The Western Australian Government will develop a business case into a possible three-way merger of the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University and Curtin University. The case will examine benefits, costs and the impact of a self-funded amalgamation. It will be prepared by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, with a steering committee led by businessman Mark Barnaba and medical researcher Fiona Wood. Premier Roger Cook said a world-class university system would help workers become job-ready. The government will consider the business case before making a final decision.
Staff unions and university leaders are opposing a WA government plan to merge The University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University into one large institution. A survey by the National Tertiary Education Union found 68.7 per cent of 936 staff opposed the merger, with 11.9 per cent in support. Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said the cost of more than a billion dollars would not benefit Western Australians. Premier Roger Cook says universities need to grow to compete for research funding and students. A steering committee will prepare a business case before the government makes a final decision.
A new paediatric scanning suite at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Murdoch has transformed hospital visits for WA’s sickest children. The suite, funded by Telethon and Mineral Resources, features colourful decorations and specialised equipment designed to make the experience less frightening. The number of children requiring ultrasound scans has more than doubled in the past decade, with over 1700 children undergoing 2376 scans in 2024 alone. The new facility offers a dedicated paediatric ultrasound machine, improving comfort and diagnostic capabilities for young patients.
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The City of Melville council has condemned online bullying, harassment, threats and violence against council members, candidates and staff. It did so after independent federal MP Helen Haines was struck by a car in an alleged road-rage incident on October 19. However, councillors voted 6-7 against asking the WA Local Government Association to push for a coordinated response and review gaps in protections. Councillor Karen Wheatland, who proposed the motion without notice, said nobody should have to accept threats as the price of serving their community. Other councillors questioned whether the proposal was appropriate and sensitive.
The 18th Castaways Sculpture Awards opened on the Rockingham Foreshore and run until Sunday, 1 November 2026. Artworks made from recycled and repurposed materials are displayed along Mangles Bay. The exhibition includes the main display, a maquette and small sculpture exhibition, and a schools exhibition, all showcasing Western Australian artists. Fremantle Ports supports the event, which has a prize pool of $27,250. The free family event includes Tactile Tours and Artist Talks. The information tent is open from 9am to 5pm daily.
Police have charged a second man over an alleged arson at a two-storey home on Ullapool Road in Mount Pleasant. The 43-year-old was arrested in Willetton on Saturday, October 24, and charged with criminal damage by fire. Police also laid drug and unlawful weapon possession charges after a search of the residence. He is the second person charged over the alleged blaze, after Matthew Manfredi-Tarpey was arrested hours after the fire on Wednesday. Red graffiti on the driveway read: pay your debt dog.
A 29-year-old man has been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after his ute crashed into a home in South Perth on Saturday night. Police allege the black GWM utility was travelling along Douglas Avenue at about 9pm when it left the road, struck trees and a light pole, and then hit the brick wall of a residence. Road Policing Group South is investigating the incident. Police have asked anyone with information or relevant camera or phone footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
Another Perth beach has closed after authorities removed the tail of a whale carcass found off the shore at Sorrento. It is the second whale carcass to wash up on the city's beaches this week and the third in a month. Sorrento Beach has been closed since a fatal shark attack about five weeks ago, when Greg O'Neill was killed while swimming close to shore. On Thursday, a partial whale carcass led to the closure of all beaches at South Cottesloe. The state government is expanding its shark-tagging program and may use AI-powered drones to keep beachgoers safe.
The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will be officially named Walyalup Bridge, the Western Australian Government has announced. The name reflects the traditional Whadjuk Noongar name for Fremantle, which derives from walyo, the Noongar word for the woylie, a small native marsupial. The bridge opens to the public on Sunday 1 November, ahead of schedule, with a free community celebration from 9am to 1pm. Visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport, as no parking will be available at the site.
A cake competition called Cakemantle, held during Fremantle Design Week, invited people to bake dessert creations inspired by the port city. Sixteen entrants took part, ranging from professional designers to locals. Erin Coates won first place with a cake based on the former limestone rock bar at the river mouth, which judges praised for its taste. Scolaro Terrazzo came second for its design, and the Fremantle Doctor took third. Organisers hope to hold the event again next year after tickets sold out quickly.
Bron and Phil Genoni have spent 27 years building a thriving garden at their Banjup property. The shady, mostly tropical space features an estimated 400-year-old paperbark, ponds that host turtles, ducks and frogs, and accessible concrete pathways. The couple run the garden on solar power and use chicken manure to feed the soil. The garden at 23 Muir Place will open on October 31 and November 1, with solar consultations, tea and scones, and a Jaguar Car Club display on the Sunday.
Families flocked to Fremantle Esplanade Park on Saturday for the annual Farmer on Your Plate festival. Children enjoyed pony rides, barrel tossing, cow milking and sheep shearing, while line dancing drew crowds of all ages. Pernille Loughton brought her granddaughters, who live nearby, and said she valued that the event was free. Kale Wells, who came across the festival while out with his three-year-old daughter, Pia, said cow milking was her favourite activity.
Two Western Australian punters are among four winners of the division one Saturday lotto jackpot, each receiving $1,523,797.81. The winning ticket was bought at Melville Newspower shortly before the October 3 draw. Newsagency owner Angela Missackovski said the mystery winner has sparked excitement in the suburb. Nine other locals won a division two prize of $13,255.65, and 166 people will share $1,035.05 each from division three.
WA Police have asked the public for urgent help to find 24-year-old Jin Hee Egan Chong, who is missing and of welfare concern. He was last seen around 11am near Riverton Drive East in Shelley, walking towards Willetton. Police say he has difficulty communicating and may not approach people for help. He is around 165cm tall, slim, with black hair, and was last wearing black slippers, charcoal grey pants and a navy blue top. Anyone who sees him or knows where he is should call police immediately on 131 444.
Three teenagers are in police custody after a spate of early-morning offending across several Perth suburbs. Officers were called at about 4.10am on Saturday to reports of an intrusion at an Armadale shopping centre, where a clothing store, a sports retailer and a food outlet were allegedly forced open and property taken. Police say a grey Mazda 2 hatchback seen in the area had been reported stolen from a Cannington gym around midnight.
The widow of a cyclist killed in a crash in Bibra Lake, south of Perth, has spoken publicly for the first time. Joseph Paratore, 40, died at the scene on North Lake Road after being struck while riding his bicycle early on Tuesday, October 20. His wife, Sarina Paratore, said in a statement issued through WA Police that the family's hearts are broken. Police allege the vehicle, a white 4WD, did not stop. Craig Daniel Strawbridge, 40, of Yangebup, was arrested and charged, and was refused bail and remanded in custody at Fremantle Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The NFL has announced Jay-Z as the halftime show performer for Super Bowl 61, to be played on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The announcement was made on October 26. Jay-Z has released 13 solo studio albums and has been nominated for 89 Grammy Awards, winning 25. In 2019 the NFL partnered with him to help choose halftime acts, and he has now chosen himself for the 2027 event. The game will be the eighth Super Bowl held in Los Angeles.
A popular bowling alley in Perth's north has closed indefinitely after a fire broke out on Monday evening. Rosemount Bowl on Fitzgerald Street in North Perth was evacuated, along with the nearby Pot Black and Bloodlines venues. The business said at about 10pm that everyone had left safely and no one was hurt. The fire is not believed to be suspicious and is being managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. A witness claims the blaze started in the kitchen, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Xpeng Motors Australia expects to have 66 retail locations across every state and territory by the end of 2026. The mid-size L03 SUV, priced from $41,900 before on-road costs, is due in showrooms before year's end. The company says it has processed more than 1400 customer enquiries and resolved 250 cases linked to promotional offers from its former distributor, TrueEV. Customers who bought through TrueEV and were promised offers can contact Xpeng ANZ, which says it is backing its vehicles with seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranties.
BYD's premium brand Denza says the Z9 GT electric wagon will not reach Australia until the first half of 2027. A spokesperson said the company is juggling priorities and does not want to launch simply to meet a date. Denza had earlier planned a launch in the third quarter of 2026. The Z9 GT has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 2.7 seconds and a 1036km electric range under the CLTC cycle. Pricing for the Australian market has yet to be announced.
Porsche Cars Australia is recalling 77 of its 911 and 718 sports cars made in 2023 and 2024. A manufacturing defect in the centre-lock wheel nuts may cause a wheel to loosen and detach while driving. The recall covers several 911 and 718 models from the 992 and 982 generations. Porsche will contact owners and ask them to book a free repair at an authorised Porsche Centre. The 911 was previously recalled in March 2025 over a seatbelt issue.
