Because it's such a beautiful day I'm going to be quick! John has given me another "Word From Watto" to post along with some photo's then I'm off to make a coffee and join Lew outside in the subshine for a spot of gardening. Cheers, Judy
'A WORD FROM WATTO"
What the????
We were smashed for a surprise
six on Sunday afternoon, June 10th 2012, when a serious turbulent storm hit us at Preston
Beach. Like other communities in the surrounding Peel areas, the metropolitan and
Southwest - we weren’t the only ones to feel the full brunt of Mother Nature at
its best.
 |
| A typical street scene following the storms |
In the aftermath it was clear Preston Beach received loads of tree, fence and
building damage. Because this storm damage was far and wide, all emergency
services were stretched to the max. What I was extremely impressed with was the
willingness of a band of local helpers to assist others in need. We were
probably the lucky ones in the area to retain our power supply because we are
normally the first to lose it. The worst damage inflicted was on a house in
Surf Street when extremely strong winds ripped through the middle section of
the roof. The debris from the roof landed some 30 metres away and could have
caused serious damage to other houses nearby. The band of willing helpers
converged on the scene and strapped down the building rubble using rope and
star pickets. Then the attention was focused onto the remaining roof area. The
power to the house was shut down and rendered safe by our local sparky
Fred Evely, which allowed us to safely strap down what was left of the existing
roof so no more damage could be instilled... Some of us felt a bit like “Dads
Army”, but we were very appreciative to both our younger team members, Steven
and Ryan Orel. Mate the wind was so strong someone in Lake Clifton saw a chook
lay the same egg ten (10) times.
Photos’ Courtesy of Denis King
Preston Beach Entry
Statement
Preston Beach recently had the
placement of “Welcome to Present Beach” Entry Statement set up on the right
hand side as you enter Mitchell Road from the causeway. Many thanks must go to
the Shire of Waroona for the entry statement project, as the signage displays
community pride and ownership. Fred Evely and I have had two onsite appraisals
of both the entry statement area and current walk trail for a proposed upgrade.
As a community we must forge strategic partnership with the Shire of Waroona
and the Department of Environment Conservation (DEC), for a projected walk
trail upgrade connecting same to our entry statement area. We will be committed
to an “In kind” hands on approach to this project in the planning, development,
grant applications that are available, maintaining and caretaking the trail
upgrades. This proposed project will provide physical dimensions by showcasing
active environmental education to local and transitory community, habitat
restoration, eradication/control of evasive species, with tuart/native species
restorations and enhancement. It means Preston Beach Progress, FRAGYLE, Golf
Club and Footprints Resort management all supporting the concept and working in
unison to make the project happen.
Coakes Consulting Clifton
Beach Wind Farm Community Consultation
Cape Bouvard Energy Pty Ltd
(CBE) will have Coakes Community Consulting personnel hold a local community
consultation at Preston Beach Community Resources Centre both Friday July 20th 2012 from 1pm
to 6 pm and Saturday July 21st 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm. The session is designed to
give our local community a better understanding on the proposed Wind Farm and
renewable energy development in the area. It is to also invite comments and
understanding concerns about potential issues and impacts associated with the
development.
“Whoosh there goes the Preston
Beach Sky Diving Club”.
(footnote: Please check before you make a special trip to attend any of these meetings as news has just come to hand that the proposal may have been withdrawn)
Water Tank Maintenance Works
or is it “Beam me up Scotty or ET Phone Home”
The Water Corp are carrying out
maintenance works at the Preston Beach main water supply tank from June 18th to July 6th 2012. So the
Preston Beach town scheme will operate on temporary storage tanks and pumping
arrangements while the works are undertaken.
When some of our locals woke
the other morning and looked upon the temporary replacement tank in Lakeside
Terrace, they thought the “Mother Ship” had landed.
John Watson
President Preston Beach
Progress Association
June 30th 2012
