WTF: Well, that’s fixed! How Woah, That’s Frustrating helped Geelong

We take a look back at a few of the things raised in WTF that have been fixed!

One rubbish dumper in North Geelong has given away more than their fair share.

What a year!

Since launching in July, our WTF (woah, that’s frustrating) column has aired the city’s grievances every week.

Some things remain the same, but we’re happy to report that some things have actually been fixed!

Here’s a few things that are no longer frustrating our readers.

PORTARLINGTON RD

A large dead tree hanging over the Bellarine Highway Moolap. Picture: Alison Wynd

Where else to start than our first edition?

In July, East Geelong man Frank Kennedy noticed a large dead gumtree hanging over Portarlington Rd in Newcomb that he estimated was about 10m high.

Mr Kennedy warned that with winter setting in there would be a high chance the tree could fall onto the arterial road.

Mr Kennedy had been in contact with VicRoads about it, too.

Well, first edition, first win: VicRoads removed the tree about the same time we put in our questions.

You can probably chalk this one up to the letters Mr Kennedy penned, but we’ll claim it anyway.

LANE PAIN

Confusing line on La Trobe Terrace Torquay Bound between Red Rooster and the bridge. Picture: Mike Dugdale

We got on a bit of a roll early days — second edition, second win!

Confusing and dangerous leftover lane lines on one of Geelong’s busiest roads were described as “an accident waiting to happen” as bewildered drivers swerved through the 70km/h zone not knowing where they were supposed to drive.

The solid white lines, at the start of the James Harrison Bridge on Latrobe Tce, cut right through the centre of the thoroughfare’s two lanes.

The markings were especially confusing at night as the reflective paint made them even more defined.

The markings, on the southbound side of the bridge, were the remnants of road work at the site.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokeswoman confirmed at the time they were going to fix the lines, and have since.

RUBBISH AND ROUND ABOUT

In mid-November we led WTF with a story about a budding Bell Park botanist who had their Birds of Paradise burgled.

While the assailants haven’t returned the flowers, we’ve got good news to share regarding two other stories featured in that edition.

A photo of a roundabout sign at the intersection of Eversley and High streets was sent in to WTF by a humoured local.

The problem? The arrows were pointing the wrong way.

“It’s pretty funny,” the local said.

Backwards road sign in Drysdale for WTF

“My partner is originally from America, she said it’d work for her.”

Our good mates at VicRoads came up with the goods again on this one, replacing the sign shortly after.

A truckload of rubbish dumped by charity bins in North Geelong also drew the ire of another local.

We dubbed it “rubbish behaviour.”

Well, not only has the mess been cleaned up, the bin itself was removed a couple of days after the original article went to print.

MYSTERY HELIPAD

WTF: Floating heli pad in Corio Bay

The mystery of Corio Bay’s floating helipad stumped WTF’s crack team of investigative journalists in September.

It first appeared in 2019, on that occasion appearing near Cunningham Pier.

When asked about in 2020, the City of Greater Geelong referred inquiries on the helipad to Parks Victoria.

Parks Victoria said it was not in a position to answer questions, referring inquiries to the Port of Geelong.

However, the port was also none the wiser on who owned the helipad and its intended use.

Further inquiries finally revealed the helipad was owned by Microflite Helicopter Services, which operates from Moorabbin Airport.

It said the helipad was relocated from North Wharf on the Yarra River.

A company spokesman confirmed the helipad was being stored in Corio Bay as a temporary measure.

Well, we reached out to Microflite again and they told us it had since been sold.

After going on a number of wild goose chases to track down the owner, the Geelong council media team pointed us in the direction of Elstone Diving Services.

They revealed to us its true purpose, but on the condition we make a vow not to tell a soul until that purpose had been realised.

We were able to reveal this purpose in November, after it was carted back to near Cunningham Pier, this time holding up the city’s famous Christmas tree.

The Floating Christmas tree was livestreamed from the waterfront due to the weather. Picture: Alan Barber

FORGOTTEN RUINS

A fixed drain in Torquay.

Ancient ruins which some locals jokingly say may’ve predated record keeping were brought to the attention of WTF in early October.

Care of the collapsed drain that had been in a state of disrepair for a very, very long time.

The crushed and collapsed structure was on the prominent corner of Geelong Rd and Spring St in Torquay and definitely was not up to code when it comes to drainage. And it didn’t look very safe.

Well, a week later the drain was fixed, leaving us to say “woah, that’s fast”.

IS THE MAYOR A READER?

New Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said people defacing his council corflutes were "gutless wonders".

Incoming mayor Stretch Kontelj has appeared in our column before, labelling vandals damaging his corflutes “gutless wonders”.

But his maiden speech shortly after officially being voted in as mayor raised some eyebrows at WTF HQ.

In particular, references to improving CBD parking, and fixing the waterfront bollards.

Perhaps our new leader might have been heavily inspired by the ideas floated in this column.

If it gets a few of your concerns fixed, then play on, we say.

Originally published as WTF: Well, that’s fixed! How Woah, That’s Frustrating helped Geelong