Plans for a $3 billion upgrade to Perth Airport have been revealed, including a new Airport Central terminal, a parallel runway, two multistorey carparks and an airport hotel. Premier Roger Cook said the development, due to open in 2031, will add 4.4 million seats to and from Perth each year. Qantas and Jetstar will move to the new precinct. Airport chief executive Jason Waters said biometric technology will help passengers move through the airport more quickly. Several new routes have already started, including extra flights to Tokyo and a new service to Christchurch, New Zealand.
Perth Airport's chief executive, Jason Waters, has warned travellers to prepare for major disruption over the next few years. The airport plans to consolidate its terminals and move Qantas into a central hub. A new domestic and international terminal is planned at Airport Central, with preliminary work expected within 12 months. Waters said he could not yet confirm the total cost or completion date, though he expected the project to stay on target. The new terminal is hoped to open by 2031.
Aldi has the highest average Google rating among WA's three major supermarket chains, based on customer reviews. Woolworths Perth Airport earned the best individual store rating in the state, at 4.46 stars. Shoppers praised clean stores, helpful staff and easy parking. Common complaints included checkout queues, empty shelves and poor service. Woolworths Cottesloe, Coles Kununurra and Aldi Mirrabooka were the lowest-rated stores in their chains.
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The Western Australian Government has welcomed the opening of a Qantas Group emergency procedures training centre and a new Jetstar crew base in Perth. More than 1200 Perth-based Qantas Group pilots and crew are expected to train at the facility each year, so Western Australians will not have to travel interstate to upskill. The centre includes six classrooms, slide and raft equipment, fire training facilities and a virtual reality training area. Premier Roger Cook said the facilities would strengthen local training and create skilled jobs.
A Perth mother has become an internet sensation after her half-naked son appeared during Telethon's live car giveaway. Falziah Cooper, a single mother of four, won a Hyundai Kona on Sunday night. Shane Crawford and Katie Brown delivered the car to her Victoria Park home. Cooper said she had been facing a $10,000 bill to repair her broken-down car, and she has donated to Telethon for decades. A second winning family, Trevor and Brenda Crispin of Busselton, also received a Kona.
Entertainment personalities arrived at Perth Airport on Friday for the Telethon fundraising weekend. The Wiggles stars Tsehay Hawkins and Lucia Field were among the first arrivals, joined by Sunrise presenters, The Voice coach Kate Miller-Heidke and singer Jessica Mauboy. Several guests said they were looking forward to answering phones, meeting families and performing. Telethon airs on Channel 7 from 6.45pm on Saturday, October 17, until 8.30pm on Sunday, October 18.
Channel 7 stars have arrived at Perth Airport ahead of this weekend's 26-hour Telethon fundraising marathon. Fans gave a warm welcome to television personalities, athletes and performers at the gates. AFL commentator and former Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown, who grew up in Western Australia, led the group through the terminal. Pop star Morgan Evans and The Chase Australia's Mara Lejins, known to viewers as The Smiling Assassin, also arrived. Limited tickets for the opening and closing shows at RAC are available.
Receivers for the collapsed Cue Clothing and Veronika Maine retail brands will close 26 more stores as they prepare a possible sale. A small shortlist of potential buyers has made non-binding offers, but the closures will go ahead regardless. Stores in New South Wales will be hit hardest, while Perth loses a Cue store in Cannington and a Veronika Maine shop in Claremont Quarter. Receivers said closures start immediately, with timing varying by store. Staff will be moved into remaining stores where possible.
Western Australia has the most poorly rated airports in the country, with seven of the ten lowest-rated passenger airports. Travellers complained about slow security checks, limited facilities and baggage delays. Newman Airport in the Pilbara ranked worst, averaging 3.10 stars from 295 reviews. Perth Airport ranked eighth and was the lowest-rated capital city airport. Port Lincoln Airport in South Australia was rated highest, averaging 4.62 stars from 131 reviews.
Perth Airport’s Aviation Rescue and Firefighting team will attempt a 24-hour treadmill relay at the Telethon Family Festival. Around 20 firefighters will walk continuously while wearing heavy uniforms and breathing apparatus. The event will take place at RAC Arena’s Challenge Yourself Hub on October 17 and 18, allowing the public to witness the crew’s endurance test. The team aims to raise funds for Telethon, inspired by the resilience of sick children they support.
