As it happened: WA news on Friday, September 27

Good evening readers, and thank you for following along today and this week.

Enjoy the Grand Final this weekend if that’s your thing.

My thing is more like the Great Australian Reads Quiz Night hosted by the newly relocated Beaufort Street Books.

Or you might prefer IOTA24 at Fremantle Arts Centre showcasing the work of international craft artists and groups from six Indian Ocean countries. Or the plethora of school holiday activities in Perth city.

Whatever you choose, have fun and stay safe, and we’ll back with a fresh live blog next week.

Alas, the verdict is in and our albeit brief poll suggests an overwhelming rejection of Time Out’s decision that Perth is one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, reported in our 10.30am post.

Truth or cultural cringe? The debate rages on.

While we’re eternally deciding what’s wrong with Perth, please enjoy this throwback: a 2018 op-ed from our former deputy editor Kate Hedley on her lifelong love affair with Northbridge.

Bringing you an update from our post at 11.24am, and a 17-year-old boy has died after a fatal crash along a major highway in Perth’s south.

Around 8.55am, a green Ford Fiesta hatchback and a Hino truck towing a trailer collided at the intersection of South Western Highway and Jarrahdale Road.

The 17-year-old in the Ford Fiesta died from his injuries at the scene.

Major Crash investigators are conducting an examination of the scene and are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au.

The incident follows a spate of deaths on WA roads this year – many of them also involving young people – resulting in the state government pouring $32 million into boosting road safety.

You can hear more about the measures this funding will go towards below.

Perth detectives have charged a 41-year-old man over alleged indecent dealings with children at a fast food outlet in the city centre.

The man was allegedly at a fast food outlet on William Street in Perth between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday, when he approached various teenagers, offering to buy them alcohol, inviting them to his home, and making comments of a sexual nature.

It is further alleged he kissed and held the hands of several children against their wishes and attempted to the same with others.

The man, from East Victoria Park, has been charged with two counts of indecently dealing with a child over 13 and under 16, and one count of breaching protective bail conditions.

He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives urge anyone with information relating to this matter, or any similar incidents, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestopperswa.com.au.

If have been a victim of sexual abuse, or if you have information about someone being abused, please contact police on 131 444, or report the information via the Safe2Say online reporting platform.

A promising sportswoman and mother who was kidnapped and held hostage as a child will spend at least seven months in prison after she was caught up in a money-laundering syndicate.

Sherina Tracey-Jan Lucas, 36, was sentenced to 15 months for involvement in a money laundering syndicate.Credit: AFP/Police Media

Sherina Tracey-Jan Lucas, 36, was on Thursday sentenced over a 2021 incident in which she took part in an $800,000 drop-off – money police say was linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Lucas is the sister of Comanchero bikie gang member Ray Cilli, who is believed to be in Asia. It is not suggested that he was involved in Lucas’s crime.

During her sentencing the court heard Lucas was asked by co-offender Vivian Armstead, Lucas’ ex-mother-in-law, to drive her to Perth because she was “in desperate need for money”, saying she needed to do a delivery but was lacking in confidence driving in traffic.

That delivery was for just shy of a million dollars in cash and Armstead is now serving a two-year jail term for her involvement.

Read more here.

The country’s aviation safety watchdog has issued findings from a probe into a midair collision on a cattle station in the state’s Kimberley region which claimed the lives of two pilots.

Peter Ritter, 29 and Gavin U’Ren, 30, had left in their R22 helicopters to take part in a muster along Fitzroy River just 10 minutes from the Mount Anderson Station homestead shortly after 6am on July 25.

Peter Ritter, 29 and Gavin U’Ren, 30, were both killed in the collision this year.Credit: 9 News Perth

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s preliminary report, the two helicopters were flying west to follow two others and had reached about 100 feet when they collided.

The report found both pilots were likely unable to retain control of the helicopters before they hit the ground, killing both of them.

Bureau transport safety director Stuart Godley said examination of the wreckage found damage to the right side of one helicopter which was consistent with a rotor blade strike from the other.

There was no evidence of an in-flight break-up, or loss of flight control continuity before the collision.

The probe included an examination of the accident site and wreckage, the collection of meteorological data and operator, pilot and aircraft-related records, as well as interviews with involved parties.

The next phase of the investigation will canvass weather conditions, witness information, recorded audio, electronic items retrieved from the accident site, pilot qualifications, and operational documentation.

Procedures for operations, including multiple aircraft, were overhauled following the incident.

The bureau has not yet indicated when it expects to release its final report.

A man has been critically injured in a crash in Perth’s south this morning, with paramedics, police and firefighters called to the scene.

The vehicle the man was in collided with a truck along South Western Highway around 9am this morning.

The highway has been closed in both directions between Karnup and Watkins Roads in Jarrahdale.

The area is congested and main roads urges commuters to seek an alternate route.

It’s another day, and another truckload of cash is being poured into the WA government’s coffers.

The annual report on the state’s finances was dropped today revealing the state’s surplus has swelled by $1.3 billion more than expected just five months ago.

The extra cash was driven by higher than budgeted iron ore royalties, housing stamp dusty and sales of goods and services, while government expenses were down $456 million.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti said WA’s economic and financial position was the envy of the nation.Credit: WAtoday

The surplus for the 2023-24 financial year was marked down as $3.2 billion, but the report said the final figure ended up at $4.5 billion - the state’s sixth surplus in a row.

Drilling down into the figures, royalty revenue was up $624 million compared to the May budget estimates – about $515 million of that was from the iron ore sector.

Taxes, including stamp duty, were up $123 million and goods and services sales were up $321 million.

This was offset by $422 million worth of delayed grant payments from the Commonwealth for transport projects around the state. Payroll tax collection was also down about $70 million.

Government expenses were down across the board except for the Cook government’s two biggest problem areas, health and justice.

Net debt was down $463 million compared to the May budget estimates.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti said WA’s economic and financial position was the envy of the nation but said global uncertainty surrounded economic growth.

“Strong business and government investment, combined with resilient household consumption has made our economy and jobs market the strongest in the country,” she said.

Perth has made its debut on Time Out’s list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, with the “vibrant cultural and nightlife hub of Northbridge” ranking number 21.

It joined three other locations across Australia – Chippendale in Sydney, Windsor in Melbourne, and Norwood in Adelaide.

“At its core is The Piazza, where the neighbourhood comes to hang out beneath Perth’s first permanent LED screen,” Time Out wrote.

They also listed the suburb’s cocktail bars, food scene and culture including the museum and art gallery as its main selling points.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas told 6PR’s Mornings program on Friday that Northbridge had a “grungy feel to it.”

“It’s got something about it. There’s always something happening in Northbridge. You know you’re alive if you live in Northbridge – not everybody wants the quiet suburban life.

“It’s not for everybody, but for those that love that … they want that action. They want 24/7, they want a bit of noise.”

Reactions to yesterday’s announcement that design work would begin on a new $100 million youth justice facility next to Banksia Hill Detention Centre have trickled in overnight and the responses have been lukewarm to say the least.

Artist impression of the new $100 million high-risk youth justice facility.

Police Minister Paul Papalia announced $11.5 million would be spent on design and forward works on the 30-bed facility for the state’s highest-risk youth detainees.

The purpose-built facility would replace the one at Casuarina Prison known as Unit 18.

Whilst saying he wanted the notorious Unit 18 to close as soon as possible, Papalia was unable to provide a firm timeframe.

The Law Society of WA “cautiously welcomed” the announcement, but president Paula Wilkinson said the timeline was obscure.

“The allocated funding is for design planning only and the chosen site still needs state and federal environmental approvals, so any new facility is a long way off,” Wilkinson said.

“Long-term, it all sounds promising but the issue is the length of time it will take to be up and running. Also, the children at the new facility will have access to the same facilities as Banksia Hill which have proven to be inadequate.”

Wilkinson urged the government to conduct an independent review into the state’s whole youth justice system.

Greens MP Brad Pettitt took his criticism further. You can read more below.

The union representing youth custodial officers, the CPSU/CSA welcomed the announcement.

“Thanks in no small part to the tireless advocacy of union delegates and members, the youth justice system in WA is turning a corner, into a system that is adequately staffed, better supported and a growing culture of workplace health and safety,” acting branch assistant secretary, Ness Brett said.