ABC News: Goldfields-Esperance
Latest ABC News for the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia

• Storm warning issued for parts of WA
  The Bureau of Meteorology is warning people in southern and eastern parts of Western Australia to prepare for flash flooding, damaging winds and large hail.
• CBH plays down GM contamination fears
  Western Australia's grain handler says it is confident WA crops will not be at risk from contamination by genetically modified (GM) canola.
• Magellan Metals to pay $9 million for Esperance clean-up
  The company at the centre of the Esperance lead contamination has agreed to pay $9 million dollars towards the town's clean-up.
• Esperance Port fish declared safe to eat
  The Department of Health has announced recreational fish caught near the Esperance Port are safe to eat.
• Police see crime rise after welfare payment
  Goldfields' police say they have been surprised by the rise in offences in some remote communities since people received their welfare payments from the Commonwealth.
• Farmers urged to report holiday crime
  A farming development group has warned most rural crime is never reported to police.
• WA beef study set to begin
  An assessment of Western Australia's red meat industry will start in January after a consultant was appointed this week.
• Analyst predicts mixed fortunes for Aust mining industry
  An analyst says up to half of Australia's mining companies are operating at a loss.
• DEC makes progress to contain bushfires
  Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) says it is making progress in its efforts to contain bushfires which have been burning along the south coast since Friday.
• MP backs mining bonds freeze
  The Member for Kalgoorlie, John Bowler, says a decision by the Western Australian Government to freeze a planned increase on environmental bonds for mining companies, is commonsense.
• Esperance police warn of holiday road blitz
  Esperance police will increase their presence on the roads over Christmas and new year to ensure all drivers are safe.
• WA approves GM canola trials
  The West Australian Government has announced it will allow limited commercial trials of Genetically Modified (GM) canola to go ahead from next year.
• Farmers urged to lock in fertiliser orders
  Western Australia's new farm inputs task force is urging growers to immediately lock in fertiliser supply for the next 12 months.
• Tourists avoid Cape Le Grand National Park fires
  Hundreds of Esperance holiday-makers have been evacuated from the Cape Le Grand National Park as fires continue to burn on the Western Australian south coast.
• Esperance fish declared safe to eat
  Esperance professional fishers have welcomed a Health Department report, giving the all clear for people to consume fish from the region's waters.
• WAFF praise boarding school allowance boost
  Western Australia's peak rural group has welcomed an increase in State Government assistance for families who send their children to boarding school.
• Firefighters battle Esperance blazes
  Firefighters are battling bushfires in two national parks on Western Australia's south coast.
• Driver killed near Leonora
  A 22-year-old man has died after being thrown from his vehicle on the Goldfields Highway.
• Fisheries Minister to assess Esperance fish warning
  The Western Australian Minister for Fisheries, Norman Moore, says he will seek advice from his department about the warning not to eat some seafood caught near Esperance.
• Credit crunch may impact mine school student intake
  The Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) says the global economic downturn is likely to affect its student intake for next year.
• Shire pushes for Trayning police station reopening
  The Western Australian wheatbelt Shire of Trayning says it will continue to push for its police station to be reopened, despite the State Government announcing it will remain closed.
• Stimulus payments cause confusion
  A Western Australian goldfields' shire says the Prime Minister's $1,000 welfare payments have confused entire communities.
• Child sex accused to face court again
  A 53-year-old Northern Territory man has been remanded in custody in Western Australia to face court again next month over a number of child sex offences.
• Campaign on to counter seafood lead warning
  Professional fishermen, tourism operators and business owners in Esperance say a recent warning not to eat some locally caught seafood is affecting business.