Perth saves hottest day for last

Perth capped off 2012 with the hottest day of the year - 42.1C.

KEEPING COOL: Lisa Davis with children Cameron, 11 and Georgia, 9, at Cottesloe Beach. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

STAY COOL: Charlotte Clarence and Richard Tyrell beat the heat at Cottesloe Beach. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

PERTH has capped off 2012 with the hottest day of the year as the mercury tipped 42.1C late this afternoon.

It was easily the hottest day of the week-long heatwave and the equal warmest day of the year, with January 28, when the temperature also peaked at 42.1C.

But relief is in sight with 34C tipped for New Year's Day and a cool 27C on Wednesday.

The temperature dipped to 20.9C at 5.08am overnight after yesterday's high of 37.5C, which came around 10.30am, before a strong north-westerly wind cooled the city and prevented it reaching the expected 41C.

By 8.30am today the temperature had already raced to 33C in the city, heading toward the expected 39C top.

As the temperature in the city reached a blistering 41.6C at 1.22pm today, the winds swung around the south-west but a cool change did not eventuate.

It hovered around the 41C mark until just after 4pm before the sea breeze finally began taking effect.

Scorching heat was felt all over the metro area - Jandakot also hit 41, while Perth Airport reached 42.2C as most areas endured 39C-41C temperatures.

Just east of the city, Pearce topped out at 42.7 and Gingin hit 41.5C, while in Geraldton it was a stifling 43.9C at 12noon - the hottest spot in WA.

27C with a shower for Wednesday

Relief is on the way, with 34C tipped for tomorrow and a blissful 27C for Wednesday, with a morning shower forecast.

Early showers are also tipped for Thursday morning.

Maximum temperatures in Perth have not been below 37C since Christmas Day, when the temperature reached 39.6C, which has been followed by a series of 39C and 40C days.

Meanwhile much of the state has also been gripped by a the searing heatwave with temperatures in the north often around 40C and even through the South West and Great Southern where numerous centres recorded close to 40C yesterday, while Perth was spared the worst of the expected searing heat.

Coral Bay, Northam and Roebourne are the expected hotspots with a forecast top of 41C, but much of the north and inland of the state is expected to nudge 40C.

Fire Weather Warning in north

Baking heat in the north and inland of the state has prompted fire weather warnings for the following regions: East Pilbara, Interior, West Pilbara Coast, Gascoyne Inland, Coastal Central West - North and Inland Central West - North fire weather districts

"Very hot conditions, with fresh and gusty east to northeast winds east of a surface trough,'' the Bureau warns.

PERTH: The week ahead

Monday
    Max 39c
    Sunny.
    Chance of any rain: 0%
    Rainfall amount: 0 mm
Sunny. Winds easterly and light tending northeast to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning and shifting west to southwesterly in the afternoon. Winds ease to a light easterly during the evening.

Tuesday
    Min 23C
    Max 34C
    Mostly sunny.
Mostly sunny morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the northeast in the late afternoon. Winds east to northeasterly and light tending northerly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then tending northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h in the middle of the day.

Wednesday
    Min 22C
    Max 27C
    Morning shower or two.
Isolated showers during the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day then decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.

Thursday
    Min 18C
    Max 25C
    Early shower or two.
Isolated showers early in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the day.

Friday
    Min 16C
    Max 28C
    Sunny.
Sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.

Saturday
    Min 21C
    Max 37C
    Chance of a storm developing.
Sunny morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms later in the day. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.

Sunday
    Min 22C
    Max 37C
    Chance of a storm.
Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
 

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Major parties receive $5.7m in donations

WA's major political parties have been given more than $5 million in donations during 2011-12. Source: AdelaideNow

THE West Australian Liberal Party has received more than half of all political donations and gifts in the financial year leading up to the March 9 election.

The Electoral Commission says the Liberals received almost $3.9 million compared with the Australian Labor Party's total of $1.85 million and the Greens' $355,000.

But the National Party was the biggest improver, doubling donations and income in 2011-2012 to $1.33 million from its usual average of $600,000.

Despite having no members in parliament, the Australian Christians have also bolstered their financial support, from an average of about $200,000 a year to $281,000 this year.

The Liberal Party received the largest single gift of $250,000 from Furama Pty Ltd.

The ALP scored its two biggest contributions from union groups United Voice and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association which totalled $215,000.

WA Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said overall party income was down from the previous financial year when $11.2 million was received, compared with the $7.6 million revealed in the latest figures.

Last year, the top 10 donations were each over $100,000, he said in a statement on Sunday.

"It is cyclical. At both state and federal levels, last financial year was between elections,'' Mr Gately said.

"But with potentially big donations in the lead-up to the March state poll I would expect receipts to jump significantly in the current year.''

WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL DONATIONS IN 2011-12 FINANCIAL YEAR:
ALP:
Received - $1.85m
Outgoings - $1.7m
Debt - $364,000

Liberal Party:
Received - $3.9m
Outgoings - $2.7m
Debt - $300,000

National Party:
Received - $1.33m
Outgoings - $824,000
Debt - $27,000

Greens:
Received - $355,000
Outgoings - $391,000
Debt - $100,000

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No Mandurah line trains during peak hour

Mandurah train services have been disrupted by a power cable fault. Picture: file.
Source: PerthNow

TRAIN services on the Mandurah line are not expected to resume in time for peak hour commuters trying to get home.

Services on the Mandurah line were disrupted by a fault with an overhead power line, which occurred at about 12.25pm near the Murdoch station.

A Public Transport Authority spokesman issued an update at 3pm, stating that "trains are not expected to resume in time to get commuters home this afternoon."

The PTA hopes that normal services will be restored by about 9pm, in time to deliver Mandurah Line patrons to their New Year's Eve festivities and home again in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Replacement buses between Rockingham Station and Perth will leave from Esplanade Station.

Trains are still running from Clarkson through to Esplanade and trains are also still operating between Rockingham and Mandurah.

It is still not known what caused the fault.

Earlier the PTA said: "Transperth is working hard to have the problem fixed as soon as possible but it is not known how long it will take to repair.

A number of trains were affected by the loss of power but all were at stations and the passengers were able to disembark.

The Joondalup line is running between Clarkson and Esplanade station with services adjusted to a 15-minute frequency.

All other train lines are unaffected.

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Missing quad bike boy found alive

A teenager missing for more than 24 hours in thick bush has been found alive and relatively well.

MIRACLE: 14-year-old Dennis Dear arrives at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after being airlifted by the RAC Rescue helicopter. He was found after 28 hours missing south-east of Perth. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

MIRACLE: 14-year-old Dennis Dear arrives at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after being airlifted by the RAC Rescue helicopter. He was found after 28 hours missing south-east of Perth. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

SEARCHERS have found the teenager who went missing while quad biking with his father and friends in state forest about 80km south-east of Perth.

Dennis Dear was riding his quad bike with his father in state forest near Flint, about 80km southeast of Perth, at 9.30am on Sunday when he disappeared.

The teenager, believed to be suffering dehydration, was found this morning at about 11am, but is believed to be in relatively good health.

He was treated by paramedics and is being airlifted to hospital by the RAC Rescue helicopter.

The boy is being flown to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and will then be transfered to Princess Margaret Hospital.

It is believed he has been without water for more than 24 hours in extreme 40C temperatures yesterday and today, when the temperature climbed into the high 30Cs. At nearby Dwellingup it was 35C at 11am.

About 75 Department of DFES State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers assisted police in the search today.

Searchers found his abandoned quad bike late last night, but they did not locate the boy till mid-morning today.

The teenager has autism and cerebral palsy and police and searchers held grave fears for his safety. 

He was camping with his father and friends near the Brookton Highway and was last seen early yesterday.

A large team of Police and SES volunteers, along with police airwing, were searching for the boy, who was reported missing around 9.30am Sunday morning.

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Westerly winds spare Perth plus-40C day

COOL DOWN: With temps set to continue around 40C, Perth beaches will be busy. Source: PerthNow

PERTH has been spared another plus-40C day but the heatwave is set to continue for at least the next two days.

After a minimum of 21.5C at 1.30am, the temperature quickly climbed and just after 10am it was already 37.5C, with an anticipated top of 41C.

But as the winds swung around to the north-west, the mercury plateaued and westerlies kept the heat down throughout the afternoon.

The blistering start to yesterday followed an uncomfortable night when the mercury dipped -- barely -- to 27.3C at 12.34am.

By 10am the temperature in Perth had already reached 36C and the 40.5C top came at 1.36pm yesterday.

Perth Airport reached 40.4C just before noon. Jandakot was 39.6C by just after midday.

Pearce, 45km from Perth, was the metro region's hotspot with a blistering 42.1C, which came at 2.30pm and Gingin, 80km north of Perth, reached 41.2C by early afternoon.

Last night's {13568537946350}{13568537946351}{13568537946352}minimum of 21.5C was recorded at 1.30am this morning.

Heatwave to last till Wednesday

The stifling heatwave gripping Perth will continue until at least Wednesday.

Authorities have warned people to drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and coffee and stay indoors where possible.

 St John Ambulance has reported a spike in calls for heat-related emergencies and Surf Life Saving WA said it was battling a surge in beach rescues.

Metropolitan hospitals are admitting about 10 patients a day with heat-caused ailments.

SLSWA chief executive Paul Andrew said it had conducted 25 rescues, 254 first-aid procedures and 1180 preventative actions since the heatwave started on Christmas Day.

State Health Co-ordinator Tarun Weeramanthri has warned that the heatwave's dangers would worsen as it drags on.

"Effects build up over a number of days and people eventually become exhausted, especially with warm nights," he said.

"So you actually have to become more aware and more vigilant, as the risk increases the longer the heatwave goes on.

"The vulnerable groups are the elderly, particularly over the age of 65, the very young, and those with medical conditions."

Dr Weeramanthri said people should drink at least two litres of water a day, avoid alcohol and caffeine and use common sense when they were celebrating on New Year's Eve.

Perth - The Week Ahead

   Monday

   Min 22C
   Max 40C
    Partly cloudy. Light winds.

Tuesday

    Min 24C
    Max 39C
   Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then tending south to southwesterly during the evening.

Wednesday
    Min 22C
    Max 35C
   Mostly sunny morning.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms later in the day.

Thursday
    Min 22C
    Max 29C
    Isolated showers and thunderstorms during the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
 

Friday
    Min 16C
    Max 30C
    Mostly sunny. Winds southeasterly 20 to 25 km/h turning easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.

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Abalone fisherman drowns in South-West

TRAGEDY: An abalone fisherman has drowned in WA's South-West. Pictured are some of the victim's friends who were diving with him. Picture: Jon Bassett Source: PerthNow

Police remove the victim from the beach for transport to Augusta Hospital. Picture: Jon Bassett Source: PerthNow

AN abalone diver has drowned about 500m north of Cape Leeuwin in WA's South-West this morning.

It's believed the man, in his early 40s, is originally from Sichuan Province in China and had been living in Perth for about six years.

The man was diving with a group of about 10 other amateur abalone divers, who were all of Asian origin and spoke English poorly.

One of the victim's friends, Bruce, said they had only recently met the victim and and they believed he was a poor swimmer.

"Not so good, swimming," he said.

Tourists leaving the nearby lighthouse were flagged down by members of the diving group when the man went missing at about 10am.

Police said the victim's friends pulled him to shore where paramedics performed CPR for more than 45 minutes but he died at the scene.

The victim's friends said the group had been diving in Lighthouse Bay since 6am and the man had been in water for about three and a half hours.

The ocean conditions were not considered dangerous, with a moderate swell and a 10-12kn southerly wind.

The group were using snorkels that had tubing attached for greater diving depth and inner tubes for buoyancy.

Augusta police and St John Ambulance attended the scene and man's body was taken to Augusta hospital at about 1pm.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

The fisherman is the second person within two months to die while attempting to catch abalone in the waters off WA.

In November, a 20-year old was swept out to sea in treacherous conditions while on an abalone hunt north of Perth.

The Malaysian man was caught in a strong rip in Yanchep Lagoon, 55 kilometres north of Perth, and was swept away.

That group was searching for the expensive delicacy on the first day of the heavily restricted recreational fishing season.

The disaster triggered calls for metropolitan abalone fishing spots to be closed in dangerous weather.

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Teen quad bike rider missing in Wheatbelt

A MASSIVE search is continuing for a teenage boy who went missing in the Wheatbelt suburb of Flint this morning.

The 14-year-old boy went missing this morning while riding his quad bike near Metro Road and the Brookton Highway in Beverley, about 130km south-east of Perth.

The boy was camping with his father and friends near the Brookton Hwy and he was last seen at about 7.15am.

Police Airwing and the SES are assisting in the search for the boy, who was reported missing around 9.30am this morning.

With temperatures soaring to close to 40C across the state, the boy is believed to not have any water with him.

Up to 50 State Emergency Service volunteers, along with local police, a fixed wing police plane and a police helicopter are scouring the area to find the youngster. The search area is dense bushland.

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GPS to track WA's worst sex predators

WA's most dangerous sex offenders will be monitored with GPS trackers from January 1. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE new year will bring new powers to allow West Australian authorities to electronically monitor the state's most dangerous sex offenders.

Among several pieces of controversial new legislation to come into force in the state on January 1 or just after, electronic monitoring will become a standard condition of supervision orders for dangerous sexual offenders released from custody.

Electronic monitoring via a GPS system will also apply to dangerous sexual offenders who have already been released and are currently on supervision orders, with the new powers due to come into effect from February.

The $6 million system will only be used in Perth initially, with a regional phase-in scheduled later in the year.

Meanwhile, changes to inheritance laws in WA will mean stepchildren will for the first time be able to challenge the wills of step-parents if they feel they have been inadequately provided.

Bringing the state in line with the rest of the country, a stepchild will now be able to challenge a will based on a claim there had been failure to provide adequate or proper provision in the estate of the dead step-parent.

And after rushing through the required legislation, WA will impose an R18+ classification on violent computer games - with $5000 fines for selling an R18+ games to a minor, a $2000 fine for demonstrating an R18+ game in a public place, and a $500 fine for shops who keep an R18+ game alongside other games.

Also in the new year, fines for cigarette butt littering will more than double from $75 to $200, while a new commercial tenancy bill will mean landlords having to disclose more information to small business owners, while preventing them from passing on certain legal charges to potential tenants.

CHANGES TO COME INTO EFFECT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA FROM JANUARY 1, 2013:
- GPS tracking of dangerous sex offenders will begin on February 1 2013.
- New R18+ video game category comes into effect for violent or explicit games.
- New littering legislation raises fines for those caught disposing of cigarette butts.
- New laws allows stepchildren of a deceased to make a claim on the estate.
- Tenancy rights of small business will improve, with landlords warned not pass on legal charges to tenants.

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SW surfers ordered out after shark sightings

OLD FRIEND: A great white which was pictured menacing a fishing boat at Quindalup on an earlier occasion. Source: PerthNow

OLD FRIEND: A great white which was pictured menacing a fishing boat at Quindalup on an earlier occasion. Source: PerthNow

SURFERS have been ordered out of the water following two separate shark sightings in the state's South West near Margarat River.

A four-metre shark was spotted by the South West Lifesaver Helicopter around 200 metres off Honeycombs surf break near Wilyabrup just after 3pm today.

Surf Life Saving WA said the water has been cleared as a result.

Earlier this morning the helicopter spotted a 2.5 metre shark 200 metres offshore at Lefthanders surf break in Gracetown at about 11am.

The water was also cleared as a result.

The helicopter also saw two-metre hammerhead 200m offshore at Boranup. It was heading south.

Earlier today a 3m-4m shark has been sighted about 700m off the Quindalup boat ramp, just east of Dunsborough.

Surf Life Saving WA reported a large fin was seen 700 metres off the Quindalup boat ramp just after 1pm.

It is believed the shark was heading north.

A two-metre shark was also sighted 60m off shore at Strickland Bay, Rottnest at 11.20am.

The shark sightings today follows the drama yesterday in Esperance when about 30 people had to be rescued off a large rock at Twilight Beach when an estimated 6m white pointer was spotted from air.

 

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40.5C - and heatwave here to stay

COOL DOWN: With temps set to continue around 40C, Perth beaches will be busy. Source: PerthNow

THE temperature in Perth hit 40.5C, with the sweltering heatwave set to continue till at least Wednesday.

The blistering start to the day followed an uncomfortable night when the mercury dipped -- barely -- to 27.3C at 12.34am.

By 10am the temperature in Perth had already reached 36C. 

The 40.5C top came at 1.36pm.

Perth Airport reached 40.4C just before noon. Jandakot was 39.6C by just after midday.

Pearce, 45km from Perth, was the metro region's hotspot with a blistering 42.1C, which came at 2.30pm and Gingin, 80km north of Perth, reached 41.2C by early afternoon.

Heatwave to last till Wednesday

The stifling heatwave gripping Perth will continue until at least Wednesday.

Authorities have warned people to drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and coffee and stay indoors where possible.

 St John Ambulance has reported a spike in calls for heat-related emergencies and Surf Life Saving WA said it was battling a surge in beach rescues.

Metropolitan hospitals are admitting about 10 patients a day with heat-caused ailments.

SLSWA chief executive Paul Andrew said it had conducted 25 rescues, 254 first-aid procedures and 1180 preventative actions since the heatwave started on Christmas Day.

Today's temperature is expected to soar to 41C, followed by 39C on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

A storm is brewing for Wednesday, which will finally bring some relief, but could cause havoc of its own with lightning and strong winds. A Western Power spokeswoman said electricity use had peaked at 3222MW in the past few days  still below the year's top of 4068MW on January 25.

State Health Co-ordinator Tarun Weeramanthri has warned that the heatwave's dangers would worsen as it drags on.

"Effects build up over a number of days and people eventually become exhausted, especially with warm nights," he said.

"So you actually have to become more aware and more vigilant, as the risk increases the longer the heatwave goes on.

"The vulnerable groups are the elderly, particularly over the age of 65, the very young, and those with medical conditions."

Dr Weeramanthri said people should drink at least two litres of water a day, avoid alcohol and caffeine and use common sense when they were celebrating on New Year's Eve.

Perth - The Week Ahead

   Saturday
    Min 23C
    Max 41C
    Chance of an early storm.
Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms early in the morning. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h early in the morning then tending east to southeasterly in the late afternoon..

Sunday
    Min 25C
    Max 41C
    Partly cloudy. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h shifting west to northwesterly in the late morning then becoming light in the late afternoon..

Monday

   Min 23C
    Max 39C
    Partly cloudy. Winds east to southeasterly and light tending east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.

Tuesday

    Min 24C
    Max 39C
    Mostly sunny. Winds east to southeasterly and light tending west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then tending south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening..

Wednesday
    Min 23C
    Max 33C
    Partly cloudy.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms later in the day. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning.

Thursday
    Min 20C
    Max 27C
    Isolated showers and thunderstorms during the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
 

Friday
    Min 17C
    Max 34C
    Mostly sunny. Winds southeasterly 20 to 25 km/h turning easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.

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