Contamination warning for Ellendale Pool

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The City of Greater Geraldton today issued a warning to stay out of river water at Ellendale Pool due to the possible contamination of the water.

A water sample taken from the Ellendale Pool last week, indicates a potentially large amount of faecal contamination, including Enterococci and Amoeba.

More sampling will be undertaken at Ellendale Pool in coming days to monitor the levels. The public is urged to stay out of the water until further notice to avoid the potential risk of infection.

More information can be found on the WA Public Health website www.public.health.wa.gov.au

General health risks of swimming in these natural waters can include infection by protozoa such as amoeba. This type of infection can lead to illnesses such as amoebic meningitis, a life-threatening disease. This type of organism generally occurs in warm water. Permanent health warning signs exist at Ellendale Pool and sites along the Chapman and Greenough Rivers warning of this risk.

City to cull Corellas

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Recent increase of Corella activity has caused a widespread destruction of public buildings and fauna, resulting in the Council taking measures of last resort after gas sound cannons have failed to stop the menace.

The City of Greater Geraldton currently holds a permit from the Department of Environment and Conservation to allow the culling of Corellas flocks causing damage to property.

City Mayor Ian Carpenter said the Corellas are not endemic to the Geraldton area but during the summer months they have been migrating to the coast for water and food resources.

“No one takes enjoyment from the culling activities, but it is necessary if we are to stop the extensive damage that the Corellas are causing,” he said.

The licence allows up to 400 corellas to be culled in the locations of:

  • Alexander Park
  • Utakarra Park
  • Wonthella Park
  • Wonthella Sports Complex
  • Greenough Oval
  • Walkaway Town site

Mayor Ian Carpenter doubts the impact that the culling program has on Corella numbers.

“The culling usually takes place at Wonthella Oval as the area can be controlled and the birds congregate there in large numbers,” he said.

“Even though we are permitted to cull 400 Corellas, we rarely exceed 100 as the birds get the message pretty quickly and move on.

“From my own observations the culling program has not had an impact on the Corella population as a whole,” said Mr Carpenter.

“Our objective is not to reduce the number of Corellas but to move them on and prevent the damage they cause in our City.”

Total fire ban for Geraldton and surrounding regions today

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A Total Fire Ban has been declared for today, Monday 20 Januay 2014, for parts of the Central West. This includes:

  • City of Greater Geraldton
  • Shire of Chapman Valley
  • Shire of Northampton

On Monday 20 January 2014 any activity that could start a fire is banned.

This means:

  • You must not light or use any fires in the open air
  • All open fires for the purpose of cooking or camping are not allowed
  • Hot work such as metal work, grinding, welding, soldering, gas cutting or similar is not allowed unless you have an exemption
  • You must not undertake any other activities that may start a fire.

If a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban has not been implemented by your local government you are able to harvest or move vehicles across paddocks for agricultural purposes.

You could be fined up to $25,000 or jailed for 12 months or both if you ignore the Total Fire Ban.

For information on activities that can or cannot be carried out during a Total Fire Ban visitwww.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/Pages/TotalFireBanWhatCantIDo.aspx

If the information you want is not available from the website, telephone the Total Fire Ban Information Line 1800 709 355.

This information is also available by visiting www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Abrolhos Islands featured in upcoming episode of Fishing Australia

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This Saturday the Abrolhos Islands will be featured on WIN's Fishing Australia.

The convergence of tropical and subtropical currents at the Abrolhos Islands produce an amazing array of marine life and the site of Australia’s first European landing, which the episode will cover.

Here's a sneak peak:

Perth to get a third bin... Geraldton would like a second

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