Latest news with #WesternAustralianGovernment
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
‘Eerie' discovery made at Coral Bay beach
Almost 100 birds have been discovered dead on a Coral Bay beach, with residents and tourists uncertain of the cause behind the mass mortality event. People in the area have taken to social media to share concerns about the increase in deceased birds being spotted at Maud's Landing, with an estimated 80 to 100 being found dead this week. Tourist Callie Adams encountered 'clumps of multiple dead birds' while visiting, and said she spoke out in hopes a resident might shed some light on the peculiar sight. 'It just seemed strange to see so many in one spot, it was kind of eerie,' she told the West Australian. 'I couldn't see any major signs that would cause such a mass death rate, meaning no rubbish, plastics, the water was clear, no baits.' Dead birds seen on the beach. Credit: Unknown / Supplied 'It made me a bit nervous, it could be a disease and I was concerned I may have been in contact with something on the sand or in the water.' Another resident said they had counted 91 deceased birds during their recent trip to the beach. Seabird ecologist Dr Claire Greenwell identified the deceased birds to be Greater Crested Terns from photographs, and said that the large number of birds being discovered was 'unusual'. 'I'm keen to understand what is happening (to the birds) at Maud's Landing and why,' she said. 'Maud's Landing is a known roost site, and that many dead birds at a roost site in any year is highly unusual.' One resident counted 91 deceased birds. Credit: Supplied The Shire of Carnarvon confirmed the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the lead agency investigating the situation. The DPIRD said authorities are still unsure what is causing the deaths. 'The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has received reports from the members of the public and the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) regarding the deaths of crested terns in Coral Bay,' a spokesperson said. 'The cause of these deaths may be due to a number of factors and DPIRD is undertaking routine testing to exclude reportable diseases. The DPIRD said authorities are still unsure what is causing the deaths. Credit: Unknown / Supplied 'Members of the public are reminded not to touch dead birds and to keep pets away.' Cases of bulk deceased seabirds on beaches have occurred in other Australian states, with similar reports being made in New South Wales and Victoria late last year. In previous Australian cases, officials confirmed the deaths were not attributable to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu but were likely caused by starvation while migrating. The Western Australian Government urges any individual who notices deceased birds in a cluster of five or more to report the sighting to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Entire WA town could be washed away, homes & lives at risk
An entire Aussie town is at risk of being completely washed away by aggressive coastal erosion, which has stripped more than 25m of land over the past year and put homes and lives at risk. The scenic coastal town of Lancelin is in crisis, with locals saying more than 10m of land has vanished since May due to the erosion process. In some of the worst-hit parts of the coastline, more than 25 metres have been lost over the past year. The once-popular fishing and holiday destination, located 125km north of Perth, is now fighting to hold onto what remains of its beachfront. Glen Trebilcock, owner of the Lancelin Sands Hotel, has launched a petition calling on the Western Australian Government to provide immediate emergency funding and technical support. 'Without immediate intervention, the safety of the foreshore and the integrity of essential coastal infrastructure remain at serious risk,' he said. 'We strongly believe that a retreat is not a viable solution.' Locals say the coastline of Lancelin, north of Perth, is at risk of disappearing. 7News Credit: Supplied Lancelin Sands Hotel owner Glen Trevilcock is worried about the coastal erosion impacting his hotel. 7News Credit: Supplied The petition, signed by more than 900 people, was submitted to the WA Legislative Council. 'The Shire of Gingin, as a small regional local government, has a limited rate base and lacks the technical capacity and financial resources required to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of this erosion,' the petition said. 'We therefore ask the Legislative Council to urge the State Government to support the Shire of Gingin and community of Lancelin with emergency funding and specialist technical assistance in response to this urgent and unforeseen environmental challenge.' Shire of Gingin President Linda Balcombe has also appealed directly to WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, though she says the shire has yet to receive a response. 'We're not asking for millions of dollars at the moment, we're just asking for a little bit of financial assistance,' Ms Balcombe told 7News. 'We're a very small shire with only about 6000 ratepayers and we've got a big coastline that we have to protect.' Locals are pushing for the state government to assist. 7News Credit: Supplied Tourism, a key part of the local economy, is also suffering. Mr Trebilcock told 7News six tour groups that once passed through daily have now stopped coming altogether. A popular seaside lookout near his hotel is also scheduled for demolition next week due to safety concerns. The WA Government told 7NEWS it is 'aware of the issues and is actively looking at options to assist'.
Perth Now
20-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Fears entire town could be washed away
An entire Aussie town is at risk of being completely washed away by aggressive coastal erosion, which has stripped more than 25m of land over the past year and put homes and lives at risk. The scenic coastal town of Lancelin is in crisis, with locals saying more than 10m of land has vanished since May due to the erosion process. In some of the worst-hit parts of the coastline, more than 25 metres have been lost over the past year. The once-popular fishing and holiday destination, located 125km north of Perth, is now fighting to hold onto what remains of its beachfront. Glen Trebilcock, owner of the Lancelin Sands Hotel, has launched a petition calling on the Western Australian Government to provide immediate emergency funding and technical support. 'Without immediate intervention, the safety of the foreshore and the integrity of essential coastal infrastructure remain at serious risk,' he said. 'We strongly believe that a retreat is not a viable solution.' Locals say the coastline of Lancelin, north of Perth, is at risk of disappearing. 7News Credit: Supplied Lancelin Sands Hotel owner Glen Trevilcock is worried about the coastal erosion impacting his hotel. 7News Credit: Supplied The petition, signed by more than 900 people, was submitted to the WA Legislative Council. 'The Shire of Gingin, as a small regional local government, has a limited rate base and lacks the technical capacity and financial resources required to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of this erosion,' the petition said. 'We therefore ask the Legislative Council to urge the State Government to support the Shire of Gingin and community of Lancelin with emergency funding and specialist technical assistance in response to this urgent and unforeseen environmental challenge.' Shire of Gingin President Linda Balcombe has also appealed directly to WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, though she says the shire has yet to receive a response. 'We're not asking for millions of dollars at the moment, we're just asking for a little bit of financial assistance,' Ms Balcombe told 7News. 'We're a very small shire with only about 6000 ratepayers and we've got a big coastline that we have to protect.' Locals are pushing for the state government to assist. 7News Credit: Supplied Tourism, a key part of the local economy, is also suffering. Mr Trebilcock told 7News six tour groups that once passed through daily have now stopped coming altogether. A popular seaside lookout near his hotel is also scheduled for demolition next week due to safety concerns. The WA Government told 7NEWS it is 'aware of the issues and is actively looking at options to assist'.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer drops trailer featuring Sam Neill, Danielle McCormack... and WA tourist hot spots
First-look images and the official trailer for the third season of The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer were released today — and WA is front and centre. The series, which sees acclaimed actor Sam Neill return to reprise his role as Brett Colby SC, filmed in Margaret River last year, with the trailer featuring a range of stunning visuals from tourist hot spots around Margaret River, Yallingup and surrounds. The third incarnation of the Logie-nominated series boasts an all-star cast including Wentworth's Danielle Cormack, Love Me's Eryn Jean Norvill, WA-raised actor Ewan Leslie and Bump's Nathalie Morris. As well as filming in the South West, production also shot in and around Perth, with WA's State parliament used for filming during production. This season the jury's attention will be drawn to investigating a murder, with Colby called upon to defend the husband of one of his long-term friends. That case has links to the cold case murder of two teens in the area back in 1968. 'The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer is unlike any other as things get personal for Brett Colby, when he is thrust into a murder trial to defend the husband of a life-long friend accused of a heinous murder,' an official release reads. 'As the trial unravels a deeper mystery, a 1968 cold case murder of two teens is re-opened, and the 12 jurors sworn in for the trial find their own lives changed by the experience.' Serving as the jury this time around are Leslie, Phoenix Raei, Hanah Tayeb, Morris, Catherine Moore, Bolude Watson, Bessie Holland, Stuart Daulman, Paul Tassone, Charles Napoleon, Libby Stone and newcomer Claire Leach. The third season of The Twelve is just one of several productions that have headed West in recent years. Supported by Screenwest and the Western Australian Government through the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive, the eight-part series is estimated to have created 150 local jobs, including 50 cast with speaking roles, and attracted a spend of more than $10 million into the local economy, surpassing the economic impact of the previous season, which was also filmed in WA. 'The Twelve has proven Western Australia's innate ability to attract premium productions to our state and I am excited to see this next instalment on screen,' Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall said. 'Being able to draw series of this ilk to Western Australia provides opportunities for local crew and further cements our position as a go-to destination for screen production.'
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sam Neill is back in WA in new trailer for The Twelve
First-look images and the official trailer for the third season of The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer were released today — and WA is front and centre. The series, which sees acclaimed actor Sam Neill return to reprise his role as Brett Colby SC, filmed in Margaret River last year, with the trailer featuring a range of stunning visuals from tourist hot spots around Margaret River, Yallingup and surrounds. The third incarnation of the Logie-nominated series boasts an all-star cast including Wentworth's Danielle Cormack, Love Me's Eryn Jean Norvill, WA-raised actor Ewan Leslie and Bump's Nathalie Morris. As well as filming in the South West, production also shot in and around Perth, with WA's State parliament used for filming during production. This season the jury's attention will be drawn to investigating a murder, with Colby called upon to defend the husband of one of his long-term friends. That case has links to the cold case murder of two teens in the area back in 1968. 'The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer is unlike any other as things get personal for Brett Colby, when he is thrust into a murder trial to defend the husband of a life-long friend accused of a heinous murder,' an official release reads. 'As the trial unravels a deeper mystery, a 1968 cold case murder of two teens is re-opened, and the 12 jurors sworn in for the trial find their own lives changed by the experience.' The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer shot in and around Margaret River in 2024. Credit: Trailer image Serving as the jury this time around are Leslie, Phoenix Raei, Hanah Tayeb, Morris, Catherine Moore, Bolude Watson, Bessie Holland, Stuart Daulman, Paul Tassone, Charles Napoleon, Libby Stone and newcomer Claire Leach. The third season of The Twelve is just one of several productions that have headed West in recent years. Supported by Screenwest and the Western Australian Government through the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive, the eight-part series is estimated to have created 150 local jobs, including 50 cast with speaking roles, and attracted a spend of more than $10 million into the local economy, surpassing the economic impact of the previous season, which was also filmed in WA. Perth-raised Ewan Leslie stars in the third season of The Twelve.. Credit: Supplied 'The Twelve has proven Western Australia's innate ability to attract premium productions to our state and I am excited to see this next instalment on screen,' Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall said. 'Being able to draw series of this ilk to Western Australia provides opportunities for local crew and further cements our position as a go-to destination for screen production.'
