Total fire ban for Tuesday

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A Total Fire Ban has been declared for Tuesday 29 December for parts of the Metropolitan, Midwest Gascoyne, Goldfields Midlands and Great Southern regions.  

This includes the local government districts of: 

Metropolitan

Perth hills and neighbouring shires of: 

  • Chittering
  • Gingin
  • Murray
  • Serpentine-Jarrahdale 
  • Waroona
  • Armadale
  • Gosnells
  • Mundaring 
  • Swan
  • Kalamunda  

Midwest Gascoyne

  • City of Greater Geraldton
  • Shire of Carnarvon
  • Shire of Carnamah
  • Shire of Cue
  • Shire of Coorow
  • Shire of Chapman Valley
  • Shire of Dalwallinu
  • Shire of Dandaragan
  • Shire of Koorda
  • Shire of Meekatharra
  • Shire of Mount Magnet
  • Shire of Moora
  • Shire of Morawa
  • Shire of Migenew
  • Shire of Murchison
  • Shire of Northampton
  • Shire of Perenjori
  • Shire of Sandstone
  • Shire of Shark Bay
  • Shire of Three Springs
  • Shire of Upper Gascoyne
  • Shire of Victoria Plains
  • Shire of Wiluna
  • Shire of Wongan-Balidu
  • Shire of Yalgoo

Goldfields Midlands

  • Shire of Beverley
  • Shire of Bruce Rock
  • Shire of Cunderdin
  • Shire of Dowerin
  • Shire of Goomalling
  • Shire of Kellerberrin
  • Shire of Merredin
  • Shire of Mount Marshall
  • Shire of Mukinbudin
  • Shire of Narembeen
  • Shire of Northam
  • Shire of Nungarin
  • Shire of Tammin
  • Shire of Toodyay
  • Shire of Trayning
  • Shire of Westonia
  • Shire of Wyalkatchem
  • Shire of Yilgarn
  • Shire of York
  • Shire of Quairading

Great Southern

  • Shire of Boddington 
  • Shire of Brookton 
  • Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup 
  • Shire of Cranbrook 
  • Shire of Corrigin 
  • Shire of Cuballing 
  • Shire of Dumbleyung 
  • Shire of Gnowangerup 
  • Shire of Jerramungup 
  • Shire of Katanning 
  • Shire of Kent 
  • Shire of Kojonup 
  • Shire of Kondinin 
  • Shire of Kulin 
  • Shire of Lake Grace 
  • Shire of Narrogin 
  • Town of Narrogin 
  • Shire of Pingelly 
  • Shire of Plantagenet 
  • Shire of Wagin 
  • Shire of Wandering 
  • Shire of West Arthur 
  • Shire of Wickepin 
  • Shire of Williams 
  • Shire of Woodenilling 

 

On Tuesday 29 December any activity that could start a fire is banned.  

This means: 

  • You must not light or use any fires in the open air 
  • All open fires for the purpose of cooking or camping are not allowed  
  • Hot work such as metal work, grinding, welding, soldering, gas cutting or similar is not allowed unless you have an exemption 
  • You must not undertake any other activities that may start a fire. 

If a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban has not been implemented by your local government you are able to harvest or move vehicles across paddocks for agricultural purposes. 

You could be fined up to $25,000 or jailed for 12 months or both if you ignore the Total Fire Ban. 

For information on activities that can or cannot be carried out during a Total Fire Ban visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/Pages/TotalFireBanWhatCantIDo.aspx

If the information you want is not available from the website, telephone the Total Fire Ban Information Line 1800 709 355  

This information is also available by visiting www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Update on water outages in Bluff Point.

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Update on water outages in Bluff Point.

Water Outage in Bluff Point

A broken water main in Bluff Point is causing outages to many households. Water Corporation teams are working hard to fix it as soon as possible, and at this stage it will be 2 to 4 hours before the water is restored.We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience.

From Water Corp: free bottled water is available to  community members who are out of water in Bluff Point while we continue to work to repair the broken service.  Collection point is located in the car park behind the Winter Sun hotel.  Water Corporation thanks residents for their patience.

 

Update: 1:40pm

Water supply has now been restored in Bluff Point. The water pressure will be temporarily reduced until we can increase it gradually and safely.  People who are still experiencing issues with their water supply should call 131375. Water Corporation thanks everyone for their patience and understanding.

 

This local mum bought a Christmas present for the speed camera man

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A local resident has gone the extra mile this Christmas, showing some kindness to someone who normally only gets abuse from the public.

We heard about her act of kindness and wanted to share it with the community.

Sarah lives near a popular speed camera spot, so sees the camera operator a fair amount, and also observes a lot of abuse he receives. 

I asked Sarah what prompted her act of kindness. She said she felt sorry for the guy and just wanted to do something nice for him. So she decided to get him a Christmas present. She said he seemed chuffed with the gift, although surprised.

She says she told him that she saw how much abuse he copped.

It happens so much that "even I feel like abusing him and I don't even drive," she said.

"I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year."

Thanks Sarah for reminding us all about what Christmas is all about.  

Glamorous Nails now open at Northgate Shopping Centre

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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.

 

Greenough Museum & Gardens

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The Greenough Museum & Gardens is open every day through the festive season (except Christmas Day).

Because the mornings are often the best part of the day we are now open from 9.00am. We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends, and remember, if you haven't visited for some time you will be pleasantly surprised by the changes.

Prices remain at $5.00 for adults with free admission for children.

Pilot safe after emergency landing

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Thanks everyone for sharing info. Many residents were concerned following what appeared to be a plane crash in Worree earlier this evening. The plane DID NOT crash however, and a local pilot who knows the pilot of this plane attributes exceptional pilot skills to the safe landing following minor issues with the aircraft. 

Here's some of the information sent in already to Everything Geraldton:

Peter: Just saw a single prop light aircraft fly past Strath heading East 6:50pm with what looked like some smoke trailing behind and an engine not sounding very healthy. Hope they got back to airport. It was heading that way.

Matt: Just saw plane with black smoke trailing come down real low and disappear near Eastlyn, engine sounded sick! Concerned.

Angie: There has been a light plane crash at the end of Place Rd in Wooree. No fire and pilot safe.

Dillon: Hey guys a plane blowing smoke just emergency landed in rowan reserve emergency crews there now police and fire brigade at the end of Place road. Multiple fire trucks there now, plane landed safely

 

Thanks Murray and Kim for the images.

Footpath renewal works on Chapman Road

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that footpath renewal works will be carried out on a section of Chapman Road footpath between Smith Street and Davis Street, Bluff Point with works programmed to commence during the week of 4 January 2016 for a period of approximately 17 days. 

The works include removing the 1.2m wide slab path and replacing it with a user friendly concrete path. The works will require some sections of the foot path and some driveways to be partially or fully closed at times to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

These works are part of $1,175,739 allocated in the 2015/16 Budget for the renewal of footpaths which will see approximately 3kms of the footpath network replaced. 

The anticipated hours of work will be between from 6am to 6pm.

The City requests motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and direction from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City regrets any inconvenience and will endeavour to keep disruptions to a minimum.

Please direct all enquiries to Mr Pino Faraone, on (08) 9965 6714 or 0409 378 242

Auto Pit Stop Open During the Christmas Season

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Are you going away during the festive season and need your car serviced before you go?

If your car breaks down during Christmas and you’re not sure where you can go?

 

will be open for the Christmas period,
except for the public holidays

Come in and see Trevor for a wide range of services including:

  • Log Book Servicing (won’t void manufactures warranty)
  • Tyre Sales and Fitting
  • Automotive Maintenance
  • Brake Repair and Service
  • Engine Repair and Replacement
  • Steering and Suspension
  • Transmission Repairs, Rebuilds and Replacements
  • EFI Diagnosis and Service

So if your car needs some mechanical care this Christmas Season, speak to the team at Auto Pit Stop because they are the team that cares!

Call 9964 4842 or come into 97 Pass St – opposite the Aquarena Pool

Open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm
Closed Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

 

Amoebae at Ellendale Pool & Greenough River

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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

Rigters Supermarkets gives 5 grand to Salvos following robbery

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Rigters IGA have pulled together and donated $5000 to the Geraldton Salvation Army after the Salvos were robbed earlier in the week. 

Kyme Rigter said "We read about the robbery on Everything Geraldton and wanted to pitch in and help out but to also encourage the community to donate. Its such a terrible thing to happen at this time of year but especially to an organisation that helps out the less fortunate."

 

Jeff Milkins from the Salvation Army said "The community has come to the party and donations are rolling in. We were more concerned that the kids were going to miss out so we really need boys toys for the ages of 4 - 10 yrs as those were the ones mainly targeted. We are really grateful for the help we have been receiving and want to thank Rigters IGA group for their huge donation, we really appreciate what they have done, they have a fantastic community spirit. We will recover, our immediate concern though is Christmas. We have been left with a massive repair bill, our reception window has a huge gaping hole in it but hopefully we will be back on track early 2016."

If you'd like to donate any gifts or financial assistance to the Salvation Army in Geraldton you can drop items off to the Salvation Army building on Ainsworth Street.  

Christmas and New Year rubbish schedule

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the public of the below changes to the rubbish collection schedule during the Christmas and New Year break.

  • Friday 25 December – Christmas Day, no service
  • Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day, Friday’s schedule will be run
  • Friday 1 January – New Year’s Day, no service
  • Saturday 2 January – Friday’s schedule will be run

Please be advised the Meru Landfill will also be closed on Christmas (Friday 25 December, 2015) and New Year’s Day (Friday 1 January, 2016). Normal business hours from 7.30am to 4.30pm will resume on Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December, 2015) and Saturday 2 January, 2016.

Donated food and gifts stolen from Salvos in Geraldton

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Image: Lt Jeff Milkins ruefully surveys what was left behind by the burglar.

Christmas spirit was thin at Geraldton Salvation Army, after donated gifts were stolen in a brazen daylight burglary earlier this morning.

When alarm systems triggered shortly before 6am, Lieutenant Jeff Milkins was quickly on the scene, to find himself threatened by a masked intruder wielding a crowbar.

“I backed off, he was making it quite clear that he was serious,” said a shaken Lt Milkins.

Donated foodstuffs and gifts were carted away in a wheelie bin by the offender, who fled into bushland east of the Salvation Army church in Ainsworth Street.

Gifts that were donated in the recent Salvation Army Toy Run were targeted by the burglar, particularly those intended for boys in older age groups.

“We had just begun distributing gifts and food to the needy of our community, but this has taken our efforts backward,” said Lt Milkins.

“Damage to the building is probably in the thousands of dollars, it is going to severely impact on our work at this time of year.

“Police arrived quickly and are investigating, in the meantime so close to Christmas Day, we can only plead for replacement donations from caring members of the Geraldton community.”

Robbed before Christmas

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Robbed before Christmas:

Emma sent this in: Hi, we were broken in to last night and have had stolen Christmas presents, iPhones, and a car. Can you please share the photo for people to keep an eye out!!!

Contact Geraldton Police on 99234555 if you have any information.

Skateboarding clinic back by popular demand

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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.

Police asking for witnesses following hit and run incident

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Geraldton Police are asking members of the public who may have witnessed a hit and run incident yesterday to come forward. 

The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 am on Wednesday, 16 December at Marine Terrace and Forrest Street. 

If you saw the incident Police would like you to contact them at the Geraldton Police Station on 9923 4555.

Click here to read more on incident. 

It's Our Business

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Sadly, not many people take an interest in Local Government. It’s a bit like the Melbourne Cup, where once a year the nation comes to a stop. In the case of Local Government, it is when the rates come out and everyone stops in shock at the increase. But, as rate payers, we really should take more of an interest. Because if one thinks about it, we invest a considerable amount of money each year through our rates and for that investment we want a decent return. I think the other mistake we can make is that we don’t see our City as a business, but it is. The City’s budget expenditure for 2015/16 is around $80,000,000 which is a decent amount of money. And for that reason we need the business to perform at its best.

So to be honest, I’m writing this letter to myself. I’ve jumped up and down about Council decisions and about rate rises in the past but what have I achieved? Not a lot. So this is the reason why I am standing for the Tarcoola Ward.

So here’s my spiel. I’m not going to make a lot of promises about things/issues that I have little control over. If elected, I will be one person with one vote. But, what I will promise, is that any of my votes and decisions will be well considered and for the betterment for the majority of the community not just a few. 

Finally, I with the help of a friend, created a Facebook page, ‘Fred for the Tarcoola Community’. If want to ask me any questions or start a discussion please ask to be added as a friend.

Happy Christmas

Fred Block
Written and Authorised by Fred Block
153 Gregory Street Geraldton WA 6530

Nukara Music Festival

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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

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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.

Midwest fishing report by Tackleworld Country

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WHARF AND MARINA

The Fisherman’s wharf is still producing good numbers of fish with Cod, Bream and Jack still on the bite, there are heaps of Chopper Tailor and Snook as well with the occasional 40+ Pinkies. Angler’s fishing with Deep Divers are pulling out big cod from the rocks, there is also reports of a few big Jacks coming from there as well.

PATRICK WITH A NICE COD TAKEN ON THE X-RAP SPLASH BAIT

PATRICK WITH ANOTHER COD ON THE STRADA DREDGE

JAME WITH HIS FIRST COD ON A LURE THE ZEREK PRAWN DOING THE DAMAGE

ROSNE WITH A NICE LAND BASE BLUE LINE EMPORER

RIVERS

Chapman River is fishing well with Giant Herring and Bream.

Greenough River is fishing well with Bream to 30cm feeding on prawn’sdown river. Schools of Tailor are cruising the river and growing rapidly,Whiting can be found on the flats around the mouth

BEACHES

Beaches are still fishing well with Tailor and Herring running from South Gates,Tarcoola beaches and Drummonds and Buller river.

Whiting and Bone fish have been caught from Sepparations Point, Pages and town beach, Buller River and Corronations. Tawhine to 45cm have been caught from Greenough and Sepparation Point reefs

A few reports of Mulloway coming from Buller River and Coronations 

MITCH WITH A WHITING TAKEN IN FLY


Seasport Charters Kalbarri
Specialising in Jigging, Soft Plastics, Live Baiting & Game Fishing
Quality Shimano Rods & Reels
Tackle & Bait Provided
Long Description
0477901445
Email
seasportcharters@bigpond.com


FISH REPORT WRITTEN BY
CRAIG WISE
20 ANZAC TERRACE GERALDTON WA
08 99216822