Spalding Park north-south pathway opens

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A shared pathway winds its way along the river towards the footbridge.

Cycling, walking and skating between the Chapman Road roundabout on the North West Coastal Highway and Spalding Park is now quicker and easier since the recent opening of a formalised shared pathway.

The 2.5m wide and 850m long asphalt path begins at the entrance to Spalding Park and follows the river before crossing the footbridge and extending north to the Chapman Valley roundabout located on the North West Coastal Highway.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the paved pathway provides an important link between the suburbs located on either side of Chapman River.

“Now that the shared pathway is completed residents living in the areas of Glenfield, Sunset Beach, Waggrakine, Spalding and Bluff Point will be able to enjoy the health benefits this fully accessible pathway provides for cyclists and walkers alike,” he said.

“This also includes children as the Chapman River footbridge is used by a large number of school students every day on their way to and from school on bicycles, skateboards, scooters or on foot.

“The Spalding Park north-south pathway provides the much needed connection to the existing coastal and river path networks, integrating these with the CBD and coastal paths to the southern suburbs.”

The $180,000 project, which was identified by the community during the Sunset Beach Precinct Planning workshops, is 50 percent funded by a Regional Bicycle Network grant from the Department of Transport with the City contributing the other half.

 

Cat brutally attacked - owner desperate to find it

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Sent in to Everything Geraldton today: 

This morning around 8.45am returning home from dropping my children off from school, I was turning into Bayview Street from Newhaven St in Mt Tarcoola when a brown and white bull arab looking dog followed my car home. I was hesitant to open my door as the dog was waiting for me. As i went to open it the dog used its nose to open it further. It seemed friendly enough at the time.

Fast forward 5 minutes when my daughter and I were on the lawn checking the dog's tag, I noticed our black cat was sitting on the garden bed next to the front door. When I went to shoo our cat away, she was sadly mauled by this dog. For 5 minutes this dog shook the shit out of our cat who we have had for 5 years.

The dog took the cat with him up the street while we raced inside to call the ranger.

I just want to ask the public if anyone has seen her as we would like to give our baby a burial and be able to say goodbye.

Thank you

0407063303

The driver of this vehicle fell asleep at the wheel today

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The driver of this Toyota Landcruiser is lucky to be alive, after falling asleep at the wheel today on Brand Highway, according to Dongara Police.  

Police say the driver was a male.  

A recent study found 11.8% of casualty crashes were the result of a driver falling asleep. 

Drowsy driving puts your own life and the lives of others at risk. 

Police have not yet said whether the driver will be charged. 

 

How to avoid insolvency - with RSM Geraldton

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Economic downturn, looming insolvency?

Spotting signs of distress in your business

Business insolvency may result from the inability of a business to pay off its debt as they become due or that a business doesn’t have sufficient assets to cover its debts.

The process in which a business becomes insolvent takes time, so it is possible to spot the warning signs if you look at your business objectively.

Here are our five top operational tips to avoid going under:

  • Establish and follow a business plan that includes forecasts
  • Ensure adequate capital reserves are available by having either cash reserves or access to borrowings
  • Impose strict credit control and debt collection procedures
  • Ensure that your accounting system is providing you with real time information
  • Regularly review underused assets and eliminate unnecessary costs

Call RSM today for a free confidential discussion on how they can help you and your business.

Level 1, 12 Bayly St Geraldton
Trevor Lake – Director-Business Advisory
08 9920 7400
trevor.lake@rsm.com.au

rsm.com.au/geraldton

 

Damaged Yacht Rescued in Heavy Seas

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"He was happy to see us, I'll give you the tip!"

Those were Ian from Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue's words after their longest trip they've ever had to do ended well on the weekend. 

From the GVMR FB page:


Geraldton VMR’s Communication Officer was awoken at 0055 on Sunday morning by a phone call from the wife of a yachtsman headed for Cocos island who had run into trouble West of Leeman. Due to the light wind conditions they, that is, the Skipper and his deckhand, had been motoring along in a 3 to 5 m swell when a rope fell overboard and tangled in the propeller. The propeller snapped off and the driveshaft was badly bent. The bent shaft damaged the gland seal and the vessel began taking on water. With little wind and no motor, they were only able to sail very slowly in a north-westerly direction.

The skipper of the yacht, “Angel's Dance”, was able to contact his wife by satellite phone giving his GPS coordinates, whereby she passed on the message to Geraldton VMR. The Geraldton VMR communications officer immediately advised Fremantle Water Police of the situation and they began the process of organising a rescue.

The Geraldton VMR rescue crew were then advised of a possible job, and they then went to prepare the rescue boat Nashira for departure.

At 01:30 the go-ahead was given by the water police to commence heading for the position given, this was some 65.5 nautical miles South by West from Geraldton and 46 nautical miles West by North from Leeman.

Despite the heavy swell conditions, the sea state was relatively calm so the Nashira was able to maintain a speed of around 20 knots. The yacht had also developed a fault in its VHF radio system, the only communication was possible through the satellite network. The shore based operator was able to track the vessel using the AIS system and so was able to continually update the vessels position. Nashira was able to make phone contact with the “Angel's Dance” at around 05:20 and made a course change to intercept her. By this time a heavy fog had descended cutting visibility to a minimum so at around 05:50 the skipper of “Angel's Dance” was asked to set off a parachute flare and then a hand-held red flare. The Nashira arrived on site shortly after at 05:57. Due to the low light and full visibility it was decided that the Nashira would sail with the “Angel's Dance” until full daylight when it would be safer for a tow to commence. By 06:30 conditions had improved so the tow line was attached to the “Angel's Dance” in the long trip to safety began.

It was realised that the Nashira would not have enough fuel to complete the journey so the Port Denison VMR was contacted and it was arranged that their rescue vessel would rendezvous and takeover the tow while Nashira ran into Port Denison to refuel. As there was no unleaded fuel available at Denison the Geraldton VMR fuel ute was dispatched.

Nashira rendezvoused with Denison’s Rescue 1 at 11:20 and then she headed for the Port Denison Marina where she loaded on another 570 litres of fuel. The kind crew at Port Denison VMR provided steak burgers and other refreshments to the Nashira crew so they went out again refuelled and refreshed.

At 14:05 they caught up with Port Denison’s rescue boat and took over the tow again. At 1545 they arrived at the entrance of the Geraldton Fishermen’s harbour where they shortened up the tow and bought the “Angel's Dance” into the harbour and finally alongside the Fuel Wharf, at 16:08 bringing to an end an epic trip that had taken close to 14 hours to complete.

Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue currently rescuing yacht offshore

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The team from Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue are currently towing a yacht to shore after receiving a distress call just after midnight.

We've been told the boys have been up all night assisting the two people on board the yacht, which was heading from Fremantle to the Cocos Islands.

The yacht reportedly stuck an object, damaging the propeller, resulting in the vessel taking on water.

The yacht was approximately 65 nautical miles south of Point Moore and 46 miles out to sea.

West End Precinct Café Lease

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Expressions of Interest - West End Precinct Café Lease

The City of Greater Geraldton is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced restaurant and café operators interested in the opportunity to lease the café premises in the Foreshore West locality currently known as the Sail Inn Café. This landmark café was refurbished in 2014 by the City and lies adjacent to the iconic Old Railway Building, the newly completed Youth Precinct and Multi User Facility.

A copy of the Expression of Interest can be obtained from the City’s website www.cgg.wa.gov.au or by contacting Amy Eastough on 9956 6954.

Stories of Geraldton: "Ten years ago I was not in a great place"

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 "Ten years ago I was not in a great place. I could see where I wanted my life to be in ten years time, I just didn’t know how I would get there. I wanted to be a nurse, I wanted to be a Mum and I wanted to be together with someone. Now I’m there. It took going through all of that to have a really empathetic and passionate response to everyone I meet now. As difficult as it was at the time, I wouldn’t change it for the world, because it’s made me the person I am now. It worked out the way it needed to. I never imagined I’d be quite that fortunate to have it all by the time I thought I would. Sometimes you need to just break it down, refocus and put yourself first."

Geraldton has the highest level of air pollution of any city in Australia according to W.H.O. - but what does that mean exactly?

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Shot of the Geraldton Esplanade from the air
by @jthomas84_

 

According to the recent data released by the World Health Organisation, Geraldton has the highest levels of air pollution of any city in Australia. An article from The Guardian (link) (the UK based publication, not the local newspaper) made the assertion based on the spreadsheet of data put out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) (link).  

But before you start wearing a gas mask full time, we want to go through the data to find out what it all means exactly, and if the assertion that Geraldton really has the highest level of pollution really stacks up. 

How exactly is air pollution measured?

Before we lose you with too many scientific terms, it may pay to explain exactly how air pollution is measured. 

Monitors measure two types of air pollution particles. Larger particles are called PM10. Smaller (invisible) particles are called PM2.5.

Sandeep Chowry, an environmental engineer, explains more on Quora (link)
 

  • Coarse dust particles (PM10) are 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter. (i.e. µm which is basically a millionth of a meter.) Sources include crushing or grinding operations and dust stirred up by vehicles on roads. These tiny particles which are about 30 times smaller than the width of a hair on your head are small enough to get inhaled past our defensive nose hairs and into our lungs.
  • Fine particles (PM2.5) are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and can only be seen with an electron microscope. Fine particles are produced from all types of combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, and some industrial processes. While PM10's story ends at the lungs, PM2.5 can pass from our lungs into our blood supply and be carried throughout our bodies thereby making them "the invisible killer"

The 12 month median PM10 particle rate for Geraldton was 22µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre), which is worse than Sydney, Perth or even New York. The WHO guidelines for a 12 month median for PM10 is 20µg/m3.

The PM2.5 particle rate for Geraldton was 10µg/m3. The WHO guidelines for a 12 month median for PM2.5 is 10µg/m3.

To put that in comparison, Perth, with 2 million people, measured 17µg/m3 for PM10 particles, and 8µg/m3 for PM2.5 particles, slightly better than Geraldton.

But here's where it gets interesting. 

Geraldton doesn't have a monitoring station for PM2.5 particles. We only measure PM10. So the World Health Organisation used a formula to essentially guess what the PM2.5 particles are for Geraldton. 

Here's what the Mayor of Geraldton had to say

We asked Mayor Shane Van Styn, who had seen the WHO data, what he thought about the assertion that Geraldton was the most polluted city in Australia. 

"Geraldton is a windy city on the coast," said Mr Van Styn. "The majority of PM10 pollution in Geraldton would be background, natural dust and sea salt, not man made toxic fumes like in a city. And the WHO data doesn't include places like Port Hedland or Karratha. The level of 22 µg/m3 is what you would expect for a windy, coastal city in Australia with higher than usual background crustal dust levels.

"Finer fraction PM2.5 is typically more from products of combustion, but importantly, PM2.5 for Geraldton was converted from PM10 measurement, not measured. So this number is likely going to over-estimate the actual PM2.5 levels for Geraldton.

"I would challenge that you cannot call any city which only just exceeds the WHO guidelines and mostly based on background levels, a “polluted city”, which conjures up images of smoke laden air, which is chokingly hard to breathe in.

"When looking at other pollutants such as NO2, SO2 and ozone, Gero would not even rate a mention, compared to large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Perth."

So what's causing the high PM10 pollution levels exactly? 

According to historical data from the Dept of Environment Regulation (link), the days on which Geraldton's PM10 levels spiked dramatically were largely due to dust. Given Geraldton is directly downwind from Southgates sand dunes, surrounded by broadacre farming, and has a busy port in the middle of town, dust is an obvious culprit. Moreover, Geraldton is right on the coast and is so windy the trees grow sideways, so a decent percentage of the particles in the air are sea salt. 

Is that all?

A report on heavy metals in the air in Geraldton from 2011 (link) stated that "Air monitoring data during ship loading have indicated that dust levels up to 430 µg/m3 TSP and 150 µg/m3 PM10 have been detected within the Port. If ship loading is allowed to occur during on-shore winds then there is potential for dust to reach nearby residences."

Why doesn't Geraldton monitor PM2.5 ?

Great question. Geraldton suffers for several months each year when nearby farmers burn off stubble, blanketing the town in smoke, and Iluka's refinery is directly south (upwind) of the town. But the Department of Environment Regulation doesn't monitor pollution levels for PM2.5 in Geraldton yet. 

We asked Mayor Van Styn if he supported the idea of setting up facilities to measure PM2.5 in Geraldton, to put people's minds at rest, and to find out exactly what our PM2.5 is. 

"Absolutely. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t. We’re already doing the work to measure PM10, surely we can do the same for PM2.5.

"The issue of pollution has been raised fair and square by the World Health Organisation. Let's make a call to the Department of Environment Regulation to measure the air quality for PM2.5 in Geraldton and find out exactly what the levels are."

NACC (Northen Agricultural Catchment Council) CEO Richard McLellan said air pollution is something to be taken seriously. "Of all the forms of pollution, air quality is the one that most that affects human health," he said. "With water you generally know if you're drinking polluted water. But when it comes to air quality, most people don't know if they're breathing polluted air."

Mr McLellan also spoke to the indirect implications of air pollution. "There's social implications, but there's also economic. It affects tourism and people wanting to visit a place. This issue needs to be nipped in the bud as soon as possible."

Everything Geraldton has contacted the Department of Environment Regulation for comment, and at time of publication has not had a response. We will publish their response to the matter when we receive it. 

Setting up a PM2.5 monitoring station in Geraldton would go a long way toward nipping the issue in the bud, as Geraldton would know with certainty if the WHO figure of 10µg/m3 is accurate or not. 

Sand bypassing and beach nourishment works

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As part of the Northern Beaches Stabilisation Programme the Mid-West Ports Authority will be undertaking sand bypassing works on the Beresford Foreshore between Monday 16 May and Friday 20 May 2016. During this period the Mid-West Ports Authority will transport sand from Pages Beach to placement sites along the Beresford Foreshore.
 
The purpose of the sand by-passing is to feed sediment into the longshore current operating in a northerly direction along the Geraldton coastline. Through a coastal process known as littoral transport, the sand by-passing provides sediment to Geraldton’s northern beaches through the action of the breaking waves and the longshore current. This approach provides a cost-effective way of providing sediment to Geraldton’s northern beaches.
 
In addition, the Mid-West Ports Authority and the City will be undertaking sand nourishment works at St Georges Beach between 23 May and 27 May 2016.
 
Traffic management will be in place to minimise the disruption to traffic in the area. Working hours will be between the hours of 7am to 5pm for duration of the works.
 
For further information on these works and the Northern Beaches Stabilisation Programme in general, contact Mr Michael Dufour at the City of Greater Geraldton (08) 9956 6600, council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Get involved with ArtDrive and you could win $5000 in prizes

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The City of Greater Geraldton is looking for artists and groups to create artworks, as well as property owners who can create or display artworks. 

With $5000 worth of prizes on offer, those with an artistic flair are being called on to take part in ArtDrive, a project that aims to create a drive by rural art tour.

The ArtDrive self-drive tour will take people from Geraldton will following the Brand Highway through Greenough then Walkaway, onto Ellendale, through to Mullewa and then returning to Geraldton.

The project is designed to attract tourists to the region during wildflower season and encourage them to extend their stay.

Visit http://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/play/what-s-on/artdrive.aspx for more details or to register.

Stage Two Flores Road resurfacing begins

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Stage Two of the Flores Road resurfacing project which will add the final layer of asphalt to the road will begin next week.

Works include lifting storm drainage pits, replacing existing kerbing and laying an additional 50mm of asphalt.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the application of the second layer of asphalt will provide an even driving surface for motorists.

“Now that the first layer of asphalt has had time to stabilise cracks that have appeared in the surface over the past two years can be repaired before applying the final layer of asphalt that will smooth out any dips that have developed during the settling of the road,” he said.

Resurfacing works are scheduled to begin on Monday 16 May 2016 and estimated to be completed by the end of June.  To minimise disruption during this time southbound traffic will be diverted over Bradford Street while Northbound traffic will still be able to use Flores Road.

The $375,000 project is funded through the Mid West Regional Road Group.

Get your tickets for Melbourne Comedy Festival

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Don’t miss out! Tickets are still available for the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Saturday May 21 & Sunday May 22 at the QEII Centre.

Tickets include delicious finger food and a drink.

Get your friends together and book a table for a discounted price!

Head to the following link to purchase tickets: https://au.patronbase.com/_QPTheatre/Productions

Crothers Construction Pty Ltd not associated with Shane Crothers Homes

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The team at Crothers Construction Pty Ltd would like to advise the public that Crothers Construction Pty Ltd, located at 160 Chapman Road Geraldton, has nothing to do with Shane Crothers Homes in any way.

Crothers Construction Pty Ltd, owned by David Crothers, has no ties with Shane Crothers Homes.

For further information on Crothers Construction refer to their website: www.crothers.com.au

2 day blockbuster event hosted by Geraldton Junior Senior Motocross Club

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WA Motocross Championship State Round Geraldton (Round 1)

  • Junior State Round Saturday
  • Senior State Round Sunday

All Bike Classes both days inc Quads, Girls/Ladies.

There are approximately 210 riders registered for Juniors, and 220 riders for the Senior Round.

It is one of the largest fields of female riders registered for a WAMX event.

The state’s best Junior and Senior riders will be competing. In the Junior Round, a couple of the 2015 National Champions will be competing.

Many of the riders have been to Geraldton over the past weeks for practice, so expect racing to be awesome.

Practice/Qualifying starts 8.00am

Canteen and Bar open both days.  

Junior State Round Saturday: Free Entry For Everyone
Senior State Round Sunday: Adults/$20, Kids under 16 Free with accompanying adult, Family/$50

Ahoy!

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Paul Brown MP and guests aboard the HMAS Perth

Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton Paul Brown MP, was privileged to host members of the Geraldton Returned Service League (RSL), along with Project PAX members and their partners at a VIP luncheon and tour aboard the Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Perth on Friday.

Mr Brown and his guests were taken on a tour of the HMAS Stirling fleet base before boarding the HMAS Perth. The group where shown around the working warship before dining in the ‘Wardroom’ with the Captain and First Officers.

“Not everyone gets to experience a working warship and the day was a fantastic opportunity for everyone that attended.” Mr Brown said.

The VIP luncheon and tour was made possible through a fundraising auction held by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) with RFDS representatives also taking part in the day.

Mr Brown praised the hospitality of the Captain, Officers and crew of the HMAS Perth, who also provided a wonderful history of the three warships who have been christened HMAS Perth.

The Project PAX members are working to help those from the military and emergency services suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The guests from Geraldton included Don Rolston who is the Warden of the HMAS Sydney II Memorial in Geraldton and Ian Heberle who is the President of the Geraldton RSL.

“It was such an insightful day in so many ways, and I thank my guests for enhancing the experience. Not only through the sharing of their wartime experiences, but also through their ongoing commitment to honouring and helping Australian servicemen and women, past and present.”

Consideration being taken for an oceanside pool in Geraldton

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An artists rendition of what the Geraldton Ocean Baths might look like https://www.facebook.com/GeraldtonOceanBaths/

A 3D laser light installation and an ocean pool at the Foreshore are two potential attractions to be investigated by tourism specialists to assess their viability for Geraldton.
 
The City of Greater Geraldton, in partnership with the Mid West Development Commission, are seeking tenders for specialist tourism experts to explore the feasibility of either projects and assess the potential economic tourism benefits, including increased tourist visits, length of overnight stays and local spend.
 
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said there was great potential to significantly enhance the region’s profile as a tourism destination, particularly with an iconic attraction such as a 3D laser light installation or an ocean pool.
 
“The success of the recent Triple J One Night Stand concert demonstrated the effect high value events and attractions can have on our local economy,” Mayor Van Styn explained.
 
“That event injected an estimated $1.5 million into the community, with local businesses and community groups praising the event for the amazing financial benefits.”
 
Mayor Van Styn said no decision has been made by Council on either of these projects.
 
“The prefeasibility study is part of proper due diligence so that the Council can consider the proposals on an informed basis,” the Mayor explained.
 
He said the two potential attractions were in line with the City’s strategic plan for tourism and would complement the extensive work already done along the Geraldton Foreshore.
 
“The Geraldton Foreshore has undergone significant redevelopment recently providing an iconic attraction for the local and visiting public,” Mayor Van Styn said.
 
“An ocean pool could enhance the area and be an additional tourist attraction.”
 
Mid West Development Commission Chair Murray Criddle said the prefeasibility work for both of these project concepts was essential to determine their economic viability, which will be important if external funding is to be sought.
 
“Any projects wanting to be considered for Royalties for Regions funding need to be supported by robust economic analysis and this is why these prefeasibility works are vital,” Mr Criddle said.
 
Mayor Van Styn said cost impacts on delivering and operating both projects will also need to be considered.
 
“Council are highly focused on delivering quality and cost effective services to the community,” he said.
 
“Any proposals that have the potential to increase these cost structures must be carefully considered and weighed up in terms of economic benefit they could deliver against increased cost to ratepayers.”

Boundary adjustment premature according to Mayor

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A boundary adjustment which would see Mullewa become part of Chapman Valley has been deemed “too premature” and will not go ahead in the near future.  
 
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn met with Chapman Valley Shire President John Collingwood and both Council CEOs yesterday to discuss the possible local government boundary change.
 
Neither council had formally considered the matter and there does not appear to be unwavering support from the community to look at boundary adjustments at this time.
 
“We have a great relationship with the City of Greater Geraldton and we both agree that any decisions must be made in the best interests of our respective communities,” President Collingwood said.
 
The City of Greater Geraldton has a current amalgamation agreement with the former Mullewa Shire Council until 2019 which would prevent any changes until that time.
 
“The City is in the last year of equalising rates between the former Mullewa Shire Council and the former Geraldton-Greenough City Council so it is premature to consider a boundary adjustment at this point in time,” Mayor Van Styn said.
 
Mullewa Councillors had expressed their opinion, believing a merger with Chapman Valley could create a rural community of interest which could better represent the demographic of their community.
 
“We were happy to open the dialogue with the City to see if it had merit and while those present at the meeting saw benefit in having local government boundaries more representative of their community of interest, we did not see any merit in moving forward with the proposal at this time,” President Collingwood said.
 
Yesterday was the first meeting between the local government authorities to discuss the matter, it had not been formally discussed at any official council meetings.
 
Mayor Van Styn said, “unless there was widespread community support for a boundary adjustment I will not be taking this matter to City of Greater Geraldton Council to consider”.

LAW WEEK: 2016

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Law Week is a National event, which is celebrated every year by highlighting the role of the law and the legal profession in the community and our daily lives. 

This year, Geraldton Resource Centre Inc.is hosting the “AMAZING RACE – LAW EDITION” event for the second time. The race will take place on Friday 13thMay.   

We are inviting 10 teams of 4 to register and participate for amazing prizes throughout the Race.  Registration is free and teams can be from a school, workplace, club or just a group of friends or family members. 

During the Race teams will receive information about the law and legal and associated services while having to complete challenging activities in order to progress to the next stage of the Race.  These challenges will take the teams to various local agencies who work within the legal system.  As the teams successfully complete each challenge they will be given clues that will lead them to the next location. 

The Race will officially start at 8:30 am at Maitland Park and, after visiting all agencies involved;it will finish at Edith Cowan Square where the Prize Ceremony and a sausage sizzle will take place.  

For more information or to register your team you can contact Hester Coetsee at Geraldton Resource Centre on 9938 0600 or hester@grc.asn.au. 

The general public is invited to support the teams along the way.  Come and have fun with us, cheer your favourite team on, enjoy the event and obtain free legal resources and information about the law and the services that Geraldton Resource Centre and other local agencies provide.   

So far, we have received generous support for the running of this event such as The Law Society (WA, Blue City Mediations, the Wintersun Hotel, The Diamond Tree Studio, Nexus Concept Studio, Mick Davies Butchers, Gearing Butchers, Baker’s Delight, The City of Greater Geraldton, Staples, Queens Supa IGA, Geraldton Fruit and Vegetable Supply and invite any other local businesses that would like to provide sponsorship or donations for the event to get in touch with us as soon as possible.