Kwinana Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing 49 year old Deborah Kay Bell

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Kwinana Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing 49 year old Deborah Kay BELL.

It is believed that Ms BELL is travelling in a silver Hyundai Tuscon registration 1EHF563 towing a 1991 Coromal caravan registration 8RS396 with her white and tan dog.

It is unknown when Ms BELL departed her home in Wellard or what direction she is travelling. She was last seen by a family member 19 March 2016.

She is described as being fair skinned, approximately 156cms tall with a solid build, brown/grey hair and green eyes.

Police have concerns for her welfare and ask that anyone who sees Ms BELL, or knows of her whereabouts is asked to call police immediately on 131 444.

Local band Alex the Kid have won Triple J's Unearthed

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Triple J have just announced Alex The Kid as their Geraldton One Night Stand Unearthed winners.

This means their music will be played on triple j and triple j Unearthed. Plus they get to play at the concert, alongside Boy & Bear, Alison Wonderland and Urthboy!

Hailing from coastal WA town 'Geraldton', Alex the Kid now span throughout the midwest playing shows regularly between regional WA and Perth city. Since their inception the band has been non-stop writing, recording and partying. With two EPs, a split with Brisbane's 'Columbus' and many regional tours and a national tour under their belt, the Geraldtonians are looking to drop big new music in 2016 with their debut album currently being mixed and mastered by Dan Florez in Massachusetts for a winter release.

How the City of Greater Geraldton ranks in comparison to councils from around WA

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'Business News' recently put out their 2016 Book of Lists. If you can get your hands on a copy it's a fascinating read. They also have the latest data online for subscribers. One of the areas they cover is local governments. 

We were curious to see how the City of Greater Geraldton compared to other councils around WA in different categories. 

Here's how Greater Geraldton ranks in several categories, as at the end of the last financial year:

By Total Revenue

16th with $76,090,000. That's more than Fremantle.

The highest was City of Stirling with $207,440,000

By Area

32nd with 9,889 km2.

The largest local government area is Shire of East Pilbara with 371,696km2.

By Population

15th, with 41,087.

The largest is the City of Stirling with 227,367 followed by City of Wanneroo with 188,000.

By Total Rates Levied

15th, with $39,460,000. That's slightly less that Karratha, and a tad more than Fremantle. 

The highest was City of Stirling with $122,282,000.

By Profit and Loss

According to figures published by Business News, City of Greater Geraldton ran a profit of $4,350,000 last fiscal year, the 30th highest in the state. The City of Karratha was highest with $108,670,000.

By Total Assets

Geraldton was 11th with $888,280,000. 

By Total Liabilities

5th highest in the state, with $54.32m

This is up from $37.6m the previous year. 

By Total Staff

20th, with 334.

By Number of Dwellings

19th, with 15,659

By Number of Electors

17th, with 23,696 people. 

Interesting notes:

The City of Perth only has 10,385 electors, with a population of 21,860. 

The Shire of Chapman Valley has 774 electors and a population of 1,174.

The City of Stirling is by far the most populous local government area in WA at 227,367 and has over 92,000 dwellings. 

What Southgate Dunes mean to me

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Southgates was the go to place on a Sunday afternoon.

Grandad would see how many families and friends he could round up and we would all troop down to the dunes in a convoy. Although, sometimes it would be just me and him.

Each year that I grew older I would slowly learn the changing map of those dunes a little better.

For example, dog bush. The bush that stood alone in the middle of the sand, which must have had an unwritten rule that obligated all dogs to stop and pee on, it seemed.

I was taught the ritual of letting air out of the tyres, and then how to pump them back up at the fuel station. 

How to change gears.

I was shown how to change a tyre. 

To avoid driving on seaweed. 

Always stick to the left.

To always stop before continuing to ensure the other side was okay to go down, because once you start you have to commit.

I have numerous stories, unique and common. 

One time we were in a convoy and the biggest four wheel drive got stuck. Several others tried to pull them out and all got bogged as well. It was a mess. We had several cars stuck, and only Grandad’s little old Suzuki left. It started to rain. The tide was rising. People were panicking.

But not Grandad. One at a time he got the snap strap and pulled each of the four wheel drives out.

Lets just say, his little Suzie didn't get the brunt of a joke again.

Slowly as I grew up we went out to Southgates less and less. 

Until I had my own licence, my own little (but newer) suzie. 

I took friends out there, and then friends began to get their own four wheel drives and take us there. 

We taught each other the fundamentals of four wheel driving that we had learnt from family, debated the best tracks and all in all learnt how to have a good time. It was a haven from school, people and work. 

There was always bulldozers out there. They had threatened development for years. It became a conspiracy. I mean, none of us believed anyone that had been out there could actually destroy it. 

Now I hear it is a possibility. A plan. 

And all I can think is my Grandad’s rule:
Always check the other side, before going down. Once you start you have to finish the descent. 

What I want to see on the other side of this is Southgates as a place to take my own children and grandchildren one day. A place to teach them how to drive, and how to enjoy life.  A place to create memories and explore. 

But what I am seeing is something completely different.

So before we start to go down this road, can I just ask;

Is it something you can commit to, because once the wheels start rolling, where do we stop?

20 photos that will remind you why you love Geraldton so much

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Use #everythinggeraldton on Instagram for us to share your photographs.

Brendon Plug

"Little Bluebird" by Gemma Allen. Pic: Colour Decor

Common Greenshank. Bill Belson‎

Bianca Jane

So where exactly ARE you allowed to take your dog in Geraldton?

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Everything Geraldton often gets asked where exactly dogs are allowed. There's a bit of confusion over what the story is with dogs at the foreshore too. 

Dogs are allowed on the Foreshore grassed area but only if they are on a leash. There are signs down there that also stipulate that.

However – dogs are not allowed on the Foreshore beach. Just the grassed area. 

There are lots of other beaches in town where dogs are allowed, many off the leash too. And there are also several parks where dogs are allowed off the leash. 

Here's a map produced by the City of Greater Geraldton that shows exactly where you can and can't take your canine companion. 

Click here to download a PDF version. 


Aquarena Creche to close it's doors, but it may reopen in the future

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Note: The bigger story here is probably that more staff cut backs will be taking place at the City of Greater Geraldton in the coming months. But as various cuts to city expenses rolls out, residents start to notice that their particular beloved service is under threat. EG will have more on the City budget and changes around the city in the near future. 

Cost cutting results in closure of Aquarena creche... but hopefully not forever

Everything Geraldton recently received a copy of an open letter to the CGG council and CEO, from a concerned resident regarding the future of the creche at Aquarena, Geraldton's public swimming pool, after hearing the creche was shutting down. 

To the CEO, Mayor and all Councillors,

I am a mother of two children, aged 4 and 2.

We love living in Geraldton and we love going to the Aquarena.

Last week, it was brought to my attention that the creche at the Aquarena might close at the end of the current term, which is in less than two weeks.
I hope this is not true, as this would cause great angst to myself and many other mothers.
I use the Aquarena weekly to exercise and keep fit and healthy. 
Without the creche, I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore, as the cost and time involved for me to hire a babysitter would be far too expensive.
Losing the fantastic service of the creche will also have further consequences for myself and many others.
We won’t be able to enrole our children in swimming classes due to having to supervise other younger children. Therefore a loss in revenue for swimming classes could be expected.
At the Aquarena, families meet and spend time enjoying the cafe and shop at the pool, which wouldn’t happen anymore, resulting in a loss of social interaction and lifestlye in Geraldton.
The creche is an essential component of the Aquarena and keeping it running at an affordable cost is of great benefit to many people, and also essential to the sustainability of operating a community service.
I look forward to a positive response from you regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Insa Korth
Geraldton Resident and Mum.

Should rate payers be funding babysitting for other people?

The City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm, responded regarding the matter, saying the closure of the creche was part of wider cut backs, aimed at reducing the $7million deficit the city runs.

"The Aquarena is a key public service provided by the City," said Mr Diehm. "However it costs the City approximately $1million dollars a year to keep its doors open. The Aquarena however needs to contribute to the required savings and hence the service delivery model for the crèche is being changed. The Aquarena crèche, as it is currently run with Council officers, will cease on 9 April 2016."

But it's not all bad news for creche users, with Mr Diehm saying the city will be reaching out to the private sector in the future to run the creche.

"The Aquarena will be looking at external private opportunities to facilitate this service and will be seeking expressions of interest in the near future from commercial providers and educators to continue the operations,” said Mr Diehm. 

Mr Diehm also said there will be a reduction in staff numbers throughout the City of Greater Geraldton.

Regarding Geraldton's Sand Dunes at Southgates: Ian Blayney's letter to the Minister

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Ian Blayney MLA, Member for Geraldton, has written to Jon Day, the state Government's Minister for Planning, expressing his protest against changes that could see development take place at Geraldton's Southgates. 

In the letter he focusses on the environmental impact disrupting the sand recharge would have to Geraldton's beaches. 

Read Original Article on #SaveSouthgates

Below is a recent ABC article on the existing erosion problems Geraldton's beaches are facing. 

A developer is trying to get permission to subdivide our precious sand dunes

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Download petition for Save Southgates

Mayor slams Minister’s plans for Southgates

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn has described the State Government’s plan to change an amendment which will result in the rezoning of Southgates Dunes for development and future urban subdivision as “nothing short of environmental terrorism”.

The proposed changes to Planning Scheme Amendment No. 4 went to council Tuesday night at the Agenda Forum after the Minister for Environment, Hon Albert Jacob, and the Minister for Planning, Hon John Day, reached agreement on the conditions to which the Amendment should be subject if it is to be implemented.

Mayor Van Styn has hit back at the proposed changes to the Amendment saying that any development on the land would destroy sand supply to other local beaches and are completely outrageous.

“We are flat out carting sand to Beresford to save our beaches (from Pages beach) and here we have a proposal that will make that problem a lot worse,” he said.

“The idea of destroying the sand supply to our northern beaches is mind blowing and it’s hard to believe that anybody could think that is in any way a good idea.”

The Amendment involves subdividing an area of around 780ha of land on Southgates Dunes.

The Local Planning Scheme Amendment in its current form poses significant risks for the City both financially and environmentally.

“The Southgates Dunes are iconic and represent Geraldton a much as our lighthouse,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“We also need to be reminded the proposed developer is the same developer that was responsible for the mess at Cape Burney,” he added.

If the motion to object the proposal is passed by Council next week, the City will immediately advise the Minister for Planning that the Council strongly objects to the implementation of Local Planning Scheme Amendment No. 4 in its current form.

“Here is yet another example, of Perth based planning bureaucracies making appalling planning decisions that are completely out of step with local sentiment and is another clear example of why local government should be the masters of their own planning,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“I call on all of our community to do all they can to protest against this outrageous proposal.”

Has there already been excessive mining at Southgates?

Many residents over the past several months have expressed their outrage to Everything Geraldton over how much sand has already been taken from Southgates. It's clear from the beach, and the road, that much of the natural and iconic dunes have been flattened. 

What's not known by most locals is that conveniently the level to which the dunes have been flattened is the exact same height that the EPA have said needs to be in place when/if any sub-division occurs. 

Some locals are questioning if EPA guidelines have been breached, or if too much sand has been taken already from the dunes, due to the obvious scaring that is clearly visible to all passers-by. 

The mining that is taking place at Southgates is for the lime sand to be used by farmers. It is used to increase the pH levels of soil. The mining, if done at low enough levels, is sustainable, as the dunes do grow each year. 

 

Everything Geraldton welcomes your feedback regarding "Save Southgates". Provide your feedback with the link below. Or email geraldton@justeverything.com.au

If you would like to contact our local representatives, here are their contact details. 

Ian Blayney

Shop 2, 5 Chapman Road
Geraldton WA 6530
Ph: 9964 1640
Fax: 9964 2892
Email: ian.blayney@mp.wa.gov.au

Paul Brown

Unit 3, 5 Chapman Road
GERALDTON WA 6530
Ph: (08) 9921 4818
Fax: (08) 9921 4972
Email: paul.brown@mp.wa.gov.au

Darren West

84 Marine Terrace
GERALDTON WA 6530
PO Box 578 GERALDTON 6531
Ph: (08) 9964 1001
Fax: (08) 9964 1002
Email: darren.west.mp@mp.wa.gov.au

Mayor Van Styn has set up a Facebook page called Save Southgates. Links below. Like the page and share with your friends if you're interested in getting behind it. 

Let's save Southgates! #savesouthgates

Posted by Save Southgates on Friday, March 18, 2016

5 things Geraldton job seekers should do

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Look, the economy around Australia isn't cranking like it was. China isn't paying us $200 a tonne for our dirt any more. So there's less money flowing downstream through everyone's wallets and there are less jobs on the table.  

But there's plenty of folks who could do a few simple things to help themselves when it comes to finding a job. 

1. Fix up your God damn Facebook profile. 

Honestly, every employer will do a search on Facey to stalk you before hiring you. If they're confronted with profile pics showing how cool you think being drunk is, questions about where to get the best weed in town, and bitching that shows you have no decorum, I can guarantee your resume will go straight in the bin. 

Hot tip: Check out the "View As" option to see what others see. 

2. Take a job. Any job. 

When I interview people, I always value someone who is doing SOMETHING over someone who's been sitting on the dole for 2 years waiting for the perfect job to come along.

In 2008 I couldn't find a job in my chosen profession in Geraldton. I couldn't leave town. So I took whatever job I could get, which happened to be at a servo. I scrubbed toilets and cleaned diesel residue for the next 9 months. I didn't LOVE it, but eventually I found other work. 

I am saddened when I meet people who won't take a job they think is beneath them, but are fine going on the dole.

3. Do some study. Get a qualification. 

The economy is becoming more and more automated. Unskilled labour is going to increasingly be done by autonomous machines, and will continue to move overseas. Invest some time in learning a skill that employers will find useful. We have a small but growing university right here in town, and a very bustling tafe, Durack Institute of Technology. Get in touch with them and see what they have on offer. If a Sudanese refugee who doesn't speak English as well as you can put the hard yards in and become a chemist (link), you can hit the books too.  

4. Network with the right people. 

I meet a lot of employers who know they could use some extra staff, but hate the process of hiring someone so much that they just keep putting it off. But when they meet someone they know and like, who they know is looking for work, they're more than happy to offer them a job. So start meeting the right people. That might mean joining a public speaking group, or getting involved with a local charity, joining Pollinators, getting along to a Rotary meeting, or going to the Council meetings, or whatever. Use your imagination. But the go-getters and business owners of this city aren't going to knock on your door and ask to hang out with you watching Netflix. Get out and meet them. 

5. Apply for everything. 

Subscribe to the Everything Geraldton Jobs email (link). Keep an eye on Seek. Hand out your resume. Post in the Employment Wanted section on EG (link). Apply for any job you can legally do. And don't wait until a job is advertised; As per tip 4, plenty of business owners never even get that far. 

Bonus tip: Be positive. 

Nothing hurts like rejection. It attacks your psyche, it makes you question your self worth, it makes it hard to get out of bed and try again. But do whatever you have to do to get your head right, otherwise your own thoughts will kill your chances of finding work. Find whatever works for you...  pray, meditate, talk to encouraging friends, listen to a motivational speaker. These things may not get you a job directly, but they may make the difference between an employer thinking they like your energy, vs them thinking they want nothing to do with you. 

Dog owner expresses "deepest regret"

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The owner of the dog from this morning's incident has expressed their regret over what happened:

"As the dog owner involved in the incident this morning I would like to express my deepest regret that such a thing happened. Although I did express my most fulsome apologies at the time I understand that this may not have been recalled. I have taken every measure I can at this point, to address the situation and will take all measures to ensure that this cannot happen again. The event was extremely unexpected, however I will not ever again put the dog or another person in any situation where there could be the slightest risk from the dog. The incident caused me great distress afterwards and I would have liked to speak with the mother and father. However I respect their feelings and again offer my most heartfelt regret to all concerned."

 

Original Article


Mother asking for help after son attacked by dog in Mt Tarcoola

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A local mother has reached out to EG asking for help from the community after her son was bitten this morning by a dog. 

If you know anything or can assist, please email Everything Geraldton geraldton@justeverything.com.au and we will pass your info along. 

"IMPORTANT!!!! If anyone was in the Tarcoola area near the park and the shops around 7am this morning and saw a lady in her late 50's early 60's with brownish red short hair walking 2 dogs one white and one golden/ginger, I would LOVE TO KNOW. One of her dogs bit my 19 month old son on the face while he was getting on the slide at A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND!!!! She didn't even say sorry to my husband, she said "dogs will be in the naughty corner" and rushed off. My husband obviously caring for our son and running home with him to get to the hospital, didn't get a chance to get any information from the lady. So please if anyone knows/saw her could you please let me know. A dog biting any child is a serious problem, and I do not want this to happen to any other children!!!!"

10am- Update from the mum: "Thank you so much to everyone for the comments and Shares. We think we have found her. Just waiting on the Rangers to call me back to make a report now. Thanks again. And our little man is doing good. Just some butterfly stitches and some antibiotics, but it will leave 2 scars on his face. I just don't want this to happen to any other children, or any human for that matter."

1:00pm update: 

The owner of the dog from this morning's incident has expressed their regret over what happened:

"As the dog owner involved in the incident this morning I would like to express my deepest regret that such a thing happened. Although I did express my most fulsome apologies at the time I understand that this may not have been recalled. I have taken every measure I can at this point, to address the situation and will take all measures to ensure that this cannot happen again. The event was extremely unexpected, however I will not ever again put the dog or another person in any situation where there could be the slightest risk from the dog. The incident caused me great distress afterwards and I would have liked to speak with the mother and father. However I respect their feelings and again offer my most heartfelt regret to all concerned."

Trees causing damage to carpark to be replaced

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COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Removal of trees on Carpark #3 - Anzac Terrace

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be removing the trees in Carpark #3 on Anzac Terrace on 8 and 9 March 2016.

Although the City is always reluctant to remove trees as they add to the liveability of our community, the trees located along Durlacher Street have caused considerable damage to the carpark. They will be replaced with trees more suitable to this type of urban environment.

The tree removal is part of the carpark renewal works being undertaken in Carpark #3.  Although the City will endeavour to keep the carpark open, it may be closed for short periods of time.

Motorists and pedestrians are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries regarding the renewal works please contact Graham Smith Reserves Supervisor on 08 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

The Batavia Story needs to be told - Russell Crowe may be the man that will do it

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Attendees at the CEDA Conference held in Geraldton last week were treated to an account of the gruesome true story of shipwreck, sex, slavery and mass murder that is the ‘Batavia’ by the man who wrote the book – columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald - Peter Fitzsimons.

Brought to Geraldton by the Mid West Development Commission as Keynote Speaker for the conference, Mr Fitzsimons highlighted that the Mid West could put itself on the global stage through the telling of Australia’s best story. He also alluded to the fact that he was in the process of negotiating the rights of his book on the ‘Batavia’ to become a film to non-other than Academy Award winning Australian actor Russell Crowe.

On the subject of opening up of the Abrolhos Islands for tourism, Mr Fitzsimons said that it was a great opportunity for the region and that it was important to ensure that its existing charm be maintained.

The eco and sustainable development of the Abrolhos Islands is one of six key tourism opportunities that was identified as having the potential to accelerate the Mid West economy in the Mid West Tourism Development Strategy. The strategy was a direct result of the Mid West Regional Blueprint. The first of the six opportunities identified in the strategy is already well underway with the construction of the Kalbarri Skywalks due for completion by June 2017.

Department of Regional Development Director General Ralph Addis, Mid West Development Commission Chair Murray Criddle, Peter Fitzsimons and Commission Chief Executive Officer Gavin Treasure.

Gallery of images from Geraldton Monster trucks event 2016

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If you'd like to add your images below, email them to geraldton@justeverything.com.au