Mayor expresses frustration over road name

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City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn has described the process for naming a road in Tenindewa as “bureaucratic nonsense” as a third submission has been declined.

The 1.1km unnamed stretch of gravel road in the Tenindewa town site directly abuts the Tenindewa Store which was originally built in 1935.

After much research, the Tenindewa community first suggested ‘Tenindewa Store Rd’ however Geographic Names advised that they did not support the name because there was already several roads containing the name ‘Tenindewa’.

Next the community suggested ‘Foster Road’ after a local pioneer of the area. However this was also rejected because within Geraldton, approximately 100 kilometres away, there is a road called ‘Foster Place’.

After more research and consideration the Tenindewa Progress Association, on behalf of the greater Tenindewa community, recommended the road name ‘Griffiths Road’ as the name not only honours the builder of the Store, Bill Griffiths, but the role of the Store in the growth of the community over the last 80 years.

The City of Greater Geraldton Council supported the application in honour of the pertinent history of the area. The information provided by the Association included justification for the road name and a letter of support from a living descendent of Mr Griffiths.

However Geographic Names have not supported the submission of Griffiths Road for the reason being that there was “no evidence of strong justification”.

Mayor Van Styn said he was concerned and saddened that despite the in-depth information provided, the naming request was denied even after the third attempt.

“The local community is very actively trying to preserve its history and the proposed name of Griffiths Road pays homage not only to Mr Bill Griffiths and his family, but also to the wider community,” he said.

“Regional towns such as Tenindewa play a very important role in our history and long legacy and I feel that the historic stretch of road should be named appropriately.

“This is now the third name suggestion from the community and it seems that no matter the justification, the names put forward keep being quashed.

“It would be very difficult for the community’s hard work in naming the road to not be recognised due to a bureaucratic policy.”

In an unfortunate turn of events, the Tenindewa community lost many of their records in a flood in the 1970s but despite setbacks, the community has worked tirelessly to record their history, honour their community spirit and interpret the history of their town.

Mayor Van Styn said he has written to Minister for Transport; Planning; Lands, Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA to look past the bureaucracy of the approvals process and look to the significance the road name holds in the community.

“I have written to the Minister to draw attention to the bureaucratic nonsense that has been playing out with respect to the naming of the unnamed road reserve,” he said.

“It is difficult to understand why the State has dedicated so much time and effort to thwart the efforts of a proactive rural community who simply want to name a road.

“I am asking the Minister to look past the bureaucracy of the approvals process and look to the significance this road name holds in the community and the opportunity this presents to provide historical interpretation in a declining regional town.”

Rate cuts a possibility

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Some of the education around how rates are calculated.

More than 40% of residential properties and 60% of non-residential properties could possibly receive a rate freeze or rate cut in the 2018/19 financial year compared to 2017/18 depending on what decision Council makes as to rates for 2018/19.

As per legislative requirements, rates are calculated by multiplying a property’s Gross Rental Value (GRV) by the Rate in the Dollar. 

The State Government’s Valuer General revalues the Gross Rental Values every three years.  This has just occurred and these new GRVs will be used to determine the City’s 2018/19 rates.

The GRV is the estimate of the rental income of your property. This recent revaluation has seen the overall GRV percentages decrease by 17.88% on average, however City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Van Styn said there have been some wide variations.

“The latest revaluation will mean more than 50% of residential properties may not pay any more in rates than last year, and in 40% of cases they may even pay less,” he said.

“For commercial ratepayers around 60% of ratepayers may also receive a modest rate cut.”

Mayor Shane Van Styn also added the City and Council are diligently working to ensure rate payers aren’t hit with huge rate rises either now or in future as part of ongoing budget deliberations.

“We want to keep rate rises as low as we possibly can, whilst maintaining services,” he said.

“While keeping rate rises to a minimum, we will still need to balance our budget which is a big win and signifies we are moving forward.”  

Mayor Van Styn said many homeowners have been asking why their rates are going up and why their house market price is going down.

“The simple explanation is – it has nothing to do with the sale price of your home,” he said.

“Legislation requires rates to be based on your property’s rental value which is set by the Valuer General, not by Council.

“We know the valuations have decreased but the cost of running the City does not get any cheaper.

“Council has made it very clear to officers that our service delivery needs to be efficient and effective and rate increases kept to a minimum.”

Over the past three years, a core objective of the City has been to keep costs down.  This is reflected in the City’s current long term financial plan predicting a 3.5% rate rise as opposed to earlier plans showing 7.2%.

“Even though the officer’s proposed rate modelling paper to the April 2018 Ordinary meeting indicated a 3.5% rate rise, I believe we can do better than that,” Mayor Van Styn added.

“Council has repeatedly demonstrated that it listens to the community in both rate setting and determining the range and level of services the community requires. 

“The actual rate increase as opposed to the indicated intent will be determined by Council and is subject to community submissions and Council deliberations.

“I expect that our ratepayers will again see the benefit of the City’s continued efforts to keep costs down.”

Mayor Van Styn also added that the City is being very open and transparent and providing education in the media that details how rates are calculated.

For more information can be found at www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Member for Geraldton urges constituents to attend Ombudsman Complaint Clinics

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Member for Geraldton, Ian Blayney MLA is encouraging all members of the community who are having issues with their electricity, gas or water service provider to attend an ombudsman complaint clinic later this month.

“I’ve had a fair few constituents come into the office over the last month that are having problems with their electricity, gas and water service providers.

“This visit from the ombudsman will be a valuable opportunity for the community of Geraldton to raise any concerns they may be having with such providers.

Mr Blayney said that he has written to the Minister for Energy a few times over the last couple of months to bring constituent concerns to the attention of the Department.

“I have been writing to the Minister to ask that concerns raised by members of the community be reviewed and investigated.

“Most recently, I wrote to the Minister regarding the power outage at Port Gregory. The power went out on Thursday and was not fully restored until the following Monday. That is a long time to be without reliable power.

“I asked the Minister that power issues be reviewed by the government and for energy security options for the town of Port Gregory to be given some consideration.

The ombudsman complaints clinic will be held at Pollinators CityHive (184 Marine Terrace) on Wednesday 27 June, 4pm – 6pm and Thursday 28 June, 8:30am -10:30am.

Help needed to identify wreck at Dongara beach

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The Western Australian Museum would like the public’s assistance to identify a recently discovered shipwreck about 20 metres offshore at 7 Mile Beach in Dongara.

Regular visitor to the area Aletta Bussenschutt discovered the wreck at a depth of about three metres while recreational diving, and reported the find to the WA Museum.

“I had snorkeled many times at 7 Mile Beach and I was lucky enough to have found the wreck due to the recent swells which had moved the benthic sand,” Ms Bussenschutt said.

“I remember diving down to inspect the wreck further and thinking ‘that’s a wooden hull on the bottom of the ocean!’”

WA Museum Maritime Archaeology Curator Dr Ross Anderson said after inspecting the site, it was identified as the remains of a motorised wooden cray boat.

“The vessel is about seven metres long and was built sometime between the 1950s and 1980s,” Dr Anderson said.

“A timber sample shows it was built in part using jarrah indicating the vessel was built in Western Australia.”

Another artefact recovered was a mammal bone, which points to the wreck occurring before bovine cray baiting stopped in the 1990s.

The area is a haven for fishing boats as it is sheltered from prevailing southerly winds which means the boat may have been moored at the time of sinking.

“As it’s likely the boat wrecked in the relatively recent past, the Museum is asking anyone who may be able to identify the vessel to get in touch,” Dr Anderson said.

“Verified information would be added to the Museum’s shipwreck database and would help document the evolution of the Mid West crayfishing trade.”

Information can be reported to Dr Ross Anderson by phoning 1300 134 081 or emailing reception@museum.wa.gov.au

Gero Rate payers Action Group Letter to the Editor

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Hello Rate Payers,

Your ratepayers action group (GRPAG) has been granted a special meeting on 11th June at Queens Park Theatre 7 PM. We are providing a forum for you or ANYONE  ……  to attend and ask questions and provide feedback to councillors.

Those wishing to have questions answered on the night must submit them before 5th June to the City chambers.

We are asking council to live with within the level of rates our community is able to afford.

 Several topics are listed for discussion  including

  1. A CGG rates  freeze for 2018-19
  2. A discussion on finances related to specific topics. Do we need 14 councillors at a cost of around $450,000???  Perhaps a reduction from  14 to 7 councillors
  3. A need for the transparency  and disclosure of financial details  for major contractors
  4. Availability of information to rate payers.  Transparency except in special circumstances.
  5. Council finances..The need for resolutions relating to their analysis and propriety over the last 5 to 8 years

Please read this information and plan to attend on 11th June, to protect your assets.

 

Regards
Dr Barry Thompson
GRPAG              

Plastic recycling bin vandalism sparks review

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The remainder of a plastics recycling bin located Drummond Cove that was lit on fire by vandals.

The vandalism of a plastic recycling bin located in Drummond Cove has sparked the review of bin locations to ensure the safety of all sites.

On May 18, vandals lit fire to the recycling bin located beside the foreshore ablution block destroying the bin and damaging part of the building’s veranda, which has since been repaired.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ross McKim said a review of the blue plastic bin locations is now underway.

“There are 18 blue plastic bins locations throughout the City and we have begun reviewing these sites to address any safety concerns such as proximity to other structures and ease of servicing,” he said.

“Although the plastic bins are currently the property of the Northern Agriculture Catchment Council (NACC), the plastic recycling program is serviced by MEEDAC.”

Plastic and cardboard waste is managed through the City’s Reuse and Recycle Shop located at Meru Waste Facility.  This includes the careful sorting of plastic materials to remove contaminates such coloured plastics and lids and labels from bottles and containers. The plastics are then pressed into bales for transport to Perth where they are sold and shipped to China.

Although China is still accepting foreign waste, they have imposed new restrictions and will only accept material with a contamination level less than 0.5 per cent.

Despite this minor setback, the City still supports plastic recycling.

“City staff are currently in discussion with NACC and MEEDAC on how best to support the plastics program, which will ensure Type 1 and 2 plastics continue to be diverted from landfill,” said Mr McKim.

“Should the review result in any changes of bin locations, the City will notify the community via our website and social media channels.”

Students bring The Sound of Music to life

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The hills of Geraldton will be alive with the sound of music when Students at Strathalbyn Christian College present a stunning new production of The Sound of Music next month. 

The much-loved Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical, which brings to life the classic tale of family, self-discovery and love, offers a great night of family entertainment. 

Set in Austria at the beginning of the second world war, a young woman named Maria doesn't quite fit in at the convent. When the opportunity arises to become a governess for a Navy Captain's seven mischievous children, Mother Abbess believes Maria is the perfect woman for the job. 

Director Tahlia Mathieson said the show is still thrilling audiences more than 50 years after it was first performed. 

"The Strathalbyn students have worked extremely hard to master their singing, dancing and acting roles so the audience can look forward to a terrific performance."

Shows Thursday 14, Friday 15 and Saturday 16 June at 12 Noon and 7pm

Buy tickets online https://www.trybooking.com/UZYL or phone 9938 9100

$15 Adults $7 Students Seniors Discount $5 Matinee $7 Evening Shows, Children under 3 free (no seat allocated)

Cast of the Sound of Music – Von Trapp Children and Maria

Glencyl Ampoon (Maria), Asha Serman (Leisl), Peter Davies (Friedrich), Carissa Davies (Louisa), Ella Lamb (Brigritta), Toby Jensen (Kurt), Hazel Lamb (Marta), Amelie Horstman (Gretl)

EOI: Christmas Tree Trail

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Christmas may seem a long way off, but the City of Greater Geraldton is getting ready for the festive season and inviting artists to help transform wooden trees for a Christmas Tree Trail.

The multi-dimensional trees will feature in a prime location along Marine Terrace and showcase the artist’s interpretation of Christmas.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said it was a great opportunity for artists to have their work seen.

“It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to showcase your artwork in one of Geraldton’s most prominent locations, especially during such a busy time of year,” he said.

“The decorated craypots were such a hit last Christmas, and we expect the Christmas Tree Trail to be just as popular.

“I encourage all artists to start thinking about what Christmas means to them and get involved in this great project.”

Twelve artists will be selected to participate in the initiative and will be provided with a ‘blank canvas’ structure and plinth to transform and decorate.

Successful applications will be provided with $1,000 for the cost of materials.

Expressions of interest close on Wednesday 6 June and installations must be completed by Friday 23 November.

To be a part of the Christmas Tree Trail, please visit https://artgallery.cgg.wa.gov.au/christmas-tree-trail-eoi.aspx

Install a PSA CCTV system Now!

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In celebration of obtaining a Security Agent, Installer and Consultants license, Geraldton Electrical Contractor, Indigo Electronics EC13155, is offering a special on the installation of PSA CCTV systems. Indigo will supply and install the CCTV system shown for $1209 ex GST.

If you would prefer to supply your own CCTV system or wish for more cameras then give us a call on 0423603187, email indigo_electronics@iinet.net.au or reach out to us on Facebook and check the automation projects the eccentric individuals at Indigo have been working on: https://www.facebook.com/geraldtonwaaustralia.

This offer is only available to domestic clients whose household is single storey, non-asbestos and each camera is within 30m of the recorder.

 

711 Cadets receive Freedom of Entry

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The 711 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets have received Freedom of Entry to the City.

The 711 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets have received Freedom of Entry to the City after Council approved the request at this week’s Council Meeting.

The honour will be presented at the 2018 Sunshine Festival on Sunday 30 September.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn also acknowledged the 711 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets 25 years of service.

“The 711 Squadron has helped a large number of youth reach their true potential and they regularly support community events including Australia Day, ANZAC Day, HMAS Sydney II Memorial services and Variety Club events,” he said.

“The organisation has made a significant contribution to our community and I am proud to honour them with Freedom of Entry to our City.”

Freedom of Entry is a ceremonial honour whereby a military or civilian unit is granted the right of entry to the City.

It is awarded to Australian military and civilian units that have, through their command, a significant attachment to the City of Greater Geraldton. 

The award is conferred in recognition of their achievement while on active service or overseas duty or as a mark of respect and gratitude for their efforts in the defence of Australia.  

David Power, 711 Squadron Commanding Officer, said the honour was very well received.

“It is great to receive recognition for the commitment to youth development in Geraldton over the years,” he said.

“We have had several thousand young people use the Cadets as a great platform to develop remarkable self-confidence and leadership skills, and go onto bigger and better things.”

The conferring of the award of Freedom of Entry, will be held in conjunction with the 2018 Sunshine Festival opening ceremony at 1pm on 30 September 2018, before marching in the Sunshine Festival parade.

Those interested in the 711 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets can visit www.aafc.org.au or head to the Army Reserve Depot on Monday nights during the school term from 6pm.

Offenders on the loose without being monitored

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West Australians were left in the dark when dozens of offenders, some with serious convictions including dangerous sex offences, were unable to be tracked following a telecommunications outage.

Shadow Minister for Corrective Services Zak Kirkup said it was incomprehensible the Government did not alert the community to the dangers posed by offenders able to roam the community without being able to be tracked.

“If there is a telecommunications outage and offenders cannot be tracked, the community needs to be made aware,” Mr Kirkup said.

“Last night in Parliament it was revealed 81 offenders with trackable ankle bracelets had been disconnected from monitoring as a result of the outage.

“The first the community has heard of this is through questioning in Parliament.

“The question must be asked, why did it take questioning in Parliament for this information to be made public?  Why didn’t the Minister bring this to the attention of the public at the height of the risk of these offenders being in public without being able to be monitored.”

Mr Kirkup said the Government needed to assure the public they would not be kept in the dark if there was a similar telecommunications blackout in the future in which offenders were unable to be tracked.

“It is the responsibility of the Minister for Corrective Services to be open and transparent about these very serious and concerning security issues,” Mr Kirkup said.

“He would have received a briefing that the Department had lost track of the offenders as a result of the outage, and he should have insisted on warning the public that this had occurred.

“His failure to do this smacks of a cover up.  I am concerned he may not have wanted the public to know that offenders were out in the public and not being tracked.

“This has only come to light through questioning in Parliament and it would not be surprising if the Government was hoping the questions would not be asked and this incident had not come to light.

“It is now incumbent on the Minister to insist his Department develop a communications protocol to alert the public whenever there is an incident in which tracked offenders are unable to have their movements monitored.

“The public needs to be assured they are protected from these offenders.  This is the Minister’s responsibility and he needs to take action now that this incident, and the potential for further such incidents, has been exposed.”

Shade sail and pontoon removals from the Foreshore

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be temporarily removing the pontoons and the shade sails and shade domes along the Foreshore on Thursday the 24 May 2018 to undertake annual maintenance works whilst protecting them from potential damage caused by winter storms.

The pontoons and shade sails will be returned to their locations in the spring in October 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.

WA needs a real Rural Fire Service

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The announcement made by the Government in April of a Department of Fire and Emergency Services restructure was not the announcement of an independent rural fire service that will actually fight bushfires according to the Shadow Minister for the Emergency Services Dr Steve Thomas.

Dr Thomas also said that the apparent location of the proposed Rural Fire Division in Darlington in the Shire of Mundaring in Perth was a snub to rural communities, an embarrassment to the Government, and possibly a by-election bribe to the electors of Darling Range.

“The United Firefighters Union let the cat out of the bag last week when they publicly confirmed the location as Darlington, despite the Minister for Emergency Services sticking to his line that it has not yet been determined” Dr Thomas said. “This is on the edge of the seat of Darling Range and only 30km from Parliament House in Perth.”

“The only thing missing from this worst kept secret is a formal announcement by the Government, no doubt including the Labor candidate.”

Dr Thomas said that questions he had asked of the Minister in Parliament in recent weeks had revealed more detail about the proposed Departmental reshuffle that will be known as the Rural Fire Division.

“The Minister has acknowledged that the Rural Fire Division will not manage bushfires – this will stay in the Operations Division. Neither will it supply bushfire brigades with equipment.”

“The Rural Fire Division will in fact be 32 FTEs based in Metropolitan Perth whose role is administration, support and planning according to the Minister, not actually fighting fires.”

Dr Thomas said he believed that given the Government’s intent to not have a truly independent service, the leader of a WA Rural Fire Service should be a Deputy Commissioner, the highest rank below the Commissioner, to give the service the importance it deserved.

“I also believe that a rural fire service should be located in the country, not in the metropolitan region. I would be looking to the South West between Pinjarra and Manjimup to house the leadership group.”

Path and drainage works in Drummond Cove

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking path and drainage works at Whitehill Road between Hester Street and Seacrest Way in Drummond Cove with works scheduled to commence on Monday 21 May 2018 for a period of approximately four weeks.

The anticipated hours of work will be between from 7am to 6pm. Traffic Management will be in place during this time. 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

Beresford Foreshore landscaping begins

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise landscaping of the Beresford Foreshore will start during the week of 21 May 2018 and requires construction site access through three temporary entry points along Chapman Road for the duration of the works.

The entry points will be located on the north and south sides of the Adam Street Carpark and in front of Mitchell and Brown.  To ensure community safety, traffic controllers will be in place from Tuesday 22 May 2018 for the remainder of project works as required.  Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to use alternative routes wherever possible during this time.

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.