The man was arrested at Heckenberg on Thursday after an ongoing investigation by strike force police.

Mr Hammond’s niece Rachael Taylor addressed media at Narellan Police Station on Thursday, saying it had been a “long four-and-a-half years” since her uncle’s death.

“Today is a good day for our family,” she said.

“Unfortunately my nanna, my uncle’s mother, isn’t here to find out the good news.

“She would be relieved. The rest of us are very relieved.”

Scott Hammond’s body was discovered on July 1, 2013 after emergency services were called to his house on Ibbotson Street. He was 48 years old.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Hammond had died due to blunt force trauma to the head.

Ms Taylor said she had “remained hopeful” of an arrest and it was a “welcome shock” to hear someone had been charged.

“We got on with life as much as we could,” she said.

“We were waiting for that phone call and today was that day.”

She said her uncle was a “great person”.

“He was caring, he was supportive,” she said.

“He did everything he could to show us he was a good person.

“We’re a close-knit family, so [his death] had a [large] effect on us.”

The Heckenberg man was charged with one count of murder after he was arrested and taken to Narellan Police Station this morning.

His case was heard at Campbelltown Local Court this afternoon. He did not apply for bail and bail was formally refused.

Camden Police Area Command’s Detective Superintendent Ward Hanson said today’s result was a tribute to the hard work and tenacity of the investigative team.

“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the tenacious investigative work by detectives attached to the strike force, some of whom have worked continuously on the strike force over the last five years,” he said.

“Investigators needed to work through evidence and information the community provided very diligently, so it has taken some time to achieve.”

He said the breakthrough came as a result of information provided by members of the community.

Detective Superintendent Hanson said the accused was not related to Mr Hammond but the men were “not strangers” to one another.

He could not confirm the weapon which caused Mr Hammond’s fatal injuries and would not comment on whether the man charged was known to police.

He also took the chance to “dispel any rumours or innuendo” that the murder was “as a result of any dog attack”.

“I can also confirm there are no links to OMCG (Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs) or bikies,” he said.

He also declined to answer reporter questions on whether the accused had lived in the Tahmoor community.

The superintendent assured the people of Tahmoor that their community was in no danger.

“Your community is safe, it is a safe place to live,” Detective Superintendent Hanson said.

“The judicial process will proceed.”