Firefighters save homes from three fires

FIREFIGHTERS have saved two homes in Pickering Brook near Kalamunda in a busy day for Perth fire crews.

Forty firefighters and two water bombers were needed to contain the bushfire, which was reported about 10.20am.

Farming activity was believed to have started the blaze near the intersection of Woodbine Rd and Pickering Brook Rd. 

Nearby in Mahogany Creek, a bushfire threatened lives and homes before 60 firefighters and three helitacs managed to contain it just before 3pm.

The fire was reported at 2pm.

In Forrestdale, south of Perth, a fire burned through all of Friday night but was safely contained by this morning.

No injuries or property damage was reported.
 

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Passengers evacuated from burning bus

TWENTY passengers had to be evacuated off a Transperth bus after it caught fire this afternoon.

The bus had just left Curtin University when the driver noticed a fire in the engine at about 4.15pm.
 
The driver stopped and evacuated all passengers before closing the gas valves to the engine.
 
He attempted to extinguish the blaze with a fire extinguisher but the fire was too large.
 
Fire crews were on scene within minutes and put out the fire shortly afterwards.
 
The fire caused extensive damage to the rear quarter of the bus.
 
None of the passengers were injured and an alternate bus was arranged to take them to their destination.
 
The damaged bus was towed to the depot for investigation.

 

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Carole King wows crowds at Leeuwin Estate

Carole King performs at the Leeuwin Concert. Picture: Thomas Davidson Source: PerthNow

Carole King performs at the Leeuwin Concert. Picture: Thomas Davidson Source: PerthNow

WA'S business elite felt "the earth move" as Carole King rolled back the years and relived some of her biggest hits last night.

More than 6,000 music fans celebrated King's 71st birthday under the stars at the stunning Leeuwin Estate setting, near Margaret River. And what a birthday party they made it.

King had number one hits in the US, including It's Too Late and I Feel The Earth Move.

The first 32 rows of the concert were filled with a black and white sea of corporate heavyweights, representing companies including Caltex, Wesfarmers Limited and BP.

More than 1,300 VIPs enjoyed free drinks and canapes ahead of the show. The black tie gathering included Bankwest managing director Rob De Luca, mining magnate Andrew Forrest, former WA PremiersRichard Court, Alan Carpenter and socialite Emily Parish. Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan was also there again this year.

Mr Forrest said he was a big King fan

"Her songs underpin the majority of the values that most of us romantics grew up with," he said.

Married for more than 30 years, JWH Group's Julian and Cheryl Walter said Carole King's songs made them nostalgic about their early dating years.

"We used to play her songs on the eight-track tape player in the car," Mr Walter said.

The couple were among guests of The Sunday Times managing director Michelle d'Almeida.

Other guests included car king John Hughes and his wife Margarita, Impressions Furniture Galleries' Ian and Judy Leslie, Textile Traders' Benny and Judith Reuben, Phoenix Holden's Mark and Debbie Lawrence and Westral Outdoor Centre's Albert Walmsley.
 

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Three burned in boat fire

Three people were burned after a boat  caught on fire. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

Three people were burned after a boat  caught on fire. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

THREE people have suffered burns to their bodies in a boat fire late this afternoon.

A male passenger has serious burns while two others have minor injuries and were conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.
 
The boat was at sea in Aquarama Marina in Fremantle when it caught alight.
 
Fremantle Sea Rescue vessel 'Reliant' was first on scene and started battling the blaze at about 5.30pm.
 
Two other rescue boats 'Gemini 1' and 'R100' arrived soon after and managed to put a rope around the burning vessel and pull it slowly towards the bank where fire crews were waiting.
 
Sea rescue and fire crews on land extinguished the blaze within 20 minutes.
 
The timber boat was completely destroyed.
 

It is unknown what started the blaze.
 

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Barnett to let the liquor flow freely

PERTH restaurants could soon serve alcohol without food if Premier Colin Barnett has his way.

The Premier said his pledge ahead of the March 9 election would end the restriction that prevented bar patrons from carrying their own drink from a licensed zone to an alfresco area.

He said it would also allow restaurants with less than 120 people to responsibly serve alcohol to seated patrons without serving them a meal.

If the Liberal Party was re-elected, it would reform the outdated liquor licensing regulations so people could enjoy a drink at a restaurant instead of a bar or tavern, Mr Barnett said.

"This change will mean that people who would like to have a drink at a restaurant, for instance after a show or event, can do so without having to order a meal,'' he said at Wembley eatery Three Five Three this afternoon.

Mr Barnett said venues like The Flying Scotsman, The George and the Belgian Beer Cafe were currently under the strain of restrictive laws and would benefit from his proposed changes.

Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said ensuring diners were seated was an important distinction between restaurants and bars, hotels and taverns.

"The policy eliminates unnecessary red tape for restaurants wishing to offer a drink without a meal and removes the requirement for a special permit,'' he said.

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Buswell accused of Liberal espionage ploy

Treasurer Troy Buswell at a recent press conference. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

Opposition Treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt says Mr Buswell is playing unfair. Source: PerthNow

CLAIMS of espionage have surfaced in the state election campaign, with Treasurer Troy Buswell accused of planting a staff member to spy on a meeting between Labor MPs and Treasury officials.

Opposition Treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt said a member of Mr Buswell's staff was present but not introduced to six Labor MPs when they were given a briefing on the state's finances by Treasury staff today.

And while Mr Buswell's office hit back, saying it was within the rules and a convention to have a staff member in such a briefing, Mr Wyatt said it was evidence his party was being unfairly treated in the lead up to the March 9 poll.

"At no point during the briefing did Mr Buswell's staff member identify himself as a member of Mr Buswell's ministerial staff,'' Mr Wyatt said.

"Already we have had Mr Buswell tell lies about alleged Treasury costings of Metronet and now we have Mr Buswell partaking in scurrilous behaviour that directly impacts on the independence of the Treasury.

"In light of Troy Buswell's most recent behaviour there is absolutely no way WA Labor can have any confidence that it will be treated fairly and independently by the public service.''

Mr Buswell said the staff member in question was "a well-respected treasury public servant'', who was currently on placement at his office.

"As Labor did when they were in government, and operating under the same caretaker conventions, it is perfectly acceptable for a ministerial staff member to attend briefings to opposition parties,'' Mr Buswell said.

"How attendees are identified in these briefings is up to the Under Treasurer, who was aware of the staff member's presence at the meeting.''

As the first official week of campaigning in the west came to an end, Labor leader Mark McGowan went north while Premier Colin Barnett went to the pub.

Mr McGowan unveiled a $300 million, three-year plan to prioritise health in the North West, Pilbara and Kimberley.

It in included a promise to fast track the Karratha Health Campus, rebuild the Newman Hospital and upgrade regional hospitals including Roebourne, Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Exmouth.

Meanwhile, Mr Barnett targeted Perth's outdated liquor licensing laws, promising small restaurants permission to serve a drink to a customer without them having to buy a meal.

"It's part of saying to Perth we are growing up, let's be responsible, let's have some of the freedoms that are taken for granted in the other cities in the world,'' Mr Barnett said.

The Liberals also pledged $24 million over four years to tourism marketing, and $47 million for a new multi-storey car park at the Edgewater train station in the northern suburbs.

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Toxic fears hit Burswood site

Asbestos and other materials were unearthed during recent work on a southern parking lot project for the casino complex at Crown. Source: PerthNow

Asbestos and other materials were unearthed during recent work on a southern parking lot project for the casino complex at Crown. Source: PerthNow

CROWN Casino patrons and residents in the area may have been exposed to asbestos fibres and other toxins.

PerthNow understands that asbestos and other materials were unearthed in November during work on a southern parking lot project for the casino complex in Burswood.

But locals claim that, although the work was stopped back then, the Health Department was only informed about the contamination this week after residents tipped off authorities.

"Nearby residents, Crown patrons and hundreds of park users have potentially been exposed to the excavated sand since November with no public warning or even signage,'' resident Jeff McCann said, adding that authorities had confirmed to him that asbestos was present.

"The Department of Health only became aware on Monday after I started enquiries to the Town of Victoria Park.

"Attempts to cover the sand piles with mulch look to be ineffective (and) several questions arise, why the secrecy?  Warnings should have been issued. Why was the Department of Health not notified sooner?

"If the excavation from a relatively small sample of the former Peninsula rubbish tip has revealed asbestos and other toxic wastes, what the hell will be found when the entire golf course is excavated for Crown's hotel and the stadium?

"Given the latest discovery, the Environmental Protection Authority should now do a complete study on the whole development site, both for the proposed six-star hotel and the Perth stadium.''

A Health Department spokeswoman said work at the site ceased in early November 2012 when "contaminated materials were found''.

"At the request of the Town of Victoria Park the WA Department of Health inspected the Burswood site on Tuesday, February 5 to assist them to determine any potential health risks," the spokeswoman  said.

"At this time, no risks have been identified.

"When work was stopped, all stock piles were sprayed with hydromulch, an acceptable protection strategy."

She said a visual inspection this week did not identify any "exposed" asbestos and that "at the current time" there were no public health risks to users of nearby parkland, the casino or residents.

"The Department of Health's inspection did not observe any uncovered stock piles of potentially contaminated materials," she said.

But the spokeswoman said the department had asked for a further detailed investigation of the parts of the site which had not yet been disturbed "to establish if there is anything of concern from a health perspective and if so how best it be managed".

Victoria Park Mayor Trevor Vaughan said that while the southern parking lot project was on WA Government land and was not in the Town of Victoria Park's jurisdiction, the council had an obligation to ensure residents were not exposed to risks, and therefore quickly contacted the Health Department to inspect the area.

"The land beneath the site, many metres down, is known to be contaminated due to its original use - this fact was fully disclosed when the land changed hands from the Town to the State Government," he said.

"The Department of Health carried out an immediate inspection, and have informed the Town that there is no risk to the general public at this time.

"We have been assured that the managers of the site are taking appropriate actions to mitigate any risk to the public.

"The actions they have taken include placing windbreaks on fencing, monitoring contaminant levels and sealing paths and loose soil.

"The site is currently being evaluated in detail to develop an appropriate plan for continuing works without any risk to workers or the public based on the information gathered during initial testing of the site."

A spokeswoman for the Premier's office said the Department of Building Management and Works was undertaking the project on behalf of the Burswood Park Board.

"The Department has confirmed that no contaminated material is stockpiled,'' the spokeswoman said.

"Any contaminated material on site has been sealed. The stockpiled material on site is clean fill.''

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Sonny Bill claims controversial win

Francois Botha tries to land a punch on Sonny Bill Williams. Picture: Jono Searle

A BADLY hurt Sonny Bill Williams survived some of the biggest hits he has ever copped to win a controversial decision over ancient South African Frans Botha at the Entertainment Centre last night.

But with the whiff of farce all over the lead-up, Botha was kicking up a stink after a last-minute decision to switch the bout from 12 rounds to 10 probably cost him victory.

Botha lost a version of the world heavyweight title after failing a steroid test in 1995.

But last night it was the sharp jabs from Williams that brought him undone early.

That was until Botha came on strong and had Williams badly dazed in the closing seconds. The South African plans to protest - and is demanding a rematch.

Sonny Bill Williams punches Francois Botha during their heavyweight bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Picture: Jono Searle

"This shows that Australia is filled with match-fixing," Botha said.

"This was bulls---. It was supposed to be 12 rounds."

Even commentators were caught by surprise over the decision to cut the fight short.

Williams hinted that he might not box again after surviving the furious 10th round.

Sonny Bill Williams punches Francois Botha during their heavyweight bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Picture: Chris Hyde

"He caught me with a couple of good shots but thank God I stuck in there," he said.

Asked if he would fight again after being so close to going down, Williams said: "I don't know. I'll just keep plugging away, keep on doing what's keeping me happy."

Cooper lands early blow on critics

Williams was clearly unhappy in the 10th round as Botha, who had struggled to catch the hulking league and union international all night, finally started a bombing raid.

Francois Botha and Sonny Bill Williams after the fight. Picture: Jono Searle

With 30 seconds left and Williams out on his feet, referee Tony Kettlewell stopped the action and took a point from Williams for excessive holding.

The break gave Williams 15 vital seconds to clear his head and Botha had run out of time to finish it.

The portly 44-year-old Botha, who in better days had traded punches with Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko, later said he was pacing himself to go 12 rounds.

It was a thrilling end to a fight that was entertaining but hardly enlightening as to Williams' true ability.

Sonny Bill Williams is joined by Anthony Mundine and Quade Cooper after his win. Picture: Jono Searle

REPLAY OUR COVERAGE OF THE SONNY BILL WILLIAMS-FRANCOIS BOTHA FIGHT BELOW.

Quade Cooper

Quade Cooper lands a punch on Barry Dunnet in their cruiserweight bout. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

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Extreme fire risk as Pilbara towns scorched

An extreme fire warning has been issued for the Pilbara for tomorrow. Source: PerthNow

THE Pilbara is on an extreme fire danger, while most of regional WA faces severe fire conditions tomorrow as a hot, dry summer continues.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe fire danger advice for coastal parts of the Gascoyne and Central West and central and southern parts of the interior.

The warnings take in the shires of Laverton, Menzies, Wiluna, Ngaanyatjarraku, Carnarvon, Shark Bay, Chapman Valley, Northampton, Carnamah, Coorow, Dandaragan and Irwin and the City of Greater Geraldton.

Inland parts of the east Pilbara are also on an extreme fire danger.

DFES warn fires can threaten suddenly and without warning, so residents should stay alert and watch for signs of fire, especially smoke and flames.

Conditions in the affected areas are expected to be very hot, dry and windy for a bush or grass fire.

The warnings were issued as several Pilbara towns continued to swelter today, with Learmonth and Marble Bar topping 44C while Paraburdoo and Telfer went past 43C.

For local fire danger ratings visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or call 9395 9300 during normal office hours.

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Sally Ayhan's latest weather update

GET the latest on what the weather's been doing today, plus the forecast for the next 24 hours and week ahead, with Channel 9's weather presenter Sally Ayhan.

Channel Nine's new weather presenter Sally Ayhan gives PerthNow readers a unique insight into what's been happening with the local weather and a sneak peek into what temperatures to expect over the next 24 hours.
 
For Sally's full weather report, including the 7-day forecast, make sure you tune in to Nine News at 6pm tonight.
 

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Iron ore fuels deficit rethink, GST shrinks

State Treasurer Troy Buswell giving a press conference at Parliament House today. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

State Treasurer Troy Buswell giving a press conference at Parliament House today. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

PESSIMISTIC forecasts for Western Australia's share of GST distributions have underestimated the dire outlook for the boom state.

In a pre-election financial update that will no doubt give Premier Colin Barnett more ammunition to attack the federal government, new figures provided by Treasury today show WA's slice of the GST pie is now projected to fall to 27 per cent of population share by 2015/16, down from 35 per cent in the mid-year review provided in December.

The revelation will no doubt incense the fiesty Liberal leader, who in launching the party's state election campaign yesterday, vowed to keep fighting the federal government on the issue.

And he warned voters that state opposition leader Mark McGowan would not stand up to Canberra like he has.

Mr Barnett was highly disappointed by November's GST review panel report, labelling it a missed opportunity.

The Liberal leader has long maintained that the resources-rich state is being ripped off, but the federal government argues that WA has - until recent years - been carried by the other states.

Excluding the boom years, WA had been a net beneficiary of Commonwealth benefits for many decades, a spokesman for federal treasurer Wayne Swan said in March last year when Mr Barnett was still hopeful of major reform in the GST distribution method.

Mr Barnett conceded yesterday that he'd made little traction in pushing for change, but would not give up.

The report did provide some welcome news, however, with the 2012/13 budget surplus now expected to be $241 million, up from $140 million in the mid-year review.

Better still, a forecast deficit of $187 million in the mid-year review could turn around to a $390 million surplus in 2013/14 - provided iron ore prices stay strong.

The iron ore price was about $US155 per tonne today, although analysts expect a long term price of around $US100 per tonne.

Treasury said the improved outlook for the state's finances - mainly reflecting the impact of an iron ore price rebound over the past two months - may or may not be sustained.

WA Treasurer Troy Buswell said the report showed 'a good set of numbers'.

""WA continues to lead the nation with economic growth remaining strong at 6 per cent. Latest ABS figures also show WA's unemployment rate falling to 4 per cent," he said.

"We've had to make some tough decisions, during the past four years in Government, if we had not made those decisions, we would never have delivered today's solid figures."

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Sport desperate for a fix

Australian sport has been rocked by a bombshell report from the Crime Commission. Picture: Grant Nowell Source: The Advertiser

AUSTRALIAN sport's "blackest day" has plunged the AFL and NRL into crisis and rocked elite sport, amid revelations that entire teams doped.

Sports scientists, coaches and club support staff have orchestrated the drug use of players, aided by dodgy doctors, pharmacists and even anti-ageing clinics which have supplied new-age performance enhancing peptides and hormones.

A devastating report from the Australian Crime Commission found the substances were being supplied in Australia by organised crime figures who have infiltrated every level of Australian sport.

As drug taking professional athletes were urged to "come forward before you get a knock at the door", other revelations include:

AT least one match may have been fixed and is being investigated.

A government investigation has uncovered use of banned substances within Australian professional sport and links to organised crime.

POLICE have been handed 100 pieces of intelligence by the ACC and criminals pushing performance enhancing drugs have been linked to money laundering, fraud and match fixing.

PLAYERS have been fed quick-metabolising drugs which are hard to detect intravenously. Some have not been approved or are rarely used on humans.

CRIME figures have forged business partnerships with major codes.

DOCTORS are writing scripts in false names for drugs supplied by compounding pharmacies.

Australian Crime Commission CEO John Lawler speaking at a press conference after the release of an ACC report into drug and crime links to Australian sport. Picture: Gary Ramage

ANTI-AGEING clinics with criminal links are distributing so called "fountain of youth" peptides to athletes that can enhance performance.

ATHLETES are supplying illicit drugs.

ACC executive director Paul Jevtovic revealed phone taps and coercive hearings had been used and he said the use of drugs not even scheduled had left the commission with "clear evidence players are being used as guinea pigs".

ACC chief executive John Lawler and Justice Minister Jason Clare said they were unable to name clubs, codes or players suspected of doping, casting a pall over all Australian sport.

Andrew Demetriou and AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick address the media after the Australian Crime Commission released a report on drugs and organised crime in Australian sport.

NRL CEO David Smith said he had been briefed by the commission and that the findings of its report released yesterday "affects more than one player and more than one club".

The AFL has been rocked by an anti-doping investigation at Essendon and was also briefed by the commission, but CEO Andrew Demetriou, who said "we have to do more," revealed he did not know how many players or officials were involved.

Both codes are now working with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and have scrambled to respond, the NRL appointing former Federal Court judge Tony Whitlam to work with authorities.

The ACC found the infiltration of organised crime and doping by team officials was similar to what the United States Anti-Doping Agency found in the case of Lance Armstrong, but on a larger scale.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is adamant that cheating of any form in the AFL will not be accepted and you will be caught.

"The difference is that the Australian threat is current, crosses sporting codes and is evolving," the ACC found.

Former ASADA chairman Richard Ings told Fox Sports yesterday: "This is not a black day in Australian sport, this is the blackest day in Australian sport."

Mr Clare said the findings were "shocking and they will disgust Australian sports fans" before he urged cheats, who could see penalties reduced if they cooperate, to own up.

"Don't underestimate how much we know and if you're involved in this come forward before you get a knock at the door," he said.

The Australian Crime Commission has released a report into a 12-month investigation into the integrity of Australian sport. David Gallop, NRL boss David Smith, ASADA CEO Aurora Andruska, Sports Minister Kate Lundy, Justice Minister Jason Clare, ACC CEO John Lawler, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver. Picture: Gary Ramage

Integrity units will be established by each sporting code.

Tactics used to gain access to performance enhancing drugs, which can promote tissue repair and muscle growth and are also being used on race horses, were outlined by the ACC.

In one case, a "research" body was established to get access to peptides and hormones from a compounding pharmacy.

Doctors complicit with doping regimes were recruited and, in another instance, a sports scientist profited from the sale of peptides and hormones and "directed their application at a number of sporting clubs".

Players were often left in the dark about what was being pumped into their bodies, with no medical records kept.

"In some cases, peptides and other substances were administered to players without them understanding the nature of the substances, and without the knowledge of the team doctor," the ACC found.

Football Federation chief David Gallop yesterday said "there is nothing specific in relation to football in relation to this report" while ARU CEO Bill Pulver said the report was a "wake-up call" but he was unaware of any allegations involving union's professional teams.

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String of bushfires on Great Eastern Hwy

BUSHFIRES have broken out along the Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia, including one across the highway from the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre at Northam, north-east of Perth.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said firefighters were working on several scrub fires along the highway.

Fires had also broken out on the corner of Northam's main street, Mitchell Avenue, and Mt Ommanney Rd.

Do you have any photos of the fire? Email them here

Details were being gathered ahead of the release of alerts, she said.

For more information visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au

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Work bans by nurses at third WA hospital

ANF state secretary Mark Olson has called on the WA government to make nurses a decent pay offer. Source: PerthNow

NURSES at Fremantle Hospital plan to impose work bans tomorrow, joining colleagues at two other hospitals as they press their pay claim with the WA government.

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) was originally seeking a 20 per cent wage rise over three years, but members who attended a union meeting at Royal Perth Hospital on Monday said they would accept a minimum 15 per cent increase over the same period.

The state government has offered public sector nurses a three per cent per year wage rise - equivalent to inflation - and a further 1.25 per cent per annum if they give up certain conditions of employment.

Nurses at Royal Perth Hospital adopted the work bans on Monday, followed by Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital today.

While the wrangling continues with the Health Department of Western Australia, they will not be doing any work that does not directly involve the care of a patient, including removing rubbish, cleaning toilets and bathrooms, and moving medical equipment in and out of theatre rooms.

They say they've been forced to do work that would normally be done by orderlies and cleaners - positions that have been cut back.

ANF state secretary Mark Olson said the work bans would slow down the operations of any hospital where they were implemented, suggesting more were in store.

The first casualty would be the state government's rule that patients are treated and cleared from emergency departments within four hours, he said.

Mr Olson said the rule relied heavily on the goodwill of nurses.

"It will be impossible for hospitals to continue to get patients out of the emergency departments within the designated four hours,'' he said.

"For that to happen, nurses have to clean rooms and equipment, clean operating theatres, move patients, move furniture and equipment or collect medications and fill out paperwork for patients being discharged - all of which will no longer be happening at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after today.''

Mr Olson called on the WA government to "show some respect and make nurses a decent offer''.

Public sector nurses will hold a mass meeting on February 18 - the first in 12 years, Mr Olson said - to discuss taking further measures to push their case.

"It will start to have an effect on the theatre list,'' he said.

"The (health) minister (Kim Hames) is hoping if he ignores it, it will go away.''

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City goes green in vision of Perth future

Images from the WA Planning Commission's "Capital City Planning Framework: A Vision For Central Perth" released today. The plan can be viewed online at www.planning.wa.gov.au Source: PerthNow

THE future of central Perth is green according to a bold plan to transform the CBD into a "world-class capital city'' released by authorities today.

The WA Planning Commission's Capital City Planning Framework highlights three key precincts, each containing major landmarks that characterise the capital: Parliament Hill and Kings Park; the Swan River foreshore; and Forrest Place.

The framework document says the setting for central Perth is to be "reconceived as a world class, multifunctional green network, shaped by the City's sense of place, providing benefits to people and wildlife and showcasing our unique city-scapes and biodiversity''.
It continues:

"The natural setting in which urban metropolitan Perth and central Perth sit is an essential element to the identity, liveability and ecology of the city.

"These natural environments should be conceived and planned as a green infrastructure network, delivering a wide range of ecosystem services. As central Perth regional parklands will weave between urban buildings and along streets, connecting the city with the river, parklands and beaches.

"By enhancing our sense of place this will make central Perth even more memorable for residents and visitors alike.''

The areas planned for the network were the City, the river foreshore, Kings Park, Bold Park, the coast, Herdsman Lake and Lake Monger.

Successfully linking Kings Park and Bold Park would offer the greatest challenge and the greatest potential gains, the report said.

Other key plans were to reduce the need for private cars, to increase the city's liveability and sustainability, to add more residential housing at higher densities in central Perth and more trees to the citys streets.

Department of Planning director general Eric Lumsden said the framework was an integral blueprint for the city's essential and inevitable planning and infrastructure changes to accommodate a diverse population.

The drivers of change for the city included globalisation, increased trade, population growth, digital connectivity and more.

"Architectural and urban design quality in Perth will be critical to building the citys economic future, as well as its liveability, sustainability and cultural identity,'' Mr Lumsden said. 

He said today's release of the final Capital City Planning Framework outlined a "spatial strategy that envisions a renewed sense of character and connectivity for central Perth''.

The framework focused on central Perth, a nominal area of 12 km by 12 km including Perth city and its frame, West Perth, East Perth and Northbridge.

The draft framework was released for public comment in mid-2011, and received almost unanimous in-principle endorsement in the submissions of stakeholder organisations and community members, along with many positive suggestions about how it could be improved.

This final edition incorporates as many of these suggestions as possible, while maintaining the overall policy direction of the draft document.

The document can be accessed on the Planning WA website http://www.planning.wa.gov.au.

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'Import' Gilchrist the model ambassador

Adam Gilchrist, the new face of Tourism WA's latest campaign, at Kings Park for the launch. Source: PerthNow

HE may have arrived as an 'eastern stater' and booed by local fans at his first WA game but Adam Gilchrist couldn't be prouder as the new face of WA tourism.

Almost 20 years after moving from NSW to play cricket with Western Australia, the retired cricket great is front and centre of Tourism WA's latest campaign.

Five WA holidays worth $10,000 each are on offer to entrants in the 1001 Extraordinary Experiences campaign, a photography competition where West Australians can submit photos of their favourite travel spots around the state.

Though Gilchrist was quick to point out today he was no Elle Macpherson - Tourism WA's ambassador in the 1990s whose appointment ruffled some feathers - he said he did now think of himself as a true Sandgroper who truly loved WA.

"I'm an import West Australian but 19 years I have been here now and I don't plan to go anywhere," he said.

"I have visited so many wonderful places within WA since moving here nearly 20 years ago.

"Eagle Bay (where Gilchrist is building a home) is one of my family's favourite spots but there are so many different places and experiences in WA."

Gilchrist submitted his own photo of the sun setting over Eagle Bay in the South-West as part of the campaign launch today, also attended by Tourism Minister Kim Hames.

"We want West Australians and visitors to the State to submit photos and share their extraordinary experiences of WA on a dedicated Facebook page," Dr Hames said.

To enter the photographic competition visit www.westernaustralia.com/1001

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Clarke wins AB Medal, wife owns red carpet

Michael Clarke with his fourth Allan Border Medal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MICHAEL Clarke capped the most prolific batting year in Australian Test history with the 2013 Allan Border Medal.

An emotional Clarke choked back tears as he joined Ricky Ponting as the award's only four-time winner, polling 198 votes to finish well clear of his teammates despite playing little more than half of the one-day internationals and no Twenty20 internationals.

The retired Mike Hussey and injury-plagued Shane Watson tied for second on 165, highlighting the importance of Clarke to his young teammates in a massive year ahead.

But Clarke was typically modest in assessing his triumph, deferring personal glory to the Australia's ongoing success was paramount.

"It's nice to win an Allan Border Medal and it's just as special as the first one, but I'd like to see the team up there winning awards more than individual players," he said.

The Australian skipper pounded 1080 runs in nine matches in the voting period between February 25, 2012, and January 28 this year at an average of 77.1 -- the lion's share of his national record 1595 runs in calendar year 2012.

Clarke said "a lot of luck and hard work" had gone into the result, harking back to his axing from the national team in 2005 as the turning point.

Michael Clarke accepts his award from Allan Border. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"It was a tough time when I got dropped from the Test team, but I think that's probably the time in my life when I realised I had to work a lot harder than I was to stay in the Australian team," Clarke said.

"When I got dropped, scoring one run seemed a long way away, let alone winning an AB Medal.

"When I first came into the Australian team, the senior players regularly spoke to me about not being in such a rush, being more patient and trying to be as consistent as I could through the good and bad times.

"As a young player with no patience and always in a rush, that was quite difficult.

"When I got dropped it made me stop and reflect on the areas I wasn't giving 100 per cent ... and I think that changed my attitude (so that) everything off the field had to come second.

"The scary thing about getting dropped is you never know if you're going to play again for Australia and credit to all the boys who've been dropped, come back and get a second chance to play for Australia -- it's not an easy thing to do."

Michael Clarke receives a kiss from his wife Kyly after winning his fourth Allan Border Medal. Source: Getty Images

Clarke, who won the 2005, 2009 (with Ponting) and 2012 medals, was the standout player throughout home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka and polled in two of the three matches in the West Indies to also be anointed Test player of the year on 22 votes ahead of Mike Hussey (15) and Matthew Wade (12).

But it was his back-to-back double-centuries -- an unbeaten 259 at the Gabba followed by 230 at the Adelaide Oval -- against the Proteas in November that made him bulletproof in voting, with Test match performances outweighing the shorter games.

Clarke finished sixth in the one-day international voting on 22, just eight off the winner's pace, despite playing in just 13 of 24 counting matches.

The 31-year-old, whose three centuries excluded the triple and double-centuries he scored against India in 2012 outside the voting period, also took six wickets including a stunning 5-86 in Dominica for his second career "five-for" haul.

To cap a great year, his century in the MCG Boxing Day Test gave him the full set of centuries at each major Australian Test venue, another dream fulfilled.

Victorian paceman Clint McKay was crowned Australia's ODI cricketer of the year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Surprise packet McKay steals one-day gong

CLINT McKay added his name to an illustrious list when crowned Australia's one-day international player of the year.

The consistent Victorian paceman, renowned for his change of pace and ability to curb scoring rates late in opposition innings, clearly led Australia's bowling stocks through the ODI season, taking 26 wickets at 25.8 in his 18 matches and was stunned to upset some of the more high-profile names.

"I'm lost for words, it's not something I expected at all," McKay said.

"To win an award that's voted by your peers, it' something you treasure dearly.

"It's been a long ride, a long process over 7-8 years ... but going through the ranks, it's been fantastic."

Where the batting honours were more evenly contested, McKay shouldered by far the bulk of the bowling load, either leading or second in several key bowling statistics -- overs bowled, maidens, best analysis and economy rate.

McKay, 29, took full votes from his match-winning 5-28 against Sri Lanka in Adelaide in March, but polled in nine other matches to finish on 30 votes, two clear of a tie for second between George Bailey and David Warner.

David Hussey was fourth on 27 votes from Australia's full quota of 24 matches, while Shane Watson (23) and Michael Clarke (22) were also close up despite playing in little more than half the games.

McKay joins Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken as the only bowlers to have won the top 50-over gong.

Shane Watson at his explosive best during the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Source:

Watson wins second straight T20 award

SHANE Watson's slashing World Cup paved the way for his second consecutive T20 player of the year award tonight.

Watson, whose sublime World Cup featured 249 runs at at average of 49.8 and 11 wickets at 16, led Australia to the semi-finals of the global tournament in Sri Lanka in October with an unprecedented four consecutive man-of-the-match awards.

The 31-year-old, unfortunately plagued by injuries for much of the summer, was remarkably the highest runscorer for the tournament and second only to Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis in the bowlers' aggregate.

Yet he still managed to poll enough votes from matches in the Carribean and middle-east earlier in the campaign to garner 42 votes (20 from players and 22 from media and umpires) to finish well ahead of David Warner (29) and George Bailey (16).

Interestingly, 18 of Warner's votes were won via the media and umpires compared to just 11 from his teammates.

Emerging pace duo Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were tied fourth on 13 votes, while Mike Hussey (12) was the only other player in double figures.

Watson clubbed a remarkable four half-centuries in the voting period, including three in four innings in the T20 World Cup.

His strike rate through the season, in which he totalled 406 runs, was also impressive at 144 per 100 balls faced.

Phil Hughes celebrates a century for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield. Source: Getty Images

Winning move for Hughes

AN off-season move to Adelaide paid off for Phil Hughes when he won his first domestic player of the year award at the Allan Border Medal tonight.

The resurgent left-hander, who has worked feverishly at his technique since moving from Sydney last year, garnered 33.8 per cent of the player votes to edge out Tasmanian paceman Jackson Bird (29.1 per cent) and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting (17.6 per cent).

Hughes, 24, has made a splash since his much-publicised move west, earning his way back into the Australian Test team as the leading runscorer in the Sheffield Shield, as well as ranking second on the Ryobi Cup list.

His 1108 combined domestic runs for the voting period have come at striking average of 55.4 and include eight centuries, capped by the sublime 158 against Victoria at the MCG that ultimately won back his baggy green cap after twice being omitted since his Test debut in 2009.

His domestic form translated into two half-centuries against Sri Lanka in the Test arena, followed by two centuries after getting the nod for his ODI debut. His two tons in his first five ODIs is the best return for an Australian batsman.

Hughes, who won the Bradman young cricketer of the year award in 2009, now boasts a remarkable 21 centuries at first-class level.

Queensland batsman Joe Burns has been named the Sir Donald Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year. Picture: David Kapernick Source: The Courier-Mail

Burns takes out Bradman award

EMERGING Queensland batsman Joe Burns has won the Sir Donald Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award.

Burns, 23, was a comfortable winner of the vote among his peers, polling 41.9 per cent for his domestic exploits and performances for Australia A in England last winter, beating South Australian Kane Richardson (14.2 per cent) and New South Welshman Patrick Cummins (10.8 per cent).

The dashing Bulls and Brisbane Heat right-hander made a century on his Sheffield Shield debut in 2010-11, then led Queensland's aggregates the following season to underline his potential.

He was a key member of the Bulls' Shield-winning team last summer and again showed his big-game flair with the Heat's top score of 43 off 27 balls in their Big Bash League grand final triumph.

Burns scored 1038 runs across all three formats in the voting period at an average 35.9, including four centuries and two fifties.

The Bradman award was open to any player aged 24 or under who had not played more than 10 first-class matches before this voting period.

Jess Cameron in action for Australia at the ICC Women's Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. Source: AP

Cameron caps stellar season

MELBOURNE'S Jess Cameron has capped a stellar season, winning the Belinda Clark Award as Australia's best women's player.

Cameron, player of the match in the Women's World Twenty20 final in October, polled 41 votes to edge out fellow Victorian Meg Lanning (36) and New South Wales all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar (26).

All three were key contributors in the Southern Stars' WT20 title defence in Sri Lanka, beating hot favourite England in the final in Colombo.

The hard-hitting 23-year-old, who made her international debut in 2009 aged 19, made 525 runs in 15 matches during at an average of 52.50 at an incredible strike rate of 118.51 runs per 100 balls.

It was Cameron's first Belinda Clark Award following retired all-rounder Shelley Nitschke's four consecutive wins from 2009-12.

Lanning's result was also her best in the Belinda Clark Award after making 768 runs at 51.2 through the voting period.
 

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Man charged after fleeing fatal crash scene

Police have revealed the identities of three men killed in a horrific car crash in Morley.

A 22-year-old woman is in a critical condition after a crash on Beeliar Drive.

BLACK SPOT: A young woman was killed late last night at a notorious intersection on Tonkin Highway, Orange Grove. Picture: Richard Polden  Source: PerthNow

A MAN has been charged with fleeing the scene of a fatal crash in Perth's southeastern suburbs that closed Tonkin Highway and raised the state's road toll to 26.

The crash overnight occurred at the intersection of the highway and Gosnells Road East in Orange Grove.

A 21-year-old woman died, while the other driver is alleged to have fled the scene.

Police said the woman had been attempting to turn right into Gosnells Road West from Tonkin Highway when her orange Holden Commodore sedan was struck by a white Holden Commodore sedan travelling north on Tonkin Highway.

It is alleged the man was the driver of the white Commodore.

Major Crash investigators confirmed they had charged a 20-year-old man with failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

He is due to appear in the Armadale Magistrates Court on February 21.

Police Minister Liza Harvey yesterday made an impassioned plea to all drivers to take more care of themselves and others while on the road, describing the road toll for the year so far as "horrific''.

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Literacy claims nonsense, says minister

A CLAIM that up to one quarter of West Australian public school students achieve literacy scores at or below minimum national standards is "abject nonsense'', Education Minister Peter Collier says.

Education became the political battleground today, the first day of the school year, when a record 273,220 public school students went to class and attendance of pre-primary children became compulsory.

WA Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said between 16 and 25 per cent of public school students were below national literacy standards as he unveiled an $8.8 million election pledge to boost literacy rates with the reintroduction of phonics-based learning - all while dropping off his youngest child at kindergarten as part of a media "doorstop''.

Mr Collier rejected Mr McGowan's assertion while talking up the Liberal government's education achievements at the opening of the Governor Stirling Senior High School at Woodbridge.

"That is abject nonsense - that is completely without foundation and I'm very, very sorry that they're talking down education in Western Australia,'' he said.

Since 2008 when Premier Colin Barnett swept to power, the state had shown the nation's biggest improvement in NAPLAN literacy and numeracy test results, he said.

Last year, it spent almost $22 million on literacy programs, Mr Collier added.

He rejected the suggestion that the Governor Stirling school opening had been rushed as part of the state Liberal party's election campaign, ahead of the issue of the writ of election on Wednesday.

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Esperance fire destroys homes, machinery

This photo of the Esperance bushfire was taken by PerthNow reader Matt Wood, from a lookout looking towards Pink Lake, where he headed after being sent an evacuation notice. Source: PerthNow

AT least one home has been damaged by a bushfire burning out of control in Esperance, with 500 hectares destroyed and machinery damaged.

In its latest alert at 5.35pm, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said a bushfire emergency warning applied to people between Eleven Mile Beach Road, Spencer Road and Keenan Road in Pink Lake.

Homes on Spencer Road were under threat, the DFES said, urging residents to act immediately to survive, saying there was a threat to lives and homes.

The bushfire is moving in a north easterly direction at 300 metres per hour.

Esperance shire president Malcolm Heasman said one property had suffered internal damage to its roof.

"And obviously there will be internal damage from water and one thing or another, but essentially, the house is standing,'' Mr Heasman said.

"That's good news. It's the only one we've come across so far.

"There have been damaged outbuildings and loss of some machinery and what have you, but I must say it is a very bleak sight looking out over the undulating scrub.''

Mr Heasman said Eleven Mille Beach Road, where the fire commenced, "looks like a devastation zone''.

So far about 500 hectares have burnt since the fire was reported at 12.30pm.

Email your bushfire pictures to PerthNow: readerpics@perthnow.com.au

Kalgoorlie resident Matt Wood had been visiting Esperance with his girlfriend and said they were at the beach when they noticed the smoke.

The couple went into the Esperance town centre to avoid getting caught up in the fire.

"We were parked at the car park at the beach and within 10 minutes it was full," Mr Wood said.

The couple then went to a lookout and saw their accommodation on the other side of Pink Lake was out of the fire's path so they returned.

"It's smoky from where we are, you can't see flames," he said.

"The whole south coast is just smoke."

ALERT FOR BODDINGTON BLAZE

A BUSHFIRE is approaching the town of Ranford and the Golden Hills Estate near Boddington in the Peel region.

A "watch and act'' warning for the area was issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services at 3.10pm.

The warning includes Mitchell Crescent, Sherry Close and Littleton Rise.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as the fire is out of control and unpredictable.

The blaze is moving fast in a north easterly direction and spot fires are starting ahead of the main fire.

Residents have been warned that it isn't safe to stay and defend their homes, so they should leave now if the way is clear.

People who aren't at home are warned against trying to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

Motorists should avoid the area. Fire crews are on the scene and are being assisted by aerial support.

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Blending stand-up and striptease

A dancer from the Fringe World show Comic Strip. Source: PerthNow

PERTH Cultural Centre was alive with colour, comedy and circus last night.

The Fringe World hub was packed with people eager to soak up an array of quirky performances as they breezed through town as part of the month-long festival.

In the charming surrounds of the De Parel Spiegeltent, Comic Strip blended stand-up and striptease.

Charismatic comedian Asher Treleaven MC'd the evening and warmed up the audience with some laughter before his partner, burlesque dancer Gypsy Wood, took to the stage, tastefully and cheekily teasing and entertaining the big crowd in a flurry of feathers, sparkle and shimmying.

The hour-long show also included performances by French comedian Marcel Lecont, burlesque babe Miss Polly Rae from the UK and pin-up perfect Lada Redstar.

Boylesque star Mark Winmill, who is currently performing at Fringe World in Briefs, was a show stealer.

The hoola hoopist mesmerised the crowd with his fast-paced tricks and cheeky strip tease in an incredible performance before jumping into the arms of a stunned audience member.

Intelligent and funny, Treleaven was undoubtedly the glue that held the show together, with his witty banter acting as a seamless transition between the acts and touching on subjects including homophobia, racism and, of course, the strange sexual faces made by onlookers during the show.

It's little wonder the show has enjoyed sell out seasons at both Adelaide and Edinburgh Fringe.

Earlier in the evening, over at the De Parade Teatro 2 venue, Australian comedian Jon Bennett talked a sold out crowd through a strange slideshow of mementos from his world travels with a twist.

Pretending Things Are a C**k was exactly what it sounded like - a show condensing hundreds of photos of Bennett pretending various iconic monuments and other objects are part of his anatomy along with comical back stories to some of his favourites.

It's set to classical music to "class it up" a bit and there's even a poem, which Bennett claims is "real poetry" because it doesn't rhyme and he reads it from a leather bound book.

Likable Bennett delves into his own childhood issues, involving his Minister father and exhibitionist older brother, in order to explore exactly what might have possessed him to embark on such an odd mission.

He also invites the audience to share their own experiences with menacing older siblings, plus there is a slideshow of photos Bennett has received from fans inspired by his work.

Some of the stories are a bit long-winded and a little tiresome but the packed-out venue enjoyed plenty of laughs throughout the enjoyable hour-long performance.

* Pretending Things Are a C**k is on tonight, 7.45pm, at De Parade Teatro 2, Perth Cultural Centre. Tickets from www.fringeworld.com.au. Fringe World continues until February 24.

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Stranded dolphin pod helped back to sea

A dolphin pod that became stranded has been helped back out to sea. Source: AAP

More than 150 dolphins have been lured back out to sea after becoming stranded in shallow waters off the coast of Albany in Western Australia's south.

The Department of Environment and Conservation were called after dolphins were caught at the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve.

One dolphin died, but the rest of the pod were lured back out to sea by taking a calf from the pod and moving it into deeper water.

The other members of the pod then followed around 5pm on Saturday evening.

A spotter plane has since reported no trace of the pod.

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WA's road toll reaches 'horrific' level

The scene of the crash that killed three men in Morley. Picture: Alf Sorbello. Source: PerthNow

DRIVERS have been urged to slow down and take responsibility after Western Australia's road toll reached 25 on the weekend, with three deaths in one crash.

Driver Jason Lee Cook, 43, and his passengers Steven James Formato, 31 and Craig Leslie Kenney, 34, were killed when their car smashed into a tree in the Perth suburb of Morley on Friday night.

That three deaths took the state's 2013 road toll to 25 - almost triple that of the same time last year.

Police Minister Liza Harvey made an impassioned plea to all drivers to take more care of themselves and others while on the road.

"It has been nothing short of horrific, our road toll this year," Ms Harvey said.

"We need to get the message out there to people that this is a partnership in the community, and drivers out there need to slow down, drive to the conditions and think about their family and the consequences when they get behind the wheel of their vehicle.

"Slow down, take care and drive to the conditions. It is not rocket science."

Even as Ms Harvey was speaking, a 22-year-old woman was having surgery at Royal Perth Hospital for critical injuries after her car collided with a truck at Beeliar early on Sunday.

Ms Harvey said after the horror start to the year on WA roads, she was considering more advertising to hammer the road safety message home.

"There are 1.6 million people who have driving licenses in WA, and the government cannot be in the car with all those people," she said.

"We need people to take responsibility for their actions."

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Peel inquiry should be fast-tracked

AN inquiry into alleged misconduct at Peel Health campus should be fast-tracked, despite revelations a key whistleblower was arrested in the United States for identity theft, Western Australia's opposition says.

Late last year, the government ordered an independent inquiry into allegations of fraud and corruption at the private hospital near Mandurah, south of Perth.

Its operator, Health Solutions WA, had repaid almost $1.8 million to the state's health department after allegations doctors were being paid cash bonuses for admitting patients.

The hospital's former chief executive Ashton Foley made a series of allegations to a parliamentary committee, which praised her for putting "the interests of the people of Western Australia above those of her own".

But in a twist on Saturday, Ms Foley told local media she served several months in jail waiting for her legal matter to be dealt with, and was released on bond in 2008 without a conviction.

She said she became aware this week of a bench warrant for her arrest in the US.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said the inquiry should not be affected by the allegations against Ms Foley - and in fact should be expedited.

"There should be an inquiry, and it should conclude before the (state) election (on March 9)," Mr McGowan said on Sunday.

"There is no doubt there are problems at the Peel Health Campus, I think everyone accepts that.

"The government should not be using any revelations to delay the outcome of the inquiry, they should be using revelations to enhance and bring forward the outcomes of the inquiry."

WA Treasurer Troy Buswell said the details about Ms Foley's charges had been passed to Public Sector Commissioner Mal Wauchope for investigation.

"It is an issue that will play out over time ... we don't intend to participate in public commentary on it," Mr Buswell said.

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