Augusta-Margaret River Times

covid-19 pandemicAccommodation in crisis

Accommodation providers are wrestling with ongoing uncertainty this week as bookings plummet across the Capes region.

Warren Hately

Lee Burkett's two sites are among those hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.

local lockdownFrantic dash home to lockdown for local dad

Warren Hately

COVID-19 CRISISRegion heads into lockdown

Augusta-Margaret River shire residents are demanding immediate forced State Government travel restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

Warren Hately

WineArmy of retrenched residents could fill vineyard roles

Wineries and labour hire companies could recruit out-of-work locals to save the Margaret River wine industry in coming months.

Warren Hately

healthAmbo vollies’ supply fears

The Capes region is under-resourced with personal protection equipment leaving responding St John Ambulance volunteers concerned about their health, according to those on the frontline.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

CRISIS RELIEFShire frees up $2m to ease the burden for ratepayers

The Shire council has banded together in a stunning move to free up $2 million to help residents affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Warren Hately

Defiant dairyDairy demand no issue for WA’s milk producers

Dairy farmer Bob Biddulph acknowledged there had been a visible spike in dairy demand alongside the panic buying eating into many WA supermarkets’ product stocks.

Zach Relph and Cally Dupe

COVID-19 CRISISShire can’t shut borders

Local authorities say it is too difficult and complex to shut the Augusta-Margaret River shire’s borders and are waiting on further guidance from State and Federal Governments.

Warren Hately

Shire to shutdown facilities, examine relief options

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is working on potential financial relief options for residents as it prepares to shut down non-essential services later today.

Fears over Perth tourists

Augusta-Margaret River shire residents are increasingly calling for visitor restrictions to kerb the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

Shire statement on the way

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is due to release a statement this morning updating residents about the closure of public amenities and other actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main street makeoverRain won’t add to pain

Multiple days of heavy rain will not delay Margaret River’s main street redevelopment, according to project managers.

Warren Hately

Unprecedented rushShow shopping compassion

Elderly residents have begged the community to show compassion and restraint amid an unprecedented rush on supermarket stocks described as “panic-shopping”.

Warren Hately

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Trial of the centuryClaremont trial: Everything you need to know

For so long, so much has been said and written about the Claremont serial killings, but so little was known. Now for the first time, read everything you need to know about the ‘trial of the century’.

The West Australian

WA Footy 101WA Footy 101: Eagles birth saviour of struggling league

When the AFL turned its eyes towards West Coast’s $45 million treasure chest last week, it was different to what the bankrupt and even more desperate VFL did to WA football 34 years ago.

John Townsend

Special series: Part oneOur five part investigation into WA’s education

A Baltic republic once annexed by the Soviet Union with a population smaller than Perth’s is streaking ahead of Australia in terms of education. The answer? Making schooling free.

Bethany Hiatt

Regional News

Virus updatePremier flags regional travel restrictions

The Premier has told tourists to stay away and has threatened to close WA beaches.

Peter Law and Josh Zimmerman

Motorboats bannedCoronavirus hits Kalgoorlie’s skimpy barmaids

With several of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s main skimpy bars closing due to COVID-19, only two Brief Encounter girls have stayed on to service the remaining pubs in town.

Tegan Guthrie

Coronavirus closuresRex to shut down flights to South West, Mid West WA

Regional Express Airlines (Rex), an airline that provides vital links to South West and Mid West towns in WA, will shut down from April 6 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Geoffrey Thomas

Stop sending mixed messages about our safety

Living in unprecedented times, we are tired, scared and confused. We need crystal-clear communication, consistency and decisive action. And yet, at each step of the way we have been left behind.

Airlines need Govt support to survive COVID-19 impact

The time has come for Federal and State governments to move swiftly to secure our airlines and thus our lifeline around the country and to the regions.

Schools will support parents decisions

Nervous parents have the choice of listening to the pleas of the PM and Premier to keep their kids at school or making up their own mind and withdrawing them ahead of Government advice.

WA News

AllegationsCops seize $770k in WA ‘money laundering ring’

Four Western Australians will face court after detectives seized $770,385 cash and 60 Cannabis plants as part of an investigation into a Vietnamese criminal network.

Emily Cosenza