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WTF: Festival of Fines, Little Malop St ‘investigation’, Richard Marles’ ace seats, apology to Daryl Braithwaite

This week’s edition takes a look at City Hall’s penchant of issuing parking fines on big weekends, the “investigation” into a Little Malop St structure, and Richard Marles’ break from the campaign trail. Oh, and we issue an apology to an Australian rock legend.

This week’s edition of WTF is fine one, indeed.
This week’s edition of WTF is fine one, indeed.

They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us.

We’ve asked the people of Geelong to point out the problems that irritate and exasperate and have us all saying, woah, that’s frustrating!

Festival of Fines

This fine was not dished out for having a dirty windscreen. Picture: Alan Barber.
This fine was not dished out for having a dirty windscreen. Picture: Alan Barber.

As certain as death and taxes, you can be sure when there’s a big event in Geelong, City Hall’s legion of parking inspectors will be in attendance.

Thus was the case last weekend for the annual Festival of Sails that brings tens of thousands of visitors to town who inject a considerable amount into the local economy – and Geelong council’s coffers.

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Our spies on the waterfront spotted a large number of fines being issued to those who had seemingly overstayed their two hours of allotted time.

Clearly the offenders were too busy enjoying the range of activities on offer to rush back to their cars to swipe their card for another couple of hours.

The parking inspectors were hard to miss in their high-viz vests and broad rimmed hats. Picture: Alan Barber.
The parking inspectors were hard to miss in their high-viz vests and broad rimmed hats. Picture: Alan Barber.

The crackdown should come as no surprise though.

We reported last year that City Hall’s 2024-25 budget forecasted a $2.7m increase in revenue from parking infringements this financial year to $6.7m.

Cha-ching. Picture: Alan Barber.
Cha-ching. Picture: Alan Barber.

At the time, Stretch Kontelj, then a candidate for the Kardinia ward, hit out at the move.

“If City of Greater Geelong Council’s parking strategy is to kill off the CBD, then this will be a winner,” he said.

So now as mayor, what is he going to do?

Deck no more

The City of Greater Geelong will remove a timber deck on Little Malop St.
The City of Greater Geelong will remove a timber deck on Little Malop St.

A timber deck installed three years ago as part of an effort to combat some of the issues in the troubled Little Malop St mall has come to the end of its life.

Wire fencing surrounds the structure, with a sign proclaiming that “investigations are underway”.

What exactly is being investigated is unclear, but council’s executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said the deck was never meant to be permanent.

“As it has deteriorated through exposure to the elements and wear and tear, we installed a fence around the structure last week to keep the community safe,” she said.

“We are co-ordinating with relevant city departments to determine how to best remove the deck and will consider replacing it with seating in this location.”

The deck not only hosted local musicians, but also some of Geelong’s finest.

WTF spotted some “nangs” on the deck that also appeared to have been holes kicked in it.

“Nangs”, or nitrous oxide, can induce a euphoric feeling.
“Nangs”, or nitrous oxide, can induce a euphoric feeling.

A man nearby, while inspecting the damage, uttered a two-word phrase that started with an “F” and ended in “holes”.

And he wasn’t referring to the elements.

Ace seats for DPM

Richard Marles at the men’s Australian Open final alongside wife Rachel Schutze (left) and Virgin Australia boss and Tennis Australia president Jayne Hrdlicka. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui.
Richard Marles at the men’s Australian Open final alongside wife Rachel Schutze (left) and Virgin Australia boss and Tennis Australia president Jayne Hrdlicka. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui.

This is one for the “woah, that’s fantastic” folio.

Politics can be a tough game, but there are perks.

Richard Marles took a break from the federal election campaign to sit courtside at the Australia Open men’s final between eventual champion Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev on Sunday night.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Corio MP has yet to declare what we’re assuming were free tickets from Tennis Australia – he sat next to president Jayne Hrdlicka.

But we’re sure he soon will, just like he did last year for his free tickets to the women’s final.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles doesn’t just serve it up question parliamentary question time. Source: Facebook.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles doesn’t just serve it up question parliamentary question time. Source: Facebook.

Ahead of this year’s tournament, the keen sports fan promoted the event by having a quick hit in a Parliament House courtyard.

The associated Facebook post had Eye of the Tiger as the background music and while he looked a bit cramped on a couple of forehands, there were definitely no moments like John Howard’s infamous attempt to roll the arm over in Pakistan two decades ago.

We’re sorry

Daryl Braithwaite is definitely not a one-hit wonder, let us assure you. Picture: Patrick Woods.
Daryl Braithwaite is definitely not a one-hit wonder, let us assure you. Picture: Patrick Woods.

We’ve said some controversial things in WTF.

It’s almost expected that, each week, an organisation or community member will tell us we’re wrong – even if we’re not.

But last week, the backlash reached new heights when we referred to Aussie rock legend Daryl Braithwaite as a “one hit wonder”.

Almost instantly, screenshots were shared among the office of a Facebook comment calling us out.

A slew of comments and emails confirmed the faux pas.

Perhaps it’s the age of one of our key contributors, his lack of life experience, or ignorance of Australia’s pre-millennia music scene.

With encouragement from the more … elderly … folk, it was confirmed that Daz’s catalogue stretches far beyond Horses.

From his work as Sherbet frontman to his other number one hit, You’re My World, new fans have been won.

So from the bottom of our cynical hearts, we’re sorry.

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Originally published as WTF: Festival of Fines, Little Malop St ‘investigation’, Richard Marles’ ace seats, apology to Daryl Braithwaite

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/geelong/wtf-festival-of-fines-little-malop-st-investigation-richard-marles-ace-seats-apology-to-daryl-braithwaite/news-story/3d25f5ff1a47cd338d0e170ad064da5c