Perth has endured a second night of gale force winds and sideways rain as another monster cold front smashed the southern parts of the State.
Power blackouts are continuing to cause headaches with Western Power reporting 74 known outages affecting 8,100 customers – 4,200 in the metropolitan area and 3,900 in regional areas and in the South West.
Many of those people can expect to be without electricity until at least Wednesday afternoon.
A large tree lies across the road in Maddington after strong winds brought it down overnight. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
Perth Airport was sent into chaos on Tuesday night after the power went out for hours, delaying check-ins and flights after a high-voltage transmission pole was damaged.
Flights were back up and running on Wednesday morning but the airport was backlogged with passengers attempting to get through security, with the flow on effects of the impact still being felt.
Hundreds of people in high-vis were at Terminal 2 as regional flights were taking off. The line to get through to security was almost out the door as people raced to make their flight on time.
A Western Power spokeswoman said crews and the network operations center worked through the night in difficult circumstances to make hazards safe and restore power where they could with around 1000 homes restored during the night.
“While further hazards and faults were reported overnight, storm-related damage to infrastructure was less than experienced yesterday where a peak of 35,000 customers experienced interruptions to their power supply.”
Houses damaged due to severe weather in Port Kennedy overnight. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
All available crews are working to restore power however the spokesperson warned there may be some homes and businesses that experience an extended outage due to continuing bad weather.
“Damaging and destructive winds associated with the front experienced during the last 24 hours have thrown debris, including tree branches, into the network, damaging equipment and bringing down powerlines.
“Our priority during the storm is responding to reported hazards first before we repair and restore.”
Homes have also copped a lashing, with damaged roofs and fallen trees blocking roads.
There are report a ceiling has collapsed at a property on Lakeside Drive in Joondalup and emergency services are responding to storm damage in Maddington.
Houses damaged due to severe weather in Port Kennedy overnight. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
In the South west, power lines are down in Margaret river with reports of lines down on Railway Terrace and Wallcliffe Road and Ashton Street and Nebbiolo Place.
A severe weather warning remains for Perth and the southern parts of WA. Stormy conditions are set to ease later this afternoon.
Perth drivers are being encouraged to fill up their tanks on Tuesday night, with petrol prices set to rise by more than 40 cents per liter at some metropolitan petrol stations on Wednesday.
FuelWatch has alerted motorists that Coles Express sites across the metro area are hiking their unleaded petrol prices by up to 46c/litre, with prices set to hit as high as 199.9 c/litre on August 3.
By getting ahead of the game, you could save yourself some serious pain at the bowser and up to $27.60-a-tank.
BP petrol station prices will also increase to up to 195.9 c/litre and some 7-Eleven sites will hit 189.9 c/litre.
However, FuelWatch says tomorrow’s metropolitan average price for unleaded fuel will be 170.8 c/litre, only up to 10.3 c/litre, and there will be over 30 sites selling unleaded for below 156 c/litre.
Gidgie One Stop in Gidgeganup will have the most expensive fuel, with unleaded petrol set to rise to 208.9 cents a liter.
If you’re keen to shop around, FuelWatch says tomorrow’s cheapest petrol in the Eastern suburbs can be found at Shell Bullsbrook at 155.0c/litre, north of the river at Shell Alkimos at 150.3c/litre and south of the river at Cost Perth Airport for 151.7c/litre.
THE GOOD NEWS
The news comes amid a worldwide drop in fuel prices due to the fall in crude oil.
Last week, CommSec reported the benchmark Singapore fuel price had fallen to a 22-week low.
And in what will be a relief to those feeling the pinch during the cost-of-living crisis, CommSec chief economist Craig James said there were still considerable savings to come for consumers and transport companies.
“Based on ‘normal’ gross retail margins CommSec would expect the national average price to ease to near $1.75 a liter in the next fortnight,” Mr James said.
“The good news for motorists is that crude oil prices have been falling on concerns that global rate hikes will lead to slower economic activity.”
Air traffic has ground to a halt at Perth Airport after severe storms caused a power outage on Tuesday evening.
Perth Airport announced the news about 5.15pm, warning that a power outage would result in delays for the next two hours.
The airport warned of lengthy delays and apologized to passengers, some of whom are understood to be stranded at other airports because they’re unable to land in Perth.
It said the decision was made based on the advice of Western Power.
“Perth Airport has made the decision to delay all outbound services currently scheduled to depart before 7.30pm,” the statement said.
“All enroute inbound flights will be able to arrive safely. All scheduled flights into Perth which have not yet departed will be delayed until further notice.”
Travelers were warned to expect delays or even canceled flights.
A power outage has delayed flights at Perth Airport. Credit: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian
“The safety of everyone who works in or is traveling through our airport remains our highest priority,” the airport said.
“We apologize to our passengers and customers for any inconvenience.”
Western Power crews are on site working to repair the damage.
Western Power says emergency crews are working hard in difficult conditions to restore power across Perth.
“Damaging and destructive winds associated with the front have thrown debris, including tree branches, into the network, damaging equipment and bringing down powerlines,” a spokesperson said.
“Our priority during the storm is responding to reported hazards to ensure the safety of the community and our crews.
“Our network operations team is working to isolate damaged parts of the network and back feed where possible to restore power where it is safe to do so.”
It comes as Perth braces for more damaging winds set to smash the State after thousands were left without power and properties damaged overnight.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for Goldfields, Eucla, Lower West, South West, South Coastal, South East Coastal, Great Southern, Central Wheat Belt and parts of Gascoyne, South Interior and Central West districts.
A strong wind warning is also in place for Melville Waters and the Gascoyne Coast.
These winds are forecast to continue through to dawn on Wednesday and the Bureau has warned that wind likes may cause damage to homes and property, particularly along the coast and nearby inland, becoming more isolated further inland.
Police have charged a man over a spate over terrifying sex attacks in Kalgoorlie in the early hours of Monday morning.
In the space of two-and-a-half hours, between 1am and 3.30am, the man allegedly forced entry into three homes and at each property sexually or indecently assaulted an adult female. Police say he also unsuccessfully tried to gain entry to a fourth home.
All incidents were in the south Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. None of the homes or victims are linked.
On Monday, Superintendent Steve Thompson said as a result of police inquiries they arrested a man shortly before 7am.
“Our thoughts are with the victims of these incidents, which would have been a significant and traumatic event, and they’ve been provided with a medical and support that is appropriate,” Supt Thompson said.
Supt Thompson said the victims were aged between 30 and 70, with two of the women the only occupants of the houses at the time of the attacks but there was another occupant present during the incident in the third home.
He said entry was forced to the homes.
“It wasn’t a matter of an open door, there was force used,” he alleged.
Supt Thompson said police had responded quickly when the alarm was raised.
“We all come together, when it’s significant crimes such as this, we throw all available resources and we use all our capabilities. And, it’s very pleasing for me that within a matter of hours we were able to make an arrest,” he said.
“We’re fortunate to live in this State that incidents such as this . . . are very rare. And when they do occur, they are our highest priority and we throw all our resources at the investigation.”
A 30-year-old man from the Warburton community has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent in the course of a home burglary, one count of indecent assault and three counts of home burglary.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Premier Mark McGowan and billionaire Clive Palmer have been found to have defamed each other during their vicious war of words in 2020 — but the harm done was minor, according to the Federal Court — as they were the damages awarded.
Delivering his judgment today, Justice Michael Lee said the defenses of both sides to allegations of defamation had failed — and the back-and-forth barbs had been defamatory.
But because the Federal Court judge found that both were involved in political argument — as nasty as it was — finding “real or material” damage was almost impossible.
He declined to award claimed aggravated damages to Mr Palmer, and said he could not find he suffered any real damage from Mr McGowan’s comments.
He assessed the damage to Mr Palmer’s reputation warranted an award of $5,000.
And Justice Lee then pointed to Mr McGowan’s landslide election victory as to the fact his reputation was not damaged by Mr Palmer — and might actually have been enhanced.
However, he said Mr Palmer’s comments warranted an award of $20,000 to the Premier.
In summing up the case, Justice Lee said arguments that neither side was involved in political posturing was “unpersuasive and superficial”.
He said amid the feud, the pair had both taken the opportunities to advance their political stance — particularly Mr McGowan, who he said “had a bully pulpit”.
And he concluded the “game had not been worth the candle” — taking up valuable resources from the court and the WA taxpayer.
“These proceedings have not only involved considerable expenditure by Mr Palmer and the taxpayers of Western Australia, but have also consumed considerable resources of the Commonwealth and, importantly, diverted Court time from resolving controversies of real importance to persons who have a pressing need to litigate ,” Justice Lee said.
“At a time when public resources devoted to courts are under strain, and judicial resources are stretched, one might think that only a significant interference or attack causing real reputational damage and significant hurt to feelings should be subject of an action for defamation by a political figure.”
The defamation case between the Premier and the billionaire stemmed from public barbs traded more than two years ago, as the pandemic was still spreading — and with Mr Palmer’s $30 billion claim against WA not yet public.
In press conferences of varying ferocity, Mr McGowan labeled the mining magnate the “enemy of the state” and “the enemy of Australia.”
In response, Mr Palmer allegedly implied Mr McGowan lied to West Australians about the pandemic — and was willing to accept bribes from Chinese interests.
That prompted both Mr Palmer to sue, and Mr McGowan to sue right back – with both men called to personally give evidence, which at times bordered on the bizarre.
During the sometimes florid and emotional testimony, both Mr McGowan and his Queensland adversary made striking claims about how the other’s words had impacted.
The Premier linked the verbal Mr Palmer’s attacks on him to the threats of physical attack from others, which he said left him fearing for the safety of his wife and children.
He promotes these ideas. He encourages all these people to weaponise themselves physically against my family.
“He is the sort of person who gets a band of people out there who believe this stuff. A band of followers he acquires who get wound up and outraged,” Mr McGowan said.
“He promotes these ideas. He encourages all these people to weaponise themselves physically against my family.”
And Mr Palmer went as far as claiming he believed Mr McGowan had granted himself a James Bond-style “license to kill” – and might use it to murder the mining magnate and get away with it.
That clause, he claimed, was his reading of the so-called ‘Palmer Act’ – the extraordinary piece of legislation drafted and passed in haste to kill off Mr Palmer’s mega-bucks royalties claim from the Balmoral South iron ore project in the Pilbara region .
“I then thought about James Bond movies… how would you license someone to kill? I didn’t know what the limits might be,” Mr Palmer told the court.
WA Premier Mark McGowan. Credit: News Corp Australia
“I reached a view that that’s what I thought it enabled them to do if they wanted to at an extreme level… that was a level of concern.
“To my mind, that meant that they could make offenses under the criminal code and not be held liable for them.”
Embedded within the case — and teased out by the lawyers — were communications between Mr McGowan and state attorney general John Quigley, which revealed the level of enmity within the WA government towards Palmer.
In them, Mr Palmer was referred to as fat, as a liar, as a turd and as “the worst Australian who is not in jail.”
Mr Quigley texted that he was working on a “poison pill for the fat man”.
And the 73-year old attorney general even referenced his own love life, asking Mr McGowan: “Are you glad me single again?.”
“Not making love in sweet hours before dawn – instead worrying how to defeat Clive,” Mr Quigley admitted.
That opened him up to being called as a witness — which opened another can of worms. Because Mr Quigley’s performance on the witness stand prompted accusations that he lied on oath, and he had to admit making glaring errors in his evidence of him.
“I gave inaccurate evidence to the court,” Mr Quigley said. “I am embarrassed about them (the answers). What I said was wrong.
Justice Lee summed up his thoughts on Mr Quigley’s courtroom performance abruptly: “Not dishonest — but all over the shop”.
John Quigley. Credit: DEAN LEWINS/AAPIMAGE
In his summary to the case on Tuesday, Justice Lee cited a quote from British politician Enoch Powell, saying politicians complaining about the press was like a “ship’s captain complaining about the sea”.
And he said the war of words between Mr McGowan and Mr Palmer was the “hurly burly” of two politicians arguing about political issues — predominantly the WA response to the Covid 19 pandemic, and the state response to Mr Palmer’s claim of $30 billion in damages.
Justice Lee also commented that the legislation which blocked that claim proceeded with the “speed of summer lightning”.
He described Mr Palmer’s evidence that he feared for his life at the hands of the WA government was “fantastic” — and “so unbelievable” that it undermined his other evidence.
“Not safe to place any particular reliance on it,” Justice Lee said.
And on Mr McGowan, Justice Lee said he was largely an “impressive witness” — but sometimes fell into the “muscle memory” of non-responsive answers.
And of Mr Quigley, Justice Lee said his evidence was both “confused and confusing”.
“Being a confused witness is quite different from being a dishonest one,” Justice Lee said. “Mr Quigley was not a reliable historian of events.”
Arguments about costs of the case, and who will pay them, will be made later this month.
The partner of a 34-year-old Perth man found dead in the garage of his Alkimos home has been charged with his manslaughter.
Police will allege Jordan Chas Caine was killed sometime between Friday and early Saturday with his body discovered at the Minoan Way home just after 6am on Sunday.
Brittany McCulloch, who sources say was Mr Caine’s partner, was arrested at the time and has now been charged with unlawfully killing Mr Caine under such circumstances as not to constitute murder.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.
Forensic officers combed the scene at the home on Minoan Way in Alkimos. Credit: michael wilson/The West Australian
The 28-year-old woman appeared calm when she faced the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Tuesday and confirmed she understood her charge after a short pause when it was read out by the magistrate.
During the hearing, Ms McCulloch’s lawyer said she would not be making a bail application and asked to adjourn the matter for legal advice.
On Sunday, Deputy Police Commissioner Allan Adams said there was a “solid contingent” of homicide squad and local detectives working to determine the man’s cause of death.
“To those neighbors in the vicinity who have concerns, be assured that the police are taking this extremely seriously (which is) evidenced by the number of officers there and are very hopeful of coming to a resolution in the short term,” he said at the time.
Police said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to death and there was no threat to the community.
“There is a person helping police with their investigations but again, there’s still a fair bit of work to be done to determine exactly what’s occurred at that scene,” Mr Adams said.
Ms McCulloch will next appear at the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on September 14.
A tree has fallen on two cars in Ballajura on Tuesday morning, causing peak hour chaos as the once-in-a-year storm continues to rage through Perth.
Emergency services were called to the crash along Hepburn Avenue eastbound, after Marangaroo Drive about 6.30am, after two cars were struck by the tree.
Firefighters and western power are at the crash site working to clear the cars and debris from the road.
Everyone was evacuated from the cars and no serious injuries were reported.
Traffic remains heavy on approach and motorists are advised to seek an alternate route and expect delays.
Main Roads WA tweeted the crash about 7am, stating the right lane is blocked in the area and drivers should take caution.
It comes as thousands are without power across the State, with emergency services busy clearing failed power lines and trees blocking roads.
More than 155 calls for help were received by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services overnight.
The Bureau of Meteorology released a statement Tuesday morning stating the “series of strong cold fronts” will continue across the State until Wednesday.
“Thunderstorms and gale force winds exceeding 90km/h are expected for parts of the region,” the statement read.
“This weather system is expected to be windier and longer lasting than a typical front and is likely to produce the kind of weather that is only seen about once per year.”
Cape Leeuwin recorded a dangerous wind gust of 137km/h on Monday night, while Bickley recorded a gusty 117km/h on Tuesday morning.
Cape Naturaliste recorded 111km/h winds, Gingin Airport 109km/h, Shark Bay airport 107km/h, and the Busselton Jetty 100km/h.
Power lines are down, trees uprooted, fences destroyed and traffic lights out across Perth and the South West amid gale force winds and heavy rain overnight.
Emergency services have been stretched to the limit as they respond to multiple calls for help — including one person who was trapped in their car early Tuesday morning after they drove over failed power lines in Midland.
More than 32,000 homes are without power, with blackouts stretching from Two Rocks down to Pemberton.
DFES received more than 186 calls for help overnight, with a spokesperson confirming the main incidents were in the metro area.
A large tree has fallen onto Melville Parade in Como, blocking traffic. Credit: Paul Entwistle/Twitter
Those without power can expect to wait several hours until it is restored with Western Power warning repairs will be “delayed” due to the challenging weather conditions.
Described by the Bureau of Meteorology WA as an eleven-in-a-year storm, a strong cold front smashed the south-western corner of the State on Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Police responded to more than seven storm-related incidents on Tuesday morning, including the Midland incident which is still unfolding. Western Power and DFES are also responding.
In Gooseberry Hill, a tree fell on a house bringing it with it power lines that have covered parts of the road. There have also been multiple crashes.
Gale force winds ripped off the Big W sign at Belmont Forum. Credit: daniel wilkins/The West Australian
Riverside Drive has been closed due to flooding, from Victoria Avenue to Barrack Street and Main Roads WA has warned motorists traveling into the city to allow for extra travel time.
Main Roads WA have alerted motorists that several traffic lights are down across Morley, Menora, Balga, Langford, Ferndale, and Rockingham and urged drivers to slow down and give way to the right.
The Bureau of Meteorology released a statement Tuesday morning stating the “series of strong cold fronts” will continue across the State until Wednesday.
“Thunderstorms and gale force winds exceeding 90km/h are expected for parts of the region,” the statement read.
“This weather system is expected to be windier and longer lasting than a typical front and is likely to produce the kind of weather that is only seen about once per year.”
Two large trees have been ripped from their roots during the storm overnight. Credit: Tracy Brownell/Facebook
Cape Leeuwin recorded a dangerous wind gust of 137km/h on Monday night, while Bickley recorded a gusty 117km/h on Tuesday morning.
Cape Naturaliste recorded 111km/h winds, Gingin Airport 109km/h, Shark Bay airport 107km/h, and the Busselton Jetty 100km/h.
As the cold fronts move through, heavy rains and thunderstorms are drenching the Perth area, with the metro region recording 44mm of rainfall.
A tree comes down during the night crashing onto a patio roof in Mundaring. Credit: Cherie Ward/Facebook
Gooseberry Hill copped to 43.8mm soaking, while coastal Swanbourne recorded 39.2mm.
In the South-West, areas including Bunbury recorded 61.6mm of rain, while 30.9mm hit the rain gauge in Albany.
Emergency WA have kept their severe weather warning alert in place, stating damaging gale-force winds could cause damage to homes and make travel dangerous.
“If outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams,” the warning read.
“Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
“If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.”
Multiple trees and power lines have been blown down during the storm along O’Connor Road in Mahogany Creek. Credit: Tamzin Scott/Facebook
Surfers are also advised to stay out of the water on Tuesday with dangerous swell expected.
“A vigorous westerly flow with embedded cold fronts will drive the development of large and powerful waves that will continue through Tuesday and Wednesday,” DFES said.
“Sustained heavy surf to develop along parts of the coast exposed to the West-Southwest from late Monday night, with the potential for significant coastal erosion.
“Significant wave heights exceeding 7 meters are expected in exposed locations.”
Western Australian teachers, nurses, police officers, cleaners and public servants have been offered a six per cent wage rise over the next two years as a buffer to rising inflation.
The Western Australia government has increased its pay offer for 150,000 workers to three per cent annually for the next two years, along with an additional $2,500 cost of living payment.
Premier Mark McGowan said the move was in response to peaking inflation and would cost the budget an extra $634 million over the next four years.
“Given the current economic climate we’ve listened and reviewed our wages policy,” he wrote on social media on Sunday.
“This is a reasonable and generous policy, but also responsible in these volatile economic times.”
The changes will immediately flow through to industries that have already accepted the government’s previous 2.75 per cent pay increase offer, including teachers and public hospital doctors.
Some workers’ wages will be increased more than the three per cent annual rate, with a patient care assistant who earns just over $55,000 a year set to effectively get a 7.5 per cent wage rise over the first year.
Perth’s consumer price index jumped 1.7 per cent in the June quarter, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, pushing its annual inflation rate well above the national average to 7.4 per cent.
Health workers and other WA public servants were lobbying for a pay rise above 2.75 per cent, with some holding stop-work meetings outside Perth hospitals in recent weeks.
The McGowan government banked a $5.7 billion surplus in this year’s state budget, which included a one-off $400 electricity credit for every household.
The risky WA roads motorists fear the most have been revealed, with Farrall Road in Midvale — the scene of a horrific accident where a 15-year-old boy was killed as he waited to cross the road with his friends — topping the list.
The road where Kayden McPhee was struck by a drunk driver in 2018 was identified as the city’s most dangerous by respondents to an RAC survey.
Kayden McPhee. Credit: Supplied by family/SUPPLIED
Your local paper, whenever you want it.
The 48-year-old driver Biju Paulose pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including unlawfully killing Kayden, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop to render assistance.
Kayden was taken to hospital but died nine days later from head injuries after his family made the decision to switch off his life support. His 16-year-old friend of him suffered life-threatening injuries and a 12-year-old was lucky to escape unscathed.
Orton Road, Byford, the scene of another fatal smash in 2020, also made the list for its poor road surface quality and lack of traffic separation.
A 26-year-old man was killed when an Acco rubbish truck collided with the Holden Commodore sedan he was driving near the intersection of Orton and Hopkinson Roads.
Farral Road. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC
At the time, it was the second crash at the same intersection in two weeks, with locals labeling it a “death trap” on social media.
The RAC survey received more than 10,000 nominations from residents identifying streets and intersections in desperate need of safety upgrades.
Mitchell Freeway. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said the survey shone a spotlight on safety issues that were often overlooked.
“Driving or cycling to work shouldn’t be a stressful or dangerous experience, but unfortunately that’s the reality for many in Perth,” he said.
“This survey result shows there’s an urgent need for safety treatments across metropolitan Perth.
Neaves Road. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC
“There are some great opportunities for low-cost intersection upgrades and better walking and cycling paths.”
Other city roads to appear in the top 10 risky roads include Mitchell Freeway southbound in West Perth, the scene of a smash in December last year that killed one person, injured two others, and led to hours of gridlock.
Respondents also slammed the confusing layout of the Canning Highway interchange on Kwinana Freeway southbound.
The regional road considered WA’s riskiest was the stretch of South Western Highway between Bunbury and Walpole — also picked up in a previous survey — criticized for its narrowness, tight curves and blind crests and lack of overtaking opportunities.
The intersection of Marmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive in the beachside suburb of Sorrento topped the list of Perth’s riskiest road junctions, with residents calling for traffic lights or a roundabout.
Marmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC
An intersection in Albany, between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway was named worst in the regions.
Mr Golsby said the RAC would work with government and road safety agencies to find solutions to ultimately reduce the impact of road trauma.
“Someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads every five hours,” he said.
“That’s why the feedback from this campaign is so important – it will continue to amplify our calls for safer roads across Perth.”
Road Safety Commission figures show there have been 80 deaths on WA roads in the past 12 months.
