Community calls for waste as a priority

A bigger waste transfer station which will improve the separation of the city’s waste types will be at the top of Geraldton’s capital works priorities for the next decade. The City of Greater Geraldton received the Community Voice Project 10 Year Capital Works Plan Prioritisation Report on Tuesday, compiled by a jury of 22 residents from a variety of ages, professions, genders and cultures. At their December ordinary meeting tonight, councillors are expected to vote to refer the report to the executive team to inform the City’s 10 Year Capital Works Plan. The highest combined scoring project by the jury and council was the Meru Waste Diversion Infrastructure, while the jury’s project of choice was Community Nursery Expansion, which ranked sixth overall. The other 16 projects included the Point Moore Lighthouse Tourism Precinct, Queens Park Theatre Upgrades, Renewable Energy Initiatives and Aquarena Splash Playground. Jurors Connie Sullivan and Ron Bertelsen presented the report to Mayor Shane van Styn at last week’s agenda forum meeting, with Ms Sullivan saying the program was a credit to the council’s commitment to the community. “It is a benefit to have a cross-section of the community involved in order to prioritise the list of projects in order of perceived importance in relation to costs,” she said. “This will greatly assist in building economic resilience and balance in heritage and environment, with the main focus being on sustainability. “I do hope this program will continue into the future. “The local population will no doubt feel much happier if they are represented in decisions made.” Mr Bertelsen said a prominent criterion developed and implemented across the projects was a strong sustainability focus for the future of the city.