Do you know this little boy?

Do you know this little boy? Source: PerthNow

A TODDLER was found wandering the streets alone in Belmont on Friday, but his family has not come forward to collect him.

The boy, who is believed to be three-years-old, was found on Belgravia Street at about noon and taken into care with the Department for Child Protection.

He displayed limited speech, unable to provide his name or details of his family.

There have been no missing person reports identifying the child.

He is about 1m tall with short brown hair, brown eyes and a light olive complexion.

The Department is urging anyone who may know the boy to contact the Crisis Care Unit on 9223 1111.
 
 

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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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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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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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