Community Nursery sets new record

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Green Army member Richard Slater with Mayor Shane Van Styn at the Community Nursery.

Over 30,000 local native plants have been grown at the City of Greater Geraldton’s Community Nursery smashing a new record!

A total of 64 different native species make up the collection of plants grown during the 2016 season.

These latest figures are a significant jump in both the number and variety of native plants grown by the group, with this newest figure dwarfing the 16,500 plants that were grown in the 2015 season.

Plants that are grown are made up of species native to the Midwest region including the Geraldton Rose, Beach Spinifex and Cockie’s Tongue.

Playing a very significant role in the revegetation of many of our local natural areas, the dedicated volunteers at the Community Nursery as well as other organisations work tirelessly to ensure the rehabilitation of our natural bushland.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn acknowledged the hard work put in by volunteers and congratulated everyone involved in reaching the milestone.

“Protecting and managing our bushland is an ongoing challenge and having 30,000 native plants available to help with rehabilitation makes a big difference – something that can already be seen around the Chapman and Greenough river reserves as well as Devlin Pool and Bootenal Springs,” he said.

“I want to thank those volunteers and organisations who have put in the hard yards and contributed to the Community Nursery’s biggest season yet.

“Without these volunteers and the hard work of the Community Nursery, our beautiful natural areas could be under threat.”

Volunteers are the backbone of the Community Nursery and this year they have been helped by teams from several other organisations including Skill Hire, MEEDAC, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Green Army.

With plenty of leftover native plants, the Community Nursery will be holding an annual plant sale with local plants available to purchase for your garden.

The plant sale will take place on Saturday 16 July and Saturday 23 July from 9am to 1pm at the nursery located at 31 Adelaide Street Waggrakine.

SAY (Students Advising Youth) Project

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WA Police and The Lions Drug Education Foundation are calling on all WA students aged between 12 and 18 years to be Community Safety Champions as part of the SAY Project for 2016.

This year’s theme is “The impact of alcohol and other drug misuse on family violence.”

Applicants must have support of their school or a member of an established youth organisation to participate. Then compile a 90 – 105 second film to show how you can make your community aware of this year’s theme.

There are some great prizes and for more information visit WA Police Website or contact Senior Constable Jonine Harrison at Geraldton Police Station. 

Police Dog Bucky Assists In Arrest

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On Saturday 18 June 2016 at about 12.40am, Geraldton Police arrested a 16 year old female from Geraldton.

Police allege the 16 year old was the driver of a stolen Holden Commodore which became bogged in sand on the roadside after crashing into wooden bollards causing substantial damage to the vehicle.

It is further alleged, the female ran from the vehicle and was located shortly after by Geraldton Police Dog. She was found approximately 100 metres from the vehicle.

The 16 year old, who did not appear to have any injuries, was charged with the following:
1 x Steal Motor Vehicle
1 x Dangerous Driving
1 x Excess 0.08% and
1 x No Motor Drivers Licence (never held)

She will appear in Geraldton Children’s Court. 

Carriage Café will change hands, not close down

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The City of Greater Geraldton is currently examining alternatives for operation of the Carriage Café, located at the Visitor Centre.

City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ken Diehm said that the Carriage Café was gaining in popularity which is diverting resources away from the prime purpose of the Visitor Centre.

“The Carriage Café has proved to be popular and the City expects that it will continue to be the case, especially considering its vicinity to the Youth Precinct and the newly builty Geraldton Multipurpose Centre,” he said.

“The decision has been made to seek expressions of interest to run the café, which will free up Visitor Centre staff to focus on their main purpose.”

The City will be calling for expressions of interest from commercial and not-for-profit organisations in the near future.

It is expected that alternative arrangements will be made for operation of the Carriage Cafe from early July.

WALGA looking to enhance panel of suppliers

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WALGA is seeking tenders to enhance its panel of suppliers for road building materials and related services, and local businesses are encouraged to apply.

The City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said this was a great opportunity for local providers to be placed on WALGA’s panel.

“I urge local businesses to put in an application to become a WALGA preferred supplier,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“There are many benefits for businesses wishing to become a WALGA preferred supplier details of which are available on WALGA’s website.”

Request for tender documents will be available from WALGA’s website www.walga.asn.au on Saturday 18 June. Further information in regards to the request for tender can be obtained from Craig Grant on 9213 2037.

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the WALGA Provider Portal. Information on portal access is provided within the request document.

The deadline for tenders to be submitted is Thursday 14 July 2016, 3PM WST.

Utakarra getting "competitive priced" liquor store after appeal by business owners

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney says he is deeply disappointed that an appeal by Con’s Liquor against the decision to deny its application for a large discount liquor outlet is Utakarra, has been upheld by the Liquor Commission of Western Australia.

“I’m surprised this appeal has been upheld given the range and volume of submissions against this development.

“I remain of the view that the location and size of this particular liquor outlet is not in the best interest of the Geraldton community.

“The Commission has acknowledged that Geraldton is a city with a higher percentage of at risk persons than in other parts of Western Australia and that there are social issues within the town relating to the use of alcohol, and it yet has overturned the initial decision to prevent this development from occurring,” said Mr Blayney.

The liquor store, operating as Con’s Liquor Geraldton and owned by business man Mr Peter Jeffree’s company PDG Geraldton Pty Ltd, submitted that there is no liquor store of the size proposed currently operating in Geraldton and that as a result of existing arrangements consumers have been deprived of competitive prices and access to the multiple advantages of buying liquor as a bulk sale.

Mr Blayney said that the proposed site of this liquor store is near Bundiyarra and Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporations and both organisations had submitted applications against this proposal, as has many other organisations. Submissions opposing the proposal were also made by the Commissioner of Police and on behalf of the Executive Director of Public Health. 

“I think that the community has a right to expect that all undertakings given by the applicant Mr Peter Jeffree will apply to all subsequent owners and operators of this business. I would expect that the Liquor Commission will make the undertakings a condition of any sale or lease of the licence.

“I am advised that any further appeal must be to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, to determine whether there has been an error in law in reaching the decision to uphold this appeal,” said Mr Blayney.

Premier undervalues regional tourism

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WA Labor Candidate for Geraldton, Lara Dalton today said she was surprised and disappointed at the Premier’s recent comments about focussing his Government’s tourism efforts on the CBD. 

Ms Dalton said that while she recognised Perth had much to offer, the tourism experience would be better served by also highlighting the many fabulous attractions outside the metropolitan area. 

“I have worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for many years and know how valuable tourist dollars can be to local businesses. 

“I would have thought our Government dollars would be much more wisely spent on promoting our great state as a holiday destination rather than just the Perth city centre,” Ms Dalton said. 

Ms Dalton said that Geraldton and its hinterland had many wonderful attractions including the Abrolhos Islands and the Batavia story, Aboriginal heritage and art, cultural tourism, Greenough historical buildings as well as the beautiful beaches and carpets of spring wildflowers that draw so many visitors to the region. 

“Geraldton is also home to the newly renovated Regional Art Gallery which hosts many wonderful travelling exhibitions, the WA Maritime Museum, the HMAS Sydney Memorial and the many amazing churches designed by Monsignor Hawes, forming a heritage trail of architectural significance.” 

“Our region is well serviced with excellent accommodation facilities for travellers on every budget. 

“It is also blessed with much natural beauty with our rivers, the unique Moresby ranges, the magnificent Kalbarri National Park just up the road and many other scenic areas along our beautiful coastline,” Ms Dalton said. 

“It saddens me that the Liberal/National Government is not looking beyond the horizon and instead is focussing very narrowly on greater Perth.” 

Ms Dalton said she would like to invite the Premier to spend a few of days in Geraldton and the Mid-West so that he could see first-hand exactly what this regional centre has to offer. 

“I would be happy to show the Premier these many attractions which also include our world class foreshore, made possible due to the support of the local community and the Gallop Labor Government. 

“Mr Premier, tourism is an important component of future growth of the regional centres like Geraldton.” 

Boost for Geraldton Aboriginal art and tourism

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Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton, Paul Brown MP has welcomed the announcement that Mara Aboriginal Art Corporation (Yamaji Arts) has been awarded $60,000 for its Yamaji Art Pathway to Sustainability business model review and business planning, in addition to gallery enhancements, to assist organisational growth.

Nineteen Western Australian Aboriginal art centres have been awarded funding for fourteen projects through the $24 million Creative Regions program, made possible by Royalties for Regions.

Mr Brown said the Royalties for Regions investment of more than $629,000 will help make Aboriginal art centres more sustainable and improve their commercial viability.

“This is part of the Future Focus for WA Aboriginal Art Centres fund and will provide new impetus for the many dedicated artists and their communities who contribute so much to the community,” Mr Brown said.

“Some of the grants have been awarded to multiple recipients, meaning a single grant can benefit numerous groups of artists.”

The Future Focus scheme is part of Royalties for Regions’ $24 million investment in country culture and arts.

“The art centres play an important role in developing artist skills, ensuring cultural continuity and contributing towards regional WA’s prosperity and value for tourist and visitors to the area, Mr Brown said.

“Aboriginal art is not only a valuable artistic and commercial resource, it also promotes pride and employment in local communities.”

Mr Brown said art centres could apply for funding for fully scoped projects ready to begin immediately or they could source $5,000 to develop proposals for further assessment.

“The response to the offer of Future Focus funding has been strong, with 10 high-quality projects approved State wide and a further four with great potential funded to develop detailed proposals,” Mr Brown said.

Applications for Future Focus funding are assessed by a panel including representatives of the Department of Culture and the Arts

Water Infrastructure Charges Reduced

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney, has welcomed the announcement today that charges that apply to provide a water supply to new rural residential subdivisions will be reduced from 1 July 2016 as they are placed on a level playing field to other subdivision types. 

Water Minister Mia Davies made the announcement today that the long standing anomaly would be revised, meaning rural residential subdivisions would attract the standard infrastructure contribution charge, instead of full cost recovery.

“This is great news for regional WA because it removes red tape and a potential impediment to the expansion and growth in regional towns as it becomes more attractive to develop rural residential subdivisions,” Mr Blayney said.

“The costs for regional subdivisions varied significantly from town to town and could be as much as $20,000 per lot in some areas.

“The standard infrastructure contribution from 1 July 2016 will be $2,150.

“The change could encourage more local governments and landowners to subdivide, producing a greater variety of lot sizes in regional areas.

“Despite there being no difference in cost to service these types of lots, rural residential subdivisions have in the past been charged significantly more than other subdivision sizes, and the cost also varied from scheme to scheme.”

Rural residential subdivisions create lots that are greater than one hectare and less than four hectares in size.

For more information, visit http://www.watercorporation.com.au

Country Football Showdown

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Avon supporter, Mia Davies MLA and GNFL supporter, Paul Brown MP. 

Nationals WA MP’s Mia Davies and Paul Brown will be on opposing sides during this weekend’s Country Championships regional fixture between the Great Northern Football League (GNFL) and Avon Football Association (Avon), which will take place under the lights at Wonthella Oval this Saturday night.

As Minister for Sport and Recreation Ms Davies is a footy fan no matter what the colour jumper, but as Member for Central Wheatbelt, she’ll be throwing her support behind Avon for the match, with Member for the Agricultural Region and Geraldton local, Paul Brown barracking for the GNFL.

The regional fixture is an initiative between the Western Australian Country Football League and Landmark to bring the Landmark Championships to the regions. Senior fixtures will be held throughout regional WA during the weekend of June 17-19, with a total of six matches being played. Matches will be played in Mount Barker, Kalannie, Narrogin, Geraldton, Bunbury, and Wongan Hills.

“As someone who is passionate about country grassroots sport, it’s great to see the first round of the Landmark Championships will be held in regional WA,” Ms Davies said.

“I’m also pleased the women will be playing a curtain raiser, opportunities like this are now even more important with the announcement of the AFL women’s league this week,” she said.

The Landmark Country Football Championships have been held over 40 years, and the remainder of this year’s fixtures will be played in the metropolitan during the 8-10 July.

Local Geraldton MP Paul Brown said, “This game is a great way to be able to showcase the new lights at Wonthella Oval, along with the refurbishment works that have taken place around the oval and in the grandstand. It will be a great evening of football, and I am looking forward to seeing a very high quality match.”

The day will kick off at 3pm with a Women’s match, followed by a Midwest AFL Masters Match from 3:45pm. The Avon vs GNFL match will commence at 5pm.

“I encourage everyone to come down and see some great local football, support our men and women players, and support WA Country Football,” Mr Brown said.

Francis Street Jetty puts emphasis on access and inclusion

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The community will now be able to enjoy the Francis Street Jetty as it re-opens to the public this Friday 17 June.

Boasting some great new features, the recently constructed jetty is 39 metres long and 1.3 metres wide with the addition of a stepped deck configuration that allows people with mobility impairments to board and disembark vessels more easily.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the jetty was another element within the City that promoted access and inclusion.

“Both access and inclusion are a high priority for the City and we are dedicated to putting an emphasis on this with all of our projects,” he said.

“We want our facilities to promote inclusion for all people so everyone is able to enjoy a variety of different activities that may not have been previously available to them.

“A great deal of planning has taken place as well as consultation with sector representatives to ensure we are improving disability access and we can see that with our outstanding changing facility at the Youth Precinct as well as the newly opened beach access ramp.”

Timber from the original jetty that was stored for potential reuse was able to be repurposed by local company Saw Doctors and used as chafers in the new construction.

The project was co-funded by the Department of Transport Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme, Royalties for Regions and the City of Greater Geraldton.

The Francis Street Jetty will be officially opened by WA Premier Colin Barnett on Friday 24 June.

Concrete and line marking works at Francis Street Jetty carpark

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that contractors will be undertaking concrete and line marking works at the Francis Street Jetty carpark from today Thursday 9 June until Wednesday 15 June.

Traffic management will be in place to ensure safety to motorists and pedestrians. Motorists and pedestrians are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and direction from authorised City personnel and contractors.

If you have any queries regarding this work please contact the City on 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

 

Lighthouse Open Day - expressions of interest wanted

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International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend 

Open Day at Point Moore Lighthouse  

Sunday 21st August 2016
10.30 – 1.30pm

Geraldton, Western Australia

You are invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in this annual event which will be held in the grounds of the Point Moore Lighthouse and the adjacent Bob Davies Park on Sunday, August 21st. 

We want people with interests in Geraldton’s West End precinct and the surrounding marine environment to support the promotion of the iconic lighthouse as a special feature in our maritime history and itsplace in the heritage of the Batavia coast.  

Participation in the Point Moore Open day will be our acknowledgement of the International Weekend of recognition and visitors will be able to view inside the Lighthouse base with the assistance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). It is expected the newly refurbished Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue group’s headquarters in Davies Park across the road from the lighthouse will be open to the public.  

Interactive and static displays, presentations and promotions will be vital to the success of the day and provide opportunity to showcase, deliver messages and gather support from the community. 

To satisfy requirements for conducting a public event and to understand what space will beneeded pleaseconsider and commit to the event as soon as possible andrespond with the following details:-

Your/organisation’s name, contact detail, a short description of the proposed activity and the extent to which you will be self sufficient, by Thursday June 30th.   Thank you.

Celebrating World Ocean Day with a 97% interaction rate for Whale Shark swims at Ningaloo

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World Ocean Day, held annually on 8 June, has been initiated to raise global awareness, celebration and collaboration for a better future with cleaner, healthier and safer oceans.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect with the current 2016 swimming interaction rate on board whale shark tours in the Ningaloo Reef on Australia's Coral Coast being at a record high of 97% for 2016 to date. Additionally, on 25 June 2016 the Ningaloo Coast will be celebrating five years of UNSECO World Heritage listed certification.

Swimming with the world’s largest fish, the enormous yet gentle giants of the sea, is considered to be a bucket list experience. In 2015, the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia welcomed 20,670 tourists who visited specifically for this experience, noting a 92% sighting rate for the 2015 season. All operators provide a “no sighting” policy, offering guests the next available tour day free of charge. Tourists are encouraged to book a whale shark tour in advance and at the beginning of a holiday.

Whale shark movements to and from the Ningaloo Reef vary from year to year, but this is the second year that the world’s largest fish have arrived earlier than usual (starting mid-February instead of late March following the mass coral spawning). The Coral Bay whale shark experience conducted by its two whale shark operators, Coral Bay Eco Tours and Ningaloo Reef Dive, has seen the largest growth in passenger numbers in 2016, with the 13 whale shark licence operators in Exmouth continuing to welcome strong numbers of enthusiastic tourists.

The 2016 whale shark season should conclude late-June (Coral Bay) and late-July (Exmouth) with the forthcoming Humpback Whale interaction tours anticipated to commence from August 2016. 

The Ningaloo Reef is one of the only places on the planet where these huge but completely harmless fish can be reliably located in large aggregations. Whale Sharks are listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ and are protected in Western Australia contributing to the UNSECO World Heritage status of Ningaloo. 

Ningaloo’s eco-tourism experience is best practice world-wide for both fish and swimmer. A percentage of each whale shark tour ticket sold goes towards important whale shark research, conservation and protection. This benefits not only the Ningaloo Reef but the world to understand more about the importanrt species.

Visit www.australiascoralcoast.com for information on whale shark swims and to see the latest holiday deals to help plan your next Coral Coast adventure.    

Built Environment Offers Opportunities

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The downturn in the state’s economy has prompted 5 industry and professional associations to join forces and host an Information Forum on where future work opportunities might be for design and construction businesses.

Being promoted as “Future Opportunities for the Built Environment”, the forum will be held on Thursday 16 June at Perth Arena.

The 5 host organizations are:

  • Master Builders Association of WA
  • Australian Institute of Architects
  • Consult Australia
  • Australian Institute of Building
  • Engineers Australia

According to spokesperson, Michael McLean, this is the first time each of these 5 industry groups have come together to sponsor a joint event.

“Rather than dwell on the current downturn, we thought we would be pro-active and try and help our respective members to identify some of the “hot spots” across a few major sectors which will provide opportunities for architects, engineers, builders and specialist contractors”, Mr McLean said.

“It’s a difficult and extremely competitive business environment for the building and construction industry at the moment so being aware of where to focus our energies will be strategic and hopefully productive”.

“It’s not all doom and gloom in the built environment as some very large construction projects will soon be coming out for tender in areas such as shopping centres, aged care, public infrastructure, industrial developments and educational buildings”, Mr McLean said.

“We have attracted an excellent blend of presenters from 5 key areas:

  • Phil Helberg (Building Management & Works)
  • Dean Mudford (LandCorp)
  • Stephen Beer (Vicinity Centres)
  • Dr Penny Flett (Brightwater Care Group)
  • Kieran Kinsella (Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority)

“This inaugural forum will also allow attendees to pose questions to the panel and to network with kindred members from different segments of the industry which employs over 140,000 workers – the second largest of any industry in WA”, Mr McLean concluded.

Registrations can be made to https://events.engineersaustralia.org.au/ei/getdemo.ei?id=2980&s=_BE00UDUMQ

Brown says any sale of Geraldton Port will not have his support

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Paul Brown MP with Geraldton Port in the background.

In response to comments by Labor MLC, Darren West that the complete removal of the Port Expansion Project (PEP) charge and the forgiving of the remainder of the loan is a precursor for a future sale of the Geraldton Port., Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton Paul Brown MP, speaking on local radio this week, clearly stated that he would not support any future sale of the Geraldton Port.

Calls by Mr Brown for the removal of the PEP charges and the remainder of the loan have been agreed to by the Minister for Transport in this year’s State Budget.

Mr Brown said “Geraldton Port sale comments are nothing more than blatant scaremongering by the Labor party and its members. The removal of the PEP charges were due to a concerted call over a considerable period of time by myself and other community members, particularly the northern grain farming community, to recognise the contribution that had already been made without a substantial reduction in the loan amount.”

“Along with my Nationals WA colleagues, I have opposed the proposed sale of the Fremantle Port and I would definitely not be supporting any sale of the Geraldton Port. At this point there has been no discussion of a proposal except from the Labor’s Darren West. Perhaps it’s them warming up the community for a potential sale if they have the opportunity to form government.”

The Port Expansion Project was undertaken in 2003 to deepen the inner harbour and the shipping channel of the Geraldton Port to enable larger vessels to be fully loaded at the port, rather than the previous operations model which was to partially load before continuing to Fremantle to complete the loading. This model only increased the charges to growers by requiring addition fees at two ports.

Mr Brown said “The need for the Geraldton Port to remain in government control has been strengthened when you look at the requirement to continue the sand bypass from Pages Beach as part of the coastal erosion that is attributed to the port expansion in 2003.”

“I also think that the potential for a future port development at Oakajee would restrict the financial return of anyone that wanted to buy the current Geraldton Port. If I was going to spend the time and money on a port in this area I would be looking to entice a developer that might look favourably on a 50 year “build and operate” model for Oakajee.”

“We always seem to want to undertake these projects at the top of the economic cycle rather than look for investments at the bottom of the cycle where we are now.”

Kalbarri Boardriders making waves for the environment

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NACC’s Coastal and Marine Program team this week joined-up with members of the Kalbarri Boardriders for a bit of landscape restoration – helping to revegetate the dunes surrounding a new memorial shelter at Jacques Point.

The shelter, which was solely funded by community donations and many volunteer hours, was recently erected in memory of two young men from Kalbarri who lost their lives when the trawler they were aboard sank at Nichol Bay last year.

NACC’s Quick Step Grant Program provided the Boardriders with 200 coastal native plants which were put in the ground with help from more than 25 volunteer members of the community.

NACC Coastal and Marine Project Officer Vanessa McGuiness said: “It was fantastic to see so many people jump in and help support the Kalbarri Boardriders revegetate such an important site that is valued highly in the community. We hope to see more projects go ahead like these in the region, supporting both Kalbarri and the environment.”

Vanessa said that adding to the perfection and beauty of the day, the surf picked-up just as the plants were all in the ground, and getting ready to be watered by Rick Davey, Ranger from the Shire of Northampton.

“Then it was a case of ‘Surf’s up’,” she said.

Look out for the memorial shelter’s grand opening on Sunday 5 June.

For more information on the Coastal and Marine Program, or opportunities to apply for grants, please contact Vanessa McGuiness on 9938 0108 or vanessa.mcguiness@nacc.com.au.

School holidays at the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton: Imagine it! Design it! Build it!

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Imagine it, design it and build it at the WA Museum – Geraldton these school holidays.

Become a mini-architect-builder and explore the ideas, designs and possibilities of buildings and structures. How does climate, the environment, sustainability and needs of the community influence and change building design in our world today?

Take a step back in time and be inspired by the architecture of Monsignor John Hawes, responsible for many iconic buildings throughout the Mid West. His designs are also this year’s theme of the Museum’s annual Clem Burns Heritage Award. Local school students are submitting models as their entries. They will be on display from 29 June until 17 July 2016.

Have fun drawing inspired plans, adding your designs to existing buildings and imagining buildings of the future.

Great Ideas Wall
Dates: 2 – 17 July 2016
Cost: free
Age: all ages
Bookings: not required for groups of less than 5

Be inspired by Monsignor John Hawes and the design principles he followed in his iconic buildings throughout the Mid West. Check out the great models on display in the Clem Burns Heritage Award and then select elements of environment and location, shapes and materials, function and sustainability from the list architects use today. Create your designs for a building suitable for Geraldton and add it to the Museum’s ’Great Ideas Wall’. 

Geraldton re-designed!
Dates: 2 – 17 July 2016
Cost: free
Age: all ages
Bookings: not required for groups of less than 5

Choose an image of a well-known building around Geraldton. Let your imagination soar as you draw, cut and paste on the image to change the way the building looks. What would be the environmental impact of your ideas? What ways would your ideas improve the way the building is used?

Say it in Lego
Dates: 2 – 17 July 2016
Cost: free
Age: all ages
Bookings: not required for groups of less than 5

What fantastic structures will you build? A building, home, slide, swing, or even a climbing adventure playground? Maybe something never seen or dreamed of before? Share photos of your designs on social media using #wamholidayfun. 

Activity corner
Dates: 2 – 17 July 2016
Cost: free
Age: all ages
Bookings: not required for groups of less than 5

Come and enjoy the great range of free family activities and games in our creative hub of construction.

Trails
Dates: 2 – 17 July 2016
Cost: $3 or $2.50 each for families of 4 or more
Ages: all ages
Bookings:  not required for groups of less than 10

Choose an activity trail to take you on a journey of discovery around the WA Museum – Geraldton.

Venue: WA Museum – Geraldton (Museum Place, Batavia Coast Marina) 

Further information: call 9431 8393 or visit http://museum.wa.gov.au/whats-on/school-holidays/Geraldton 

Bookings: not required

Programs are subject to availability. All children 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Building a competitive Western Australian defence supply sector

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has congratulated GCo Electrical in Geraldton on their receipt of a $30,000 grant toimprove their competitiveness to secure work related to the Australian Government's multi-billion dollar defence programs.

The funding is part of the defence-specific round of the State Government's Industry Facilitation and Support Program (IFSP).

Mr Blayney said IFSP would enable small and medium-sized businesses in Western Australia to purchase equipment, upgrade facilities, and contract finance and marketing experts.

“The successful recipients will use this funding to up-skill and diversify their business base, ensuring they are in the best position possible to take advantage of defence-related contracts,” Mr Blayney said.

“GCo Electrical will use this funding to improve internal business infrastructure systems to ensure they continue to offer a broad scope of works and solutions to their customers.”  

The IFSP defence round will provide more than $350,000 in dollar-for-dollar assistance to 16 WA businesses.

Mr Blayney said IFSP has supported 257 WA-based SMEs to win 539 major contracts valued at $313 million since 2011.

"The State Government's $4.4 million investment in local industry has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in major contracts that have created 565 new jobs, including 66 apprenticeships," Mr Blayney said.

“I’d like to congratulate Murray Hadley and his team for developing a company that looks across WA and Australia for work.

“One of Geraldton’s strengths into the future is to develop as a venue for education and training, and as a base for companies like GCo,” said Mr Blayney.