Geraldton’s Rocks Laneway gets fresh new look as local artist Lauren Kennedy paints mural over three days

A new mural being painted in the historic Rocks Laneway this week is expected to be complete by Friday. The laneway was closed to the public from Wednesday as local artist Lauren Kennedy painted the work. Rocks Laneway opened in 2019 as part of the City of Greater Geraldton’s wider CBD revitalisation plan, transforming what was once an old retail building into an eye-catching feature to attract visitors. It became an access point to get from the foreshore to the main street easily, and is home to an abundance of community events and markets. City data shows by 2021 the landmark had already attracted 317 activations, with 4747 participants and 9497 spectators using the space — a total engagement of 14,254 people. It was named after two local families, the Snells and Rocks, who played an important role in advancing the early commercial life of Geraldton with their displays of goods, such as toys, books and stationery. Charles Edgar Snell sold his newsagency — a prominent family-owned business which stood at the Rocks Laneway location for nearly 90 years — to Arthur Paskin Rock in 1934. Mr Rock was the printer and publisher of the Geraldton Express and director of Geraldton Newspapers Limited. More recently there’s been instances of antisocial behaviour, leaving the city no option but to close the laneway temporarily in a move to eject those responsible. On Tuesday, the City advised the community to exercise caution and obey warning signs and directions by city officers and contractors while the project was under way.