New accommodation option offered by Activ Geraldton

People living with disability in Geraldton now have more options with the opening of Activ’s first new accommodation home in 30 years. 

The opening of the new house will provide two Activ customers with the opportunity to move out of home and live independently. 

Activ CEO Danielle Newport said the support of Activ, combined with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding, meant customers could aspire to greater independence through increased participation in their community, employment opportunities and independent living. 

“We’re excited to extend our service offerings in Geraldton and offer more living options for locals who live with disability,” said Ms Newport. 

“With a focus on independence, we are also running an information session called ‘Achieving Independence’ in Geraldton on Monday 23 September,” she said. 

Topics covered at the information session will include NDIS and funding, accommodation options, independence and how Activ can help. 

Register for the information session at https://achievingindependence.eventbrite.com.au 

As part of its commitment to delivering services in regional Western Australia, Activ will also hold its board meeting in Geraldton on the same day. 

Fact file 

• Activ currently supports more than 70 individuals living with disability in Geraldton. 

• Among a range of other services Activ is perhaps best known for manufacturing and supplying craypots to Geraldton and the surrounding communities since the late 1980s. 

Grant funds CBD intersection upgrade

Early morning traffic congestion at the intersection of Cathedral Avenue and Sandford Street.

One of the busiest intersections in the CBD will be transformed into a roundabout with the assistance of government grant funding.

The City has recently secured $1.27 million in Federal Black Spot funding to build a roundabout at the corner of Cathedral Avenue and Sandford Street.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the 100 percent grant funded project will improve traffic safety and the general flow of traffic in the area in alignment with CBD revitalisation plans.

“Over the years traffic congestion has steadily increased along Cathedral Avenue in the vicinity of the schools with almost 9,000 vehicles travelling through the intersection every day,” he said.

“Peak hour traffic happens around school pick-up and drop-off times with over 800 vehicles between 8-9am and nearly 1000 vehicles from 3-4pm.  All while hundreds of students cross this busy stretch of road.

“Anyone trying to turn onto or off of Cathedral Avenue at the Sandford Street intersection knows how difficult and time consuming this can be.

“A roundabout at the intersection will enable drivers entering or exiting Cathedral Avenue at the intersection to do so in a quicker and safer way and provide pedestrians with a safer way to cross the road.

“The roundabout will also be the catalyst for planned improvements to the Cathedral Avenue entrance to our CBD which, along with the Rocks Laneway Project, will help revitalise of the heart of our City,” he added.

The City has also received State Government Blackspot funding to build a roundabout at the intersection of Durlacher and Maitland Streets. The design and relocation of services have been included in the 2019/20 Budget with construction planned for next financial year. The project cost is estimated at $800K of which 75% is grant funded.

“I’d like to thank both the Federal and State Governments for supporting our applications and providing the funding to build the roundabouts,” said Mayor Van Styn. 

Design and construction of the roundabouts will take place over the coming months.

Watch the 3D fly through CBD Revitalisation Master Plan video below:

Port Celebrate Three Generations of Family History

Hugh Dutton with his wife Emily and son Alan

Inaugural founding five board members Bob Scott, Kevin Critch, Chairman Frank Lemmon, Ian Bogle and Alan Dutton.

The orginal 32 foot single mast schooner cray boat the (ILMA – LFBG 8) used by Carl Newman

With ancestry spanning over a century in the Midwest, local man Jason Dutton is proud to see the roots of Geraldton’s maritime history firmly entwined in his family tree.

A self-confessed history buff, Jason can trace his Geraldton lineage all the way back to 1860.

There to witness the early stages of the region’s maritime, fishing and crayfish industries, the Dutton family also played a major part in establishing the beginnings of Geraldton Port.

Three generations of the Dutton line have worked on the berths, beginning with Jason’s grandfather.

“My grandfather Hugh Dutton (MM) was in shipping between his combat service in both world wars,” he said.

“After he got back from WW1 he worked as a Lumper, which is what Stevedores were called in those days, and loaded ships from the old Railway Jetty before the Port was even built.

“He then started working at the new Port when the first 2 berths were constructed in the 1930s and later berth 3, where he worked continuously until the outbreak of WW2.

“He then served in WW2 and was killed in action in 1942 while fighting in New Guinea.”

Hugh’s son, Alan Dutton, followed in his father’s footsteps and began his career at the Port in 1950.

From humble beginnings as an apprentice mechanic, Alan went on to become one of the inaugural Founding Board Members of the Geraldton Port Authority.

He worked at the Port for four decades, with 20 of those years spent on the Board.

During this time Alan also went on to complete his national service - remaining in the armed forces for two years.

But such was his love for his home town, Alan returned soon after to resume life in Geraldton, despite being offered a promotion to become a second lieutenant.

Jason said his father’s true love had always been the Port.

“My father Alan was a great man who cared very much for other people, his community and his beloved Port,” he said.

“It was the hard work and vision of people like my dad and grandfather that laid the incredibly strong foundations that remain today.”

Jason continued this legacy when in 2013 he began working in one of the Port’s Operational Crews at the Bulk Handling Facility.

In his spare time, Jason continued to delve in to his genealogy and began tracing the origins of the other side of his family.

This is when Jason discovered an even greater tie to the region’s aquaculture industry.

“It turns out my great grandfather Carl Newman was one of the pioneer rock lobster fisherman off the Geraldton coast and the Southern Group of the Abrolhos islands,” he said.

Jason also discovered further links to the armed forces – uncovering the tale of how his great grandfather would ferry sailors to and from war ships during shore leave.

“My great grandfather was the last man to ferry the sailors from the HMAS Sydney II when she came to Geraldton,” he said.

“It was only a short time later that she was sunk while in battle with the HSK Kormoran off Shark Bay.

“To this day this story is told when they do tours of the HMAS Sydney II memorial site.”

CBD Foreshore Beach Maintenance works

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise beach maintenance of the CBD Foreshore between the Dome Café and Forrest Street will be undertaken on Monday 9 September 2019.

Members of the community 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 please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Woolworths rolls out Quiet Hour in Geraldton

Chris Chippendale, Life Without Barriers Executive Lead, Disability Engagement with Woolworths team members

Thursday 22 August 2019: Following a successful trial period in Western Australia, Woolworths Geraldton will now offer the low-sensory Quiet Hour to customers.

The program is designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs, including autism, by providing a quieter and less stimulating environment in store. 

Autism Spectrum Australia estimates more than 300,000 (or 1 in 70) Australians are on the autism spectrum*.

Woolworths Geraldton will lower lights, turn down music and radio, and turn off oven buzzers for an hour every Tuesday between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Woolworths Geraldton will join more than 260 stores nationally, including 20 in Western Australia.

Woolworths  Group Manager James Ferguson said: “We’ve heard from our customers there is a need in the community for a low sensory shopping experience in the area. 

“Off the back of successful trials, we’re delighted to expand Quiet Hour to Woolworths Geraldton for the benefit of even more customers. 

“Our team takes great pride in ensuring the store is quieter and less stressful for customers who want to shop during Quiet Hour and we look forward to welcoming them in store.”

The low sensory initiative was developed in consultation with disability service providers at Life Without Barriers. 

Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said: “Quiet Hour is a fantastic accessibility initiative by Woolworths that recognises that people have different accessibility needs. 

“It gives people a way to do their shopping and increase their independence in an environment that is not stressful and overwhelming to them.” 

During Quiet Hour, customers will also notice the following changes:

• Reducing volume on store phones and registers on the trading floor;

• Roll cages will be removed from the shop floor; and

• No PA announcements (excluding in case of emergencies).

Prescribed burns in Cape Burney

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking several prescribed burns on the eastern side of the Greenough River Walk Trail in Cape Burney on Saturday 3 August 2019.

The burn will commence at approximately 9am and the Greenough River Walk Trail will NOT be closed to the community during this time.

The Cape Burney, Waggrakine and Moonyoonooka Volunteer Bushfire Brigades will be on site to control the burn rate and extinguish the fire by the end of the day.

Smoke from this prescribed burn may affect the surrounding areas. If you have a respiratory condition or are affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

Prescribed burns are undertaken by the City to mitigate the severity of bushfires and to help protect lives and property by reducing the build-up of flammable fuel loads.

Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

If weather conditions are not favourable this burn will be postponed until a future date.

The City apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

WA ScamNet: Buyer beware fake websites

Recently there have been fake sportswear websites, including one called sksvipstocks dot com posing as shoe brand Skechers.

Alarm bells should ring if sites ask you to pay by direct bank transfer or wire transfer. WA ScamNet's Buyer beware fake websites has some tips on what to look out for before buying online.

A super bargain promoted via an online pop-up or social media advertisement is just like an enticing shop window display with ‘sale’ signs. It can be hard to pass up the chance of big discounts or low prices but digital impulse buying may mean you get nothing in return for your money.

You can report scams or ask for further advice by contacting WA ScamNet on 1300 304 054 or by email.

New home for vital volunteers

DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM, Tom Wilson Deputy Unit Manager, Member for the Agricultural Region Darren West MLC, Minister for Emergency Services Hon Francis Logan MLA, Member for the Agricultural Region Laurie Graham MLC and Councillor Bob Hall at the opening event.

State Emergency Services (SES) volunteers have a new home in Geraldton after the brand new state-of-the-art SES building was officially opened.

The new modern facility featuring an administrative building, shed, garage and training tower was officially opened by Minister for Emergency Services Hon Francis Logan MLA on Saturday.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the building was very much needed for the local group. 

“We have more than 35 Geraldton-Greenough SES volunteers who all work tirelessly for our community,” he said.

“The group has been forced to relocate more than six times so it’s only fitting they have suitable and permanent headquarters. 

“Our SES volunteers provide such a crucial service not only to Geraldton, but also to the state and we thank them for their continuous efforts.”

SES volunteers provide services to the community which include responding to natural disasters such as major flooding, fires and severe storms events.

Their service also extends to mass casualty events, emergency repairs to buildings, restoration of essential services and transportation of cargo and passengers. 

Emergency Services Minister Hon Francis Logan MLA said the SES play an essential role in the WA community.

"This new $1.8 million state-of-the-art SES facility will improve response times, act as a back-up incident control centre when necessary and encourage closer collaboration between emergency services,” he said.

"This modern headquarters is centrally located, purpose-built and equipped with the very latest in communication technology." 

The central location of the building near major road arteries will enable quick response times in during emergencies and they will also be able to provide an additional layer of assistance in the event of an aircraft incident at the airport.

Construction of the $1.8 million facility, was 100% funded by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and construction was undertaken by local contractor Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets.

The City of Greater Geraldton provided the land to DFES for the project and also managed the design and construction.

Cape Burney subdivision tender awarded

The subdivision of the current leasehold properties in Cape Burney is one-step closer with the tender to construct road, drainage, sewer, water, power and lighting works awarded at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

The $1.2 million project to subdivide the 23 lots located on Gaskin Drive was awarded to BMD Urban Pty Ltd a national company with extensive experience in lot subdivision and development.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said once the works are completed residents will finally have closure on the legacy project, which dates back to 2005 before the amalgamation of Greenough Shire with Geraldton City.

“For more than 14 years leaseholders have been waiting for the leased land on which their homes stand to be subdivided into freehold residential titles,” he said.

“Following Council’s resolution in February 2018 to subdivide a portion of Lot 200, leaseholders have entered contract agreements with the City and made prepayments to purchase their individual lots.

“This is a very satisfying outcome for the community which has enabled all former leaseholders to continue to live in their homes with the added security of finally owning their properties.”

All costs associated with the design, construction and development phases of the subdivision will be funded by the sale of the lots.

Signage installation on Foreshore

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be installing new pedestrian wayfinding signage at five sites along the foreshore with works commencing on Monday 29 July for a period of approximately four days.

Works will take place from 7.00am to 4.30pm daily with traffic management in place during this time.

Members of the community 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 please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Blue bin contamination continues

The blue plastic recycling bins in Sunset Beach are being relocated due to ongoing contamination.

The bins currently located on the west side of Chapman Road across from the Glenfield Shopping Centre will be moved 200m to the south to the turning bay in front of the Spalding Horse and Pony Club on the east side of Chapman Road on Monday 1 July 2019.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the ongoing contamination was very discouraging.

“Over the past six months the City has been reminding the community to do the right thing by putting only types 1 and 2 plastics into the blue bins,” he said.

“When other plastics and non-recyclable materials are placed in these bins they become contaminated and the whole lot goes to landfill.

“We’ve already had to relocate the blue plastic bins in Drummond Cove due to contamination and hopefully moving the bins away from the cardboard recycling containers and rubbish bins at their current location will stop the ongoing contamination.

“It’s really frustrating as we are trying to provide a service the community wants and it’s unfortunate that their recycling efforts are actually going to waste.”

To identify what plastics are type 1 and 2, look for the symbol on the item. Plastics include soft drink, juice and water bottles as well as common white or coloured plastic such as milk containers and shampoo bottles.

People are also reminded to remove bottle lids and rinse them out before recycling.

The locations of the bins are:

• Beachlands Primary School – Corner of Whitfield St and Bradley St

• Bluff Point Primary School – 18 Mitchell St

• Drummond Cove – 19 Parkvista Square

• Geraldton Primary School – Augustus St

• Geraldton Surf Lifesaving Club – 260 Willcock Drive

• Leaning Tree Community School – 15 Bayly Street

• Mt Tarcoola Primary School – Acacia Street

• Paringa Park – Paringa Street, Mount Tarcoola

• PCYC – 105 Pass Street, Wonthella

• QEII Seniors and Community Centre Carpark – 88 Durlacher Street

• Strathalbyn Christian College – 15 Cedar Crescent

• Tip Shop - 61 Landfill Lane, Narngulu

• Waggrakine Primary School – Hall Road

• Wandina Primary School – 29 Ajax Drive

For more information about recycling in Geraldton, head to www.cgg.wa.gov.au

City seals deal with Radio Mama

Radio Mama’s Pete Fiorenza, City CEO Ross McKim and Mayor Shane Van Styn with Radio Mama Manager Barry Anderson.

Locals can continue to tune in and listen to various sporting broadcasts after the City of Greater Geraldton recently entered into an Everlasting Partnership with local radio station Radio Mama.

As part of the deal, Radio Mama will receive $5,000 a year for three years from the City, to support the broadcast of the Great Northern Football League and Geraldton Buccaneers home games.

The sponsorship also supports SHL Radio which is a weekly segment focusing on local sport, health and lifestyle.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said it was important local sport and news was available to the community.

“We think it’s imperative to keep local broadcasting alive in our community,” he said.

“Especially being such a sporting mad City, it’s great that people from all over the world can tune in and listen to the local footy matches and SBL games.

“The City is proud to support Radio Mama and encourages the community to tune into the local shows.”

GNFL is broadcasted every match weekend as well as Country Week games and all Geraldton Buccaneers home games are also live broadcasted. 

Radio Mama welcomes Pete Fiorenza for SHL every Sunday morning with a range of different guest speakers every week. 

Radio Mama Manager Barry Anderson said the funding was vital to keep the broadcasts going.

“We love what we can do for the Geraldton community and we get so much great feedback from listeners about our live broadcasts,” he said. 

“People from as far as America tune in to listen to the Buccs matches as the families of import players want to listen to the games live.

“We’d like to thank the City for this ongoing support for us to continue to offer live broadcasting.”

Listeners can tune into Radio Mama on 100.5FM or stream the station via Radio Mama’s website or the SHL Radio app which is available for free download.

SHL is every Sunday from 10am and you can also get updates on SHL’s Facebook page. 

For more information about the City’s Everlasting Partnership program, head to www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Seacrest Way rock removal

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise works to remove the rocks on the beach at Seacrest Way in Drummond Cove will take place between Wednesday 19 June and Thursday 20 June 2019.

These works are the final rehabilitation works on the former leasehold foreshore area in Drummond Cove.

The anticipated hours of work will be between 7am and 6pm. Access to the beach at Seacrest Way will be restricted for the duration of the works.

Members of the community 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 please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Building demolition on Lester Avenue

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be demolishing the aged building situated at 203 Lester Avenue between Fitzgerald Street and Cathedral Avenue to develop additional off-street parking in the CBD.

Works are scheduled to commence on Wednesday 12 June 2019 for a period of approximately three days.  The anticipated hours of work will be between 7.00am and 6.00pm and traffic management will be in place during the works.

Members of the community 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 please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Commitment to Disability Access and Inclusion reaffirmed

Beach matting installed at Town Beach at the end of the mobility ramp improved ocean access for everyone during the summer months.

Council has reaffirmed its ongoing support of people with disability by unanimously endorsing the recently reviewed Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP).

The five-year plan outlines the ways in which the City of Greater Geraldton will ensure people with disabilities have equal access to its facilities and services.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said local governments play an important role supporting people with disability to have greater participation in the community.

“The City is committed to continually improving access to our information and providing quality services, facilities, programs and events for people with disability,” he said.

“Over the past five years the City has improved existing infrastructure and built new facilities which make public open spaces, our foreshores and our City more inclusive and welcoming.

“We have also worked behind the scenes incorporating readability features and Read speaker text to voice software on all our websites, built electric wheelchair and gopher recharging stations in City venues,  installed an audio loop in the QEII Lower Hall and provided sign language training for customer service staff.”

Over the next five years, the 2019 to 2023 DAIP will ensure the City continues to meet the needs and aspirations of people with disability.

“Revisions to the DAIP were informed by the results of an extensive Community Survey,” said Mayor Van Styn.

“The survey enabled people with disability, their carers, and their family and friends to tell us what we are doing right and where improvements still need to be made.

“Projects within our proposed Capital Works Plan and the renewals program in the 2019/20 Budget reflect the community’s feedback and will enable us to continue to improve access and inclusion across the City region.”

For more information on the DAIP visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Free parking set to further activate CBD

Two-hour free parking at Carparks 1-4 and free weekend parking at all CBD carparks will make it easier and cheaper for people to visit the City Centre from July 2019.

Following the successful 12-month trial of free, two-hour parking at Carpark 2 located behind the Geraldton Regional Library and Carpark 3 behind McDonalds, two-hour free parking will continue at these carparks whilst the ticket machines at Carpark 1 at the Post Office and Carpark 4 on the Foreshore across from Dome will be removed and revert to a maximum of two hours free parking to align with Foreshore Drive on-street parking.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the decision to allocate more free parking in key CBD locations is part of the bigger plan to activate the City centre.

“This Council is fully committed to making our CBD a vibrant place people want to visit,” he said.

“The Art Gallery is proving very popular with record numbers of people attending exhibitions and workshops and once the Rocks Laneway Project is completed we will have an ‘Instragramable’ streetscape locals and tourists alike will want to visit.

“Providing free two-hour parking at both ends of the Rocks Laneway and having free parking at all CBD carparks on weekends will make it much easier and cheaper for people to go shopping, meet friends for coffee or lunch or take part in activities and events taking place in and along the Rocks Laneway once its completed in September.”

Changes have also been made to on street parking in the City centre.

One-hour free parking will be provided in areas of the highest short-stay demand whilst two-hour will be provided for shoppers and visitors to the City centre who require longer periods of time to conduct their business.

The new parking regulations go into effect on Monday 1 July 2019. For more information on the changes to on-street and carpark parking visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Bob Davis leaves City after 10 years as Director

Director Bob Davis is leaving the City of Greater Geraldton after nearly 10 years of service.

Bob Davis will leave the City of Greater Geraldton this week after nearly 10 years as Director of Corporate and Commercial Services and a long list of successful projects under his belt.

Bob will be remembered for his passion for aviation and the Geraldton Airport, but also his dedication for the City’s Budget and getting it back in the black, and supporting the City’s system migration to the cloud.

While these are just a few of the legacies Bob will leave behind, he said he will miss City staff the most.

“The colleagues and work teams that I have mixed with every working day is what I will miss most,” Bob said.

“In a long career, the staff of this City rank with the very best, most capable, hard-working and nicest groups of people I have even been fortunate enough to work with.”

Bob joined the City from a government role in Canberra and has lived and worked in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin and Hobart prior.

As a born and bred West Aussie, he saw the job in Geraldton as a great opportunity to, “come home”.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ross McKim thanked and congratulated Bob for his contribution to the organisation and to the community.

“Mr Davis has been an integral part of a lot of huge projects that have had massive positive outcomes for the community,” he said.

“From things such as working hard to get the City’s asset renewal backlog under control, delivering high quality finance plans year after year, budget and reports, and we can’t forget Bob’s unwavering dedication to the Airport and being pivotal in securing funding for the upgrade. 

“As well as Bob’s astute and witty personality, and an attention for detail like no other, on behalf of the City and the staff I would like to thank Bob and wish him all the very best on his next adventure!”

While he will be leaving his role at the City, Bob said retirement isn’t on his mind.

“I’m not going anywhere for now and there are some possible project opportunities that appeal to me,” he said.

“My wife Han Jie and I hope to do some traveling and we might actually find time to get our boat wet.”

Bob Davis’ last day with the City is this Friday 31 May.

Brand Highway median works

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking landscape upgrade works between Fortyn Court and Durlacher Street on the Brand Highway median island commencing Monday 10 June 2019 for a period of approximately two weeks.

Works include the replacement of existing turf and synthetic grass with paving and are an extension of recent upgrades previously completed on the median to John Willcock Link.

The anticipated hours of work will be between 8am to 5pm daily. 

The inside traffic lane in both directions will be closed during works with speed limits reduced to 40km/hr. Motorists can expect delays and are asked to drive with care to maintain the safety of all road users and workers.

Members of the community 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 please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Fines issued for illegal asbestos dumping

Asbestos sheets illegally dumped at Meru Waste Facility.

Hefty infringements have been issued to a Geraldton resident and a local business for the illegal dumping of asbestos at the Meru Waste Facility.

Caught burying the asbestos waste under metal in the metals recycling area, a local resident was fined $1000 and a local business was fined $4000 for illegally dumping asbestos in the builder’s waste area whilst a second resident was issued a warning for not declaring and properly disposing of the dangerous material.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ross McKim said illegally dumping asbestos can have both severe and costly consequences.

“The illegal dumping of asbestos is concerning because it is hazardous waste and needs to be handled correctly or it can pose a health risk to those handling it,” he said.

“Residents are only required to pay $15 per sheet to dispose of up to 10m2 of asbestos and businesses $150/tonne for correct disposal at Meru landfill.

“Attempting to avoid these fees by hiding asbestos in other piles of rubbish or worse in recyclable material areas is unacceptable.

“This illegal dumping could endanger the health of other users and Meru staff whose job it is to process and recover waste. It also contaminates the recyclable materials other residents and businesses have carefully separated.

“The removal of the illegally dumped asbestos and then remediation of the site also comes at a cost which often isn’t totally recovered by the fines imposed,” he added.

Asbestos removal up to 10m2 does not require a licence to remove.  Asbestos amounting to more than 10m2 requires a licenced removalist to comply with the regulations. Legislation requires asbestos materials to be double wrapped with a minimum of 0.2mm of plastic and marked as asbestos.

Although undisturbed asbestos cement materials in good condition do not pose a health risk because the fibres are bound together, materials that have been damaged or are crumbling or is disturbed by breaking, cutting or drilling releases fibres into the air and can pose an extreme health risk when breathed into lungs.

Whitehill Road coastal reserve facelift begins

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn (left) and Drummond Cove Progress Association President Gavin Hirschhausen at fence around the Whitehill Road Coastal reserve which will be replaced with bollards and rails.

The Whitehill Road coastal reserve north of the John Batten Community Hall in Drummond Cove will undergo a facelift in the coming weeks as fences around the site are replaced with bollards and rails.

Following the coastal erosion of Whitehill Road in 2016, fences were erected around the reserve to ensure community safety whilst a medium term adaptation measure to mitigate on-going erosion could be identified and implemented.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said now that coastal works were completed the City is able to respond to requests from the community to improve the reserve.

“Late last year two, 40m long Geotextile Sand Container (GSC) groynes, which were consistent with community values identified via the City’s Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) process, were constructed to help retain sand at the foreshore and reduce reliance on temporary sand nourishment,” he said.

“Although it is still very early days in the project, we are already seeing some initial success regarding the effectiveness of the groynes.

“This means we can now focus on requests from the community to make improvements to the coastal reserve to ensure the best outcomes for local residents are achieved.”

Drummond Cove Progress Association President Gavin Hirschhausen said the community was keen to see the project progress.

“The GSCs groynes are a good interim outcome and once we’ve observed a full swing of the year’s seasons, the next steps in the project will be more telling,” he said.

“In the meantime, enhancing the area is really important as it will enable the community to access the coastal reserve for recreational purposes.

“We will continue to work with the City to make further improvements to the Foreshore space which will increase community use of the area.”

In November 2018, and in accordance with Western Australia's Planning Policy No. 2.6 – State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP2.6), Council adopted the Geraldton CHRMAP Report.  The process of adapting to coastal erosion and inundation is currently in Stage 3, which involves the development of a local coastal planning policy.