Geraldton foreshore waterpark will see a fence built later in the week in a $140,000 package upgrade

People power has won in the battle to erect a $40,000 fence around the waterpark on Geraldton’s foreshore, with the City installing a barrier this week after a petition was signed by more than 700 people last year. The works will start on Tuesday and are expected to finish by Friday. Last year, Geraldton mother Christi Jerovich organised the petition amid concerns the waterpark was so close to traffic and footpaths without any barriers. At the time, she said parents were wary of using the popular but unfenced facility. “If the fence was there, more mothers would use it. It’s a waste of space,” Ms Jerovich said. The petition gained 713 signatures calling for more sunshade and fencing around the waterpark, which councillors accepted despite not meeting the City of Geraldton’s requirements for a petition. On a Facebook post last week, Ms Jerovich thanked Geraldton’s “strong family community” for making this happen. “There are many safety problems with most playgrounds across Geraldton, and again these problems won’t be addressed or fixed without having another petition in place,” she said. The works are included in a $140,000 package which will include shade sails, with the fencing component totaling $40,000. City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said that the upgrade had been called for by residents for a long time, and the City was happy to be responding to community concerns. “We’re hoping that this makes the waterpark even more accessible and more popular. It’s good for kids and good for the businesses down there,” he said. “Council is always reviewing public safety measures and considers public opinion and in a large part it was a result of the petition and the lobbying of Christi. “We are currently going out to tender for shade sails over the water park.” The City requests the community exercise caution during the works, obey warning signs and directions from contractors.