Free of charge mobile calls to 1800 numbers from today

An announcement by Vodafone in May 2015 that it would make calls to 1800 numbers free of charge for all of its customers was excellent news for telecommunications customers. From today, the overwhelming majority of mobile operators, including Vodafone, Optus and Telstra, will be providing their customers free of charge mobile calls to 1800 numbers.

Vodafone had made this announcement notwithstanding its concerns that providing free of charge mobile calls to 1800 numbers unfairly disadvantages mobile providers because of the way interconnect charges are calculated. The Australian Communications and Media Authority understands this is an area of continuing negotiation within industry.

The ACMA considers the ongoing reform of charging arrangements for mobile calls to 13/1300 and 1800 numbers over the last several years, without the need for direct regulatory intervention, to be a significant achievement and acknowledges industry’s leadership role in delivering this reform and its associated consumer benefits.

The ACMA also wishes to acknowledge the positive advocacy role played by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), particularly on behalf of organisations that represent vulnerable consumers.

The ACMA is aware however that a small number of mobile providers have yet to implement this capability for their customers. The ACMA will continue to work with Communications Alliance and ACCAN to encourage these providers to implement free of charge mobile calls in a timely manner.

In the interim, if making mobile calls to 1800 numbers is important to you and your provider has not yet announced that it has (or will) make calls to these numbers free of charge, you should consider the large range of providers and mobile plans which do offer calls to 1800 numbers free of charge.

The ACMA and industry will continue to closely monitor how these arrangements work out in practice, particularly for vulnerable consumers.

Goodbye paper bills - access your rates electronically

You can say goodbye to paper bills because City of Greater Geraldton rate payers can now manage their rates with the click of a button!

The City will be introducing BPAY View so you can receive your rates electronically.

With ease of access, helping the environment, convenience and reminders, the benefits of BPAY View speak for themselves.

BPAY View will allow you to receive, view, store and pay your rates notices online through the safe and secure system of your online banking provider.

City Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the City had been focusing on using online technology to ensure the utmost ease for City residents.

“The introduction of BPAY View is just one of the elements that we have introduced to enhance accessibility when it comes to City services,” he said.

“It is also one of the proactive strategies being implemented by the City to improve efficiency and cut our operational costs.

“Earlier in the year we saw the introduction of the new City website which has introduced many user-friendly features making it more convenient for the community.

“The City is doing its best to be at the forefront of up-to-date online technologies to help ensure the best experience for our customers,” he added.

Once live, it will only take three simple steps to get started with BPAY View.

1. Log into your online banking account
2. Look for the BPAY View or View bills section
3. Register your bill by entering the BPAY biller code and your reference number.

For further enquiries about how you can view your rates electronically, please contact City of Greater Geraldton on 9956 6600.

July School Holiday Fun

Looking for something to do these school holidays to keep the kids entertained? The City of Greater Geraldton has got you covered with a number of activities happening across the region for kids of all ages.

The City has worked with several local organisations, such as the PCYC and the WA Museum Geraldton to create an exciting calendar of events for the July school holidays.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter said the community had expressed concern that there is not enough for young people to do, particularly in the school holidays.

“We have listened and have tried to address these concerns by working with local organisations to facilitate a number events and activities to take place across the two weeks of the holidays in Geraldton and Mullewa,” the Mayor said.

“Some of the events include Hip-hop dance and singing workshops at the Queens Park Theatre, basketball clinics and competitions, beach excursions, as well as a number of workshops and activities at the Museum and Geraldton Regional Library. And youth in Mullewa have been well catered for with a range of activities and events.” 

For a full run down of events and activities over the July school holidays visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Parts of Foreshore fenced off as part of new construction

Fencing will be raised on parts of the Foreshore as construction of the new Multi User Facility and Event Space; and Youth Precinct begins.

Fencing will commence on Monday, 6 July and from Tuesday, 7 July the area of the Foreshore in front of the Sail Inn towards the back of the Geraldton Visitor Centre, including the existing ablution block, will be fenced off from the public for an estimated 12 months. 

Please see the attached map for details for the fenced area.

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Click to enlarge

First Geraldton premises hit NBN copper cut-off D-Day this week

iiNet reports that the first premises in Geraldton this week hit a Deadline Day for disconnecting their copper telephone lines as part of the compulsory migration to the NBN.
 
This Friday, July 10, about 1900 homes and businesses in Geraldton and Beachlands reach the copper disconnection deadline. This means anyone who has not placed an order for an NBN service will have their phone lines disconnected within 10 working days. To date, Perth and Mandurah are the only WA locations to reach the disconnection deadline.

iiNet is a national provider of NBN services, with more than 60,000 customers already using the NBN.

iiNet NBN Product Manager Rachael McIntyre

iiNet NBN Product Manager Rachael McIntyre said the 1900 homes and businesses in Geraldton and Beachlands were the first premises in the town to reach the disconnection deadline. “Consumers need to act quickly," she said.

"While their phone and Internet services may not stop working on that date, they will within days, so it really is time for people to upgrade to the NBN. Households or businesses still relying on the old phone network need to choose either to switch across to the NBN or to go mobile-only.

“Already iiNet has more than 60,000 residential and business customers using the NBN, enjoying much faster Internet access speeds and competitive prices, so there’s nothing scary about making this move.”

Since May last year, NBN has progressively announced areas in Australia that have reached the deadline for ageing copper telephone networks to be disconnected permanently as part of the move to the NBN. More than 140,000 premises throughout Australia have reached the disconnection deadline so far this year - more than twice as many as in all of last year.

Rachael McIntyre said people who had not yet moved to the NBN needed to make decisions. “Firstly, they must choose whether they want an Internet access service, a phone service or both,” she said.

“Secondly, if they use services such as faxes, monitored security alarms, Priority Assistance Services or EFTPOS terminals, they need to speak to the providers of these services to confirm they work on the NBN.

“The third step is to select the NBN Retail Service Provider, like iiNet, that best meets their needs, in terms of product, pricing and customer service. People do need make the choice. We really want to ensure they don’t risk losing their phone and Internet service before they get the NBN connected.”

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the NBN copper cutoff deadline

Hope brings Geraldton to the world stage

On July 1 Hope Community Services’ experience in Western Australia was featured  as an international best practice in a panel on social enterprise at the World Expo in Milan. The panel discussed the topic of social enterprise in rural areas and exploring diverse themes such as alternative development, social enterprise start up, permaculture, quality assurance and certification of  “socially conscious” products.

Monica Luppi, Public Relations and Media manager for Hope Community Services, spoke about the unique challenges and opportunities for social enterprise in Western Australia, specifically using the example of Hope Springs Community Farm in Geraldton as an example. The farm was launched almost a year ago and has been collaborating with local non profits and community members  to provide a variety of benefits to the local community, including vocational and life skills training to people in recovery from drug and alcohol issues. Other innovative solutions to complex social issues that were presented included a project that converted illicit crops in northern Thailand into profitable agri-businesses focused on coffee and macadamia and a permaculture farming project in impoverished areas of Brazil.

“It’s a real honor to represent the Midwest on an international level, as a region with a strong sense of community and caring, a forward thinking place with a real knack for innovation”, explained Ms Luppi. “Geraldton is home to a strong network of amazing community organizations, local residents and has such a rich variety in terms of expertise, we are just glad to be able to share  what have accomplished and learnt so far”.

The World Expo is held every five years, the 2010 edition held in Shanghai. The Milan edition’s theme, “Feeding the Planet, energy for life” explores themes around agriculture and sustainability, including social, environmental and economic aspects. A total of 144 countries had pavilions at the event, which runs from May through October. 

Health Hub Launches Charity

Left to right, Client Services Team members Michelle O’Brien and Lorraine Bombara, Chiropractor Lisa Naera and Naturopath Charlotte Inwood from Straight Up Health are excited to have launched the charity Health Helping Home to support the efforts of Midwest Charity Begins at Home.

As a health care professional Straight Up Health director and chiropractor Lisa Naera had becomeupset by the frequency and random nature of serious illnesses such as cancer befalling the Mid West community.

Determined to do something to help, and keen to give back to the community that supports her business, Ms Naera and the team at Straight Up Health have launched the charity ‘Health Helping Home’ to provide funding to Midwest Charity Begins at Home (MWCBH), which provides financial support to people struck by serious illness.

To raise money the Straight Up Health team will block out four days a year and commit those days to seeing only new patients or clients.

The new clients will pay the normal consultation fee on the day, but Straight Up Health will donate 100 per cent of that fee to MWCBH. Clients are considered new even if they have visited Straight Up Health before, but seen a different practitioner within the practice. The first ‘new client day’ is Saturday July 25.

“These are going to be huge events, and if you and our community will support us, we think we can raise $15,000 every year to help families in the Mid West to get through a horrible time,” Ms Naera said.

Ms Naera said she wanted to support MWCBH as a way of giving back to the Mid West community, and because of the way serious illness can strike without warning.

“It just comes all at once,” she said.

“One minute they are ticking along just fine, and the next, they are diagnosed with something horrible. It could be you or me, or someone in our family. It’s scary.

“And then, the reality of the situation hits. Who is going to pay the bills when the ones that earn the money can’t work? How do they pay for the trips down and back from Perth, or the place they have to stay when they are down there? What happens to the kids? School fees, mortgages, car payments and all the other costs of living. What if there is no insurance? What happens then?”

The volunteer-run MWCBH has raised and donated more than $1.2 million dollars and helped ease the financial burden of serious illness for 110 Mid West familiessince it started eight years ago.

Ms Naera urged new clients to book early for the first ‘new client day’ clinic on July 25 to help raise money for MWCBH.

“Please come and support us,” she said.

“We all know how quickly things can change in life. If it was you, you’d be so thankful for the help in bad times.”

Straight Up Health is Geraldton’snatural health and wellness hub. It offers chiropractors, a naturopath, nurse practitioner, midwife and doula, exercise therapist and a personal life coach and parenting specialist.

It also provides workshops on homoeopathic remedies, making your own non-toxic skin, tooth and hair products, healthy eating, diabetes control, parenting, as well as Qi–gung and yoga classes.

For more information and to book your new client consult contact Straight Up Health on 9964 4205, email appointments@straightuphealth.com.au

Wonthella Skate Park expands scope of work

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that the completion of the extended works on the Wonthella Skate Park will make it available for public use from Monday, 20 July 2015. 

As well as the original extension to the park covering 700m2, additional works include a total refurbishment of the original park structure which will entail a complete overlay of the existing concrete surface and include skating features such as grind rails, ramps, quarter pipe runs, banks, ledges and steps. 

LED flood lighting will now also be installed in place of the original metal halide luminaires as well as a CCTV security system.

Phone number change for City

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that office phone numbers have changed.

The City no longer uses numbers with the prefix 9965, they have all been replaced with 9956.

As of Friday, June 26, the 9965 numbers will no longer be working. For all enquiries contact the City on 9956 6600.

MWDC call for action on telecommunications review

Call from Mid West Development Commission for Mid West residents
“Don’t miss your chance to have your say on regional telecommunications”

The Mid West Development Commission (MWDC) is urging all who live in the Mid West to embrace the opportunity to have your say about the state of affairs of telecommunications in the region.

The Federal Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee last week released the 2015 Regional Telecommunications Review Issues Paper for public comment, inviting submissions from the public and interested stakeholders on key issues affecting people in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.

Telecommunications was identified as one of the five key areas of the Mid West Regional Blueprint, needing a major focus to enable the region to grow. 

MWDC Chair Murray Criddle believes that this is an important opportunity for Mid West residents to influence how the Federal Government supports the growth of telecommunications services to regional Australia.

“The Regional Telecommunications Review comes at an important time for people living in all parts of the Mid West, with telecommunications infrastructure being upgraded through the rollout of the National Broadband Network and the Australian Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme,” Mr Criddle said said.

“I strongly encourage individuals, businesses, peak bodies and other interested organisations to make a submission or even just a comment to the Committee.  It’s easy and of course, you can make your submission online.

“What the Committee is keen to hear about is how the Australian Government and other levels of government, industry, and the community can support access to telecommunications services to meet the needs of people living in this region.

“The Issues Paper asks 13 key questions, however, even if you aren’t prepared to address all 13 questions, I urge you to simply write down your views, highlight issues and opportunities and send them in.

“This is our chance to be heard and we need to tackle it head on!” Mr Criddle said.

The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee reviews telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia every three years.  Importantly, the last review -- conducted in 2011-12-- had 35 recommendations made, all of which were adopted and implemented by the government.

“The Commission is also forming an Advisory Committee led by our Digital Economic Strategy Manager Rob Smallwood that will participate in the consultations in which we hope to highlight specific areas of interest and discuss key issues in our creation of a regional digital strategy for the Mid West,” Mr Criddle said.

 The issues paper is available at www.mwdc.wa.gov.au with submissions due by Wednesday 15 July 2015. The Committee will report its findings to Government by 23 August 2015. 

Two weeks for local schools to apply for Sporting School funding

Member for Durack Melissa Price is urging all local Durack primary schools to register for the first round of Sporting Schools funding.

The $100 million programme is part of the Abbott Government’s plan to get more children active and healthy.

This year’s round of programme delivery grants will enable primary schools Durack to enhance the delivery of sports-based activities during Term 3 and 4 this year.

Ms Price said if you haven’t registered and applied for funding, now is the time with the first round of funding to close on Friday June 26.

“This is one of the Abbott Government’s cornerstone preventative health programmes aimed to improve our children’s health through getting more kids involved in physical activity,” Ms Price said.

“Being involved in this new programme will expand sporting opportunities for children before, during and after school hours at Durack primary schools.

“Sporting Schools is designed to deliver sports in line with local schools’ needs and ultimately to get the children of Durack active, engaged and having fun through sport, more often.”

Sporting Schools is about developing children’s love of sport during these early years because we know:

• approximately three quarters of Australian children spend their spare time watching television;
• only one third of children are managing the recommended hour of physical activity a day; and
• only half are involved in sport.

“With this in mind, the Abbott Government is committed to providing children across Australia with opportunities to build healthier habits early in life,” Ms Price said.

“It’s about nurturing children’s love of sport during these early years to encourage a lifelong sporting commitment while also developing their skills in leadership, teamwork, social inclusion and community spirit.”

Applications for funding close on June 26.

Regional capitals key to sustainable population and productivity growth

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Jamie Briggs (centre) with Regional Capitals Australia Board members.

(L-R): Mayor Ian Carpenter, City of Greater Geraldton; Bruce Anson, Warrnambool City Council; Patience Harrington, City of Wodonga; Ald Albert van Zetten, Launceston City Council; Assistant Minister Briggs; Mayor Deirdre Comerford, RCA Chair and Mayor of Mackay Regional Council; Cr Mathew Dickerson, Dubbo City Council; Cr Michael Fraser, City of Wodonga; Phil Pinyon, Wagga Wagga City Council

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA), today highlighted how more targeted infrastructure investment in Australia’s 50 regional capitals can ease the squeeze in metropolitan cities, and boost regional Australia’s growth.  

Joined by Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon. Jamie Briggs, and 75 leaders from regional capitals, RCA Chair, Mayor Deirdre Comerford drew on the alliance’s submission into the Senate Inquiry on The future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia to highlight the need for additional national funding to grow regional capitals. 

Mayor Comerford also highlighted a recent report released by Infrastructure Australia which estimated that growing congestion will cost Australians $53 billion by 2031. 

“These congestion figures are quite alarming and it is only going to get worse with Australia’s population predicted to grow to 40 million over the next 50 years; the four largest cities could even grow by 45 per cent in just over 15 years. 

“The time for a rethink is now – through our submission to the Senate Inquiry we have made a clear call to action – our national leaders must take a good look at the potential that sits outside the urban growth boundaries of our capital cities – and commit to sustainably growing our regional capitals. 

“Regional capitals are already the key to successful regions – our cities are home to four million people, and also support an additional four million residents in surrounding areas who depend on these cities for their jobs, infrastructure, hospitals, education and other essential social infrastructure. 

“What is less well known is that we are also important contributors to regional Australia and our nation. Each year $225 billion is generated in our 50 cities and with the right investment this figure can only grow.” 

Despite their sizeable potential, there is currently a lack of consistent investment in regional capitals infrastructure, a key policy gap that Regional Capitals Australia is trying to address.  

“What we need is infrastructure funding that targets the areas of greatest return: regional capitals. This sort of strategic investment will be more effective than just funnelling money into the areas around capital cities to try to cope with current congestion. 

“The economic analysis in our recent submission proves that regional capitals absolutely deserve a place in national policy, and achieving that recognition is the number one goal for Regional Capitals Australia,” said Cr Comerford. 

“In the coming months, we will release our federal election platform, and our member councils will be actively highlighting our recommendations to their local members.” 

RCA’s submission into the Senate Inquiry can be viewed here. All other submissions are available here.

Call for nominations of Geraldton's top school staff

Rangeway Principal Jacqui Quartermaine

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said it’s time to recogniseteachers, leaders and support staff who excel in Western Australian public schools.

Mr Blayney said nominations for the prestigious 2015 WA Education Awards were now open.

He said the WA Education Awards are a great way to acknowledge Geraldton’s teachers, leaders and support staff who encourage our students to be the very best they can.

The awards are the perfect way to celebrate the dedicationof a staff member who goes above and beyond to help students realise their potential and the awards are the perfect way to celebrate their dedication.

At last year’s awards Rangeway Primary School achieved great success winning the WA Premier's Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award.

Under the expert guidanceof Principal Jacqui Quartermaine staff were rewarded for their hard work and dedication to achieving the very best for its student body.

Dream and believe, strive and succeed' underpins the school's approach to Aboriginal education.

This year winners in 11 categories will share $337,500 in prizes. The categories are:

• WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year
• WA Premier's Secondary Teacher of the Year
• WA Premier's Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award
• WA Primary School Leader of the Year
• WA Secondary School Leader of the Year
• WA Beginning Teacher of the Year
• WA Education Assistant of the Year 
• WA Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year
• WA School Services Staff Member of the Year
• WA Primary School of the Year
• WA Secondary School of the Year.

Nominations close on August 21 and finalists will be announced in September.  Winners will be revealed at a breakfast presentation on November 30.

To nominate someone, contact the Principal of the relevant school who can assist you in filling the correct form. 

Record $111m allocated for road safety

The State Government has allocated a record $111 million from the Road Trauma Trust Account to help reduce road trauma in Western Australia.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said funding would go towards road safety initiatives which had a proven record in reducing crashes.

Mr Blayney said $46 million would go towards road safety treatments to address run off road crashes including shoulder widening, audible line edging, wire rope barriers and overtaking lanes.

Run off road crashes represent one-third of people who are killed or seriously injured on WA roads. It is even higher in regional areas and represents 62 per cent of serious crashes in remote WA.

Mr Blayney said $12 million would fund safety treatments at metropolitan intersections including modified traffic signals, roundabouts and speed management treatments such as speed humps.

Intersection crashes represent one-third of people killed or seriously injured on WA roads.

Mr Blayney said $5.5 million would be allocated to increase drug and alcohol testing of motorists and there is also an extra $1.56 million to support the Government's alcohol interlock program aimed at serious drink drivers.

More than $15 million has been allocated for road safety education programs and campaigns, research and analysis as well as road safety policy and co-ordination.

Mr Blayney said the Liberal National Government would remain relentless in further reducing road trauma through safer roads, enforcement and education.

New tenants to receive 'P plates' in housing trial

The State Government will trial the use of probationary tenancies in public housing to encourage tenants to take their responsibilities more seriously.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said until now, probationary tenancies were only used where applicants with poor previous histories sought to re-enter the system.

Mr Blayney said the Department of Housing will conduct a 12-month expanded trial of probationary tenancies designed to encourage more tenants to fulfil their obligations in their taxpayer-funded homes. 

Under this trial program, applicants housed from the wait list will be given a probationary tenancy of six months.

Probationary tenancies will be supported by other initiatives that re-emphasise and improve tenants' understanding of their obligations.

Mr Blayney said the great majority of public housing tenants do the right thing and look after their homes, pay their rent and get along with their neighbours, however, there are a small minority that fail to meet their obligations.

The errant minority will be sent a clear message by the State Government that taxpayer-subsidised housing is time-limited and conditional.

This is especially significant given there are many people on the public housing waitlist who deserve a home more than tenants who refuse to respect the privilege they have been afforded by the taxpayer.

Mr Blayney said there are many people on the public housing waitlist who deserve a home more than tenants who refuse to respect the privilege they have been afforded by the taxpayer.

Under the trial if tenancy conditions are not met, the department will not renew the agreement. If tenants behave they will receive a standard periodic agreement.

The trial will be conducted in the department's south metropolitan region starting in July.

Seniors will be excluded unless they have existing poor tenancy histories.

Festival of Surfing set to make waves in Geraldton

Surf’s up: (Back) Dave Williams, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter, Bruce Montgomery, Brian Hood, Ben Mardon, (Front) Sam Salmond, Danny Williams and Rory Nelson.

Cowabunga! The Geraldton Festival of Surfing is about to make waves in the Midwest as the event hits the City for the very first time.

As part of an exciting partnership between the City of Greater and Surfing Western Australia, the Midwest will be put in the spotlight as an attractive surfing destination as five premier surfing events hit our coast.

Spanning from June to September, surfers will enjoy Geraldton’s ideal winter conditions at some of the City’s most iconic surf locations.

City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said the event is set to showcase the best of local surfing talent as well as talent from around the state.

“We’re a hotspot for surfing here and the winter weather makes for perfect conditions,” he said.

“It’s an exciting partnership with Surfing WA and we hope this event is something we can continue into the future to line up with our strategic plans to enhance tourism and events which will have a positive economic overflow into our community.”

There will be a total of five events as part of the festival.

• HIF Pro AM - June 20 and 21
• WA Junior Series – July 18 and 19
• SunSmart School Surfing Titles – August 3
• Sunshine Surfmasters – September 5 and 6
• Batavia Coast SUP Surf and Race – September 10 and 11

The Festival will kick off on June 20 and 21 with the final HIF Pro Am State Title event which will see 10 state champions crowned for 2015. 

The final round of the WA Junior Surfing Series will follow with WA’s brightest young surfers set to tackle the Midwest. The event is set to have a record turnout giving surfers an opportunity to compete against their friends and eventually reach the pinnacle of junior surfing.

The SunSmart School Titles also form part of the junior development pathway, with the first of the qualifying series historically held in Geraldton. Schools will travel from the North West and Midwest districts to compete.

The 39th WA Country Builders Sunshine Surfmasters is the oldest surfing event in the state. Built and developed over the years by the local Geraldton Boardrider Club, the event continually pushes the standard of competition and event delivery each year. It will attract some of the state’s top shortboard riders with its unrivalled history and prestige amongst the surfing community.

The final event of the Festival will be the inaugural Batavia Coast SUP and Race. With the rapidly increasing popularity of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, the event looks to have a range of surfers in both age and ability.

Surfing WA Events Manager, Justin Majeks, praised the Midwest and said it was an incredible time of year for surfing in the region.

“This new partnership will see the amazing waves and beaches around Geraldton utilised by some of the best surfers in WA,” he said.

“With such strong and well established grass roots clubs in the area the festival will continue to push and develop the sport of surfing in the Midwest.”

For more information on the event visit the City’s website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Lancelin Road safer for trucks and other drivers

Work is under way on Lancelin Road to provide safer travelling for drivers of heavy vehicles and other motorists on the coastal route.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Leighton Opus Team had been awarded a $590,000 contract to build an extra lane near the intersection of Indian Ocean Drive and Lancelin Road.

"These important works will provide a southbound acceleration lane from the Lancelin Road intersection at Indian Ocean Drive, towards KW Road," Mr Nalder said.

"This will allow heavy vehicles turning south out of Lancelin Road to accelerate clear of the through traffic lane, leaving the through traffic largely clear of slow moving heavy vehicles."

The Minister said the work, due for completion by the end of June 2015, would improve the level of driver safety and reduce frustration for motorists moving between the coast at Lancelin and the Brand Highway via KW Road.

New road coaches to benefit Geraldton and Mid West regional passengers

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said today regional Transwa passengers will soon be travelling in heightened comfort in new road coaches thanks to a $15.1 million State Government investment.

Geraldton and Mid WestTranswa passengers will benefit greatly from the new state-of-the-art road coaches which will replace the entire decade-old regional fleet making their trip much more relaxing and comfortable.

Mr Blayney said due to the size of our State, most Transwa journeys average six hours, making the delivery of the very best of passenger well-beingwith state-of-the-art seating, on-board entertainment as well as USB charging portsultra-important.

Transwa operates regional road coach services to more than 240 towns across the State, from Kalbarri in the north, inland to places such as Meekatharra and Kalgoorlie-Boulder and south to Esperance and Albany.

In total the Government will invest $16.3 million in the project that will see the current fleet replaced with 23 new road coaches over the next three years, with $1.2 million coming from the resale of the existing road coaches.

Mr Blayney said the new 23-strong Transwa fleet will help build a stronger economy and better quality of life in the State's regions.

All the road coaches will be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ensuring they are accessible to all passengers.

Funding boosts close ties between Mid West and China

Funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme and the Mid West Development Commission, will see the City of Greater Geraldton develop a brand new website which will provide a platform for businesses in the Mid West and China to identify and promote business opportunities.

With funding of $43,500, the Mid West China Connect website will serve as a two-way business portal for Mid West and Chinese business to provide information in both English and Mandarin, on how to do business in the Mid West region, connect existing businesses in the region and China, advertise and promote the region's resources, industry, lifestyle and tourism attractions and to stimulate investment.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the new online tool was the perfect medium for both Mid West and Chinese businesses to communicate.

“This new venture will open a lot of doors between China and the Mid West and we have been working on fostering this relationship for many years and this is just another progression in our already great connection,” he said.

“It gives the Mid West and China the opportunity to identify opportunities, connect, share information, and promote business opportunities without language barriers. 

“Ultimately, we want to put the Mid West and Geraldton into the direct searching radar of China - the biggest trading partner of the Nation and the State.

“I urge local businesses to seize the opportunity to take advantage of the potential that the new website could generate.”

The website will provide businesses in both the Mid West region and China to list their business in English and Mandarin for free , giving them the opportunity to advertise their business with a description of services, contact details, products, services details, images, video clips and maps.

Once the website is set up, it will be maintained by the City providing content monitoring, day-to-day information updates, two-way translation and further facilitation services.

The Mid West China Connect website will also provide URL links and QR codes to social media sites including Chinese social media networks.

Mid West Development Commission Chairman, Murray Criddle, said the website was an important factor in helping to grow the trade between the Mid West and China.

“The trade between our region and China is already high and this website is a great tool to help grow that even more,” he said.

“We know Chinese investors have shown a lot of interest in the Mid West which is something we aim to harness and this website is helping us to do that.”

Once up and operating, the website will directly connect suppliers and demanders, enabling Mid West businesses to identify new sources of supply of inputs to grow their businesses, and new customers for their products and services, stimulating local economic development and employment.

“Essentially, this will be an important online platform to attract people to live, work, visit and invest in the Mid West Region,” Mayor Carpenter said.

This project is made possible by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme and the Mid West Development Commission.

The website is set to be up and running by March 2016 – so watch this space.

Further information about how your business can be listed will be provided closer to the conclusion of the website.

For more information about the project, contact the City on 9956 6600.

Baseball Bat Damage

At about 5:20pm on Sunday 14 June 2015 two youths were in attendance at a service station on Rifle Range Road, Rangeway.

It will be alleged that the youths used a baseball bat to strike the front entrance glass door, which resulted in the door sustaining large cracks.

Geraldton Police attended the area shortly after where the two youths were located in possession of the baseball bat.

An 11 year old youth from Utakarra will appear at the Geraldton Children’s Court at a later date charged with criminal damage.