Here’s what’s happening in the news today across Western Australia’s South West and Great Southern regions.
Alcoa to build gallium plant in Wagerap
A final investment decision has been made on a planned gallium production plant at Wagerap, south of Perth, to be built and operated by US miner Alcoa.
The plant at the Wagerup Alumina Refinery is part of a joint venture between the Australian, Japanese and US governments.
Alcoa expected to produce about 100 tons a year, or about 10 percent of global supply.
The Minerals Council of Australia said it was expected to create about 20 full-time jobs.
Love denies blame for Albany gas
WA Nationals leader Shane Love says his party should not be blamed for problems with Albany’s privatized gas network.
Nationals in WA backed the 2000 decision to sell the network to private owners under then-premier Richard Court.
Albany Nationals MLA Scott Leary told the ABC the privatization of the mesh network was a costly mistake and should never have happened.
Mr Love said the Labor government had failed to manage the network properly.
A state government spokesman said measures were being taken to support Albany residents.
Man arrested after theft in Tutunup
A man in his 40s has been arrested after stealing a boat, a jet ski and three motorbikes from a rural area near Busselton.
Police said the valuables were stolen on Sunday in the rural suburb of Tutunup.
One of the motorcycles, a boat and a jet ski were found on Monday about 40 kilometers from the town of Boallia.
Busselton Senior Sergeant Ryan Devine said the investigation was ongoing.
“This is, of course, unusual. You know, we may witness the theft of one of these items, but to see all of these items in one incident is certainly unusual,” he said.
“Part of the scene was a little more remote than what we usually see.”
Man rescued from Margaret River dune
A man is recovering after being stuck in a sand dune near Margaret River for more than an hour yesterday.
The man, aged 20, was running along what is known as “Chicken Hill” near the mouth of the Margaret River at Surfers Point when he fell and injured his leg.
Several teams, including paramedics, State Emergency Service volunteers and police, rescued him after he fell two meters into a sand dune.
The Chamber demands to suspend enforcement of traffic rules
The Danish Chamber of Commerce is asking the Danish county to suspend enforcement of traffic sign regulations while a new policy is developed.
The county has asked local businesses to remove unauthorized signs due to safety concerns.
The chamber is looking at other county policies to help businesses maintain access to low-cost advertising.
Chamber President Jillian Corker said businesses farther out of town would suffer unless signs were put up to warn customers they were coming.
Albany group seeks support in fight against bird flu
A seabird rescue group in Albany, Washington, says more support is needed as bird flu cases continue to rise.
The group called on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to set up quarantine zones in the regions and deploy staff to help collect affected birds.
There have been 13 confirmed cases of bird flu, including seven in Western Australia.
Coordinator Julie Friend said coordinated and professional action was needed before the situation worsened.
DPIRD says it is cooperating with volunteers but will not create widespread quarantine zones until it is necessary.