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Augusta-Margaret River Times

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River chief executive Andrea Selvey and president Julia Meldrum have reassured Augusta residents their voices matter.

second classPremiumShire chiefs offer Augusta olive branch

Shire chiefs are taking pains to reassure the Augusta community the local government is aware of their needs and key issues.

Warren Hately

Cr Melissa d'Ath was previously the driving force behind moves for a local bus service.

public transportPremiumShire meets with bus service bureaucrats

The prospect of a local bus service inched a step closer last week with Shire of Augusta-Margaret River chiefs meeting with WA’s Public Transport Authority in Perth.

Warren Hately

Yolk Property Group’s Tao Bourton and Sheldon Day pictured last year with Housing Minister John Carey at the developers’ Arbour project in Margaret River.

Augusta-Margaret River TimesPremiumChanges afoot at Birdwood in Cowaramup

Councillors could be called upon to approve significant changes to an already green-lit major subdivision set to alter the face of Cowaramup.

Warren Hately

Margaret River photographer Dionne Doig will be presenting her images of the feminine identity at the Busselton Cultural Precinct from this weekend to May 19.

Feminine identityPremiumWomen of the South West to be shown in Busselton exhibition

A Margaret River photographer hopes to show the fullness of the feminine identity and her perspective as a doula in her photography exhibition, which will be running from April 24 to May 1.

Daniel Hocking

Jack Robinson currently sits ninth on the WSL Championship Tour standings.

SurfingPremiumMargaret River’s Robinson looking to bounce into form

Margaret River’s Jack Robinson is looking to put a slow start to the season by his own lofty standards behind him in the Australian leg of the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.

Josh Kempton

The Federal Labor party announced a $1.25 million election commitment to improve parking capacity at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the southern starting point for the Cape to Cape track.

Election 2025Labor pledge huge upgrade to iconic park

Standing at the State’s most southern point Federal candidate for Forrest Tabitha Dowding and MP Matt Keogh announced the regional park would receive a $1.25m investment under a re-elected Labor Government.

Craig Duncan

Protesters gathered on Yallingup’s Smiths Beach last Sunday to making known their opposition to the Smith Beach Project developer’s proposed universal access ramp.

Public protestPremiumHundreds flock to South West beach to protest development

Hundreds of protesters gathered on Yallingup’s Smiths Beach last Sunday to protest the ongoing Smith Beach Project’s proposed 100 meter access ramp - regularly referred to as a “seawall”.

Craig Duncan

Nature Conservation programs manager and biodiversity officer Cass Jury.

funding fillipPremiumMajor four-year program funded to protect waterway health

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region has scored a massive $770,000 grant to help its work protecting its namesake waterway.

Warren Hately

Surfrider spokeswoman Beth Carlessi addresses a protest in Margaret River last year, with the group signalling possible legal challenges if WA’s Environmental Protection Authority approves the Gnarabup resort project.

‘coastal risks’PremiumEPA decision looms for Gnarabup resort

The developers of a proposed resort at Gnarabup are still optimistic about starting work this year as WA’s Environmental Protection Authority prepares to issue a ruling on the project

Warren Hately

An artist's impression of the Fini hotel proposed for Margaret River's town centre.

Growth painsPremiumMargaret River project may fail on carparking cash

The Fini Group has signalled it may go back to the drawing board or maybe even abandon its Margaret River hotel ambitions.

Warren Hately

Howard Park Wines operators Richard and Jeff Burch.

tariff chaosPremiumMargaret River vignerons brace for Trump tariffs

With Margaret River vignerons barely recovered from their three-year ordeal with tariffs affecting the Chinese wine market, Donald Trump has thrown a fresh spanner in the works.

Warren Hately

Nature Conservation frontman Drew McKenzie has announced he is moving on.

Boss movesPremiumNature Conservation boss Drew McKenzie moves on

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region general manager Drew McKenzie has announced his surprise resignation, citing the need for a break from his hectic duties.

Warren Hately

Ily Fraser after winning the under-14 girls division at Parko's Junior Pro.

SurfingMargaret River’s Fraser notches another win

Margaret River surfer Ily Fraser added to her burgeoning reputation on the national stage by claiming victory in the under-14 girls division at the Parko’s Junior Pro in Queensland earlier this month.

Josh Kempton

Project team members Rachael Whitrow, Michael Patroni, Dimmity Walker, Nathan Tucker, Paul Holmes à Court, Luke Pruyn, Ben Bayliss and Michael Langridge.

market corneredPremiumMargaret River Hotel reaches restoration milestone

The team behind the restoration of Margaret River’s most iconic town-centre landmark are celebrating as the project gains serious momentum.

Warren Hately

MLA Don Punch will be under pressure to prove his focus on the South West stretches beyond his bastion of Bunbury.

battle linesPremiumPunch quizzed on wider South West service

Moves to appoint Bunbury-based MLA Don Punch as the Minister in charge of the wider South West are flawed and part of Labor’s problem with regional WA, key stakeholders have alleged.

Warren Hately

The start line at the Margaret River Ultra Marathon.

Adventure sportPremiumRace is on to compete in May’s Margaret River Ultra Marathon

Spaces are filling up and time is running out to get involved in next month’s Margaret River Ultra Marathon.

Warren Hately

The cost to ratepayers from the region’s role as a prime tourism destination was a big motivator of the ratings review.

tourism reviewPremiumCouncillors set to examine ratings options in June

It remains unclear whether a review of ratings categories is likely to affect looming consideration of next financial year’s Shire of Augusta-Margaret River budget.

Warren Hately

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president Julia Meldrum.

Fix it fastPremiumMeldrum calls on Labor to commit third term to regional WA

Shire president Julia Meldrum says the resurgent Labor State Government must dedicate its third term to addressing shortfalls in regional WA.

Warren Hately

The Point Road campground in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

questions askedPremiumParks and Wildlife under pressure on fines enforcement

The rangers in charge of the region’s national parks and much of the coast have handed out only a fraction of the penalties available to them this financial year.

Warren Hately

Scott River farmer Scott Baxter fears the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s climate action planning means de facto support for a proposed wind farm near his farm.

‘Crisis’ talksCouncil backs new climate adaptation plan despite concerns

Augusta-Margaret River council members have faced heckling while forging ahead with a new policy focused on climate change.

Warren Hately

Parents Emily Marjason and Dave Astbury with clinical nurse midwife Melony Halsall and graduate midwife Annabelle Jones.

Baby bonusPremiumMidwifery Group Practice boasts ‘returning customers’

A local service that enables healthy women to deliver their babies close to home is going from strength to strength.

Warren Hately

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president Julia Meldrum led questioning on a proposed local biodiversity strategy.

Farmers’ fearsPremiumChief planner reassures farmers on strategy

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has pledged that the farming community and landowners need not fear a proposed new local biodiversity strategy.

Warren Hately

Primary producers are up in arms over a proposed new strategy.

Strategic withdrawalPremiumCouncil pulls back new biodiversity strategy

A contentious biodiversity strategy that sparked outrage among South West farmers has been sent back for further consideration and consultation.

Warren Hately

Fini Group creative director Alessio Fini.

Circular economyPremiumCouncil surprise hotel developers with parking sting

The future of “Australia’s first net-positive circular hotel” is in serious jeopardy after a decision last week by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

Warren Hately