As it happened: WA news on Wednesday, February 4

We’re bringing our live blog to a close for the day, thank you for joining us.

Here’s a recap of some of the day’s headlines:

• Virtual Gaming Worlds’ Perth-based billionaire founder Laurence Escalante has resigned as director from a number of his companies after being charged with domestic violence and drug offences last week.

• A dramatic sale of 35,000 hectares of defence real estate – including some of the nation’s most historic barracks – is expected to raise almost $2 billion to be ploughed back into new military equipment and upgrades to essential bases.

• A controversial development at the site of one of the South West’s most iconic beaches has been granted approval by Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourne.

• The Australian War Memorial commemorated the service of Flying Officer Peter Norham Birt in a Last Post Ceremony.

• A 22-year-old Belmont man has had his car impounded and will face court later this month after police allegedly clocked him driving almost 200km/h in Rivervale on Saturday.

• A Perth man has been charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly abusing airline staff who told him he was too drunk to fly.

• Emergency authorities were called to Rockingham Beach just after 11am following reports of an unconscious man in the water. The man was given emergency first aid and has been rushed to Rockingham Hospital.

• WA Police are seeking the public’s help to find Luke Hazelwood, who has been missing since December 24, 2025.

Thank you again for tuning in today. We’ll be back tomorrow with more news you need to know.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti has defended her government’s approval of a controversial 5-star resort and village near Gnarabup beach, in the South West.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourne this week approved the project subject to conditions on the recommendation of the Environmental Protection Authority.

Opponents of the project have criticised the government and EPA for the approval, claiming no project was ever rejected by the authority.

Saffioti said the EPA had gone through a proper process.

“I think something that the state has done very well is manage the environmental considerations with development,” she said.

“I think it’s something that if you look at us compared to other parts of the world and other even other parts of Australia, I think we’ve done very well, and we continue to get that right balance of development and environmental protection.”

A Perth man has been charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly abusing airline staff who told him he was too drunk to fly.

The 44-year-old was due to fly out from the international terminal early in the morning of January 6 when he came to the attention of workers after a member of the public complained he was being a nuisance to other travellers after allegedly consuming multiple alcoholic drinks.

He allegedly became aggressive when Perth Airport and airline staff told him he would not be able to fly because he was too drunk.

Australian Federal Police officers were called to help, but they allegedly copped abuse and swearing from the man as he was being escorted from the terminal.

He was charged with one count of disorderly conduct in a public place and is due to face Perth Magistrates Court today.

AFP Acting Superintendent Hayley Faithfull said travellers and workers should not have to witness or be subjected to disruptive or abusive behaviour at airports or on flights.

“The AFP works closely with partners in the airline industry to intervene and put people before thecourts if their behaviour is allegedly unlawful,” she said.

A 22-year-old Belmont man has had his car impounded and will face court later this month after police allegedly clocked him driving almost 200km/h in Rivervale on Saturday.

A police helicopter allegedly spotted the man’s white BMW sedan travelling at “excessive speed” on the Graham Farmer Freeway about 12.40am on Saturday before a mobile radar clocked it at 170km/h in an 80km/h zone, meaning the driver was allegedly travelling at more than double the speed limit.

A police spokeswoman said the helicopter continued to follow the car before Cannington detectives pulled it over on Daly Street in Belmont.

Police will also allege the man recorded his high-speed driving on his phone, and footage showed the car’s speedometer reaching 200km/h.

The man’s car was impounded for 28 days and he has been charged with eight offences, including reckless driving at a speed of 155km/h or more, and four counts of aggravated use of a mobile phone while driving a vehicle.

He will face Perth Magistrates Court on February 20.

A dramatic sale of 35,000 hectares of defence real estate – including some of the nation’s most historic barracks – is expected to raise almost $2 billion to be ploughed back into new military equipment and upgrades to essential bases.

Islands, golf courses, rifle ranges, office buildings and training depots across the country will be sold under the Albanese government’s long-awaited response to a sweeping audit of the nation’s defence estate portfolio.

Sixty-seven defence sites will be fully or partially sold – including four across Western Australia, being The Irwin Barracks, Leeuwin Barracks, Karratha Dampier Rifle Range and Coolilip Rifle Range.