Greater Geraldton council approves contingency plan for Marine Rescue Group’s headquarters

The City of Greater Geraldton council has unanimously approved a plan to move the Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue Group if its current headquarters becomes unusable due to erosion. The plan will see the group adopt a boardroom at the Geraldton Multi-Purpose Centre if the shoreline comes within six metres of its current headquarters at Point Moore. Erosion became a significant concern for the group in August last year as the ocean crept close towards the building, forcing the group to pile sandbags in an attempt to it slow down. An agreement was made for a “managed retreat” from the building if conditions worsen, which will include this relocation if the time comes. If erosion does render the building unsafe, the group will surrender the lease for the headquarters to the council and enter a lease for part of the Multi-Purpose Centre under this proposal. The motion was carried by the council without opposition. “I feel that we’re setting ourselves up to manage the future very well,” Cr Michael Reymond said.