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  1. RETURN OF FESTIVALPremiumPair’d Margaret River confirmed for 2026

  2. WIND FARMSPremiumSouth West councils urge community wind-farm consultation.

  3. Road SafetyPremiumThree dead in horror weekend for South West roads

  4. HEARTBREAKPremiumTwo local dogs die in suspected 1080 poisonings

  5. Women’s Asian CupPremiumWomen’s Asian Cup on the road in the South West

A masked owl with a successfully hunted black rat in Margaret River

New ResearchPremiumFury builds amid mass owl death linked to common rat poison

This week, researchers from Edith Cowan University and Owl Friendly Margaret River revealed a damming new report unveiling data from liver tests of masked owls collected from Perth and the South West. 

Craig Duncan

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council.

On the agendaPremiumAMR shire set for second hit out of 2026.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River council is gearing up for its second hit-out of 2026, with some big-ticket items on the agenda. 

Will Corbett

A man has been charged following two scrub fires in Margaret River.

CRIMEPremiumMan charged following Margaret River scrub fires

A 35-year-old Margaret River man has been charged in relation to two scrub fires in Margaret River at the weekend. 

Madelin Hayes

THere has been an E.Coli spike in Hardey Inlet.

HEALTHPremiumShire urges caution for local swimmers.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River have urged locals to stay out of the Hardey Inlet near Turner Holiday Park, with bacteria levels spiking. 

Will Corbett

WA man Gary John Bell, 69, pictured speaking with investigators.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
CRIMEPremium
The West Australian exclusive
WA man linked to horror Philippines child sex crimes: AFP

A WA man who allegedly paid a mother in the Phillipines to sexually extort her young children on livestreams has been charged following a major investigation involving the US Department of Homeland Security.

Caleb Runciman

Chardonnay harvesting underway at Howard Park Wines.

WinePremiumWet and wild conditions can’t dampen Margaret River wineries

Wet and wild conditions are not dampening the Margaret River region’s wine production, with several wineries expecting measured and even yields with chardonnay and sauvignon blanc looking best suited.

Craig Duncan

Nature Conservation’s Hannah Weir alongside artists Mitchella Hutchins, Kyllie Deltonda, Nan Vivan Brockman Webb, Elaine Clocherty, Mick Hart and Cynamon Aeria – who are all involved with the Wooditchup Bilya Wongi – Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail.

Wooditjup BilyaPremiumPremiumConservation group setting sail with new river celebration

A regional conservation group is getting closer to country this month, with a program Margaret River’s cultural and environmental significance

New Day, 2024, oil paint on burnt marri timber.

Time to BurnPremiumPremiumExhibition on forest management to ignite discussion

An exhibition exploring WA’s current forest management is sure to ignite some discussion with its debut in the Holmes A Court Gallery early next month

Dunsborough Cricket Club.

CricketPremiumPremiumladder leaders clashing and finals chances up in the air

The penultimate round of the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association A grade proved to be a decisive one, with ladder leaders clashing and finals chances up in the air

Participants at the Smiler Gale Rotary Charity Golf Day.

GOLF FOR COMMUNITYPremiumRotary charity day raises $5000 for community pantry

Putters lined up their shots last week to raise funds for Margaret River’s community pantry’s outreach and transport services.

Yousuf Shameel

Gerhard Erasmus (left) and Mark Cummins (right) are bonded for life after a dramatic beach rescue.

SUPER SAVEPremiumDramatic beach save lauded as heroic

A dramatic beach rescue has resulted in a thrilling story of bravery as Margaret River’s Mark Cummins paddled out into treacherous waters to pull local doctor Gerhard Erasmus to safety at Rivermouth Beach. 

Will Corbett and Yousuf Shameel

Subscriber Exclusive

A retired high ranking prison officer has been thrown behind bars after he was busted for bestiality against his family dog and fantasising with other paedophiles about intercourse with babies.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Courts & JusticePremium
The West Australian exclusive
Ex high ranking prison officer jailed for child sex offences

A retired prison officer has been thrown behind bars after he was busted for bestiality against his family dog and fantasising with other paedophiles about intercourse with babies.

Jessica Evensen

Juan Daniel Visagie violently shook his infant daughter the first time he was left alone to care for her.

Courts & JusticePremiumDad found guilty for second time of daughter’s shaking death

A 32-year-old man has been convicted for a second time of violently causing the death of his newborn daughter when left alone to care for her for the very first time.

Rebecca Le May

Kristina Mariah Calder and Joel Samuel Lee Williams were arrested on February 13, just one day after Ms Calder shared a video of the pair exploring Japan.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Courts & JusticePremium
The West Australian exclusive
WA TikTok influencer arrested on cocaine charges

A Mandurah influencer who shared videos of glamorous trips abroad has been grounded after being arrested on drug charges. 

Rachel Fenner

The parents of Cleo Smith — the young girl who was kidnapped from a WA campsite and held for 18 days — have closed the door on a difficult chapter in their lives.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Housing MarketVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Cleo Smith family’s major life update years after kidnapping

The family of the young girl who was abducted from a WA campsite and held for 18 days have closed the door on a difficult chapter.

Kim Macdonald

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In Case You Missed It

The young man started looking at extremist material aged around seven.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Courts & JusticePremium
The West Australian exclusive
No jail rehab for Perth jihadist who posted beheading videos

The first person in Australia to be jailed under new Commonwealth counterterrorism laws covering social media use has not had any de-radicalisation programs in WA jail. WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT

Rebecca Le May

A retired high ranking prison officer has been thrown behind bars after he was busted for bestiality against his family dog and fantasising with other paedophiles about intercourse with babies.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Courts & JusticePremium
The West Australian exclusive
Ex high ranking prison officer jailed for child sex offences

A retired prison officer has been thrown behind bars after he was busted for bestiality against his family dog and fantasising with other paedophiles about intercourse with babies.

Jessica Evensen

Juan Daniel Visagie violently shook his infant daughter the first time he was left alone to care for her.

Courts & JusticePremiumPremiumDad found guilty for second time of daughter’s shaking death

A 32-year-old man has been convicted for a second time of violently causing the death of his newborn daughter when left alone to care for her for the very first time.

Brodie Jake Dewar and Tim Picton.

Courts & JusticePremiumPremiumJudge grants bail for Labor figure’s accused killer

A 20-year-old man charged with fatally coward-punching Tim Picton has been released on bail despite strong opposition by the political powerbroker’s family.

Kristina Mariah Calder and Joel Samuel Lee Williams were arrested on February 13, just one day after Ms Calder shared a video of the pair exploring Japan.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Courts & JusticePremium
The West Australian exclusive
PremiumWA TikTok influencer arrested on cocaine charges

A Mandurah influencer who shared videos of glamorous trips abroad has been grounded after being arrested on drug charges. 

Regional News

Ambulances lined up at Bunbury Regional Hospital in June 2025.

RAMPINGPremiumRegional ramping dips well below WA’s record numbers

While ambulance ramping hours across WA have soared, making last month the worst February on record, Bunbury’s regional hospital has shown a continued decline.

The City of Greater Geraldton will start baiting wild rabbits on Monday, March 23, finishing its program on Tuesday, April 14.

Hop no morePremiumGero rabbit baiting season here to tackle growing colonies

The City of Greater Geraldton is urging residents with pets to be aware of baited locations as it begins its annual integrated rabbit control program.

Imogen Wilson

Organiser Sue Manuel with her car at last year’s Yarloop Charity Car Meet.

Cruising for a causePremiumYarloop’s charity car meet is back for another year

Classic cars and motorbikes will fill Yarloop for another charity car meet

Rose Patane

Mr Accordian Man and Silvio Romero at the 2026 Harvey Harvest Festival.

FESTIVAL FUN PremiumPremiumIt was a fun-filled weekend for the Harvey Harvest Festival

There was nothing but smiles and laughter as thousands flocked to Harvey for one of the region’s calendar highlights. 

Residents have until March 13 to have their say on the Shire of Harvey’s potential city status.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION Community consultation for city status coming to an end

With less than a week left until the community consultation period ends for the Shire of Harvey’s city status investigation, more than 1000 surveys have been received. 

The new Dalyellup Library and Youth Hub.

YOUTH HUBPremiumPremiumCapel Shire seeks EOI for the new youth hub

As the new Dalyellup Library and Youth Hub nears its scheduled opening in July, the Shire of Capel is inviting expressions of interest for qualified service providers.

News Flash

More Stories

Flightradar24 still of flight traffic across the Middle East on March 4th, 2026.

CNBC newsVideoCommentsPremium$17 trillion at stake as travellers caught in Iran crossfire

The war in Iran is part of a growing number of conflicts that have affected the global tourism industry, showing that people who are far from falling missiles and drone attacks aren’t immune to ripple effects.

Leslie Josephs and Contessa Brewer

Goldman Sachs’ Chairman and CEO David Solomon.

CNBC newsPremiumBanking boss surprised by ‘benign’ market reaction to war

Goldman Sachs’ Chairman and CEO David Solomon said financial markets have had a surprisingly “benign” reaction to the Iran war, as the conflict enters its fifth day.

Sawdah Bhaimiya

Airspace closures after the Iran strikes forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers around the world.

CNBC newsVideoCommentsPremium‘Limited’ flights back on in Dubai after Iran strikes

Airspace closures after the Iran strikes forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers around the world.

Leslie Josephs

Apple introduces iPhone 17e

CNBC newsCommentsPremiumMore bang for buck in Apple’s new (and cheaper) iPhone 17e

Apple opened its week of product launches on Monday morning with a refreshed low-cost iPhone and a faster iPad Air, as it begins what looks to be a broader multi-day hardware push.

MacKenzie Sigalos

WA News

Petrol bowser.

WA NEWSCommentsPremiumPanic buying blamed for reduced fuel availability in regions

Regional WA towns have been forced to reduce fuel availability as distributors try to curb panic buying.

Caleb Runciman and Cheyanne Enciso

Dane West was tragically killed in a dirt bike crash south of Mandurah at the weekend has been remember as a ‘loving friend’ with a fearless zest for life.

WA NewsPremiumBoy killed in dirt bike crash remembered as ‘loving friend’

A young teenager tragically killed in a dirt bike crash at the weekend has been remember as a ‘loving friend’ with a fearless zest for life.

Caitlin Vinci

The earthquakes are contained within a 10km radius.

earthquakesCommentsPremiumCommentsPremiumEarthquake swarm hits WA town, tremors expected for months

A WA town rattled by more than 100 earthquakes since the start of 2026 is likely to keep experiencing the rumbles for several months, according to a seismologist who couldn’t rule out a damaging main shock.

Security cameras captured the moment a brazen gang of youths, one armed with a sword, terrorised a Greenfields resident.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA NewsVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
CommentsPremiumWATCH: Terrifying moment armed gang swarms WA home

Security cameras captured the moment a brazen gang of youths, one armed with a sword, terrorised a Greenfields resident.

The price increase comes as the war in the Middle East sparks panic buying of petrol.

WA NewsCommentsCommentsPerth petrol to be 35¢ a litre more expensive than last week

Perth’s average petrol price will be about 35¢ a litre more expensive on Tuesday compared with last week, threatening to upend what has become known as ‘cheap fuel’ day.

A 17-year-old Australia Post worker has gone viral after a video emerged of him dancing mid-delivery. Image: Facebook

NEWS‘Legend’: Dancing teen postie’s viral moment

A teenage postie’s spontaneous dance routine paying homage to the King of Pop has captured the hearts of thousands after going viral on social media.

Emma Kirk