Regional WA

Station LifeOpinion: Fear should not rule us

“If I’d been asleep for the entire month, I would have thought I’d woken in a different universe. It appears that the world, and many in it, have completely lost the plot.”

Raelene Hall

WHALE PLANManagement plan for WA’s whale interaction industry

A whale management program, designed to allow transition to a licensed industry, will help people to interact with humpback whales in the water, after a trial program was held at Ningaloo.

Reuben Carder

ATO demandAlcoa, Alumina JV faces $919m tax bill

The ATO argues that Alcoa of Australia underpriced its alumina sales over a 20-year period to Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C, one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world.

HOLIDAY WORKRole of backpackers in economic recovery to be examined

The role of backpackers in Australia’s economic recovery will be examined in a review of the Working Holiday Maker program to ensure both migrants and locals can secure employment during COVID-19.

Phoebe Pin

Buying spreeForrest stretches north with $30m Jubilee Downs deal

After a fierce bidding war, WA billionaire Andrew Forrest has emerged as the buyer of a Kimberley high-quality cattle station.

Jenne Brammer

FINANICIAL YEARATO release tax time toolkit to help with 2020

Released by the Australian Taxation Office, the toolkit includes links to help small businesses find information, tools, calculators and services to support them at tax time and throughout the year.

Phoebe Pin

WHALE WATCHTour companies expect plenty of whale tourists

It’s humpback whale season in the Mid West and further north and tour operators are expecting a strong season as West Aussies ventured out in their own State while the borders remain closed.

Reuben Carder

COURT MATTERSCommunity-based order reprieve for DV charge

The court heard after a day of drinking with friends, Allatt came home and got into a verbal argument with his wife in front of their 13-year-old daughter.

Taylar Amonini

MIGHTY BLUESPorts jump to an early lead thanks to Kangas recruits

Reliable trio Jane Puckett (two goals), Lauren Puckett (one) and Kim Luke (one) were the primary architects of their side’s triumph.

WOMEN’S HOCKEYReigning champions CBC overpower Mines in EGHA round 2

Reliable trio Jane Puckett (two goals), Lauren Puckett (one) and Kim Luke (one) were the primary architects of their side’s triumph.

Rory Coleman-Heard

Ambulance AccomodationAMBOS’ housing completed

A construction project at the Manjimup St John Ambulance sub-centre has finished and is aimed at providing more convenience for its volunteers.

Tari Jeffers

FISH KILLFish suffocate in seagrass wrack

Jurien Bay has had another fish kill, with seagrass wrack near the marina littered with rotting carcasses.

Geoff Vivian

Three R’sWeighing up a more sustainable life

A Kununurra business has given locals the opportunity to make more environmentally friendly choices when shopping.

Kate Newton

SEADRAGON AWKENSSeafarms keen to restart

The proponent of the $1.5 billion Project Sea Dragon at Legune Station just across the WA-Northern Territory border has indicated it could start work on construction again..

Peter de Kruijff

FLEXIBILITY GRANTEDCollege marks its independent status

The East Kimberley College has gained “independent” status after several years of pushing from the school community.

Peter de Kruijff

MEN’S HOCKEYPegasus start campaign in impressive form

Pegasus’ A1 men launched their Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association campaign in impressive form, beating a determined Mines outfit 4-1 last Saturday night.

Rory Coleman-Heard

Falling LimbsMotorist’s near miss from falling limb

A Channybearup resident was lucky to avoid serious harm after her car was crushed by a falling tree limb.

Tristan Wheeler

BUDGET BUSTShire revenue takes a $1m hit

The Shire of Halls Creek is expecting to take a hit on its fees and charges revenue for its upcoming budget but will put off voting its annual financial plan through until next month.

Peter de Kruijff

Speed killsWA man’s lifetime ban for overtaking trucks at 158kmh

On April 7 Blake, caught behind two road trains on Great Eastern Highway, reached speeds up to 158km/h in a 110km/h zone in an effort to overtake them.

Taylar Amonini

Speaking upAboriginal youth podcast launches in Kalgoorlie

The podcast will be co-hosted by Ballardong Noongar woman Jazmyn Yavukama and her partner Brandon Spurling, a Maduwongga filmmaker.

Indiana Lysaght

Time’s UpCasey Mazzucchelli tells all after Big Brother eviction

Speaking to the Kalgoorlie Miner ahead of last night’s episode, which saw her evicted, Casey said she was not gutted because it was “never about the money”.

Tegan Guthrie

SW jobsAbattoir expansion to tap rich new markets

Western Meat Processors Group is embarking on a $10 million expansion of its Cowaramup abattoir, creating 50 new jobs and potentially opening up lucrative new markets.

Jenne Brammer

Cashing inKanye pockets millions in COVID cash handout

Kanye West’s billion-dollar company received as much as $5 million from Donald Trump’s coronavirus bailout program. The US President has also responded to the rapper’s presidential bid.

Merryn Johns, David Mills, The Sun, AFP

Road aheadThe nine infrastructure projects vital to WA’s recovery

A list of big-ticket infrastructure projects — creating more than 20,000 jobs during construction — will be critical to WA’s economic recovery after COVID-19.

Meilin Chew