Have your say on launch decks

Residents are invited to have their say on Penrith City Council’s proposal to build two new kayak launch decks on the Nepean River.

“The new launch decks planned for River Road (Leonay) and Factory Road Reserve (Regentville), will improve access to the Nepean River and encourage people of all ages to experience and enjoy on-water activities,” a spokesperson said.

“The launch decks are a result of community feedback to Council’s Our River Masterplan (2013) which was used to advocate for funding to deliver projects that improve the community’s access and enjoyment of the Nepean River.”

According to Council, the new kayak launch decks will make it safer and easier for people of all ages and abilities to launch kayaks and other passive watercraft on the river and create opportunities for people to access the water on both sides. The proposal also includes plans for access paths connecting the car park down to the water’s edge, a viewing deck, bench seating and landscaping at Factory Road Reserve and the planting of new trees along the embankment in Leonay.

Council previously heard that improving access for fishing and other recreational activities was a priority, and the two new kayak launch decks will be another step towards realising their vision. Construction is expected to start in September, with the project expected to be complete in November 2023.

The community can provide feedback on the concept designs by completing a short survey or emailing Nicole Barton at nicole.barton@ penrith.city.

For more information, visit www. yoursaypenrith.com.au/launchdecks.

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Aformer Penrith accountant accused of defrauding clients to fund his gambling habit has been granted bail.

37-year-old Benjamin Carter made a fresh bid for bail on Wednesday after it was refused by a magistrate at Penrith Local Court last month. He appeared at the Supreme Court of New South Wales via video link, watching the proceedings from a suite at Long Bay Correctional Centre where he has been remanded in protective custody.

He sat stoically in his prison greens during the hearing but broke down in tears after Justice Deborah Sweeney handed down her decision.

Carter was arrested at his Silverdale home last month and subsequently charged with 16 offences including 14 counts of ‘dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception’, and one count each of ‘knowingly deal with proceeds of crime’ and ‘possess prohibited drug’.

During search warrants executed at Carter’s home and Penrith office, officers allegedly located electronic devices, hard drives, and documentation relevant to their investigation, as well as a small amount of a substance believed to be cocaine.

Police allege the accountant defrauded at least eight accounting clients to the value of $26 million in a bid to fund his lavish lifestyle and gambling habit, but Carter’s lawyer previously argued the figure was closer to $6 million with $20 million relating to gambling institutions.

The Crown Prosecutor opposed bail and told the court of five concerns, including that Carter would fail to attend court and commit further offences.

Carter’s lawyer argued that these risks can be mitigated, saying 20,000 pages of material are now before authorities. He told the court that the case has been described by police as “overwhelming”, which supported his claim that these allegations are hard to prove.

“Much of the gambling activity is likely to be legal conduct,” he said.

“It’s rare for people accused of fraud and money laundering to be refused bail.”

Furthermore, Carter’s lawyer said his client needs to be at liberty due to the complexity of the case.

He asserted that he is going to have to spend “hours and hours with this man” to obtain instructions in relations to the criminal case.

The court also heard that Carter is involved in an ongoing civil suit against Sportsbet and proceedings related to his previous marriage.

The lawyer also told Justice Sweeney that his current partner is experiencing pregnancy complications and is expected to give birth next month.

Carter’s lawyer proposed strict bail conditions, including a surety of $700,000. He also noted that Carter is unlikely to commit further offences of dishonesty in the same way because the opportunities have been “effectively removed”.