Community Garden in full flourish

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Volunteers tending to the Mitchell Street Community Garden.

Tomatoes, eggplants, corn and capsicums are just some of the vegetables being harvested at the new Mitchell Street Community Garden in Spalding.

Established to provide those living in the area with access to fresh produce, the Garden will do more than just that with many learning about gardening and healthy food along the way.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said Mitchell Street had become quite the hub for resources and support.

“The Community Garden is a flourishing part of this communal eco-system which also includes health services and educational programs,” he said.

“Once the garden is flourishing, it is also intended that excess produce will be passed onto others in the suburb as well as organisations in need.”

WACRH have been providing services and support from the Spalding Community Centre since early 2017 after signing a five year lease agreement with the City.

The garden has been made possible through funding from the City of Greater Geraldton, Department of Communities, Western Australia Centre for Rural Health, Central Regional TAFE, Workskil, ARC, local Elders and Spalding community members.

For more information about the Mitchell Street Community Garden, contact the City’s Community Development team by 9956 6600.

Coronavirus Covid-19 information - Has the Mid West Port Authority been honest with the people of Geraldton?

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Thousands around the world are dead and dying, and the novel coronavirus/SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 is barely getting started. (The virus is SARS-CoV-2, it is a type of coronavirus, and the disease it causes is called Covid-19 Link).

This has resulted in a mixture of responses from people and governments across the world. Some, like Italy, took virtually no steps and continued to welcome all foreigners, and now their hospitals are overwhelmed, the nation is in complete lockdown, and doctors are having to decide whether to even give beds to older people as it may be best just to use the limited equipment on younger people with a better chance of survival. Link.

Other nations like the USA decided to engage in a “don’t test don’t tell” strategy. The New York Times just uncovered the mind blowing account of government agencies deliberately stopping scientists from testing and discovering who had the virus (link) and their country has since gone from “meh” to “WTF this is the worst thing ever” in 2 days. Supermarket shelves are emptied, ATMs are emptied, and no one was prepared. Yesterday the Ohio governor admitted publicly they estimate they have well over 100,000 infected people. Link. That’s JUST IN OHIO!

Despite this publicly available information, local authorities are still extremely slow to do or say a thing. Melissa Price and her colleagues, instead of banning travel to the USA, have been so slow to respond. For some strange reason, Minister Peter Dutton went to the USA and contracted covid-19 himself. STILL no travel bans to or from the USA have been implemented.

Political expediency is STILL being placed BEFORE the lives of Australian citizens.

It took WAY too long for the Liberal Party to ban travel to or from China. And even when they eventually did, they refused to ban travel from countries that were not banning China travel. That is to say, Chinese people could still infect people in Europe, and Europeans were then welcome to come and infect people here in Australia.

Anyone sounding the warning bell was labelled an alarmist. People who saw the writing on the wall and began to stock up were attacked in the press.

The world is slowly starting to realise this is the worst health crisis, worst crisis of any kind, we have seen in our lifetimes.

Denmark has just announced all their borders are closed to everyone except their own citizens. Link.

Czech Republic has closed its borders. Link.

Slovakia has closed its borders. Link.

Cyrpus has closed its borders. Link.

Poland has closed its borders. Link.

But authorities here seem to have a fatalist approach, telling everyone they’re all likely to get it and hoping it will result in herd immunity.

Facts about Coronavirus Covid-19 that still seem to be largely unknown by many Australians:

  • It is at least 10 times, perhaps 30 times, deadlier than influenza. (Link)

  • The medical community has grave concerns for the long term health impacts of people who survive the illness. Authorities claiming those who recover from serious infection will just return to normal are being misleading. Link.

  • It can travel through the air. Washing your hands does little if you’re breathing the same air as someone with the virus. Link. Study. The World Health Organisation was previously telling people it was not airborne, but recently removed this from their website.

  • It survives on various surfaces for up to 9 days. Link.

  • We have no certainty that herd immunity will eventuate. Link.

  • People can have the virus for more than 2 weeks before symptoms appear. Once you find out someone near you has covid-19, you’re 2 weeks or more behind. CDC data shows a patient with an incubation period of 28 days, and others ranging 7 to 17 days. Link. We know for a fact that telling people you haven’t been somewhere dangerous for 14 days simply isn’t sufficient.

  • People with absolutely no symptoms can spread the virus. “Screening” at airports and ports simply is not sufficient. Link. Telling people you can “screen” for this virus is outright misleading.

…countries that are prepared will see a fatality rate of ~0.5% (South Korea) to 0.9% (rest of China).

Countries that are overwhelmed will have a fatality rate between ~3%-5%

Put in another way: Countries that act fast can reduce the number of deaths by a factor of ten. And that’s just counting the fatality rate. Acting fast also drastically reduces the cases, making this even more of a no-brainer.

Link.

What is extremely mind blowing is that instead of arming the public with the cold, hard facts, politicians and the media have bent over backwards to try and downplay this because they don’t want to be accused of causing panic.

What Australians need are the facts, no matter how grim they are.

Despite all this publicly available information…

There are still people in our community claiming this is “just a flu”. The utter disregard for the safety and lives at risk, especially among people who are overweight, over 60, asthmatics, anyone with compromised immune systems, and health care workers who will be constantly exposed to this, is mind blowing.

Comparing the numbers of a virus that has just starting spreading for a month, with mammoth efforts to mitigate it, against an entire year’s worth of deaths from the flu, shows utter ignorance of statistics and maths, and is outright dangerous. This pseudo-empiricism is all over Facebook and network television at the moment, and it is having a very real effect on how vulnerable people choose or choose not to prepare themselves for the coming virus.

Our vulnerable elderly community members could have been steadily preparing themselves for the last six weeks, but instead the constant message from social media pundits, the media, and politicians, has been “there’s no need to stock up on supplies.”

If these people are best off self-isolating for a few months in order to reduce their risk of death, stocking up on supplies is the FIRST thing they should have done!

This is, in statistical language, a fat-tail problem (link). As it grows, its effects get exponentially worse and worse. If we had 10 years worth of influenza in two months, can you imagine how over burdened our health care system would be? It would have an order of magnitude effect on everything.

Nurses and doctors will get sick, thus there will be less health care workers. Schools will close, meaning parents will need to care for children, meaning even less doctors and nurses will be available. Respirators and other equipment will be in global short-supply, meaning you won’t actually get the proper care you hope for when you do get sick, meaning your chances of survival reduce.

Unless we slow the rate of infection for this thing NOW, we simply won’t be able to care for the sick as they present to the hospitals.

But I thought the risk was low?

The GLOBAL risk assessment according to the World Health Organisation is VERY HIGH. Link.

Telling someone the risk of transmission is low is incredibly misleading. It is as if there is a category 5 cyclone off the coast heading straight for us, and it is getting stronger every day. Telling people not to bother to prepare TODAY and that the risk is low, simply because the storm isn’t on our shores yet, is beyond absurd. We can see it coming. We have to act BEFORE it gets here. What’s more, not acting now is exactly HOW this particular storm gets here quicker.

We have seen EXACTLY what happens if we act like Italy or the USA, or we can treat this seriously and admit it is not low risk at all.

What’s even sadder is if you contract this virus right now and get sick, and you don’t know who you may have got it from, Australia WILL NOT TEST YOU! Only people who have travelled overseas, and people who know to whom they may have been exposed to it from, will be allowed to be tested. Link.

The Australian government has not made enough resources available for everyone to be tested!

This is an absolute disaster in the making, and is the OPPOSITE approach South Korea engaged in which eventually slowed the spread of the virus, in testing everyone who had any symptoms.

Ok this is serious! So what should we do?

Close all borders BEFORE it becomes widespread here. And engage in social isolation BEFORE you find out your friends and neighbours have the virus.

Continuing to wait for what “the authorities” say you should do is what has lead us to this point. Australia’s incompetent government waited WAY to long to close the borders to China, still haven’t closed the borders with the rest of the world; the USA govt engaged in a deliberate effort to stop testing from happening; the Chinese government arrested the doctor (who later died from covid-19) who tried to warn the world about this virus; Italy criticised other countries who closed the border to them early; the Japanese government expressed outrage and was offended when people suggested the Olympics might not happen and promised the world they would happen… the list goes on and on. Politicians have consistently put public perception ahead of public health.

The people in Government are not smarter than you, and do not have access to secret information about how we’re all going to be ok. They are flying by the seat of their pants. No one alive has ever had to deal with something like this. And despite scientists warning us about something like this for years, we did nothing to prepare, stockpile, nor did we act early and effectively once we knew this was coming.

We all have to take personal responsibility for our actions, and DEMAND the public servants currently at the helm put our safety AHEAD of politics and money. It might mean you need to send emails, make phone calls, or write letters. But if you value the health of yourself and your loved ones more than the health of the share market, then make sure your voice is heard.

But what if we over react?

If we take extreme preventative action now, before the virus is out of control here, the same thing that happened after the GFC and y2K bug will happen again. A whole bunch of ignorant people who have no idea how bad things almost were will all tell each other “ha ha those idiots over reacted. See! It wasn’t that bad after all.”

I admit this makes it a no-win for politicians. If they don’t do enough, they will be blamed for the deaths and carnage that ensues.

If they do what they should, and they stop this in its tracks, they will be blamed for the economic fall out that results and told they over reacted.

What we need to do now is look at the potential downside for each option.

Take drastic measures ? = people laugh at us for over reacting.

Don’t take drastic measures ? = people die.

But I’m healthy. I’ll be fine! I’m low risk.

If you had a cold you wouldn’t visit the intensive care ward of a hospital.

You stopping your healthy 30-something self from getting this thing isn’t just about you. During the incubation period you will spread it to your parents, your grand parents, the old lady shopping at Coles, the elderly couple at church… the list goes on.

Ok. But we’re all going to get it, so let’s just carry on as normal. Nothing we can do!

Please don’t spread this message. It’s absurd. We don’t all have to get this.

But even if it was true, the death rate will be FAR higher if the health care system is overwhelmed. Slowing this virus is saving lives, so when people DO get it, there are resources available to treat them.

So why hasn’t the Mid West Port Authority stopped all the cruise ships?

All across social media Geraldton community members are expressing grave concern than the Cruise ships are still coming, despite evidence showing the virus cannot be detected for over 2 weeks in many people.

The CEO of the Mid West Port Authority, Dr Dr Rochelle Macdonald, yesterday defended her decision to keep the ships coming, with a post claiming the actions the port is taking are sufficient. The actions the port said they’re taking include “screening”, and this clearly wasn’t enough to change Geraldton residents’ minds.

A poll on Everything Geraldton’s facebook page about the ships showed an overwhelming majority of people want the ships stopped immediately.

This is the full text of the post from Dr Rochelle Macdonald:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The safety of our staff, stakeholders and the Mid West community is our highest priority and we take our obligations extremely seriously with this regard. Mid West Ports is working closely with our stakeholders and Government to reduce exposure of COVID-19 virus, particularly in relation to cruise ships visiting our port.

The risk of transmission of COVID-19 in Australia remains low, however MWPA recognises the situation is evolving and the need to remain vigilant.

We understand there is some concern in the community around the visitation of cruise ships to our port, however please be mindful that we have strict and well established protocols in place to ensure serious infectious diseases, including COVID-19, are identified and appropriately managed.

The Western Australian Government is confident the arrival of cruise ships into WA ports present minimal risk to the health of West Australians.

All ships entering our port, including cruise ships;
1. Have their passengers and crew screened by our Marine Team, regardless of if they have been screened by another port or company;
2. Are to have no crew or passengers to have travelled to high risk areas in the 14 days prior (COVID-19 incubation period) to the ships arrival to Geraldton; and
3. Are required to complete and submit a Health Report by the ships master which is assessed by MWPA prior to accepting their request to berth in Geraldton.

MWPA;
1. Practices and protocols have been implemented by ports nationally, meaning we are leading the way in our safety approach;
2. Has a representative on a Canberra led weekly teleconference with federal and state departments, meaning we have an understanding of progress at a national level; and
3. Will continue to ensure we are a part of the COVID-19 response conversation to be in a position to take appropriate measure as they are identified.

Further information
• Health information is available at www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus
• Coronavirus information hotline – 1800 020 080
• The Western Australia Government has a new page which includes official information regarding COVID-19 in WA - www.wa.gov.au/covid19
• Smartraveller – information regarding travel advice for Australians - www.smartraveller.gov.au

If you have any further concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at communityfirst@midwestports.com.au

Dr Rochelle Macdonald
CEO

Is the information supplied by Dr Rochelle Macdonald accurate?

At first glance, the information provided by Dr Macdonald may lead one to believe that anyone getting off the boat is guaranteed not to have a SARS-CoV-2 infection. After all, they are “screening” people.

What the letter from Dr Macdonald is not telling you is that the port is not stating they are doing lab tests for SARS-CoV-2 infections in passengers, and it appears they are only looking for people who display or report actual symptoms. This is despite authorities being well aware that the virus spreads through people who display no symptoms whatsoever.

It is not clear why Dr Macdonald is telling the public at large that the risk of transmission is low. The World Health Organisation says the opposite of this.

Dr Macdonald, in her letter, says the port can “ensure” covid-19 is detected. It is not clear how this can be done without lab tests.

It is open to debate whether an ordinary member of the public would be lead to believe that the port is actually able to prevent anyone with a SARS-CoV-2 infection from entering Geraldton, or if that is what they are claiming they are able to achieve.

One community member asked what was actually involved in a “screening”. Mid West Port Authority did not directly answer this question. It’s not clear if they take temperatures, do swabs and lab tests, just do a survey… we still don’t know what how a screen can “ensure” patients with the virus that display no symptoms can be detected by the Mid West Port Authority per Dr Macdonald’s claims.

They did provide this response though:

“All passengers and crew on all ships are screened for having travelled to or through high risk areas. No passengers or crew are permitted in port until they have met the 14 day exclusion (coronavirus incubation period). All ship masters are required to submit a health report on all persons on their ship which is assessed by the ships agent, and our Marine Team. Any persons presenting with coronavirus and/or presenting with systems would result in the ship being declined berthing rights at Geraldton port. We must mention that ship agents and ship masters have been very cooperative and forthcoming with this information. Our pilots will only board a ship once the all clear is given by our Marine Team. Once on board, if our Pilots detect any health concerns they have authority to return the ship to anchor for further investigation. Emergency procedures in place, are implemented immediately to reduce the exposure of any illness to our Pilots, and immediate notification to State Government will occur. To date this has not occurred.”

Note the port is also re-stating their belief that the coronavirus has an incubation period of 14 days, despite information from the CDC describing a mall incident where multiple people were infected showing a range of incubation periods of up to 17 days.

Another concerned community member pointed this out to the port authority, and asked “ If they are asymptomatic they aren't going to show any signs of illness are they 🤔”

The Port did not respond to that comment.

Link.

Note, it is possible the port is deliberately using the language of “covid-19”, that is the actual disease with external symptoms, rather than the term “SARS-CoV-2” infection. The letter from Dr Macdonald states “ensure serious infectious diseases, including COVID-19, are identified…”.

Scientifically speaking, detecting Covid-19 is not the same thing as detecting a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

However, in the minds of the regular person, this distinction is not apparent, and the port should be forthcoming about its ability or inability to detect a SARS-CoV-2 infection in someone with no apparent symptoms.

This video will help you understand covid-19 coronavirus.

So we just flatten the curve but we all get the virus?

Despite the good intentions from the flatten the curve meme going around which we linked to above, there is evidence containment works. It may be economically painful, but the “flatten the curve” graphs give an illusion that we may actually have capacity to handle everyone getting sick over the next year or so. The graphs though have no numbers, and don’t seem to take into account how many patients will need ICU. THIS ARTICLE explains it in more detail. We need to copy China’s strategy and completely shut down and exterminate this thing. Planning a “let it burn through the population” strategy instead of a “containment” strategy is extremely risky at best, and catastrophic at worst.

Geraldton Solar Force, servicing Geraldton residents and beyond

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Geraldton Solar Force have helped so many of our Geraldton residents and beyond in the past 4 years. They service from Kalbarri, all the way to Perth and in between. Phil has met some awesome people on his travels around the Midwest and they are absolutely stoked to provide quality solar energy systems to the awesome Geraldton Community. They have a ten year warranty on all of their installs and systems, as well as the only Solar Company to be Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailers – not many of them out there! Their crew are highly specialised and love helping so many of you eliminate your power bills! A big thanks from Phil and the team at Geraldton Solar Force for the amazing support over the years, it makes such a difference when you support local 

If you need solar for your home or business, be sure to give them a call! - 0412 600 669

City taking realistic approach to recycling

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In what has been described as a “nationwide crisis” the City of Greater Geraldton are ensuring a realistic approach to recycling.

In recent years China placed restrictions on foreign waste and now only accept material with a contamination level of no more than 0.5%.

As a result, many Councils in eastern Australia have ceased recycling collection due to this restriction and recycled waste is going to landfill.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said many people don’t understand the current struggles associated with recycling.

“It’s been reported that just 9% of plastics from Australia have actually been recycled, a lot of it is ending up in landfill – and people aren’t aware of that,” he said.

“We don’t think it’s sustainable to increase rates to introduce a recycling program that is in actual fact, just ending up in landfill. 

“Due to current recycling limitations, we are taking a considered approach to try and ensure we give our community realistic options to recycle and ensure that it ends up being recycled and not in landfill.”

There are currently no recycling facilities within WA that don’t rely on Asian markets to recycle the material. Each recycling facility within WA only sort, bale and then ship the material to other countries for further processing.

In July 2019 the Federal Government announced that it would be placing a future ban on export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres. This will have a significant impact on the current recycling market and where these materials will eventually end up without any remanufacturing sites within in WA.

Recent Cleanaway fires at their Material Recovery Facility in Perth (which was the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere) have had a big impact on recycling with places such as Kalgoorlie–Boulder and City of Mandurah having to send kerbside recycling to landfill due to the facility not being able to take the material. 

With studies showing that Food Organic and Garden Organics (FOGO) potentially makes up for 40% of our waste stream – the City has made the decision to introduce a FOGO trial which will commence in March. 

FOGO material will be processed locally for the local market without relying on any international fluctuating markets. 

In June, the State will also be implementing a Container for Change scheme. All eligible glass, plastic and aluminium bottles can be taken to at least one refund point in Geraldton by June 2020 for a 10 cent refund.

“We are serious about reducing waste and that’s why we are implementing realistic and worthwhile recycling initiatives,” Mayor Van Styn added.

“FOGO material is a valuable commodity which should not be dumped in landfill which is why we are going to collect it and process it locally to make compost for the City and community to use.”

The small scale trial of kerbside collection of FOGO waste slated to reduce waste to landfill by potentially 50% will begin in March. The trial will also give the City an opportunity to perfect the composting process.

A total of 500 randomly selected house across nine City suburbs will soon be receiving their lime green lidded FOGO bins in the lead up to the first collection.

A series of ‘Street Meets’ will be held in the neighbourhoods of the selected households over the next two weeks where City staff will be on hand to answer questions about the trial and deliver free kitchen caddies to trail participants. 

For more information on the FOGO trial or where to recycle, head to the City’s website for details www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Smoke alert in Geraldton

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise there is a current smoke alert in place for Geraldton.

There are no fires in Geraldton however overnight winds have blown a large amount of smoke from bushfires in the South West.

If you have a respiratory condition or are affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

For more information visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au

Geraldton to embrace driverless technology

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RAC’s Intellibus is bound for Geraldton.

State-of-the-art driverless technology will soon be a feature in Geraldton’s CBD with RAC’s Intellibus making its way to the Midwest.

Endorsed at this week’s Council Meeting, demonstrations will begin in April 2020 and will travel a 2.6km return loop commencing at the Geraldton Visitor Centre, via the Museum of Geraldton, travelling primarily along Marine Terrace, Foreshore Drive and Museum Place.

 City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the RAC Intellibus is a huge opportunity for the region.

“Not only are we committed to improving transport and movement within our CBD, but we are also committed to embracing the latest in innovation and technology so this is the perfect fit for our community,” he said.

“This experience is a huge coup for Geraldton and we know both our community and visitors alike will love the addition to our CBD.

 “I can already envisage the Intellibus will be utilised significantly - especially during peak times such as cruise ship visits and it will be a focal element for tourism and marketing of the Midwest.

“This really is a fantastic outcome for Geraldton and we look forward to working with RAC on the implementation,” he added.  

The identified route includes travel through the Marine Terrace Mall, past the newly developed Town Square, Ghost Office and Rocks Building - with stops at the Visitors Centre and Museum of Geraldton. 

Those on board will learn about the changing nature of transport, mobility, road safety and observe how the Intellibus interacts with road users including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

RAC Executive General Manager Advocacy and Members Patrick Walker said they were excited to partner with the City to bring this world-leading driverless technology to an iconic Western Australian location.

“Regional areas present unique road safety and mobility challenges — that’s why engaging these communities is a priority, to help us all better understand and prepare for the changing nature of transport,” he said.

“Nearly 1,600 passengers experienced driverless technology in the south-west during our hugely successful visit to Busselton last year, and we’re excited to now extend this opportunity to residents and visitors in Geraldton. 

“The demonstration will ensure even more Western Australians can see, experience and share their views on the technology so that together, we can help prepare WA for a driverless future,” he added.

Council also approved the extension of the demonstration to three months to include the rollout of RAC’s educational ‘Imagine Program’ to local schools.

The demonstration is pending the provision of a special permit issued by the Department of Transport.

As of January 2020, more than 16,100 passengers have experienced the Intellibus, which has travelled more than 24,770kms in autonomous mode.

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

Forrester Park playground renewal

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the play equipment at Forrester Park in Waggrakine will be replaced with works scheduled to take place from Thursday 30 January to Friday 7 February 2020.

Works include the removal of the aged equipment, installation of a new playground and softfall mulch.

To ensure community safety, the playground will be temporarily closed during the works.

New shade sails will be installed at a later date.

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.

Australian history lands at GRAG

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Brenda L Croft, Self-portraits on country, Wave Hill, 2014 (installation detail).

Geraldton Regional Art Gallery (GRAG) will welcome a new exhibition this week that considers the ongoing impact of the Gurindji Walk-Off at Wave Hill Station in 1966.

‘Still in my mind: Gurindji location experience and visuality’ showcases a pivotal moment in Australian history through photo-media, videos, paintings, found objects and archival materials.

Each artwork communicates and expresses deeply-felt notions of home, community and country. 

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn encouraged members of the community to attend opening night.

“We are proud to welcome this touring exhibition to GRAG that represents and considers such a significant time in Australian history,” he said.

“Still in my mind reflects on a major turning point and I’m sure it will get people talking, which all great art is supposed to.”

The exhibition derives its’ name from the inspired words of revered Gurindji/Malngin leader Vincent Lingiari, “that land… I still got it on my mind.”

Lingiari was pivotal in the seminal Gurindji Walk-Off – where he led over 200 countrymen, women and children off Wave Hill Station to protest poor wages and conditions.

‘Still in my mind’ is developed in partnership with UNSW Galleries, UQ Art Museum, and Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Australian Research Discovery Indigenous Award, National Institute for Experimental Arts, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language and the Berndt Research Foundation.

The tour is presented by Artback NT and supported by Visions of Australia. 

‘Still in my mind’ will officially open at GRAG at 6pm on Friday 31 January and will be followed by a floor talk with Curator and participating artist Brenda L. Croft at 11am on Saturday 1 February. 

RSVPs to these events can be made through Eventbrite.

City calls for a jury of its residents to deliberate services (Copy)

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The call is about to go out community members, as the City of Greater Geraldton seeks 30 everyday people to take part in a citizens’ jury that will shape the future delivery of Council services.

Over the coming weeks, residents from across the City region will be randomly called by Thinkfield, WA’s premier field research company, and offered the opportunity to be a jury panel member in the second stage of the recently launched Community Voice Project.

During the second stage, the City will provide in-depth information to the panel on its range of services including the costs involved, for examination by the group before panel makes recommendations to Council on the delivery of these services in the coming years.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn urges residents to pick up their phone when they get a call or the opportunity to be involved may be missed.

“We know people may be wary of taking calls from unknown numbers,” he said.

“But I would like to encourage people to take the call and talk to the person on the other end, as it might just be our consultant calling.

“Otherwise you might miss the chance to be on the panel.”

The City and Council will be placing great value on what this panel has to say.

“Our priority is to provide good value for money whilst ensuring our services reflect the community’s wants and needs in line with their willingness to pay for them,” Mayor Van Styn added.

“We look forward to hearing what the Panel will recommend to Council on behalf of the community they will be representing.”

The first stage of the project, the Community Voice Survey is still underway. 

Residents who have an opinion on the services the City provides or have ideas on what the Council should be doing over the next three years can take the survey available online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/voices1  or in hard copy at the City Civic Centre, Geraldton Regional Library, QEII Centre and Mullewa

Mayor makes formal bid for old fire station

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Mayor Shane Van Styn has offered the state government $1 for the old fire station on Durlacher Street.

In a bid to secure the old fire station building and land on Durlacher Street, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn has offered the state government $1 for the site.

 

With the aim of redeveloping the space into a public carpark, a formal letter has been sent to Minister for Emergency Services Hon Francis Logan MLA requesting the state to relinquish the site to the City freehold for $1.

 

Mayor Van Styn said the City had been in negotiations with two state governments for five years in order to gain control of the site - with both governments saying they would offer it to the City.

 

“Our last correspondence from the state was last month from Minister Logan stating the City should make an offer,” he said.

 

“So here is our offer! Let's get this long overdue deal done and clean up this state owned eyesore in the middle of our CBD.

 

Mayor Van Styn also added that the state government don’t have plans for the site for at least the next 10 years and the building is already disused and falling into disrepair.

 

“The prospect of this site remaining derelict for 10 years, or more, is not well received by the Geraldton community and this is why we are appealing to the state for a collaborative approach in order to ensure this land is put to use,” he said.

 

“Vibrancy in our CBD has been a top priority for the City and we have seen amazing transformations such as Rocks Laneway and Beresford Foreshore.

 

“It is important that we continue to work hard where we can to acquire land and buildings before they become dilapidated and create negative space in our community.

 

At a Council Meeting in November 2019, Council made the decision to begin negotiations with the state government to secure the land on freehold purchase.

 

The City has been advised that preliminary PFAS testing (GHD) has occurred on the site and additional PFAS testing is required to ascertain the extent of the PFAS contamination. 

 

The City has also been advised that this follow up testing may not occur for up to ten years as the site has been classified as a low priority. 

 

As part of the formal offer, the state would contribute 50% of the project costs estimated at around $400,000 in total.

 

“We want to work proactively with the Minister and the state to ensure a positive outcome for both parties,” Mayor Van Styn added.

 

“Negotiations will continue and we hope a resolution will be made in the near future.”

QPT launches new booklet for 2020

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Entertainment lovers will revel in the Queens Park Theatre’s (QPT) brand new program for 2020, which is now available for you to feast your eyes on.

My Greatest Period Ever, Ocean Film Festival, Sleeping Beauty by Moscow Ballet La Classique, Arj Barker and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival are just some of the shows that can be enjoyed this season.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn encouraged people to pick up a copy of the booklet.

“As always, the QPT is bursting at the seams with quality entertainment from around the globe and you can see it all in the new program that’s now available,” he said.

“Performances are happening throughout the year and by grabbing a copy you can make sure you don’t miss any.

“The QPT is the place to be for your dose of entertainment and we look forward to seeing you there.”

February kicks off with the gruesome and quirky Murder Ballads, Haunted Tales and Songs about Killing and in April Adam Thomson’s Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack Live will unfold with tracks such as Somebody to Love, We Will Rock You and I Want to Break Free.

Edward the Emu comes to life on stage come early June and it set to be popular with all members of the family.

Lots more will be happening at the award-winning venue and you can stay in the loop by collecting a copy of the program from the QPT, Civic Centre, Geraldton Library and Geraldton Visitor Centre.

It can also be viewed online by clicking here.

Festive Season Opening Hours

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the following operating hours will be in place during Christmas and New Year break:

 

CIVIC CENTRE – CATHEDRAL AVENUE, MULLEWA DISTRICT OFFICE, DEPOT
CLOSED from Wednesday 25 December 2019
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

GERALDTON REGIONAL LIBRARY
Open Monday 23 December 2019 – 1:00pm to 5:30pm
Open Tuesday 24 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:30pm
CLOSED Wednesday 25 December 2019 (Christmas Day)
CLOSED Thursday 26 December 2019 (Boxing Day)
Open Friday 27 December 2019 - 9:00am to 5:30pm
Open Saturday 28 December 2019 - 9:30am to 1:00pm
Open Sunday 29 December 2019 – 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Open Monday 30 December 2019 – 1:00pm to 5:30pm
Open Tuesday 31 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:30pm
CLOSED Wednesday 1 January 2020 (New Year’s Day)
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

GERALDTON VISITOR CENTRE
Open Monday 23 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Open Tuesday 24 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 25 December 2019 (Christmas Day)
Open Thursday 26 December 2019 – 9:00am to 1:00pm
Open Friday 27 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Open Saturday 28 December 2019 – 9:00am to 1:00pm
Open Sunday 29 December 2019 – 9:00am to 1:00pm
Open Monday 30 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Open Tuesday 31 December 2019 – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Open Wednesday 1 January 2020 – 9:00am to 1:00pm
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

GERALDTON REGIONAL ART GALLERY

Open Monday 23 December 2019 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Open Tuesday 24 December 2019 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 25 December 2019 (Christmas Day) 
CLOSED Thursday 26 December 2019 (Boxing Day)
Open Friday 27 December 2019 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
Open Saturday 28 December 2019 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
CLOSED Sunday 29 December 2019
Open Monday 30 December 2019 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Open Tuesday 31 December 2019 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 1 January 2020 (New Year’s Day)
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

AQUARENA
Open Monday 23 December 2019 – 5:30am to 8:00pm
Open Tuesday 24 December 2019 – 5:30am to 6:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 25 December 2019 (Christmas Day)
Open Thursday 26 December 2019 – 11:00am to 4:00pm
Open Friday 27 December 2019 - 5:30am to 8:00pm
Open Saturday 28 December 2019 - 8:00am to 6:00pm
Open Sunday 29 December 2019 - 9:00am to 6:00pm 
Open Monday 30 December 2019 – 5:30am to 8:00pm
Open Tuesday 31 December 2019 – 5:30am to 6:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 1 January 2020 (New Year’s Day)
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

MULLEWA SWIMMING POOL

Open Monday 23 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Open Tuesday 24 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 25 December 2019 (Christmas Day)
CLOSED Thursday 26 December 2019 (Boxing Day)
Open Friday 27 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm 
Open Saturday 28 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm 
Open Sunday 29 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Open Monday 30 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Open Tuesday 31 December 2019 – 11:00am to 6:00pm
CLOSED Wednesday 1 January 2020 (New Year’s Day)
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

QUEENS PARK THEATRE

GERALDTON MULTIPURPOSE CENTRE

Open Monday 23 December 2019 – 8:30am to 5:00pm
Open Tuesday 24 December 2019 – 8:30am to 5:00pm
CLOSED from Wednesday 25 December 2019
Normal operating hours resume Thursday 2 January 2020

 

QEII SENIORS & COMMUNITY CENTRE

CLOSED from Saturday 21 December 2019                       
Normal operating hours resume Monday 6 January 2020

 

MERU LANDFILL

CLOSED Wednesday 25 December 2019 (Christmas Day)
CLOSED Wednesday 1 January 2020 (New Year’s Day)
Normal operating hours are 7:30am to 4:30pm

 

After hours and emergency calls will be monitored through our call centre – please contact (08) 9956 6600.

Changes to rubbish collection services over Christmas & New Year

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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:

Normal collections recommence on Monday 6 January 2020. Please ensure that all bins are out by 6am on your collection day. 

Please be advised that Meru Landfill will be closed on Christmas Day, 25 December 2019 and New Year’s Day 1 January 2020. Normal business hours are from 7.30am to 4.30pm and will resume on Boxing Day, 26 December 2019 and 2 January 2020.