Glamorous Nails now open at Northgate Shopping Centre

Get pampered at the new glamorous nail salon, that’s just opened at the Northgate Shopping Centre. Come in and see their experienced staff and be pampered in their luxury salon. 

Not only can you get Acrylic, Gel and Shellac Nails but they also offer a great range of beauty services including waxing, tinting, manicures and pedicures. They take care of you every step of the way with their attention to detail and high quality of work.

As an opening special they are having 10% off until 2nd January – so book an appointment now before you miss out on this great deal.

Are you still stuck for a gift for your loved one? Why not get them a voucher from Glamorous Nails.

Book an appointment today by calling 9921 1908 or drop in and see us at Shop 25 Northgate Shopping Centre, outside on the south entrance where Medicare used to be. 

We are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8am to 6pm,Thursday 8am to 9pm and Saturday 8am to 5pm. Closed Public Holidays.

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Glamorous Nails WA

Amoebae at Ellendale Pool & Greenough River

The City of Greater Geraldton is issuing a warning to exercise caution when swimming or engaging in water activities at Ellendale Pool and the Greenough River.

Results of water samples taken from these water bodies last week during routine sampling indicated Amoebae detected at both sites. 

Infection by amoebae can lead to illnesses such as amoebic meningitis, which causes inflammation of the brain. Amoebic meningitis occurs only if water containing active amoebae goes up the nose. Water activities such as fishing and canoeing have a lower chance of infection, while activities where a person’s head is submerged such as swimming would present a higher risk. Don’t allow the water to go up your nose forcefully or sniff into your nose whilst swimming in contaminated water. 

Permanent health warning signs exist at Ellendale Pool and sites along the Chapman and Greenough River’s warning of this risk. 

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

Skateboarding clinic back by popular demand

Have you ever wanted to learn to skateboard but weren’t sure where to begin?  Then you won’t want to miss the free skateboarding clinic onSaturday 19 December from 4pm to 9pm at the Wonthella Skate Park.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the first clinic held at the launch of the Wonthella Skate Park was extremely popular with kids.

“More than 100 kids of all ages turned up at the first skate boarding clinic in September that was held as part of the opening celebration of the Skate Park,” he said.

“The City has invested more than $300,000 in the Wonthella Skate Park Extension which hasn’t gone unnoticed by local users and out of town visitors who have said that our Skate Park is one of the best in WA.”

The clinic is just one event in the City’s jam packed seven week long School Holiday Program.

“Anyone can take part in the clinic and you don’t even need to have your own helmet or board as they will be provided however, you will need to bring a registration form with you on the day,” said Mayor Van Styn.

Registration forms can be found on the School Holiday Program page on the City’s website www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Alternatively, hard copy forms can be picked up at Pontoon Store, the Geraldton Visitor Centre and the Geraldton Regional Library.

Nukara Music Festival

The first round of the next Nukara Music Festival Earlybird Tickets have just been released with most of the acts confirmed for the 11th Nukara Music Festival on Saturday 19thMarch 2016. 

Donna, Phil and James are excited to be bringing to the next Nukara Music Festival some class acts from around the country, Including the amazing Pierce Brothers (who made a huge impression in the West earlier this year supporting Dan Sultan), some wild flamenco from Kallidad that even the meek will be up dancing to, sweet folk/roots with Hussy Hicks, funk/soul from Katie J White and some Americana/blues from the US with Bret Mosley. 

Eleven years and attracting an audience from not only Western Australia but further afield to the far reaches of Australia and many varied countries with people making this unique boutique music festival in the lush bush in the Chapman Valley near Geraldton Western Australia an annual pilgrimage due to the relatively small audience, beautiful setting and great performers from around the globe. 

Tickets are available from Geraldton CD Centre (Ph 0899214821) or online from Ticketbooth https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/nukara-music-festival-2016 

More info can be found at their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nukaramusicfestival/?fref=ts

Phone Scam - Car Accident Compensation

Scammers are offering compensation for a car accident in an attempt to obtain personal information from victims. 

This phone scam involves scammers asking to speak to 'the person involved in the car accident' supposedly to help them with their compensation claim.

They may pretend to be from an official-sounding organisation which adds substance to the scam, using names such as ‘Road Accident Helpline’ or ‘Accident Investigation Department’. 

The following steps are recommended should you receive any random phone call where you are offered something you weren't expecting:

• Do not give any personal information about yourself or family;
• Ask for the caller's name, the name of the business or organisation they are calling from and a phone number to return the call and write them down; 
• Carry out some independant checks, such as looking in the whitepages or searching the details online. This is usually a good way to reveal that something is a scam; and
• Call WA ScamNet on 1300 30 40 54 if you need any further advice.

You can report scams to WA ScamNet via email or by calling 1300 30 40 54.

New Local Planning Strategy and Scheme approved

One of the most significant planning exercises undertaken since the formation of the City of Greater Geraldton has been gazetted.

The City’s new Local Planning Strategy and Scheme has been approved by Minister for Planning, John Day and is now a public document.

The Local Planning Strategy guides long-term land use planning and provides the rationale for land use and development control. It has directly responded to the outcomes of the 2029 and Beyond Designing our City Forum that was held in 2011.

City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm said the Local Planning Scheme adopted a planning approach in line with the City and community’s vision for the future of Greater Geraldton.

“Our goal is to be a region with the capacity to sustain a prosperous, diverse and sustainable community population of 80,000-100,000,” he said.

“One of the main functions of Town Planning is to ensure that development and land use proposals are appropriate for the area and maintain and improve our quality of life.

“This new strategy and scheme will enable our community to grow and meet our goals and create a vibrant future for Greater Geraldton.”

Before the introduction of the new scheme, the City was operating under four local planning schemes, the town planning schemes of Geraldton, Greenough, Mullewa and part of Cape Burney.

The new process has seen these existing schemes comprehensively reviewed, updated and consolidated into a single new scheme.

City seeks information on mobile phone Black Spots in Geraldton

Do you live or work in an area of Greater Geraldton where there is limited or no mobile phone coverage? If so, the City wants know about it.

The City of Greater Geraldton is gathering information on the location of black spots to inform a submission it will be a making to Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Regional Mobile Coverage Project.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn, said identifying where black spots are located is essential to understanding the problem.

“Even though we live in a city, the inadequacy of the mobile phone coverage which includes not being able to make use of smart phones apps such as reading emails is still an issue,” he said.

“I have heard time and time again about black spots in and around the City but before anything can be done about it, the Federal Government needs to know exactly where these black spots are located.”

“To help identify black spot areas the City has developed an online survey and I encourage all Geraldton residents to take five minutes of their time to complete it before it closes on 21 December 2015.”

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Geroblackspot

Alternatively, residents can also make their own submission before 31 December 2015 by contacting the Department of Communications and the Arts directly at https://www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/phone/mobile-services-and-coverage/mobile-black-spot-programme/black-spot-nomination-form

Visitor Centre can now save lives!

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn, and Geraldton Pensioner Social Club President, Annie Smith-Townsend, receiving the Automated External Defibrillator from St John Ambulance Regional Manager Mid West, Lynne Hunt.

St John Ambulance Western Australia recently handed over an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn, which will be housed at the Geraldton Visitor Centre.

The defibrillator was kindly donated to the Visitor Centre by the Geraldton Pensioners Social Club as a need to have more of the machines located in Geraldton was identified.

It will also be listed on the St John Ambulance Community First Responder System (CFRS), which creates a direct link between St John, the triple zero (000) call centre, local communities and organisations.

This direct link enables individuals to provide immediate assistance to cardiac arrest victims in that time critical period before an ambulance arrives – when it matters most. 

St John Ambulance Regional Manager Mid West, Lynne Hunt, said the news of having another defibrillator in Geraldton was wonderful.

“For every minute that a victim is not defibrillated, their chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent,” Ms Hunt said.

”By adding this machine to the St John Ambulance Community First Responder System in Geraldton we are significantly increasing the chance of survival and recovery for people who may enter sudden cardiac arrest.

“In 2014 the Community First Responder System had 871 locations operating across Western Australia and today we have more than 1065 locations, including 615 devices in regional WA.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death across Australia. More people die from cardiac arrest annually than from road accidents and it can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time.

“These amazing machines can be used by anyone, regardless of previous training, because they are equipped with simple, easy-to-follow instructions.” 

The Community First Responder program enables bystanders to help save lives when someone suddenly suffers cardiac arrest.

When a person unexpectedly collapses, bystanders can phone 000 and request an ambulance.  The St John Ambulance State Operations Centre checks to see if the location is registered on the Community First Responder System.  The location is then called, the defibrillator retrieved and applied to the patient.

New technology and maintenance announced for schools in Geraldton

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said today that students in public schools across Geraldton are set to benefit from extra funding in school maintenance, and upgrades to computing technology.

The announcement today is on top of existing spending, and means in WA, over $170 million will be spent on maintenance alone in 2015-16.

Mr Blayney said the upgrades would ensure students and staff have the highest possible quality facilities for teaching and learning.

“Our public schools are world class, and these upgrades will make them even better,” said Mr Blayney.

The investment in technology will optimise bandwidth in all schools for teaching, learning and student research.

The award-winning Standard Operating Environment (SOE) will also be extended to a remaining 218 schools across the state.

“The SOE provides a framework for schools so student access to the internet is as safe and secure as possible using the latest in scanning and filtering techniques,” Mr Blayney said.

The state government will also match dollar-for-dollar the investment in ICT devices by primary schools up to a combined total of $20 million.

“I am incredibly pleased schools in Geraldton will be even better with this new investment,” Mr Blayney said.

All works will be completed by mid-2016. 

CGG first council to implement relocation of Corellas

The City of Greater Geraldton is the first Council in WA to implement a new wildlife control method in a bid to protect public infrastructure and community assets.

This week, the City will introduce a new method to relocate corellas from our CBD and other hotspots where the birds are causing significant damage to buildings, sporting grounds, businesses and other community assets.

The City has acquired a specialised device which was made in New Zealand and is specifically designed for controlling wildlife in an extremely safe and effective way.

City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ken Diehm, said after much research, the City had found a new and safe way to relocate corellas.

“This issue has been a high priority for us and we have been looking into effective ways we can control the plague proportions and this method is safe and poses no threat to wildlife,” he said.

“The bottom line is that this exercise will not harm the birds but encourage them to relocate so they don’t continue to harm our local infrastructure.

“Previous methods used included a gas gun and firecrackers which have been effective but we are hoping this new method will build on the success of previous years,” he said.

The new handheld deterrent fires a percussion cartridge approximately 20 metres into the sky close and activates where the corellas are roosting. There are three different cartridges which omit different volumes and frequency of sounds in order to move the birds.

Every year corellas cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to our City with local sporting clubs and businesses often bearing the brunt of the costs, with wiring, seals, trees, sporting turfs and insulation being harmed.

“Controlling the numbers of corella proportions is actually a State Government responsibility, but the City has been forced to take action due to the enormous number of complaints from residents and businesses,” Mr Diehm said.

The strategic operation has been mapped out to pinpoint problem areas and City Rangers have been undertaking training to use the new device.

As part of the operation, Rangers will be stationed at different areas in the community with the intention to move them on each time they land.

The exercise will begin this week and is expected to take up to a month. Residents are advised not to be alarmed if they hear loud noises in their area.

Geraldton Cancer Centre to be built in 2016

• A Federal Government Health and Hospital Fund project
• State Government awards $5.3 million contract to local Geraldton builder
• Project set for completion late 2016

The Midwest Cancer Centre is one step closer with the preferred contractor for the project, Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets Pty Ltd, clearing the site ready for construction.

Member for Durack Melissa Price said the $4.1 million centre would allow cancer patients from Geraldton and around the Midwest to be treated closer to home and in contemporary, state-of-the-art facilities.

“The Cancer Centre will provide additional treatment facilities, including a six-chair and one-bed chemotherapy unit for Midwest residents diagnosed with cancer,” said Ms Price.

“The new centre will mean that more cancer patients from the region will be able to be treated nearer to family and social networks, depending on clinical advice.”

Ms Price said the prevalence of cancer continued to rise, with more than 208,500 people now on the Western Australian Cancer Registry.

“More than 11,700 West Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and that number looks to increase to more than 14,000 by 2017,” she said.

“Sadly, cancer is a condition which touches almost every Australian family at some point, so there is a clear need to establish services in regional areas that can cope with local needs.

“Understanding the increasing demand for cancer services is crucial to future planning.

“Investing in appropriate health clinic infrastructure and services in remote locations is important to the ongoing viability of regional Western Australia.”

Ms Price said the project was fully funded under the Federal Government’s Health and Hospital program and this component of the build, at $1.2 million, brings the total project cost to $5.3 million.

To maximise efficiencies within project management and to reduce preliminary costs, the $4.1 million cancer centre will be built at the same time as the $1.2 million consulting room accommodation and office for the renal unit.

The successful tenderer, Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets Pty Ltd, was one of six companies to tender for the project. Site works have commenced and the project is expected to be completed in late 2016.

Mobile black spots on the agenda

Member for Durack Melissa Price has again asked for nominations of mobile black spot locations in the electorate of Durack to be submitted by December 21st for consideration under Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

“The Commonwealth Government has committed $60 million which will help provide new or upgraded mobile coverage in Durack under Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme,” Ms Price said.

“I strongly encourage residents of Durack to nominate mobile black spots in the local area before the deadline of December 21.”

Black spot nominations for Round 2 of the Programme can be made online at communications.gov.au/blackspots or emailed to Ms Price at Melissa.Price.MP@aph.gov.au.

“The Turnbull Government understands the importance of mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia. The Coalition invested $100 million under Round 1 of the programme which will see almost 500 new mobile base stations built nationally. This is the biggest one-time increase in mobile coverage from a single funding programme in the history of mobile telecommunications in Australia,” Ms Price said.

Locations nominated as mobile black spots by people living in Durack will be added to a national database.

The database will be provided to mobile operators as part of a competitive selection process, where operators will be required to nominate sites where they would build new or upgraded base stations to serve the black spot locations nominated by the public.

The Government will then select successful locations in accordance with the ranking process set out in the Mobile Black Spot Programme Round 2 guidelines, which will be issued publicly prior to the commencement of the competitive selection process.

The competitive selection process is scheduled to begin in early 2016, and the Government expects to be in a position to announce the successful locations under Round 2 by the end of 2016.

Over 6,000 locations were nominated under Round 1 of the programme, with Round 1 set to provide new or upgraded coverage to around 3,000 of the nominated black spots.

Black spots which are not set to receive new or upgraded coverage under Round 1 of the programme will remain in the database as eligible locations for Round 2.

Visitor Centre generates millions for local economy

Research has revealed tourists spend more than $100 per trip after receiving information on what there is to see and do from Visitor Centres.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn said the number of people coming through the door at the Geraldton Visitor Centre increased by more than 7,000 people or 15 per cent from last year which generated almost $6 million in total for the local economy.

“Over the past twelve months more than 57,000 people came through the visitor centre doors, and according to the ‘Value of Visitor Centres’ report, the information provided by visitor centres increases visitor spending on average by an additional $104 per trip which equates to an additional $5,928,000 being spent in Geraldton.”

"Increases in visitor numbers at the Geraldton Visitor Centre is attributed to several factors including the new location, an exceptional wildflower season and an increase in cruise ship visits and.

“One year ago today the Visitor Centre moved into the refurbished Original Railway Station located right on the Foreshore and in the heart of our CBD,” he said.

“The Original Railway Station in one of Geraldton’s iconic buildings, a tourist destination in itself, offering travellers and locals an opportunity to have a coffee at the Carriage Café whilst planning what they want to see and do in our fantastic City region.

“For the first time ever, the City was promoted across the state as the hub for wildflower tourism with many visitors stopping at the Centre to see the beautiful wildflower display before heading out to go on their own tour,” said Mayor Van Styn.

“The number of cruise ships stopping over in Geraldton has also increased with 13 ships anchoring in the past year. 

“With almost 20,000 passengers and crew coming ashore, many of whom stopped in at the Visitor Centre, spent on average $60 per person making the financial benefit to our community over $1 million.”

Other highlights during the Centre’s first year in its new location included holding its first art exhibition in conjunction with Yamaji Art, being named a finalist in the GWN 7 Top Tourism Awards and receiving the Professional Development award and the Geraldton Cruise Ship Meet and Greet volunteers won the Community Excellence Award for Not For Profit organisations 2015 at the Thank a Volunteer Day and Volunteers of the Year Awards ceremony on Friday night.

Get Christmas ready with CleanPak

Up to 10% off storewide for retail customers!

Having a Christmas get together? 

CleanPak have your food storage sorted.
Don’t let the Boxing Day hangover clean up put you off!

Clean it, pack it & wrap it with CleanPak’s wide range of cleaning and packaging supplies, including:

• Napkins
• Plastic Plates / Bowls / Cutlery
• Foil
• Cling Wrap
• Table Cloths
• Cleaning Products
• Gift Wrap, Ribbon & Bubble Wrap
• Car Cleaning Products
• Vacuum Cleaners & Accessories
• Brooms
• Food Containers
• Bin Liners
• Bins
• Latex / Vinyl Gloves
• Cloths & Wipes
• Detergent 
• Bulk Toilet Roll & Kitchen Towels

Cleanpak also have a wide range of Christmas Wrapping and bows

Come in to CleanPak today and grab a bargain! We’re at 229 Place Rd, Geraldton WA 6530.

Need help? Speak to the team on (08) 9921 7077 or email them on orders@cleanpak.net.au

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Cleanpak Total Solutions

$1000 Rebate to any Host Employer who takes on a School-based Trainee or Apprentice in 2016

There are only two ways to continue to grow as a community, either we attract more people to work, live and play here and/or we retain our population that we have.

ATC Midwest recognise that we need to engage, inspire and develop tomorrows leading workforce today. As the leading workforce solutions provider in the Midwest they are investing in strategies to retain our population by showing our youth that there are career opportunities for them locally.

“It’s definitely uncertain for many employers as to whether they will have enough work to carry a full-time apprentice or trainee over the next couple of years”, ATC Midwest General Manager Dave Clare said. “However, we need to show our children, our future workforce, that there are still opportunities here in the Midwest. One of the most economical ways to do that for employers is to put them on a School-based Traineeship or Apprenticeship (SBT/SBA). The employer then gets to develop a relationship with a student who can become a full-time apprentice or trainee on successful completion in 2 years’ time when the economy improves.” Mr Clare added.

SBT/SBA allow senior secondary students to start an apprenticeship/traineeship while also completing the Western Australian Certificate of Education. Under these arrangements the student is both a full-time student and a part-time employee, with the same employment and training responsibilities as other apprentices/trainees. Each student will be with the host employer one day per week over an average of 78 weeks through the school years 11 and 12.

“We are in this together. ATC are willing to give a $1000 rebate to every employer who hosts a SBT/SBA with ATC Midwest upon successful completion of their qualification.” said Mr Clare. “We have a great relationship with all the schools in the Midwest and Gascoyne and the local brokers. We have amazing pre-qualified youth ready to learn and earn, what we need is the continued support of our local business community to show these students that there is opportunity here in the Midwest so that’s why we are showing the business community that we are financially willing to help them get involved”.

If you or your business would like to learn more about hosting a SBT/SBA, contact ATC Midwest today.

Geraldton apprentice, John Pattrick takes Gold in World Skills Competition!

In the attached photo, John Pattrick (centre) was joined by Elite's Managing Director, Brad Luff (right) and Geraldton Operations Manager John French (left).

ATC Midwest 4th Year Apprentice John Pattrick, hosted by long-time Host Employer, Elite Electrical Contracting took out the gold medal for Electrical Instillation at the World Skills Competition in Perth on Tuesday Deccember 1st 2015.

“John has always been an outstanding apprentice and a regular finalist in our annual ATC Awards. His dedication to his trade and commitment to his own development is exceptional”, ATC Midwest General Manager Dave Clare said. “Brad & Tara Luff and the Elite Electrical Contracting team have been long-time supporters of ATC Midwest in engaging, inspiring and developing tomorrow’s leading workforce. This award is a reflection of Elite’s commitment as a quality host employer who are continually investing in apprentices to produce outstanding tradespeople for our community” Mr Clare added.

World Skills Australia operates in 31 regions across Australia. Mr Pattrick won the WA Regional World Skills Competition held in November this year.

By receiving the Gold Medal, Mr Pattrick has been chosen to represent Western Australia in the National World Skills Competition. This will take place in Melbourne in October 2016. If successful there and he could represent Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Elite Electrical Contracting specialise in Electrical, Refrigeration and Instrumentation works, design and construction work for mining installations, process plants, petro chemical, materials handling, heavy industrial and commercial Installations.

Independent report finds work for the dole effective

An independent evaluation of the Work for the Dole pilot which ran from 1 July 2014 has found the programme was effective in helping participants gain confidence and self-esteem and learn skills such as team work, communication and appropriate workplace behavior.

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said the Evaluation of Work for the Dole 2014-15 showed how the programme is helping more Australians get work-ready.

“This Government is determined to help every Australian who is able to find work,” Ms Price said.

“Work is the foundation of the economic security of individuals, of the nation and is the glue that makes our communities strong.

“That’s why we have invested in the Work for the Dole programme which places job seekers in activities where they can gain skills and experience in roles that also give back to the community.”

The independent evaluation by the Social Research Centre and the Australian National University found that of the participants surveyed: 

• 83 per cent agreed that Work for the Dole is an opportunity to give back to the community
• 79 per cent agreed that the routine was good for them
• 81 per cent said they were treated like a valuable member of staff
• 81 per cent said they were satisfied with the amount of responsibility they were given
• 76 per cent said they were satisfied with the amount of work
• 74 per cent said they were satisfied with the variety of tasks
• 68 per cent agreed that their placement was a valuable experience 

“It’s also pleasing to note that host organisations, many of them community groups and charities, saw Work for the Dole as an opportunity to undertake activities and complete tasks they would otherwise not have the resources to do,” Ms Price said.

The Work for the Dole pilot was conducted in 18 selected areas and was open to job seekers aged 18 to 29 years.  It ran for one year in preparation for the national rollout of Work for the Dole under jobactive on 1 July 2015. 

Work for the Dole activities can be hosted by not-for-profit and government organisations. The programme gives organisations an extra set of hands to help to undertake activities that would not normally be done.

“I encourage more community groups to consider hosting Work for the Dole participants,” Minister from Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said.

“It’s a win for those groups giving them extra people to continue their good work, and it’s a win for participants, learning new skills whilst supporting the community that is supporting them.”

Evaluation of Work for the Dole 2014-15 is based on a range of evidence including in-depth interviews with job seekers, host organisations, Work for the Dole coordinators, employment services providers and programme managers in the Department of Employment. In addition, a telephone survey of 700 eligible job seekers was undertaken.

To find out more about Work for the Dole visit: employment.gov.au/work-dole

To see the full Evaluation of Work for the Dole 2014-15 report visit employment.gov.au/evaluation-work-dole-2014-15

City gets grants for Disability services

Regional Ambassador for of ‘Count Me In’ Chris Kerr looks forward to the new mobility beach access ramp being constructed at Town Beach.

The City of Greater Geraldton is pleased to announce it recently received grant funding from the Disability Services Commission of $50,000 to go towards the construction of a mobility beach access ramp and a further $100,000 for accessible amenities and adult change facilities at Town Beach.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn, said the timing of the funding announcement coincides perfectly with the City’s celebrations for International Day of People with Disability.

“What a fantastic announcement to be able to make to our community who is celebrating International Day for People with Disability this week with the opening of the art exhibition ‘Creative Waves’ and the launch of a short film ‘Part of the Community’ at the Queens Park Theatre on Thursday, 3 December from 4.30 to 6.30pm,” he said.

The grant funding program, administered by the Western Australian Local Governments Association, will enable the City to undertake capital works related to access and inclusion which were identified as a top priority by the Community Panel in late 2013.

As a result, the City has decided to include access as a top priority for the Multi User Facility and Youth Precinct currently under construction on the Foreshore in the West End.

“The refurbishment of the toilet block behind the Visitor Centre will house a new beach wheel chair and the accessible change rooms will feature a hoist for transfers from one chair to another and an adjustable adult change table,” said Mayor Van Styn.

“The beach wheelchair ramp, which will be built on the western side of the Town Beach groyne across from the basketball half court, has been specifically designed and engineered to counteract erosion of the concrete path.  Adjoining the foreshore promenade, the path will feature stainless steel handrails for users down to the high water mark on the beach.

“The City continually consults with community representatives to improve access in the CBD which also includes strategically located ACROD (Australian Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled) parking in the West End as part of the Multi User Facility project.”

The Francis Street jetty is also being replaced so that people with mobility impairments can fully utilise it.

A beach wheelchair is currently stored at the Two Foreshore Café and is available for hire by contacting the City.

For more information about the beach wheelchair ramp or other City projects visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au or phone the City Council on (08) 9956 6600.

Main street to light up for Christmas!

Christmas on the Terrace is back for another year with our main street hosting the family fun event. Picture: Richard Rossiter 

Marine Terrace will once again light up with a sea of colour, Christmas lights, retailers, stall holders, activities and festive cheer as Christmas on the Terrace hits our main street for another year.

On Thursday, 10 December from 5-8.30pm, head down to Marine Terrace to enjoy an event that the whole family will love.

You can expect unique markets and stalls, an array of fabulous food, local artworks, aero bungy, bouncy castles, cool inflatables, a variety of musicians including The Comedy Emporium’s piano bike, Perth based funk band Junkadelic, as well as other local singers.

Kids will also be able to write their very own letter to Santa!

The City has been working closely with local retailers to continue to provide an annual family friendly event full of fun and entertainment.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn, said Christmas on the Terrace had been a popular event in the past and he encouraged the community to come along and support local retailers.

“This is such a great event for the whole community and local retailers put a lot of effort into making Marine Terrace come alive for the festive season,” he said.

“There is so much on offer and there will be something there for everyone so you’ll be able to do all of your Christmas shopping in one night.”

The winner of the City’s #whyilovegero photo competition will also be announced and photos entered into the competition will be projected onto a building on Marine Terrace across the road from the Men’s Shed.

For more information you can visit the City’s online events calendar http://ow.ly/V5TpI and you can also find updates on the City’s Facebook page.

Call for Green Army participants

Member for Durack Melissa Price is encouraging young people to join the Green Army, joining what is fast becoming the largest-ever team of young Australians supporting environmental action across the country.

“Green Army projects are underway around the country and young people who want to gain valuable skills, training and experience in environmental and conservation fields are encouraged to register their interest,” Ms Price said.

“The Geraldton Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo Propagation/Revegetation Project – Stage 1 will be based at the City of Greater Geraldton Community Nursery, planting native seedlings that will provide habitat and foraging food for the endangered black cockatoo.

“The team will also educate the public that visit the nursery on the importance of planting native seedlings in their backyards and how it can contribute to increasing the Carnaby's populations.

“They will also help with planting activities around the City of Greater Geraldton to improve habitat values for the Carnaby's.

“Planting native flora for the black cockatoo during this project will provide much needed food sources and habitat for this endangered species.”

The Green Army provides young people across the country with a chance to take part in important environmental and conservation activities, while at the same time receiving training and qualifications.

Participation is open to a diverse range of young people, including Indigenous Australians, school leavers, gap year students, graduates and job seekers. Participants must be aged between 17 and 24 years and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

The Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with more than $700 million committed over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government's major environmental initiatives and encourages practical action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to thousands of young Australians by 2018-2019.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from environment.gov.au/green-army