It’s a case of HIT first and daylight second in Karratha’s Xtra Insights Survey 1 for 2025 HIT 106.5 is the most listened to among all people 10+ leaping 15.6 to an astonishing 51.9 – and still way ahead of its SCA stablemate Triple M (-1.7 to 23.3) with the new combo of Pete & Kymba with Ben Cousins up 16.2 to 52.6 with Triple M second and triple j in third HIT also enjoyed huge gains across all weekday shifts and on weekends we’re celebrating one of the strongest regional survey results we’ve seen across the country In Karratha’s second-ever radio survey reaching over 91% of the market (P10+ cume) with significant audience growth across all dayparts “Hit 106.5 has had a dominant survey result as the #1 station (P10+) in the market sitting on a remarkable 51.9 station listened to most Pete & Kymba for Breakfast with Ben Cousins (Pete Curulli and Ben Cousins) kicked off their first regional survey with strong results and growing the Breakfast audience by 118% (from 6,600 to 14,400 listeners) and cementing Hit’s dominance in Karratha across all dayparts and Ben build trust and connect with Karratha listeners in just a few months.” the new Breakfast show Robbie & Carly (Robbie Von and Carly Portch) has had a fantastic start across Northern WA blending energy and that Western Australian charm to set up the day Supported by local workday announcer Ed Thomas Triple M has grown its audience across all dayparts and recorded a 21.4% growth in audience.” “It’s a great day for our teams in Karratha and across Western Australia This is exactly what great regional radio is about – entertaining informing and inspiring communities across the country.” and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" The movement leaves the impression something is very wrong with the sampling Click here to sign up to our free daily newsletter for the latest in radio, audio and podcasting news and jobs, or just enter your email below. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Fremantle co-vice-captain Caleb Serong has highlighted the inconsistency of the season as a pain point for both the playing and coaching group Fremantle Senior Coach Justin Longmuir says accountability key after Saints defeat A disappointing night for Fremantle saw the Club suffer a heavy loss, kicking just 33 points Senior coach Lisa Webb spoke to media following Fremantle’s Semi-Final loss to the Crows, and praised the group that never gave up. Thursday's Round 9 clash with Collingwood marks our annual Purple Hands Foundation game, where the Club and Purple Hands will be raising funds to make sure no young person is left behind. Vice Captain Caleb Serong speaks to the media ahead of our clash with Collingwood in the Purple Hands game this Thursday at Optus Hear from Senior Coach JL following our loss to St Kilda Swita spoke in the rooms post-game following the Round 8 clash against St Kilda Fremantle have confirmed their final team of 23 to take on St Kilda in Friday night’s Round 8 clash The Fremantle Football Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, waterways and skies on which we live and play our great game here in Perth, the Whadjuk People of the Noongar Boodja and acknowledge their continuing connection to Country and culture. We pay respect to Elders past and present, senior knowledge holders and those following in their footsteps, and extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia. Fisheries officials have confirmed that 30,000 fish were killed on the Pilbara coast near Gnoorea Point An estimated 30,000 fish have been found dead at Gnoorea Beach An investigation is underway and people are being warned to avoid fishing or swimming in the area Link copiedShareShare articleFisheries officials are investigating the deaths of around 30,000 fish which have been found along Western Australia's Pilbara coast Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) discovered the fish kill incident last week on Gnoorea Beach The deceased fish were found along a nine-kilometre stretch of shoreline slightly south of a popular campground at Gnoorea Point a number of dead fish were also reportedly found at the nearby mouth of the Yanyare River Officers collected samples of the dead fish and sent them off for testing DPIRD said multiple fish species were identified along the beach Many fish species have been found dead in the area Health authorities have urged people not to swim or fish in the water as there could be high levels of bacteria and odour People have also been warned to stay away from the dead fish and prevent pets or other animals from coming into contact with decomposing flesh It is the second report of a fish kill incident in the state in less than a week after several hundred dead mackerel washed up on Coogee Beach in Perth Browse for your location and find more local ABC News and information CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced As brand campaigns increasingly look to tap into the potential of regional markets offers a fresh and creative way to cut-through and stand out The mural format not only delivers high visual impact but also fosters a sense of community pride making it an ideal campaign medium for brands looking to make an authentic impression in the Pilbara region The Brand Agency Head of Media & Analytics said: “In a media landscape of declining attention levels the outdoor executions we’ve worked with Mural Media on are not only effective but enhance their environments Extending these into regional Western Australia delivers valuable and targeted messages to communities such as Karratha.” “This regional mural is a wonderful opportunity to creatively engage the communities we serve and perfectly aligned with our campaign objectives Not only is the mural a stunning art piece but serves as an important reminder to the local community about conscious water use It’s been a pleasure collaborating with the Mural Media team and we look forward to seeing the positive impact the mural has on the Karratha community,” said Water Corporation Team Leader – Brand & Campaigns added: “The mural site in Karratha is a perfect example of how OOH advertising can be both visually striking and community-focused We believe this site will set a new standard for large-scale OOH advertising in the Pilbara and beyond.” This launch underscores Mural Media’s commitment to OOH innovation and its dedication to expanding the possibilities of regional OOH advertising The site is now live and will be available for bookings again from late March giving brands the chance to tap into the potential of regional advertising in a fresh and innovative way Click here to view the Installation video Register for Free and receive the Campaign Brief Daily Bulletin Type your email address in the space below Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The WA government has green lit Woodside’s plan to run its North West Shelf plant for another 50 years ending a six-year-long approval process and clearing the way for its contentious $30 billion gas project In a ministerial statement published on Thursday Environment Minister Reece Whitby declared the proposal lodged back in 2018 may be implemented Woodside has received state government approval for a massive 50-year Karratha gas plant extension Woodside would be required to undertake a review of operational measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions within 12 months of the approval and then on a five-yearly basis The oil and gas giant would also need to lodge a new marine management plan before 2026 monitor air quality and consult Murujuga traditional landowners The hub on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia’s north-west is expected to generate 4.3 billion tonnes of emissions over its lifespan more than 10 times the nation’s current annual total The decision comes just weeks after Whitby largely dismissed a record 770 appeals contesting the approval of the plan by the state’s environmental regulator in 2022 It also follows the WA government’s decision to abandon its emission reduction requirements in favour of handballing responsibility for CO₂ reduction to the Commonwealth to “avoid duplication” The move means a final decision on the project will fall to Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek The state’s Environmental Protection Authority gave the proposal the nod on the condition Woodside gradually decreased its emissions every five years to zero between 2030 and 2050 The plan to extend the life of Australia’s largest export facility spanning more than 200 hectares north-west of Karratha was lodged with the environmental watchdog more than six years ago It is a critical part of the $30 billion Browse joint venture between Woodside which hinges on its ability to pipe gas 1000 kilometres from the field to the 40-year-old plant for processing Protesters outside Parliament House rallying against the North West Shelf extension earlier this month.Credit: Jesinta Burton In August, WAtoday revealed that the EPA’s preliminary view was that the Browse gas export project should not go ahead over the threat it posed to endangered animals and the risk of an oil spill Both projects have faced staunch opposition from conservation groups over their environmental impact from emissions from the $45 billion company’s LNG plants to the erosion of ancient World Heritage nominated Aboriginal rock art The WA government has vowed to reach net zero by 2050 but is the only jurisdiction nationally without a 2030 emissions target and where emissions are rising But the government has touted the need to balance gas supply security with environmental considerations with Premier Roger Cook framing the plan as an “opportunity” for WA to secure its energy future Cook’s sentiments have also been echoed by Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King In a statement released shortly after the approval Woodside hailed the approval a “critical step” in its broader plan which would provide energy security for decades to come Woodside executive vice president and chief operating officer Liz Westcott said the company was committed to meeting all environmental requirements including the approval conditions and its obligations to traditional owners The company has previously said that while confident its referral documents demonstrated its intent to manage the environmental risks it continued to gather data and monitor advances in best practice mitigation The approval has been met with scathing criticism from environmental groups with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy branding it “irresponsible in the extreme” and the Conservation Council of WA accusing the WA government of failing future generations and “capitulating” to pressure Both organisations pleaded with Plibersek to reject the plan Green groups had crowned the ruling the nation’s biggest climate decision one the Conservation Council said represented a test in how governments would confront climate and cultural heritage Cook told the media the government was eager to protect the pristine environment which is why the Browse project was being subjected to a rigorous assessment progress But the premier said the role of gas as a smoothing fuel in its clean energy plan and that of economies globally was also an important consideration not just trying to save Western Australia and this small part of the planet,” he said “We know that gas is going to play an important role in helping other countries to get out of coal and to move on their clean energy transition process and will continue to be an important part of our fuel needs as well as we continue to retire all our coal-fired power stations by 2030 and it’s important that we step through it carefully.” The decision coincides with the release of new footage of Scott Reef off WA’s north-west coast amid concerns held by renowned author Tim Winton’s about the impact of drilling for Browse which lies less than three kilometres from the reef Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter The WA government has green lit Woodside\\u2019s plan to run its North West Shelf plant for another 50 years The hub on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia\\u2019s north-west is expected to generate 4.3 billion tonnes of emissions over its lifespan more than 10 times the nation\\u2019s current annual total The decision comes just weeks after Whitby largely dismissed a record 770 appeals contesting the approval of the plan by the state\\u2019s environmental regulator in 2022 It also follows the WA government\\u2019s decision The state\\u2019s Environmental Protection Authority gave the proposal the nod on the condition Woodside gradually decreased its emissions every five years to zero between 2030 and 2050 The plan to extend the life of Australia\\u2019s largest export facility WAtoday revealed that the over the threat it posed to endangered animals and the risk of an oil spill from emissions from the $45 billion company\\u2019s LNG plants to the erosion of ancient World Heritage nominated Aboriginal rock art with Premier Roger Cook framing the plan as an \\u201Copportunity\\u201D for WA to secure its energy future Cook\\u2019s sentiments have also been echoed by Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King Woodside hailed the approval a \\u201Ccritical step\\u201D in its broader plan which would provide energy security for decades to come with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O\\u2019Shanassy branding it \\u201Cirresponsible in the extreme\\u201D and the Conservation Council of WA accusing the WA government of failing future generations and \\u201Ccapitulating\\u201D to pressure Green groups had crowned the ruling the nation\\u2019s biggest climate decision not just trying to save Western Australia and this small part of the planet,\\u201D he said \\u201CWe know that gas is going to play an important role in helping other countries to get out of coal and to move on their clean energy transition process and it\\u2019s important that we step through it carefully.\\u201D The decision coincides with the release of new footage of Scott Reef off WA\\u2019s north-west coast amid concerns held by renowned author Tim Winton\\u2019s about the impact of drilling for Browse Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories The West Australian mining towns of Karratha and Port Hedland are both at risk of a “direct impact” from Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia which is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon The Bureau of Meteorology said the category five system’s path remained unpredictable and problematic with thousands of residents along the Pilbara coast bracing for its impact It’s expected to generate wind gusts up to 290km/h and dump more than 500 millimetres of rain in the worst affected areas High tides and already overflowing river catchments could also compound major flooding in coastal areas prompting roads into the region to be closed that is the most powerful tropical cyclone you can get,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said “It’s an organised and powerful tropical cyclone that will play a significant role in the weather across this part of the country over the next few days.” The Bureau of Meteorology expert warned the storm currently 120 kilometres off the Pilbara coast was expected to cross the coast between Karratha and De Grey but that areas east of the system’s eye would cop the brunt of the destructive weather with the Great Northern Highway and North West Highway closed The Port Hedland port – the largest export tonnage port in the world – was closed on Wednesday along with local schools Qantas and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights in and out of Port Hedland and an evacuation centre has been set up at JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub Bureau spokesman Dean Narramore told 9News Perth “all the ingredients came together” overnight for the cyclone to rapidly intensify from a category 2 to category 5 storm within 12 hours we’re looking at it crossing as a category 5 system to the west of Port Hedland rain and storm surge all coming in off the ocean they’re in the most dangerous part of a tropical cyclone that’s where we see the worst conditions,” he said SES volunteers providing the public with sand bags in preparation for TC Zelia so even if you are not right over where it’s going to cross you’re still likely to see destructive winds Narramore described the situation as dangerous “It’s going to maintain that intensity today tonight and through Friday and unfortunately continue to be a category 5 system as it crosses the coast on Friday afternoon into evening with very devastating impacts,” he said The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a watch and act alert for large sections of the Pilbara including the 18,000 residents in Karratha and 15,000 residents in Port Hedland “There is great uncertainty as to where and when the very destructive inner core of the cyclone will cross the coast,” the alert warned “Zelia could cross the east Pilbara coast on Friday or it could move further west and cross the west Pilbara coast on Saturday.” DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said emergency services were preparing for some areas to receive between 200 and 300 millimetres over a 24-hour period “DFES has significantly boosted its resources in the Pilbara and the Kimberley with additional personal into our incident management teams in both Broome and Karratha as well as operational on-the-ground personnel rapid damage assessment teams into Nullagine and Marble Bar and in the Pilbara more generally,” he said “The intensity of Tropical Cyclone Zelia means there is a significant threat to lives and property and I urge people to follow the directions of emergency services.” Klemm said DFES was also bringing in flood boats is expected to be impacted for up to a week due to extensive flooding “I think people should expect that some of these major highways are going to be closed and potentially for up to a week or potentially even longer depending on any damage,” Klemm said Remote communities are being stocked in preparation for being temporarily cut off from supply chains Nullagine and remote Aboriginal communities in the east Pilbara have declined to be evacuated The last category 5 system to make landfall in Australia was Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa in April 2023 sparsely populated land near Pardoo bore the brunt of the storm and its 225km/h wind gusts Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter The West Australian mining towns of Karratha and Port Hedland are both at risk of a \\u201Cdirect impact\\u201D from Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia The Bureau of Meteorology said the category five system\\u2019s path remained unpredictable and problematic It\\u2019s expected to generate wind gusts up to 290km/h \\u201CIt doesn\\u2019t get any worse than that that is the most powerful tropical cyclone you can get,\\u201D senior meteorologist Angus Hines said \\u201CIt\\u2019s an organised and powerful tropical cyclone that will play a significant role in the weather across this part of the country over the next few days.\\u201D but that areas east of the system\\u2019s eye would cop the brunt of the destructive weather The Port Hedland port \\u2013 the largest export tonnage port in the world \\u2013 was closed on Wednesday along with local schools Bureau spokesman Dean Narramore told 9News Perth \\u201Call the ingredients came together\\u201D overnight for the cyclone to rapidly intensify from a category 2 to category 5 storm within 12 hours we\\u2019re looking at it crossing as a category 5 system to the west of Port Hedland they\\u2019re in the most dangerous part of a tropical cyclone that\\u2019s where we see the worst conditions,\\u201D he said \\u201CIt\\u2019s a very large and intense system so even if you are not right over where it\\u2019s going to cross you\\u2019re still likely to see destructive winds torrential rain falls and storm surge.\\u201D \\u201CIt\\u2019s going to maintain that intensity today tonight and through Friday and unfortunately continue to be a category 5 system as it crosses the coast on Friday afternoon into evening with very devastating impacts,\\u201D he said \\u201CThere is great uncertainty as to where and when the very destructive inner core of the cyclone will cross the coast,\\u201D the alert warned \\u201CZelia could cross the east Pilbara coast on Friday or it could move further west and cross the west Pilbara coast on Saturday.\\u201D \\u201CDFES has significantly boosted its resources in the Pilbara and the Kimberley with additional personal into our incident management teams in both Broome and Karratha as well as operational on-the-ground personnel rapid damage assessment teams into Nullagine and Marble Bar and in the Pilbara more generally,\\u201D he said \\u201CThe intensity of Tropical Cyclone Zelia means there is a significant threat to lives and property and I urge people to follow the directions of emergency services.\\u201D \\u201CI think people should expect that some of these major highways are going to be closed and potentially for up to a week or potentially even longer depending on any damage,\\u201D Klemm said Metso Corporation’s press release on March 21 Metso opened its largest service center globally in Karratha Strategically located in the Pilbara region a top global supplier of iron ore and lithium this state-of-the-art facility provides mining customers with comprehensive maintenance and repair solutions The first year of operation has been an impressive success with customers underscoring the significance of the investment.   “We are committed to being closer to our customers and offering them state-of-the-art services Australia has been exceptionally well-received by our customers comprehensive services we offer locally," says Stuart Sneyd As the Karratha service center is open 24/7 it enables Metso to support its local customers efficiently and safely handling both scheduled maintenance tasks and urgent repairs This level of support helps minimize customer downtime and keeps their equipment at optimal performance through all lifecycle stages.  Metso supports customers in achieving their financial “By locating our service center closer to our customers in the Pilbara we significantly reduce the reliance on long-haul freight This cuts down on kilometers traveled by heavy vehicles aligning with Metso's sustainability goals to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions from our operations by 2030,” Sneyd continues.  Local market-leading service capability  The Karratha center services heavy mining equipment including crushers It is equipped with advanced amenities including high-capacity cranes These service capabilities are made possible by an investment totaling approximately EUR 32 million (AUD 52 million) In addition to its service centers in Australia a foundry and a smelting pilot plant in country to locally service its customers’ needs.  Working environment with enhanced safety   Employee safety is a top priority for Metso The operational model and layout of the center are designed to uphold and implement the highest safety standards Equipped with modern state-of-the-art tools the center ensures a safe and efficient working environment for all employees.  “The workforce comprises over 70 percent Karratha locals with some of our Perth-based FIFO team relocating to Karratha We are here for the long term and have implemented programs to support employee satisfaction and retention in Karratha Metso Australia has recently been awarded the Great Place to Work® certification,” says Chris Gadeke Metso also offers apprenticeship programs at the Karratha service center which not only support its operations but also contribute to the local community's growth and development.  Metso services global presence   Metso is committed to continuous development and investments in its service and repair capabilities ensuring customer proximity on a global scale Recent announcements include the expansion of the service center and establishing a Metso Training Center in Mesa a new service center in Western Canada (operational in 2026) a repair center expansion in Chile (operational first half of 2025) and construction of a new service center in Peru have been announced.   These strategic moves underline Metso's commitment to provide top-tier service and local support to its customers reinforcing the company’s position as a service leader in the industry.   Metso has an extensive service center network with over 3,700 field services professionals and more than 140 service locations on six continents Metso supports its customers around the globe with a wide range of installation Discover more about the Karratha service center and Metso’s maintenance services and repairs on our website.  email: helena.marjaranta(at)metso.com  At the end of 2024 Metso had close to 17,000 employees in around 50 countries and sales in 2024 were about EUR 4.9 billion Metso is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.  metso.com We leave you this evening with the positive news that Zelia has weakened somewhat to a category 3 with winds near the centre now 150 km/h with gusts to 205 km/h There are no official damage reports yet as State Emergency Service volunteers wait out the Emergency Warning remaining for Pardoo to east of Whim Creek and inland to west of Marble Bar But residents are posting endless photos online of uprooted trees and flooded roads and we have an unconfirmed report of damage to a childcare centre At 3pm Pilbara Ports reopened the Ports of Dampier and Varanus Island “Pilbara Ports has undertaken inspections of navigation aids channels and berths and has confirmed safe operations can resume,” a spokesman said Zelia will now take a general southerly track overland and weaken Intense rainfall is expected near and to the east of the centre Very destructive gusts of up to 200 km/h are likely within 30 kilometres of the centre but Port Hedland lies outside this region Gusts near the centre will reduce this afternoon and tonight Destructive gusts of up to 160 km/h are occurring in coastal and adjacent inland areas between Port Hedland and Pardoo moving through inland areas near the track and possibly impacting Marble Bar for a period tonight Gales with damaging gusts to 120 km/h are occurring on the coast between Pardoo and Whim Creek including Port Hedland but should ease tonight Damaging gusts to 120 km/h should also extend to inland areas to Marble Bar later tonight and possibly to Nullagine and Munjina tomorrow morning Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is occurring across coastal and adjacent inland areas between Wallal Downs and Whim Creek extending inland to Marble Bar and Nullagine overnight Flood watches and warnings are also current Check Bureau of Meteorology warnings for further details There is no longer a risk of a storm tide at Port Hedland Tides to the east of Port Hedland to Wallal Downs are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark We’ll be back tomorrow with details of the aftermath please exercise all possible caution and keep up to date on www.emergency.wa.gov.au Premier Roger Cook downplayed climate change links to the Category 5 Cyclone Zelia at his press conference this morning but the Bureau of Meteorology suggests otherwise When asked about the relationship between climate change and cyclones Cook answered: “cyclones happened during cyclone season.” “I’ve been on this planet for 59 years now and I can assure you that it’s cyclone season,” he said A short time later the Bureau’s general manager environmental prediction services Matthew Collopy said there was evidence that climate change was impacting cyclone intensity thanks to the warming of the atmosphere and oceans “The early indications are that there is not a big impact on the frequency but there is a potential impact on intensity,” he said “So there is potentially a higher chance of seeing high category cyclones because of those high temperatures both the in the water as well as the atmosphere.“ Climate Analytics CEO and lead author of previous Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports Bill Hare said global warming was driving an increase in the number of the most intense tropical cyclones and increasing their intensity. “They will become more intense, cover a larger area and spin up a lot faster,” he said. “If human-induced warming continues because fossil fuels are not phased out, marine heat wave intensity, duration and extent will continue accelerating until much of the tropical Indian Ocean is in an almost permanent marine heatwave. “This will only increase the frequency of these life-threatening extreme weather disasters.” TC Zelia has been downgraded to a Category 4 cyclone, with winds near the centre now 175km/h with gusts to 250km/h. It made landfall at 12.30pm WST near De Grey River mouth, northeast of Port Hedland and will continue to weaken. An emergency warning remains for the region surrounding Port Hedland with the community instructed to stay indoors and in the strongest part of their building. The streets of Port Hedland have been abandoned as residents barricade themselves inside from Cyclone Zelia. Nine News Perth reporter Sarah Smith is on the ground as the category 5 cyclone moves through. “We’re following the rules and staying indoors,” she said. Flooding in the area.Credit: Candid Captures by AJ Downes “Our crew has gaffer tapped the doors and put towels at the bottom so no water gets in – helpful advice from our cameramen that have been through cyclones before.” Smith reported winds have increased since the morning and heavy rain had remained constant. “We spoke with one person on Zoom who had built a mattress fort for the kids, they have food and chargers,” she said. “People are just nervous that it is a category five but they’re saying they’ve done all they can to prepare.” Videos posted to TikTok show bent over palm trees with many trees already ripped from the ground. Not everyone is following the advice, some residents have posted videos to the streaming platform showing themselves outside in treacherous conditions and jumping in pools. In breaking news, the destructive core of Tropical Cyclone Zelia is currently crossing the coast to the east of Port Hedland. At midday, the centre of the category 5 system was around 65 kilometers to the north east of Port Hedland, and moving south east around 11km/h. At its core, the cyclone was bringing destructive wind gusts of up to 290km/h, intense rainfall and flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology’s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy said Port Headland was not expected to be impacted by the eye of the system, but said damaging wind gusts were still likely into the afternoon and a dangerous storm surge possible on the eastern side of the tropical cyclone track which could cause flash flooding. “This system is producing very heavy rainfall, with rainfall totals expected to be two to 300mm over the next three to four hours, with three day totals up to 500mm possible,” he said. “We have already recorded totals over 300mm, and this heavy rainfall falling on already wet catchments is likely to result in Flash and riverine flooding.” Flood Watch and warning areas extend from the Gascoyne and through the Pilbara regions, with flood warnings already current for the De Grey and Pilbara coastal rivers. The system is expected to weaken and winds will ease as the system continues to move south through the interior towards Tom Price and Paraburdoo. “This is a very dangerous system that will cause those significant impacts,” he said. He urged those in the Pilbara to remain informed and heed the latest advice on both the tropical cyclone and flood warnings from BOM and emergency WA. The focus of emergency services has now shifted to dealing with the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Zelia as the system crosses the coast and makes landfall east of Port Hedland, bringing 290km/h winds and more than 500mm of rain across the Pilbara. During a press conference this afternoon, Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the cyclone was tracking further east than initially anticipated, sparing the regional town of Port Hedland from the brunt of the storm. But Klemm urged communities impacted by the Category 5 system not to become complacent, warning hazards would not ease as the area continues to be battered by rainfall. “We’re ready to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone, but it is critical impacted communities don’t get complacent,” he said. “The conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself, including damaged buildings, fallen power lines and debris, it is extremely important that people remain indoors until the warning change on emergency WA.” Crews have responded to 37 calls for assistance over the past two days, including a truck driver whose vehicle had been washed off a bridge. People have been asked to desist from walking and driving around Port Hedland as a cyclone bears down upon them. The Hedland State Emergency Service wrote online this morning a blunt warning after seeing people driving and walking around town. “Do not drive on emergency warning. The shops are closed, the service stations are closed … don’t do it. With the cyclone just hours away you risk your life doing these things. Don’t do it to your family.” Multiple other residents whiling away their emergency lockdown on Facebook have reported and posted videos of people walking past their homes. “So many idiots driving around in Port,” wrote one. “Go home.” “Seriously, stop driving around ya bloody knobheads!” said another. Some have blamed the new system – in which as of last July, Western Australia has adopted the Australian Warning System for bushfire, cyclone, flood and storm warnings. This means instead of emergency services using the old Blue Alert, Yellow Alert, Red Alert and All Clear warning system for cyclones, they use the same three warning levels as for bushfires: Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warning, with their corresponding colours of yellow, orange and red. “Everyone knew on a Red Alert … you were confined to your home and not allowed to leave until the all clear, when the police would again go around town with their sirens going again,” one commenter wrote. “Unlike new system where nobody knows what’s going on.“We reckon if you can’t work out that warning system you might just be a “bloody knobhead.” A media conference with Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm and the Bureau of Meteorology’s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy was held to provide an update on the cyclone. Watch it back here: Despite its regular population of 16,000 there are currently only 124 people sheltered in the Port Hedland evacuation centre at the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub, according to Premier Roger Cook. Speaking from Geraldton in WA’s Mid West Cook said there was a further 43 people at the evacuation centre in Karratha, which will now be spared the full brunt of TC Zelia after she began tracking east. Cook said Zelia was “really dangerous and big and it’s one which is going to threaten the communities right across the Pilbara in particular.” Western Australia Premier Roger Cook is preparing for the aftermath. Credit: AAP “Our hearts go out to the people in Port Hedland today, they’ve been in lockdown since 6.30 last night, under emergency cyclone warning rating,” he said. “This is a serious storm, and it’s one which is going to have a significant impact on the communities throughout the Pilbara.” Cook said emergency response teams were stationed 720 kilometres south west in Carnarvon and they were ready to fly in to Port Hedland after Zelia passes through. He said he had already had conversations with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about deploying the defence force. “We particularly rely on the ADF for heavy haulage, heavy lift equipment to make sure that we can get that into Port Hedland and other towns as needed. So those conversations have already taken place,” he said. To the latest update from the Bureau of Meteorology now, with a warning that Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia is about to make landfall near DeGrey River mouth east of Port Hedland. Port Hedland looks likely to avoid the very destructive core of the cyclone, BOM says. BOM has upgraded the wind gusts expected at the core of Tropical Cyclone Zelia and narrowed the central area of impact, with the cyclone set to make land fall just east of Port Hedland. The forecast has been shifting back and forth as the cyclone moves off the coast, but the current analysis has Zelia continuing to move south and make landfall at 4pm AWST. The bureau is confident the cyclone is now most likely to the east of Port Hedland, with wind gusts at its core having since been upgraded to 290km/h. BOM said the area east of Port Hedland would bear the brunt of the cyclone, but said the broader area of impact was expected to span 400 kilometres along the coast between Wallal Downs and Roebourne and experience wind gusts between 120-160km/h. The most intense impacts are expected to be felt at the time of crossing, with bands of showers and thunderstorms wrapping around the cyclone and bringing destructive winds, rain and flooding and storm tides and inundation. BOM warned wind gusts at the core of the cyclone were likely to lead to the destruction of trees and permanent structures. The system is likely to move south through the Pilbara and into the Gascoyne over the coming days, continuing to lose intensity as it reaches Tom Price but bringing significant rain. Thanks for following along today. We leave you this evening with the positive news that Zelia has weakened somewhat to a category 3, with winds near the centre now 150 km/h with gusts to 205 km/h. There are no official damage reports yet as State Emergency Service volunteers wait out the Emergency Warning remaining for Pardoo to east of Whim Creek and inland to west of Marble Bar. But residents are posting endless photos online of uprooted trees and flooded roads, and we have an unconfirmed report of damage to a childcare centre. At 3pm Pilbara Ports reopened the Ports of Dampier and Varanus Island. \\u201CPilbara Ports has undertaken inspections of navigation aids, channels and berths and has confirmed safe operations can resume,\\u201D a spokesman said. Zelia will now take a general southerly track overland and weaken, the Bureau of Meteorology reports. Intense rainfall is expected near and to the east of the centre. Very destructive gusts of up to 200 km/h are likely within 30 kilometres of the centre but Port Hedland lies outside this region. Gusts near the centre will reduce this afternoon and tonight. Destructive gusts of up to 160 km/h are occurring in coastal and adjacent inland areas between Port Hedland and Pardoo, moving through inland areas near the track and possibly impacting Marble Bar for a period tonight. Gales with damaging gusts to 120 km/h are occurring on the coast between Pardoo and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland but should ease tonight. Damaging gusts to 120 km/h should also extend to inland areas to Marble Bar later tonight and possibly to Nullagine and Munjina tomorrow morning. Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is occurring across coastal and adjacent inland areas between Wallal Downs and Whim Creek, extending inland to Marble Bar and Nullagine overnight. Flood watches and warnings are also current. Check Bureau of Meteorology warnings for further details. There is no longer a risk of a storm tide at Port Hedland. Tides to the east of Port Hedland to Wallal Downs are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark. We\\u2019ll be back tomorrow with details of the aftermath, and if you\\u2019re in Port Hedland, please exercise all possible caution and keep up to date on www.emergency.wa.gov.au. Premier Roger Cook downplayed climate change links to the Category 5 Cyclone Zelia at his press conference this morning but the Bureau of Meteorology suggests otherwise. When asked about the relationship between climate change and cyclones, Cook answered: \\u201Ccyclones happened during cyclone season.\\u201D \\u201CI\\u2019ve been on this planet for 59 years now, and in this state for 59 years, and I can assure you that it\\u2019s cyclone season,\\u201D he said. \\u201CSo understand that, folks, cyclones happen during cyclone season.\\u201D A short time later the Bureau\\u2019s general manager environmental prediction services Matthew Collopy said there was evidence that climate change was impacting cyclone intensity thanks to the warming of the atmosphere and oceans. \\u201CThe early indications are that there is not a big impact on the frequency, but there is a potential impact on intensity,\\u201D he said. \\u201CSo there is potentially a higher chance of seeing high category cyclones because of those high temperatures both the in the water as well as the atmosphere.\\u201C Climate Analytics CEO and lead author of previous reports Bill Hare said global warming was driving an increase in the number of the most intense tropical cyclones and increasing their intensity. \\u201CThey will become more intense, cover a larger area and spin up a lot faster,\\u201D he said. \\u201CIf human-induced warming continues because fossil fuels are not phased out, marine heat wave intensity, duration and extent will continue accelerating until much of the tropical Indian Ocean is in an almost permanent marine heatwave. \\u201CThis will only increase the frequency of these life-threatening extreme weather disasters.\\u201D \\u201CWe\\u2019re following the rules and staying indoors,\\u201D she said. \\u201COur crew has gaffer tapped the doors and put towels at the bottom so no water gets in \\u2013 helpful advice from our cameramen that have been through cyclones before.\\u201D \\u201CWe spoke with one person on Zoom who had built a mattress fort for the kids, they have food and chargers,\\u201D she said. \\u201CPeople are just nervous that it is a category five but they\\u2019re saying they\\u2019ve done all they can to prepare.\\u201D The Bureau of Meteorology\\u2019s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy said Port Headland was not expected to be impacted by the eye of the system, but said damaging wind gusts were still likely into the afternoon and a dangerous storm surge possible on the eastern side of the tropical cyclone track which could cause flash flooding. \\u201CThis system is producing very heavy rainfall, with rainfall totals expected to be two to 300mm over the next three to four hours, with three day totals up to 500mm possible,\\u201D he said. \\u201CWe have already recorded totals over 300mm, and this heavy rainfall falling on already wet catchments is likely to result in Flash and riverine flooding.\\u201D \\u201CThis is a very dangerous system that will cause those significant impacts,\\u201D he said. \\u201CWe\\u2019re ready to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone, but it is critical impacted communities don\\u2019t get complacent,\\u201D he said. \\u201CThe conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself, including damaged buildings, fallen power lines and debris, it is extremely important that people remain indoors until the warning change on emergency WA.\\u201D \\u201CDo not drive on emergency warning. The shops are closed, the service stations are closed \\u2026 don\\u2019t do it. With the cyclone just hours away you risk your life doing these things. Don\\u2019t do it to your family.\\u201D \\u201CSo many idiots driving around in Port,\\u201D wrote one. \\u201CGo home.\\u201D \\u201CSeriously, stop driving around ya bloody knobheads!\\u201D said another. Some have blamed the new system \\u2013 in which as of last July, Western Australia has adopted the Australian Warning System for bushfire, cyclone, flood and storm warnings. \\u201CEveryone knew on a Red Alert \\u2026 you were confined to your home and not allowed to leave until the all clear, when the police would again go around town with their sirens going again,\\u201D one commenter wrote. \\u201CUnlike new system where nobody knows what\\u2019s going on.\\u201CWe reckon if you can\\u2019t work out that warning system you might just be a \\u201Cbloody knobhead.\\u201D A media conference with Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm and the Bureau of Meteorology\\u2019s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy was held to provide an update on the cyclone. Watch it back here: Speaking from Geraldton in WA\\u2019s Mid West Cook said there was a further 43 people at the evacuation centre in Karratha, which will now be spared the full brunt of TC Zelia after she began tracking east. Cook said Zelia was \\u201Creally dangerous and big and it\\u2019s one which is going to threaten the communities right across the Pilbara in particular.\\u201D \\u201COur hearts go out to the people in Port Hedland today, they\\u2019ve been in lockdown since 6.30 last night, under emergency cyclone warning rating,\\u201D he said. \\u201CThis is a serious storm, and it\\u2019s one which is going to have a significant impact on the communities throughout the Pilbara.\\u201D \\u201CWe particularly rely on the ADF for heavy haulage, heavy lift equipment to make sure that we can get that into Port Hedland and other towns as needed. So those conversations have already taken place,\\u201D he said. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. The plans for the hotel were conditionally approved by the Regional Development Assessment Panel (RDAP) this month, taking into consideration concerns by the City of Karratha that the plans were more akin to worker accommodation.  The plans were filed by RFF Pty Ltd on behalf of QSD Hire Pty Ltd. The sole director listed in ASIC documents in April this year was Neal Guilmartin. The site is a 286-site caravan park in the Karratha suburb of Nickol. The park would be demolished to make way for the hotel, although there will be 89 caravan sites as part of the new project. Karratha is 1527km north of Perth in the Pilbara region of WA and in 2021 had a population of about 17,000 people.  Initial plans had proposed 928 rooms, which have been brought down to 832 rooms to be housed in 68 buildings across the 6.3ha site. The development also includes a new hotel bar building and restaurant, with the retention of a swimming pool and reception building.  The rooms will comprise 144 family suites, 16 executive suites, 288 deluxe suites and the same number of standard suites. Rooms on second storeys will have ocean views. The project has been designed by CK Architecture. The development application said that it proposes “a modern, mid-range accommodation solution across a range of accommodation types to provide options for a range of demographic travellers”.  The project will be a modular constriction supplied by TLC Modular, the application said, and will be built to a Category 2 classified cyclone rating, allowing people to shelter in place in extreme weather events. The future of the development, however, is not assured due to the City of Karratha’s concerns. It was expected that the assesment panel would refuse the project, given that the specific use for the proposed development was workforce accommodation and not hotel, therefore it should apply the land use as workforce accommodation.  The project would double the existing short-stay accommodation rooms in Karratha, that, according to the planning assessment report, sits at 857 rooms across 15 developments at an average of 57 rooms a development. It was the size of the project that rang alarm bells for the City of Karratha, which raised doubt about appropriate land-use classification, and said that it did not fill the identified gaps of a new branded hotel with a high-quality built form. The council said that the provision of 112 mini-bus bays was evidence that it would be more likely used as worker accommodation, in which more than 50 per cent of the rooms were primarily used for temporary workers in the mining and industry construction sectors. It also said that “insufficient attention has been given to addressing the visual appearance of the development to the public domain”. However the RDAP thought differently, and rejected the council’s recommendation to refuse, as well as declining to defer the development to be reworked as workers accommodation. An alternative motion by the RDAP moved to accept that it was appropriate for consideration as a hotel and restaurant. The motion was carried three to two, with the majority of panel members being of the view that the proposal for hotel use was consistent with the definition.  It approved the development on the condition it consider its landscaping and operational management as a hotel.  Former City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long has been awarded the title of Honorary Freeman of the City of Karratha becoming the fourth person to receive this prestigious honour The award was presented at a special function on Friday evening Long explained the significance of the award "It’s given for two purposes: to recognize past work done for the city and it also means I’ll be invited to some of the city's functions which is very nice." Reflecting on his time as Mayor Long spoke with pride about his contributions to Karratha’s growth particularly the development of the Red Earth Arts Precinct “I’m really proud of the Red Earth Arts Precinct he recalled the transformation of the city including the upgrades to the airport and the development of major landmarks like the Karratha Leisure Plaza We were fortunate to have royalties for regions supporting us,” he noted Long also acknowledged the challenges the region faces Reflecting on the lasting impact of these developments “We’re very lucky to have these facilities is still one of the most modernized facilities around and it’s great to see so many people using it.” With his new title Peter Long's legacy in Karratha continues to inspire pride and appreciation in the community Ngaarda RadioPhotography ShowcaseVideo Showcase Book Our ServicesBecome a SponsorVolunteer With Us About UsBlog & NewsContact Us Legal DocumentsComplaints Send us your email address to receive the latest news and updates straight to your inbox Metso has celebrated a year since it opened its largest service centre globally in Karratha the centre serves mining and aggregates customers with maintenance and repair solutions and spans a 35,000m² area The centre services heavy mining equipment such as crushers high pressure grinding rolls and car dumpers It also features advanced amenities including high-capacity cranes allowing Metso to support its local customers by minimising customer downtime and keeping their equipment at optimal performance through all lifecycle stages “We are committed to being closer to our customers and offering them state-of-the-art services,” Metso president of Asia Pacific Stuart Sneyd said “By locating our service centre closer to our customers in the Pilbara This cuts down on kilometres travelled by heavy vehicles aligning with Metso’s sustainability goals to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions from our operations by 2030.” The centre’s operational model and layout prioritises safety with Metso Australia recently awarded the Great Place to Work certification Metso also offers apprenticeship programs at the centre boosting local community growth and development Metso is also growing its international presence by establishing a Metso training centre in Arizona, US and the construction of a new service centre in Peru Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements Since 1908, Australian Mining has informed the industry on the latest news and technologies from across the mining sector. Comprising of a monthly print magazine, website and e-newsletter, Australian Mining is a leading resource showcasing the latest in mining innovation.  Watch 1m 51sThe Severe Tropical Cyclone has strengthened to a category five storm, with wind speeds in excess of 280km/h a possibility. Residents choosing to bunker down in their homes as Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia makes its way towards the Pilbara coast have spoken of their fears the cyclone will cause widespread damage if it directly impacts the coastal towns Father of three and Port Hedland local Zach Green said heavy rain and strong winds had begun to worsen since Cyclone Zelia’s rapid intensification from a category 3 cyclone to a category 5 on Thursday morning Winds are picking up at Port Hedland.Credit: Candid Captures by AJ Downes “We’ve been preparing by cleaning up outside tying stuff down and getting and placing sand bags,” he said “We did a big shop at Woolies during the week and have pulled our outdoor cooking equipment inside to be ready to cook if the power trips and we’ve got our satellite phone when signal goes.” along with wife Bobbi Lockyer and three of their four sons which are not allowed at the evacuation centre set up in South Hedland Floodwaters are rising in Port Hedland as Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia approaches the Pilbara coast.Credit: Zach Green “This is my first big cyclone up in Port Hedland but my wife but this is the one she’s been most scared of because it’s been so unpredictable.” Both Karratha and Port Hedland are at risk of direct impact The Bureau of Meteorology said the system’s path remained unpredictable and problematic It’s expected to generate wind gusts up to 320km/h a travelling chef and business owner and Lockyer said their first concern after the storm subsides will be heading out to check on Aboriginal elders in South Hedland and surrounding communities “What we want to tell people is be kind to one another at this time,” he said “Everyone deals with natural disasters in their own way … when you prepare for imminent danger on your life I’ve been through cyclones before in Cairns but never a cat 4 or 5 “There are people that have been here their whole life that are sticking together as a community and showing community spirit.” Local Stephen Whale moved to Port Hedland in September last year and cautioned “courage” was needed to weather a category 5 cyclone Stephen Whale is preparing for the cyclone to hit.Credit: Stephen Whale He said he was hopeful his 40-year-old home would survive the cyclone given it remained intact after Cyclone George in 2007 “I’ve been through cyclones before in Cairns but never a cat 4 or 5 “There’s a lot of people who will say how easy it is and get drunk for three days straight to avoid feeling that fear and anxiety “Stay sober so you can feel it and be of use to your household and neighbours if they need a hand.” Whale said residents trying to buy supplies from supermarkets had left it too late with empty shelves at many stores Everything is being tied down.Credit: Stephen Whale there needs to be nothing loose in the yard tie everything down even the garden hose,” he said “Literally everything could be a projectile but luckily the majority of people here will have there stuff packed and secured by the end of today.” Former Karratha resident Cindy Newhouse said people she had spoken to in the town had never seen anything like the monster cyclone brewing off the coast She said many residents were helping friends and family prepare ahead of its 8pm landfall on Friday evening and others were leaving town “People are worried it will smash the town and that the Whim Creek pub won’t survive the cyclone,” she said “Residents are scared because they know the slower the cyclone moves towards the coast the more it intensifies.” Newhouse experienced Cyclone Damian in 2020 and said it was impossible to drive down the street in the aftermath Father of three and Port Hedland local Zach Green said heavy rain and strong winds had begun to worsen since Cyclone Zelia\\u2019s rapid intensification from a category 3 cyclone to a category 5 on Thursday morning \\u201CWe\\u2019ve been preparing by cleaning up outside tying stuff down and getting and placing sand bags,\\u201D he said \\u201CWe did a big shop at Woolies during the week and have pulled our outdoor cooking equipment inside to be ready to cook if the power trips and we\\u2019ve got our satellite phone when signal goes.\\u201D \\u201CThis is my first big cyclone up in Port Hedland but my wife but this is the one she\\u2019s been most scared of because it\\u2019s been so unpredictable.\\u201D The Bureau of Meteorology said the system\\u2019s It\\u2019s expected to generate wind gusts up to 320km/h \\u201CWhat we want to tell people is be kind to one another at this time,\\u201D he said \\u201CEveryone deals with natural disasters in their own way \\u2026 when you prepare for imminent danger on your life \\u201CThere are people that have been here their whole life that are sticking together as a community and showing community spirit.\\u201D Local Stephen Whale moved to Port Hedland in September last year and cautioned \\u201Ccourage\\u201D was needed to weather a category 5 cyclone \\u201CI\\u2019ve been through cyclones before in Cairns but never a cat 4 or 5 \\u201CThere\\u2019s a lot of people who will say how easy it is and get drunk for three days straight to avoid feeling that fear and anxiety \\u201CStay sober so you can feel it and be of use to your household and neighbours if they need a hand.\\u201D tie everything down even the garden hose,\\u201D he said \\u201CLiterally everything could be a projectile but luckily the majority of people here will have there stuff packed and secured by the end of today.\\u201D \\u201CPeople are worried it will smash the town and that the Whim Creek pub won\\u2019t survive the cyclone,\\u201D she said \\u201CResidents are scared because they know the slower the cyclone moves towards the coast the more it intensifies.\\u201D I\\u2019ve been through cyclones before in Cairns but never a cat 4 or 5 Climate Analytics CEO and lead author of previous Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports Bill Hare said global warming was driving an increase in the number of the most intense tropical cyclones and increasing their intensity cover a larger area and spin up a lot faster,” he said “If human-induced warming continues because fossil fuels are not phased out duration and extent will continue accelerating until much of the tropical Indian Ocean is in an almost permanent marine heatwave TC Zelia has been downgraded to a Category 4 cyclone with winds near the centre now 175km/h with gusts to 250km/h It made landfall at 12.30pm WST near De Grey River mouth northeast of Port Hedland and will continue to weaken An emergency warning remains for the region surrounding Port Hedland with the community instructed to stay indoors and in the strongest part of their building The streets of Port Hedland have been abandoned as residents barricade themselves inside from Cyclone Zelia Nine News Perth reporter Sarah Smith is on the ground as the category 5 cyclone moves through “We’re following the rules and staying indoors,” she said Smith reported winds have increased since the morning and heavy rain had remained constant “We spoke with one person on Zoom who had built a mattress fort for the kids Videos posted to TikTok show bent over palm trees with many trees already ripped from the ground some residents have posted videos to the streaming platform showing themselves outside in treacherous conditions and jumping in pools the destructive core of Tropical Cyclone Zelia is currently crossing the coast to the east of Port Hedland the centre of the category 5 system was around 65 kilometers to the north east of Port Hedland the cyclone was bringing destructive wind gusts of up to 290km/h The Bureau of Meteorology’s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy said Port Headland was not expected to be impacted by the eye of the system but said damaging wind gusts were still likely into the afternoon and a dangerous storm surge possible on the eastern side of the tropical cyclone track which could cause flash flooding “This system is producing very heavy rainfall with rainfall totals expected to be two to 300mm over the next three to four hours with three day totals up to 500mm possible,” he said “We have already recorded totals over 300mm and this heavy rainfall falling on already wet catchments is likely to result in Flash and riverine flooding.” Flood Watch and warning areas extend from the Gascoyne and through the Pilbara regions with flood warnings already current for the De Grey and Pilbara coastal rivers The system is expected to weaken and winds will ease as the system continues to move south through the interior towards Tom Price and Paraburdoo “This is a very dangerous system that will cause those significant impacts,” he said He urged those in the Pilbara to remain informed and heed the latest advice on both the tropical cyclone and flood warnings from BOM and emergency WA The focus of emergency services has now shifted to dealing with the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Zelia as the system crosses the coast and makes landfall east of Port Hedland bringing 290km/h winds and more than 500mm of rain across the Pilbara Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the cyclone was tracking further east than initially anticipated sparing the regional town of Port Hedland from the brunt of the storm But Klemm urged communities impacted by the Category 5 system not to become complacent warning hazards would not ease as the area continues to be battered by rainfall “We’re ready to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone but it is critical impacted communities don’t get complacent,” he said “The conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself it is extremely important that people remain indoors until the warning change on emergency WA.” Crews have responded to 37 calls for assistance over the past two days including a truck driver whose vehicle had been washed off a bridge People have been asked to desist from walking and driving around Port Hedland as a cyclone bears down upon them The Hedland State Emergency Service wrote online this morning a blunt warning after seeing people driving and walking around town the service stations are closed … don’t do it With the cyclone just hours away you risk your life doing these things Multiple other residents whiling away their emergency lockdown on Facebook have reported and posted videos of people walking past their homes “So many idiots driving around in Port,” wrote one stop driving around ya bloody knobheads!” said another Some have blamed the new system – in which as of last July Western Australia has adopted the Australian Warning System for bushfire This means instead of emergency services using the old Blue Alert Red Alert and All Clear warning system for cyclones they use the same three warning levels as for bushfires: Advice with their corresponding colours of yellow “Everyone knew on a Red Alert … you were confined to your home and not allowed to leave until the all clear when the police would again go around town with their sirens going again,” one commenter wrote A media conference with Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm and the Bureau of Meteorology’s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy was held to provide an update on the cyclone Despite its regular population of 16,000 there are currently only 124 people sheltered in the Port Hedland evacuation centre at the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub Speaking from Geraldton in WA’s Mid West Cook said there was a further 43 people at the evacuation centre in Karratha which will now be spared the full brunt of TC Zelia after she began tracking east Western Australia Premier Roger Cook is preparing for the aftermath “Our hearts go out to the people in Port Hedland today they’ve been in lockdown since 6.30 last night under emergency cyclone warning rating,” he said and it’s one which is going to have a significant impact on the communities throughout the Pilbara.” Cook said emergency response teams were stationed 720 kilometres south west in Carnarvon and they were ready to fly in to Port Hedland after Zelia passes through He said he had already had conversations with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about deploying the defence force “We particularly rely on the ADF for heavy haulage heavy lift equipment to make sure that we can get that into Port Hedland and other towns as needed So those conversations have already taken place,” he said To the latest update from the Bureau of Meteorology now with a warning that Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia is about to make landfall near DeGrey River mouth east of Port Hedland Port Hedland looks likely to avoid the very destructive core of the cyclone BOM has upgraded the wind gusts expected at the core of Tropical Cyclone Zelia and narrowed the central area of impact with the cyclone set to make land fall just east of Port Hedland The forecast has been shifting back and forth as the cyclone moves off the coast but the current analysis has Zelia continuing to move south and make landfall at 4pm AWST The bureau is confident the cyclone is now most likely to the east of Port Hedland with wind gusts at its core having since been upgraded to 290km/h BOM said the area east of Port Hedland would bear the brunt of the cyclone but said the broader area of impact was expected to span 400 kilometres along the coast between Wallal Downs and Roebourne and experience wind gusts between 120-160km/h The most intense impacts are expected to be felt at the time of crossing with bands of showers and thunderstorms wrapping around the cyclone and bringing destructive winds rain and flooding and storm tides and inundation BOM warned wind gusts at the core of the cyclone were likely to lead to the destruction of trees and permanent structures The system is likely to move south through the Pilbara and into the Gascoyne over the coming days continuing to lose intensity as it reaches Tom Price but bringing significant rain \\u201CPilbara Ports has undertaken inspections of navigation aids channels and berths and has confirmed safe operations can resume,\\u201D a spokesman said We\\u2019ll be back tomorrow with details of the aftermath Cook answered: \\u201Ccyclones happened during cyclone season.\\u201D \\u201CI\\u2019ve been on this planet for 59 years now and I can assure you that it\\u2019s cyclone season,\\u201D he said cyclones happen during cyclone season.\\u201D A short time later the Bureau\\u2019s general manager environmental prediction services Matthew Collopy said there was evidence that climate change was impacting cyclone intensity thanks to the warming of the atmosphere and oceans \\u201CThe early indications are that there is not a big impact on the frequency but there is a potential impact on intensity,\\u201D he said Climate Analytics CEO and lead author of previous reports Bill Hare said global warming was driving an increase in the number of the most intense tropical cyclones and increasing their intensity cover a larger area and spin up a lot faster,\\u201D he said \\u201CIf human-induced warming continues because fossil fuels are not phased out \\u201CWe\\u2019re following the rules and staying indoors,\\u201D she said \\u201CWe spoke with one person on Zoom who had built a mattress fort for the kids they have food and chargers,\\u201D she said The Bureau of Meteorology\\u2019s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy said Port Headland was not expected to be impacted by the eye of the system \\u201CThis system is producing very heavy rainfall with three day totals up to 500mm possible,\\u201D he said \\u201CWe have already recorded totals over 300mm and this heavy rainfall falling on already wet catchments is likely to result in Flash and riverine flooding.\\u201D \\u201CThis is a very dangerous system that will cause those significant impacts,\\u201D he said \\u201CWe\\u2019re ready to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone but it is critical impacted communities don\\u2019t get complacent,\\u201D he said \\u201CThe conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself it is extremely important that people remain indoors until the warning change on emergency WA.\\u201D the service stations are closed \\u2026 don\\u2019t do it \\u201CSo many idiots driving around in Port,\\u201D wrote one stop driving around ya bloody knobheads!\\u201D said another Some have blamed the new system \\u2013 in which as of last July \\u201CEveryone knew on a Red Alert \\u2026 you were confined to your home and not allowed to leave until the all clear when the police would again go around town with their sirens going again,\\u201D one commenter wrote A media conference with Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm and the Bureau of Meteorology\\u2019s General Manager Environmental Prediction Services Matthew Collopy was held to provide an update on the cyclone Speaking from Geraldton in WA\\u2019s Mid West Cook said there was a further 43 people at the evacuation centre in Karratha \\u201COur hearts go out to the people in Port Hedland today they\\u2019ve been in lockdown since 6.30 last night under emergency cyclone warning rating,\\u201D he said and it\\u2019s one which is going to have a significant impact on the communities throughout the Pilbara.\\u201D \\u201CWe particularly rely on the ADF for heavy haulage So those conversations have already taken place,\\u201D he said Personalise your weather experience and unlock powerful new features. 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Facebook IconInstagram IconTiktok IconLegend colours and weather terms used throughout Weatherzone Home>Weather News>Tropical Cyclone Sean forms near the Pilbara Coast Tropical Cyclone Sean forms near the Pilbara CoastJoel Pippard19 Jan 2025 2:18 AM UTCArrow ShareShareImage: Tropical Cyclone Sean has formed as a category 1 system close to Karratha off the WA coast Source: WeatherzoneTropical Cyclone Sean has formed as a category 1 system close to Karratha off the Western Australian coast As of 9am WST Sunday, Tropical Cyclone Sean is spinning up 150km north-northwest of Karratha can be clearly seen from the Karratha radar this morning Image: Observed radar and lightning showing Tropical Cyclone Sean spinning up on Sunday morning off the Pilbara coast winds at Legendre Island had reached sustained speeds of 85km/h the island's strongest gust in three years indicative of a cyclone that is already a high-end category 1 gale force winds started on the mainland at Karratha at 8:30am These winds will likely continue to increase during Sunday before easing as the system moves further down the coast Image: Enhanced infrared satellite showing the development of Tropical Cyclone Sean Areas in white and black show intense convection and thunderstorms Tropical Cyclone Sean will likely intensify further as it moves parallel to the coast. It is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 system by Sunday evening and a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on Monday Damaging to destructive winds are expected to impact southern parts of the Pilbara coast, including Onslow and Exmouth during Sunday and Monday, easing on Tuesday morning. Barrow Island, the world-record holder for highest wind gust will likely experience category 2 strength winds Image: Forecast wind gusts on Sunday evening from ECMWF Rainfall is likely to arrive in a fairly short amount of time given the system’s movement along the coast but will also be bolstered by the monsoon arriving in the back edge of the cyclone some of the standout rainfall totals were: the system is likely to produce a widespread 100-150mm along the Pilbara coast over the next 36-48 hours Image: Forecast accumulated rainfall to Tuesday morning from ECMWF A storm tide is also expected between Port Hedland and Exmouth during high tide on Sunday and Monday along with significant wave heights up to 4 metres may produce minor flooding along the foreshore Western Australians in the path of this tropical cyclone are advised to keep a close eye on the warnings issued by the BoM and the WA Government over the next few days, as well as the Weatherzone news feed for further developments. Information supplied by Weatherzone based on data provided by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Search• People love Karratha Doorwaysdeansimpson7Sep 16 Doorways representatives (from left) Liz Milkovic Janet Aszkielowicz and Danielle Black accepted the award alongside Karratha Corps Officer Captain Jodie Jones.The Salvation Army Karratha Doorways team in Western Australia has received the People’s Choice Organisation Award at the 2024 Pilbara Community Service Excellence Awards An evening of celebration and entertainment announced the finalists and winners and acknowledged the hard-working organisations and individuals who make a difference in the Pilbara Doorways Karratha was in the finals for the Pilbara for Purpose awards – people's choice organisation category – and we won!” said Doorways Coordinator Danielle Black “We all love what we do and are grateful for the recognition by our amazing community Doorways provides emergency relief and holistic case management with referral to internal and external support services Doorways aims to support people as they seek to make changes in their lives and caseworkers work alongside people as they develop plans to achieve their goals The Pilbara communities face the struggles of inequality and an escalation in the housing crisis Karratha Salvation Army offers a range of supports and services to the area “It is hard working with people who are often at the lowest points in their life and in survival mode but it is so significant and important to continue this work,” Danielle said what we accomplish together and the high standard in which we hold ourselves.” emergency relief assessor Janet Aszkielowicz and Danielle Black accepted the award with Karratha Corps Officer Captain Jodie Jones present The Salvation Army is an international movement Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name with love and without discrimination Search past articles on Others Read past issues of Others Magazine Read past issues of Pipeline Magazine Read past issues of On Fire Magazine Salvos Online is the internal news website of The Salvation Army Australia Territory The website is part of the Internal Communications Department and includes leadership updates