parents may feel a gaming platform is a safe place, predators often lurk in these environments.”

Chief Inspector Fenwick said if children experienced strange conversations or requests to share images that did not seem appropriate, they should be encouraged to speak to an adult.

“SAPOL continues to engage with law enforcement partners to identify those who engage in the production and sharing of online child sexual abuse material.

“Constant technological advancements enable law enforcement to identify victims and offenders online, providing greater opportunities to rescue children from harm and put those responsible before the court.

“Regardless of where those who prey on our most vulnerable choose to engage in their faceless online activities, police will find them and hold them to account.”

SA JACET arrests during National Child Protection Week 2025

• A Gawler East man, 34, was charged on Saturday, 6 September, 2025 with three counts of online child abuse offences and one count of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child. The man appeared in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday, 8 September, 2025. He was remanded in custody to reappear in court on 13^th January 2026.
• An Adelaide man, 34, was charged on Monday, 8 September, 2025 with four counts of online child sexual abuse offences, involving the possession and dissemination of child abuse material. He appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on 8 September, 2025 and was remanded in custody to reappear on 15^th December 2025.
• A Flagstaff Hill man, 63, was charged on Tuesday, 9 September, 2025, with three counts of online child abuse offences involving the dissemination and production of online child exploitation material. The man appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 10 September, 2025 and was remanded in custody to reappear in court on 13 January 2026.
• A Ferryden Park man, 18, was charged with six counts of online child abuse offences and one count of council, procure and cause harm. The man appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 10 September, 2025. He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court on 18 September 2025.
• A Happy Valley man, 25, was charged with one count of online child abuse offences including using a carriage service to possess child abuse material and the dissemination of child abuse material. He appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, 11 September, 2025. He was bailed to reappear in court on 31^st October 2025.
• A Gawler East man, 60, was charged with three counts of online child abuse offences, involving the possession of child abuse material. He was granted police bail to appear at the Elizabeth Magistrates court on 22 October 2025.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.

Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what online child sexual exploitation is and how to report it, visit the ACCCE website.

Editor’s Note: Video grabs and arrest vision available via – SA JACET NCPW 2025

Note to media

Use of term ‘CHILD ABUSE’ MATERIAL not ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’

The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.

Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:

• indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
• conjures images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

HINDMARSH ISLAND

Issued on
13 Sep 2025 16:27

Smoke near Hindmarsh Island

Issued for HINDMARSH ISLAND near Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The CFS is actively monitoring a grass fire on Rat Island, located near Hindmarsh Island, to the east of Goolwa, on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The fire is contained to Rat Island, burning in reeds and sheoak, with no assets under threat at this time.

The fire may be producing smoke visible from parts of Hindmarsh Island and the Clayton Bay area.

Local land owners will continue to monitor over the coming days.

Message ID 0008622

Source: New South Wales – News

Just before midday on Saturday 13 September, police and emergency services were called to Bolingbroke Grove after a pedestrian was struck by a car.

Sadly, a 69-year-old woman from Toorak Gardens died at the scene.

The driver of the Toyota four-wheel drive, a 72-year-old man from Toorak Gardens was uninjured.

Major Crash Investigators attended to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Following an investigation, the driver was reported for causing death by careless driving and issued with an instant loss of licence until further order. He will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.

Anyone with information on the crash who hasn’t yet spoken with police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

The woman’s death is the 60th life lost on SA roads this year.

237210

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a 23-year-old female following an aggravated assault in Nhulunbuy overnight.

Around 8:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of two females fighting near a shopping complex on Westal Street Nhulunbuy.

Police and St John Ambulance attended and located a 16-year-old female with several lacerations. She was conveyed to Gove District Hospital for treatment in a stable condition.

The alleged offender had fled the scene prior to police arrival; however, the 23-year-old was later located and arrested without incident.

She remains in police custody; investigations are ongoing, and she is expected to be charged later this evening.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500091509. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Mental Health Australia

The communities of Harrington and Coopernook are a step closer to safer Pacific Highway access with a minor design change ahead of the project’s progression to delivery.