WALGA seeks suppliers for parks and gardens services

The WA Local Government Association (WALGA) are currently seeking tenders for the newly created Panel of Suppliers (PSA) for parks, gardens and related services.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said he urged local businesses to apply.

“It is a great opportunity for local providers to be placed on WALGA’s panel and become a preferred supplier,” he said.

“The benefits of becoming a WALGA preferred supplier have been demonstrated repeatedly in recent years with a range of local businesses successfully applying and subsequently being engaged by the City for a broad range of projects.”

The new PSA will consist of the following areas of supply:

• Mowing services
• Weed management and fertiliser application services
• Supply of general parks and gardens goods
• Water management goods and services 
• Tree maintenance services
• Landscaping works, maintenance and infrastructure
• Provision of general parks and gardens services
• Turf supply, installation and maintenance
• Provision of parks and gardens consultancy services
• Trees and nursery plants goods and services
• Playgrounds goods and services

Request for Tender documents are currently available from WALGA’s Tenderlink portal https://www.tenderlink.com/walga/.

Further information in regards to this request for tender can be obtained from Craig Grant on (08) 9213 2037.

High Court ruling on unionists’ fines a win for common sense

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Peter Katsambanis has welcomed yesterday’s High Court decision which will mean unions can no longer pay fines on behalf of militant union officials who break the law.

Mr Katsambanis said the ruling would be welcomed by the construction industry which would now hopefully see a marked reduction in the use of militant tactics by the CFMEU.

“Time and time again we have seen repeat behaviour from certain union officials who blatantly disregard the law by entering worksites under dubious claims, disrupting lawful business operations and even sometimes stopping all work, in attempts to blackmail their way to a decision.” Mr Katsambanis said.

“This has gone on for too long because the fines resulting from the illegal behaviour of these individuals were covered by the union, which simply considered them as a cost of doing business.

“Once the fines were paid from union member funds the militant tactics continued.

“Not anymore. This is a fair and just decision by the High Court of Australia which upholds the premise that all individuals should be held accountable for their own actions.”

Mr Katsambanis said early signs of a fragile recovery in the West Australian economy meant it was more important than ever to ensure that construction projects were not put at risk from illegal delays due to illegal union tactics.

“The importance of the building and construction industry in Western Australia cannot be understated,” Mr Katsambanis said.

“It currently employs approximately 130,000 people while contributing $22 billion to our State’s economy.

Community statement: Incident at Australia Post toilet block

The City of Greater Geraldton is currently investigating last night’s incident at the toilet block located in the Australia Post car park.

Please be aware that the contractor responsible for security at this location is not in any way associated with City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, or any of his businesses.

We will update the community as soon as we have further information to ensure that this situation does not reoccur.

Greenough River Nature Walk Trail works

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking works along the Greenough River Nature Walk Trail from Cape Burney to Devlin Pool Road with works commencing on Wednesday 14 February 2018 for a period of approximately three weeks.

Works include the installation of new steps to the gazebos to improve accessibility and general gazebo maintenance. New bench seating will also be installed at scenic sites along the trail. The City requests members of the public to refrain from using the trail between 9am and 3pm to ensure community safety.

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

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Temporary closure Convict Bridge in Greenough

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be temporarily closing Convict Bridge located on McCartney Road in Greenough on Thursday 15 February 2018 to undertake bridge maintenance works.

The anticipated hours of work will be from 7am to 5pm. Traffic management will be in place with a detour through the river bed side track.

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

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

A boy and a girl "freed" a guinea pig

On Tuesday 6 February 2018 a Burglary was committed at an address in Nerrel Street  Waggrakine. During the course of the Burglary the young offenders have removed the family’s pet guinea pig from its cage in the rear yard.

Police officers had been notified by a member of the public whom had witnessed persons jumping the fence.

Police officers attended shortly after sighting a group of youths running through rear bushland.

During a search of the bushland officers located the Pet Guinea Pig which had been discarded by the offenders. The Guinea Pig was returned to the owners.

As a result of inquiries an 11 year old boy and a 13 year old girl, both from Waggrakine were identified and interviewed over the incident.

Both have been charged with further inquiries continuing.

Stealing Captured on CCTV

On the evening of 8 February 2018 an offence occurred at the Orana Cinema in Geraldton where a male was disturbed whilst in the process of stealing alcohol from the Gold Class Section. The male was captured on CCTV footage running away from the cinemas along Fitzgerald Street Geraldton.

Later that evening a 31 year old male from Rangeway was arrested by officers and after inquiries was charged with Burglary and Stealing Offences.

He was remanded in custody to appear before the Geraldton Magistrates Court the following day.

2 Juveniles Arrested for Burglary

Between 2 February and 5 February a series of burglary offences occurred around the suburbs of Geraldton.

Officers from the Geraldton Detectives and Volume Crime Team have identified a number of person believed to be involved with having committed these offences.

On Tuesday 6 February, Officers have attended an address in Rangeway where two juvenile males were located trying to hide from Police.

A 14 year old male from Yalgoo and 17 year old male from Karloo were arrested by officers and formally charged with a number of offences. Both have appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court.

14 year old charges:

• 2 x Aggravated Burglary
• 1 x Burglary and Commit
• 4 x Stealing of Motor Vehicle
• 1 x Assault to Prevent Arrest

17 year old male charges:

• 1 x Aggravated Burglary
• 1 x Stealing
• Breach of Bail.

Inquiries are still continuing.

Vehicles Stolen

On the 11 November 2017 a Burglary Offence was committed on a residence in Cooper Circuit Mount Tarcoola. During the Burglary a number of items are reported to have been stolen including the Occupants Hyundai Elantra Sedan which was later located abandoned on Hadda Way Mahomets Flats.

On the 5 February 2018 a stealing offence occurred in Eastern Road Geraldton. At this address offenders have entered the rear yard and stolen 3 off road motor bikes.

On the 6 February 2018 Officers on Patrol sighted one of these motorbikes being ridden along Brand Highway Wandina. The motorbike has driven off at speed riding through traffic to evade police.

On the 7 February 2018 a 25 year old male from Mahomets Flats was arrested by officers from the Geraldton Police Station to assist with inquiries.

As a result of these inquiries he was charged with a numbers of offences and has appeared before the Geraldton Magistrates Court.

• He has been remanded to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on the following charges.
• Aggravated Burglary and Commit
• Stealing
• 2 x Stealing of Motor Vehicle
• Reckless Driving to Evade Police.

Footpath repair works on Marine Terrace

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be repairing and replacing footpath pavers in the area adjacent to Sail Inn Snack Bar and the Marine Terrace Lester Avenue roundabout from Monday 12 February to Friday 16 February 2018.

Parking bays adjacent to the works located in the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre carpark site will be closed during works.

The anticipated hours of work will be between from 7am to 5pm.

Traffic management will be in place during the works. Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Arrest – Reckless Driving, Fail to Stop

At 8 pm on Friday 2 February 2018, officers from the Dongara Police Station were responding to an incident of a Holden Commodore doing burnouts in Church Street Dongara.

Officers located this vehicle exiting the Priory Hotel Carpark where it is alleged the vehicle was sighted doing a 20 meter burnout before driving off at speed. The 41 year old male driver from Dongara was arrested and charged with a number of offences and bailed to appear in the Dongara Magistrates Court on a number of charges including.

• Reckless Driving (Hoon)
• Reckless Driving to Evade Police
• Obstruct Police
• DUI
• Use an Unlicensed Vehicle

A 31 year old male passenger from the same vehicle was also charged by officers with Obstruct Police and summonsed to appear in the Dongara Magistrates Court.

Burglary Arrest

At 2 pm on Monday 5 February 2018 Officers from the Geraldton Police Complex conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle (vehicle ID not supplied) in Petchell Street Rangeway.

A 15 year old male from Rangeway, was a passenger in the vehicle and was identified by officers as a person of interest for a number of offences that had been committed in the Geraldton Area.

This male was arrested and remanded in custody to appear in the Geraldton Children’s Court on the 6 February 2018 on a number of charges including.

• Aggravated Burglary and Steal Motor Vehicle
• 2 x Steal Motor Vehicle
• Burglary with Intent
• Trespass

Possession of Prohibited Drugs

On Tuesday 6 February 2018 officers from the Geraldton Police Station conducted a traffic stop (vehicle ID not supplied) in Alexander Street UTAKARRA.

As a result of this stop the vehicle was searched with a Meth Pipe being located. As a result a 27 year old female from Geraldton has been charged with possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

She has been summoned to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court.

Footpath renewal works at Sanford Street

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be renewing a section of footpath at Sanford Street between Fitzgerald Street and Cathedral Avenue in Geraldton with works scheduled to commence on Monday 12 February 2018 for a period of approximately two weeks.

The anticipated hours of work will be between from 7am to 6pm. Works include removing the slab path and replacing it with a user-friendly concrete path.

These works are part of $941,600 allocated in the 2017/18 Budget for the renewal of footpaths, which will see approximately 1.14 km of the footpath network replaced.

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

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au

Possession of Prohibited Weapon

At 0300 am on Friday 2 February 2018, Officers from the Geraldton Police Station conducted a traffic stop (vehicle ID not supplied) in Zimmri Street KARLOO.

As a result of this stop police have searched the vehicle during which police located a knife on one of the occupants. As a result a 43 year old Female from Geraldton has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon.

She has been summoned to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court

Possession of Drugs

At 1030 pm on Friday 2 February 2018, Officers from Geraldton Police Station conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Sedan in Tramway Road WAGGRAKINE.

As a result of this stop officers have searched the occupants and located a small quantity of Cannabis on one of the occupants. A 33 year old female from WAGGRAKINE has been charged with possession of a prohibited drug.

She has been summoned to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court.

Beresford Foreshore Enhancement works commence at Midalias Beach

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise Beresford Foreshore Enhancement works have begun with site fencing being erected around Midalias Beach and carpark from Wednesday 7 February 2018. 

Please be advised he beach will remain accessible until Monday 12 February 2018 via gates located at the footpaths into the area.

From Monday 12 February 2018, Midalias Beach and carpark will be closed to the public to ensure community safety during construction works. The estimated date of completion of project works is the end of June 2018.

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

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Do your part this Clean Up Australia Day

Geraldton is home to some of the best beaches and bushland in Australia and the City of Greater Geraldton is calling members of the community to come together to help keep it that way.

Every year tonnes of rubbish plagues our environment and Clean Up Australia Day aims to reduce litter that is impacting our streets, parks and waterways.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn encouraged members of the community to register.

“Registering for Clean Up Australia Day is really easy and simple – you can either join an existing group or create your own,” he said.

“The more people involved, the more fun it is for everyone. You can even round out the day with a sausage sizzle and nice cold drink.

“Put on your gloves and help us reduce waste in our local parks, streets, bushland and beaches for a cleaner local environment.”

The major source of rubbish in WA is plastics, closely followed by paper, metals, glass, polystyrene, wood and rubber.

“Some of these items can take up to 500 years to breakdown. Chemicals are also released in the breakdown process, which are harmful to flora and fauna,” added Mayor Van Styn.

To support those partaking in Clean Up Australia Day, the City will provide additional bags and gloves as well as bins through ToxFree who are generously supporting the day with the delivery and pickup of skip bins.

National Clean Up Australia Day is held on Sunday 4 March and is an all-day event.

There is also a Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 27 February as well as a Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 2 March.

To join in on a registered Clean Up site visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au. Before registering a new site please contact the City’s Community Development Officer steved@cgg.wa.gov.au to check suitability and obtain support with bins, gloves and bags.

Clean Up Australia Day is also supported by Northern Agriculture Catchments Council (NACC) and Woolworths Seacrest.

Local Cadets Best In State

Geraldton’s Number 711 squadron has been named the most proficient Air Force Cadet Squadron in the state for 2017.

Commander Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) David Power received the RSL Efficiency Shield on behalf of the squadron at a ceremony at RAAF Base Pearce in January in front of more than 100 cadets and their guests. The cadets were part of a graduation parade recognising an intensive three weeks leadership and management training course which will prepare them for future leadership positions.

The parade was reviewed by the WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson and featured a flying display and fly past by PC9 aircraft of Number 2 Flying Training School from the Pearce airbase. The Air Force Cadets is fully supported by the Royal Australian Air Force.

The efficiency shield is presented each year to the state's cadet squadron that has achieved the highest ratings in a range of criteria over the training year.

"This is the first time 711 Squadron has won the award, and one of only a hand full of times it has been awarded to a non-metropolitan Squadron.", said Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) David Power.

“The Australian Air Force Cadets is one of the most dynamic, effective and satisfying youth programs available and is open to young people aged 13-18 years".

“The cadets get to do the sort of things that most other young people only watch on television, including learning to fly, undertaking bushcraft where they learn to operate radios, and cooking and survival skills. The cadets can also participate in interstate and international travel as well as study aeronautics, navigation, meteorology and radio communications, first aid, and music.”, said FLTLT(AAFC) Power.

According to FLTLT(AAFC) Power, a high proportion of serving Air Force personnel developed their career interest in aviation as cadets, and many others have continued their involvement in community affairs through their cadet training.

711 Squadron parades Monday nights during the school term, and prospective cadets are encouraged to attend a brief family information session to be held on Monday, 12 February, at the Geraldton Army Reserve Depot, Lester Avenue, at 7pm. Those who cannot make the information session are encouraged to visit the Squadron any Monday night during the school term.

Shortened Prohibited Burning Time for Mullewa district

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise due to seasonal conditions, and in accordance with delegated Authority and the provisions of the Bush Fires Act 1954, notice is hereby given that the “Prohibited Burning Time” in the Mullewa district only has been shortened for a period of fourteen (14) days from 11.59pm on Tuesday 13 February 2018 to 12.01am on Wednesday 28 February 2018.

Permits will be required from 12.01am Wednesday 14 February 2018 until the end of the “Restricted Burning Time”.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.