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  1. Climate ChangePremiumUpper house lock in Collie’s coal mine extension

  2. TOP 10 PremiumBunbury teenager continues to see success on Australian Idol

  3. WINEPremiumSouth West winery celebrates 40 years of community produce

  4. Regional WAPremiumWA servo asks customers for keys to prevent drive offs

  5. Scathing ReportPremiumBusselton city appeals Smith Beach resort approval

The driver of the red Toyota LandCruiser drove the wrong way on Margaret River's main street, narrowly missing onlookers.

RECKLESS DRIVINGPremiumMan charged after reckless driving spree in the South West

A 31-year-old man has been charged with a number of serious offences after a reckless driving spree in the South West – including allegedly tailgating another vehicle causing it to hit a tree. 

Madelin Hayes

Alishia Newling and Keely Smartt at the 2026 Busselton Senior High School ball.

IN PICTURES Year 12 students in Busselton gathered for their school ball

Year 12 students at Busselton Senior High School arrived in style at the Hilton Garden Inn as the kicked off their final year with their annual school ball celebrations. 

Rose Patane

Top: Waroona shire president Mike Walmsley, Capel shire president John Fergusson and City of Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel. Bottom: Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire president Stephen Carstairs, Nannup shire president Tony Dean and Manjimup shire president Donelle Buegge.

SHIRE MERGERSPremiumSouth West shires cautious to consider amalgamations

A number of shire and city leaders have voiced their opinion on whether future shire amalgamations are on the cards, with varying results. 

Will Corbett

Connor Wright celebrating as he crosses the finish line during stage three of the Tour of Tasmania.

CyclingPremiumLocal cycling wizard earns development team selection

After an outstanding summer on the bike local Connor Wright has earned selection for the AusCycling 2026 Under-19 European road development project.

Jack Penniment

528 patients were retrieved by the RFDS in the South West region in 2025.

ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR New report shares data on Royal Flying Doctor Service

A new independent report has found the Royal Flying Doctor Service is delivering double its value of funding invested, with the South West seeing an increase in patients retried in a 12-month period. 

Rose Patane

Lyn Nixon’s artwork Pernicious.

EXHIBITIONPremiumBRAG to showcase South West artists in the new exhibition

Bunbury Regional Art Gallery will host artworks by 26 South West artists from March 21 for South West Biennial 2026.

Yousuf Shameel

Shire of Dardanup councillor Ruby Trevathan and senior ranger Paul Sydney-Smith, on-site at the new 24-hour caravan and RV stopover at Ferguson Hall.

NEW TRIAL New trial for 24 hour stop over bay

The Shire of Dardanup will be launching a three-month trial aiming to provide those traveling through the region a new spot to stop and rest. 

Queen and king of the ball Shae Barnett and Beau Falloon at the 2026 Australind Senior High School ball.

STARRY NIGHT PremiumPremiumAustralind Senior High School hosts annual ball

It was all glitz and glamour as students from Australind Senior High School it the red carpet at the weekend for their Year 12 school ball

Bunbury’s Nicola ‘Nick’ Bucchino died on December 9. 2025.

Local LegendPremiumPremiumNicola ‘Nick’ Bucchino remembered for his ‘heart of gold’

A titan of the Bunbury community, Nicola ‘Nick’ Bucchino, has been remembered as a loving husband, son and father with a heart of gold.

Connor Wright celebrating as he crosses the finish line during stage three of the Tour of Tasmania.

CyclingPremiumLocal cycling wizard earns development team selection

After an outstanding summer on the bike local Connor Wright has earned selection for the AusCycling 2026 Under-19 European road development project.

Jack Penniment

The WACHS Older Person Complex Care Team in Bunbury won health team of the year and the chair’s award at the WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

HEALTH AWARDSPremiumSouth West health professionals recognised at awards

Health professionals from across the South West have been recognised for their dedication to delivering regional health care at this year’s WA Rural Health Excellence Awards. 

Madelin Hayes

Subscriber Exclusive

Dramatic images captured the bloodied aftermath of a light plane crash in Broome, showing a person being airlifted from the wreckage by a rescue helicopter and blood smeared across a wing. 

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA newsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Bloodied photos taken moments after Broome plane crash

A man who escaped the wreckage managed to pose for a photo on the wing as blood was dripping from his head. 

Caleb Runciman, Cain Andrews and Simone Grogan

Brodie Jake Dewar is accused of attacking the respected Labor strategist outside the Paramount nightclub in Northbridge about 5.30am on December 27.

Court & JusticeVideoPremiumTim Picton’s accused killer allegedly breaches strict bail

The 20-year-old man charged with fatally coward-punching Tim Picton has allegedly breached his strict bail conditions, prompting prosecutors to call for his return to custody.

Rebecca Le May

The RAC Rescue helicopter was sent to a road crash in Beaufort River to airlift one woman, while the other died at the scene.

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updated
fatal crashCommentsPremium
updated
Crash kills woman, second being airlifted to Perth

A woman has died after a serious car crash on Albany Highway in Beaufort River, with a second woman flown to Perth with critical injuries. 

Jacki Elezovich

Brodie Dewar returned to Perth District Court on Monday.

Courts & JusticePremiumAlleged coward-punch killer Brodie Dewar back in court

The man accused of killing WA Labor figure Tim Picton with a coward-punch outside a nightclub has returned to court.

Sarah Crawford

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In Case You Missed It

Brodie Dewar, right, outside court on Thursday. He is accused of killing Tim Picton (left).

Court & Justice PremiumTim Picton’s accused killer avoids jail after bail twist

The 20-year-old man charged with fatally coward-punching Tim Picton has avoided being returned to jail despite returning a positive breath test to alcohol.

Sarah Crawford

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

Middle EastCommentsWar will end ‘at President’s choosing’: Hegseth

RECAP: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has refused to comment on when the Israel-US-Iran war will end, after three major oil refineries were attacked by airstrikes across the Middle East.

Katherine Kraayvanger, Tegwen Bescoby and Madeline Cove

Western Australia has reached an all-time high in family and domestic violence offenders, with cases soaring by 20 per cent in the past year.

CrimeCommentsPremiumCommentsPremiumFamily and domestic violence in WA hits all-time high

Western Australia has reached an all-time high in family and domestic violence offenders, with cases soaring by 20 per cent in the past year, fresh numbers have revealed.

More people than ever used public transport in Perth in 2025, with that number expected to grow as petrol prices surge.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
State PoliticsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
CommentsPremiumPerth already turning to buses, trains ahead of fuel crunch

More people than ever used public transport in Perth in 2025, with that number expected to grow as petrol prices surge.

Brandon Craig will be the new CEO of BHP

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updated
MiningCommentsPremium
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CommentsPremiumBHP taps former WA iron ore boss to succeed Henry as CEO

The world’s biggest miner has announced its chief executive will step down after more than six years for a replacement seen as ‘evolutionary’ rather than ‘transformational’.

Regional News

Top: Waroona shire president Mike Walmsley, Capel shire president John Fergusson and City of Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel. Bottom: Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire president Stephen Carstairs, Nannup shire president Tony Dean and Manjimup shire president Donelle Buegge.

SHIRE MERGERSPremiumSouth West shires cautious to consider amalgamations

A number of shire and city leaders have voiced their opinion on whether future shire amalgamations are on the cards, with varying results. 

Will Corbett

Bunbury City Council voted against mandatory voting and four-year full spills.

MANDATORY VOTINGPremiumWA’s largest regional city says no to mandatory voting

Western Australia’s largest regional city has voted against compulsory voting and four year full spills, joining shires across the state in voicing their opinion. 

Will Corbett

Ampol Brunswick is now asking for keys before you fill up.

Regional WAPremiumWA servo asks customers for keys to prevent drive offs

A WA service station is asking motorists to surrender their car keys before fuelling up in a bid to reduce drive offs. 

Will Corbett

Howard Park Wines operators Richard and Jeff Burch.

WINEPremiumPremiumSouth West winery celebrates 40 years of community produce

Howard Park Wines are gearing up to celebrate their 40th anniversary as a part of Subiaco’s Subi Spritz, a four-day food and wine festival featuring other South West talent like Ben Jacob and Ben Ing. 

Lyn Nixon’s artwork Pernicious.

EXHIBITIONPremiumPremiumBRAG to showcase South West artists in the new exhibition

Bunbury Regional Art Gallery will host artworks by 26 South West artists from March 21 for South West Biennial 2026.

A car and a bus collided on Boulder Road on Wednesday morning.

Vehicle crashPremiumPremiumCar collides with bus in Kalgoorlie-Boulder

The driver of a vehicle sustained minor injuries in a crash with a bus in Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Wednesday morning.

News Flash

More Stories

A cargo ship sails in the Arabian Gulf towards Strait of Hormuz in United Arab Emirates.

CNBC newsCommentsPremiumWho’s moving through Hormuz and who’s still stranded?

Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has stoked fears of the gravest disruption to global oil supply in history, as the Middle East conflict stretches into its third week.

Anniek Bao

A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 km from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf.

CNBC newsPremiumOil’s war-driven volatility pulls in record retail money

The Iran war news flow-driven oil moves are drawing retail investors into the world’s most traded commodity, further fuelling volatility.

Lee Ying Shan

Gordon Ramsay

CNBC newsVideoCommentsPremiumWATCH: How Gordon Ramsay built a billion-dollar empire

Chef, restaurateur and global TV star Gordon Ramsay has opened the doors to his newest Michelin-starred location and reflects on the setbacks and successes that have shaped his career.

Caitlin Kalinowski stepped down from OpenAI after raising concerns the company moved too quickly on a Pentagon AI agreement.

CNBC newsCommentsOpenAI hardware chief quits over Pentagon AI deal

OpenAI hardware chief Caitlin Kalinowski has resigned, warning the company rushed into a deal to deploy its AI models on Pentagon networks.

Reuters

WA News

Dramatic images captured the bloodied aftermath of a light plane crash in Broome, showing a person being airlifted from the wreckage by a rescue helicopter and blood smeared across a wing. 

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA newsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Bloodied photos taken moments after Broome plane crash

A man who escaped the wreckage managed to pose for a photo on the wing as blood was dripping from his head. 

Caleb Runciman, Cain Andrews and Simone Grogan

Kinky Lizard has been forced to up their cabinet items by about 10 per cent. Pictured is manager Emilie Kaasik at Kinky Lizard Adelaide Terrace, Perth, on Thursday. Carwyn Monck

WA NewsCommentsPremiumREVEALED: Price of cafe items surge as result of fuel crisis

Cafe items are surging in price as WA’s hospitality sector bears the brunt of Australia’s escalating fuel crisis. 

Jessica Evensen

Former NBL1 West basketball player Roosevelt Aaron Williams Jnr has been jailed for sexual assault.

CourtPremiumPremium‘Sexual piece of meat’: WA basketballer admits raping friend

Vile text messages a NBL1 basketballer sent to his mates after raping a female friend have been aired in court as he’s jailed for the horrific crime. WARNING: DISTRESSING DETAILS

4 year old's Rosa Sharp and Eve Sharp on the ZeroG 3D is the first of its kind in an Australian children’s hospital with Dan Prigmore Coordinator Physiotherapist of Rehabilitation Technology.

HealthCommentsPremiumCommentsPremiumRehab robot helping WA kids take their first steps again

Perth will be the first Australian children’s hospital to get access to a ground-breaking rehabilitation robot, meaning more kids in the State can learn to walk again. 

Health funds are hiking their prices higher than ever, new consumer analysis has revealed, with one fund ramping up its top policy to slug West Australians almost $100 extra each month.

HealthCommentsPremiumCommentsPremiumEye-watering hikes for top-tier private health cover

Health funds are increasing their prices higher than ever, new consumer analysis has revealed, with one fund ramping up its top policy to slug West Australians almost $100 extra each month.

He faced a Brisbane magistrate on Tuesday where WA Police were granted approval to extradite him to Perth. 

CRIMEPremiumMajor update on massive cocaine seizure at WA border

A Queensland man has been extradited to Perth over his alleged link to a massive cocaine seizure in WA — the sixth person to be implicated in the 145kg bust. 

Caleb Runciman