Road resurfacing works at Goulds Road

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be resurfacing a section of Goulds Road adjacent to Foskew Road in Narngulu, with works scheduled to commence on Monday 29 January 2018 for a period of approximately three weeks.

The anticipated hours of work will be from 7am to 6pm.

Main Roads WA has allocated $1,198,667 this financial year through the Mid West Regional Road Groups Road Project Grant Program for roadworks within the City of Greater Geraldton Municipality.

Traffic Management will be in place during this time; business operators, motorists and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and direction from the authorised City personnel and contactors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Indian Ocean Drive Safety Package Underway

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Work is underway this week to install audible edge and centre lines on Indian Ocean Drive, one of the improvements recommended by the recently released Road Safety Review report.

Public safety is a priority for Main Roads, as is the safety of our workers out on the road, so for the duration of these works we ask that drivers remain patient with the traffic management on site.

Main Roads has also installed advanced guide signs at the end of the current passing lanes to let drivers know how far they’ll need to travel before they reach the next passing lane opportunity.

Where signs were found to be less reflective they have been replaced, and line maintenance has also been carried out to ensure the lines are whiter and brighter for vehicles travelling along the route in all conditions.

Planning for the first set of passing lanes is well underway, with tenders to be advertised early in the new year and construction scheduled to begin near Ledge Point by April 2018.

Drivers along Indian Ocean Drive will see a lot happening over the next few years. Other recommendations such as the wide centre line treatment (similar to the Great Northern Highway between Muchea and Wubin in the Wheatbelt and the Coalfields Highway in the South West) are in the planning stages with funding to be sought through the normal budgetary processes.

Thank you for your patience and assistance when encountering changed traffic conditions, road works and temporary traffic management impediments.

Flares released as part of HMAS Sydney II Commemoration Service

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise local residents that they may hear a series of loud noises on Sunday 19 November as part of the HMAS Sydney II Commemoration Service.

At approximately 7pm, a large blank cannon shot will be fired as well as a display of multiple flares off the coast as part of the ceremony, kindly donated by the Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue and West Coast Fireworks.

The City also wishes to remind guests that there is a free shuttle bus service leaving from the QEII Seniors Centre from 4pm as Gummer Avenue Carpark will be closed to traffic from 2pm to 8pm.

The service will commence at 5pm at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial on Gummer Avenue.

Prepare for Thunderstorms - Alert

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The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).


Time of issue: 08:09 AM
Date of issue: 09 August 2017

Get ready now for thunderstorms in parts of the Midwest-Gascoyne, Perth Metropolitan

If you live in the area from Geraldton to Perth including Eneabba, Jurien Bay, Lancelin and Yanchep you need to get ready now for the thunderstorms coming this afternoon.

A strong westerly flow and cold air mass in the wake of a cold front is developing over the south west of the state. The westerly flow will ease during this afternoon. Thunderstorms and showers associated with the cold air mass may produce DAMAGING WINDS to 100 kilometres per hour and could cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.

This weather is not unusual for this time of year, but could damage homes and make travel dangerous.

WHAT TO DO:

DFES has these tips to help you and your family get ready now: 

  • Store or weigh down loose objects around your home like outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury
  • Ensure your emergency kit is complete including a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
  • Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area
  • Move vehicles under cover
  • Boat owners should securely moor their boats
  • Campers should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
  • Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephone if there is lightning.

If you are away from home contact family or friends to prepare your property


WEATHER DETAILS:

At 09/08/2017 07:29:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised SEVERE WEATHER WARNING for DAMAGING WINDS For people in parts of the Central West and Lower West districts.


ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:

Some roads may be closed

Take extra care on the roads and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.

Road information may also be available by calling Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or your local Shire.

WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:

  • DFES is monitoring the situation.


IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE:

  • If your home has been badly damaged by a storm, call the SES on 132 500
  • In a life threatening situation call 000

After a storm SES volunteers make temporary repairs to homes that have been badly damaged, such as roofs that have been ripped off or large fallen trees on homes or cars. Please contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.

KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/, listen to ABC Local Radio or listen to news bulletins. 

Updates will be provided when the situation changes.

#PrayForRain - This photo paints a stark picture of what farmers are dealing with this year

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Thanks to Jenna May McGregor for sharing this photo.

It gives those not directly involved with the farming industry a pretty clear understanding of what the lack of rain this season means for local farmers. 

The photo is from the Mullewa area. 

Assistance sought in exchange for accommodation

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I am a mature lady living in Geraldton.

Due to slight physical problems (mostly back pain) I am seeking a kind lady to live in my comfortable home and give me a little help.  A small room with an extremely comfortable Queen size bed is available, together with complete use of the house, sharing a bathroom.  If it becomes necessary to increase the workload a bigger air conditioned room with a lockup automated garage may be offered.  The work load is sufficiently small that a full time job could easily be held.

It is envisaged that the person would become part of the "family" both receiving and giving courtesy and consideration.

A current Police Clearance is requested.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

-J.

Please complete the form below. If you cannot see it, please visit our website www.everythinggeraldton.com.au on your computer. 

City urges State Government to fund repairs to heavily damaged rural roads

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Significant rainfall in the last week has resulted in more than $2.5 million in estimated damages occurred to rural roads and left the City with no alternative but to urge the State Government to pay for the repairs.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ken Diehm said road repairs to this scale were unexpected and will have a serious impact on the City’s operational budget.

“The heavy rainfall in the last seven days has caused extensive damage to our rural roads and river crossings,” he said.

“It was by no means foreseeable and by far exceeds the City’s allocated budget for rural roads this financial year.

“While some of the damage has occurred on roads that lie outside of our Local Government boundary this still impacts members of the community who regularly use these roads.

“The City needs assistance from the State Government to repair these roads otherwise money will need to be diverted from other projects and programs to cover the costs,” Mr Diehm added.

“With more rainfall forecast over the next couple of days we can expect rural roads to be even further damaged and without assistance to repair them our entire community will ultimately be disadvantaged.”

Letter to editor regarding problematic youths at foreshore

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Hello Everything Geraldton,

I would to raise a serious concern about a group of kids aged 10-12yo that is hanging around town probably bored during this summer school holidays.

My workplace (a coffee shop) had the glass door smashed beginning of last week. Last Monday, while I was trying to lock up by myself, 4/5 of them came in and stole items from the shop as I could not do anything about it as I was obviously outnumbered. And today, as the cherry on top of the cake, I was abused continuosly towards the end of an extremely busy shift, ending up with them stealing the coins from the tips jar and trashing and damaging the front of the shop right in front of the customers.

I went to the toilet and started crying because I feel like nobody hears the the struggle my colleagues and I have to go through the day. It is really getting out of control and the police has been contacted by myself and one of my customers but they never showed up.

I heard the same group is creating many problems to other businesses and people. What do we need to do to have the authorities to take proper action. This is an pngoig problem now but it keeps beeing ignored.

All I want to do is going to work, provide the best product and service to my customers and I have to deal with this almost every day recently.

Here's what's happening during the School Holidays

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The City of Greater Geraldton is excited to announce a bumper packed Summer School Holiday Program for School aged children, young people and families.

The program is separated into weekly activities and all City hosted as well as Community activities are listed below. City events are free to the public however all City workshop activities require registration where stated. For external provider activities please contact the host organisation as per the contact information provided below.

A weekly listing of the program can be viewed in their Events Calendar (Click here)

More CGG cutbacks- this time it affects life savers

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More CGG cutbacks - This time there's no lifeguard for Back Beach, one of Gero's most notorious beaches, during the school holidays.


"Very disappointed that after many years of having a paid lifeguard at the Back Beach during the Summer holidays, the CGG have decided not to have one this year.  The weekends and Public holidays  will still be patrolled by the Geraldton Surf Life Saving Club but week days there will be no one there.  I hope the cost cutting doesn't impact on someone's life." - Lisa Mardon


Response from the City of Greater Geraldton:


“The Council made it very clear to the City of Greater Geraldton Executive that large rate rises are unacceptable and continuing to the run the City in a deficit position is also not acceptable. As a result, the City has taken measures to reduce its annual operating expenses and reduce rate increases. The Council also wanted to ensure that there was equity between different sporting clubs and noted that the Champion Bay Surf Life Saving Club operates without any support from the City.

"Last year the Geraldton Surf Life Saving Club received $20,000 from the City and we will be working with them to apply for grant funding to assist with operating costs.

"The club also has the option of presenting a business case to City Council for the decision to be changed and they have been notified of this.  The business case will need to demonstrate the quantified impact the Council not paying the grant will have on the club, project financial statements and a demonstration of attempts to apply for alternate funding solutions.

"The City will be installing signage at Back Beach and Tarcoola Beach areas to communicate with beach goers about potential risks in the area.”

A sad day: Geraldton's favourite bin man is retiring

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As a little kid, there's nothing more exciting than the noise of the rubbish bin truck approaching your home. You rush to the front door, and go outside to watch a huge machine with its claw arm grab your wheelie bin and pour out the contents. It then lowers the bin, and you look at the driver thinking he must be the happiest person in the world. 

Then that driver smiles at you, and waves. This makes the moment even more special, and you look forward to repeating the ritual next week. 

This was my routine as a child, and it became all three of my sons' routine each week. And we were super fortunate to have one of the best drivers ever service our homes in Geraldton. 

You've probably seen him around too. 

Zatie. 

Perhaps you remember a very popular post on Everything Geraldton a year or so ago, thanking him for going the extra mile. 

Zatie's employers spotted all the comments, and made sure he had a small thank you. 

Everything Geraldton has just been informed that Zatie is retiring this week from ToxFree, who currently handle the waste management in Geraldton. 

On behalf of myself and my sons, and the Geraldton community, thank you for your years of service and being a great ambassador for our community. 

Warning: Asbestos riddled building in West End (Point Moore) is being demolished

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The old building in West End (Point Moore) near the lighthouse that until recently housed Tropicanos restaurant is being demolished. 

A concerned Point Moore resident claims her daughter was outside in her treehouse near the site on Tuesday, until she realised what was happening. 

Residents are advised that the building does indeed contain "a lot of asbestos". 

In a media statement issued regarding the demolition, City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ken Diehm said the poor condition the building was left in by the former lessee and presence of asbestos make it too cost prohibitive to repair.

“Regretfully, the former lessee completely gutted the building making it unfit for use or refurbishment,” he said.

“The building also contains a lot of asbestos and unfortunately, the cost to remove the asbestos and completely renovate the building to meet current compliance standards so it could be used for something else far outweighs the value of the building itself.”

Geraldton just got its first Tesla and Electric car recharge point

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Geraldton's Ocean West, a local short term accommodation provider, is the home of Geraldton's first TESLA and electric car recharge point. 

Minnie Reynolds from Geraldton's Ocean West provided the following info regarding the install.

"Apparently they have approached a lot of businesses, council etc in the past.  

"We were more than happy to have the first install here – TESLA paid for the recharge point equipment being the first in Geraldton, and Ocean West get to support the electric car movement. Win Win!

"We have the Tesla charger plugged into a 3 phase socket, which is good, since Electric Vehicles other than Tesla’s will be able to plug into the socket direct."

Click here to see a map of charging points.

Click here to be a legend and buy a TESLA