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As it happened: WA news on Tuesday, March 3

Updated ,first published

Today’s headlines

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Thanks so much for joining us today.

Here are today’s top headlines:

See you back here tomorrow for more news updates.

Six WA fuel stations run out of petrol

By Hamish Hastie

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen told parliament this afternoon that six West Australian service stations out of 771 had run out of fuel.

In response to a question from WA MP Rick Wilson, Bowen detailed the number of service stations across the country without fuel.

WA was faring better than bigger states including New South Wales where there are 164 stations without diesel and 289 without at least one type of unleaded fuel, out of a total of 2417 service stations.

In Queensland, there are 55 service stations without diesel and 35 without regular unleaded out of 1800 service stations.

Lightscape to return to Kings Park

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Lightscape is set to return to Kings Park for a seven-week season, starting on June 5.

The 1.8-kilometre illuminated trail has had more than 400,000 visitors since its debut in 2023.

Lightscape is returning to Kings Park on June 5.

The 2026 event will feature more than 20 large-scale installations created by leading international artists and local artists.

Tickets went on sale from yesterday and start at $36 per adult and $22 per child.

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Armadale ‘fuel thief’ dragged attendee for 50 metres, ran him over, court told

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Returning to our earlier blog post from this morning, and the Armadale man accused of stealing petrol from a service station and then hitting the attendant with his car as he fled as just appeared in court.

Glenn McCagh, 39, allegedly attempted a fuel drive-off at Vibe around 11am yesterday, when a service attendee noticed and tried to stop him.

As he allegedly accelerated away, the attendee went over the bonnet of the car, smashing the windscreen. He then fell off the vehicle around 50 metres down the road and was run over by the accused.

McCagh was located late last night and charged with a string of offences.

He attempted to apply for bail in Armadale Magistrates Court this morning, but the prosecution opposed the application, saying they had CCTV and a “strong” case against him, with prison time likely.

Ex-cyclone to redevelop off WA coast today

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Ex-tropical cyclone Narelle, which crossed the Queensland coast on Friday as a category 4 system, is expected to redevelop into a cyclone tonight off the WA coast.

Ex-tropical cyclone Narelle tracking map. BOM

The system, which is north of Derby this morning, is expected to build back into a category 4 system by Friday as it continues to track offshore towards Exmouth.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are possible for Pilbara coastal regions.

Areas in the north Kimberley can also expect heavy rainfall and flash flooding this morning, with wind gusts up to 90km/h between Kuri Bay and Beagle Bay.

WA Police track down fuel thief who allegedly struck service station worker

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There will be some relief at the bowser for Perth drivers today, with the average price for unleaded dropping by around 10 cents a litre to 245 cents.

Meanwhile, a man accused of stealing fuel from a petrol station in Armadale yesterday, and then running over a service attendee who tried to stop him as he fled, has been located and arrested.

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WA Police alleged the 39-year-old local attended Vibe petrol station around 1pm and filled up his vehicle with fuel, before attempting to leave without paying.

As he fled, a male service attendee, aged in his 30s, attempted to stop him and was struck and injured by the man’s vehicle.

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Across the nation and around the world

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Here’s what’s making headlines across the nation and around the world:

President Donald Trump said the US was talking with a “respected” Iranian leader and claimed the Islamic Republic was eager for a deal to end the war.AP
  • As Australia confronts a fuel shock of historical proportions, a b-double truck hauling household goods will make its way silently from a Sydney warehouse to Canberra on Tuesday morning, the first delivery made by what one Australian start-up hopes will soon be a fleet of 20 electric long-haul trucks.
  • Australian red meat exports to Europe are set to rise tenfold under a historic free trade pact that has been eight years in the making, while producers will be able to use names such as prosecco, feta and halloumi despite a longstanding European push to restrict the use of these so-called “geographic indicators”.

Today’s weather

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Welcome to our live news blog

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Good morning and welcome to our live news blog for Tuesday, March 24.

Making headlines today, rapidly rising house prices across Western Australia, and a lack of wage growth to match, means first-home buyers are increasingly relying on the bank of mum and dad to overcome those barriers.

A new study – Understanding the motivations and nature of Australian parents assisting their children to enter the housing market – questioned parents living in Perth, Bunbury and Melbourne, to capture a wide demographic, on what financial support they were providing, and whether there were any expectations in return.

The challenging economic environment for gaining access to first homes in Australia is weighing heavily upon parents who find themselves playing an indispensable role in their children’s home buying journey, new research finds.Ross Swanborough

And, in case you missed it, a paramedic whose ambulance was badly damaged in a frenzied attack by a naked 25-year-old man in Kalgoorlie last year has spoken publicly for the first time about the trauma the incident caused her – but says she isn’t ready to give up her profession.

Stay with us as we bring you the news of the day, as it happens.

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