SOUTH WEST LOCAL NEWS- FRIDAY JUNE 5TH-2026

This morning on south west local news

 relentless rain pushes the south west's waterways to the brink.

Blown tyres and traffic control on the Princes Highway, as potholes grow

a crash sends one diver to hospital on raglan parade intersection

And in sport, South Warrnambool hit the road for a top-of-the-table test in Portland, 

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

This morning on Southwest Local News, relentless rain pushes the Southwest's water banks to brink. Blown tyres and traffic control on the Princess Highway as potholes grow. A crash sends one driver to hospital on Ragland Craig intersection. And it's poured South Warnable with the road for a top-of-the-table test in Portland.

SPEAKER_04 0:28

Live from Silverball Studios in Warnable. This is Southwest Local News with Jana Rogers.

SPEAKER_03 0:36

Good morning and welcome to Southwest Local News. Large potholes on the Princess Highway between Pamure and Allensford have caused havoc this week. On Wednesday night, two cars hit one of the large potholes, causing the front tyres to blow out in both vehicles. On Thursday morning, police put traffic control in place in response to concerns about the safety of motorists. Up to five large potholes have reportedly opened up on the stretch of road since the heavy rain began. Potholes have also opened up in high-volume traffic areas along Raglan Parade in Warnaball.

SPEAKER_01 1:30

We know the roads are bad. We know the Hayward Woolsthorpe Road. We know the Portland to Haywood Road. We know the Mortlake to Warner Road. But the point is the minister actually keeps saying there's nothing wrong with our roads. I'm going to go and actually talk to her personally today, not just raise it, but talk to her personally. I'm really concerned. I hate telling people how to live their life.

SPEAKER_03 1:54

Flash flooding hit the southwest after 48 hours of solid rainfall, putting emergency services on high alert and pushing local waterways to their limits. In Warnable, Russell's Creek broke its banks with water encroaching on yards backing onto the floodplain as the catchment struggled to cope with the relentless deluge. The weather took a sharp turn on Monday night as a complex, deep low pressure system swept across the coast. The front brought severe weather, localized coastal flooding, and damaging winds, along with heavy downpours. A coastal hazard warning for abnormally high tides was in place for the southwest coast, covering Warnerville, Portland, and Port Ferry. One person was transported to Warnerville Base Hospital after a collision this morning. At 6:54 a.m., ambulance, Fire Rescue Victoria and SES arrived at the scene at the Raglam Parade and Caramet Road traffic light intersection. Two cars had collided, but thankfully no one was trapped inside. Ambulance transported the person to hospital while Fire Rescue Victoria crews remained on scene to wash away car fluids spilled as a result of the incident. Police will also prioritise roadside alcohol and drug testing, with motorists warned to expect to be tested anywhere, anytime. During last year's Operation Regal enforcement period, police issued more than 6,000 infringements. Operation Regal starts at 12.01 on Friday, June the 5th and ends at 11.59 on Monday, June the 8th.

SPEAKER_00 3:51

Yeah, we'll be out doing some PBTs. So again, if you're going to have a few drinks, we're not the fun police. Have a few drinks, just don't get in the car to drive, have someone else. If you're going to be participating in some drugs that you shouldn't be, we don't want you behind the wheel of the car. So we'll be drug testing, we'll be alcohol testing, we'll be watching people are doing the right things. Most of our police cars have got a moving mode radar. We can see how fast you're going, probably before you can see the police car. A good weekend is one where we have no road trauma, where we're not issuing a lot of tickets, everyone's happy and safe. That's a good weekend in our world.

SPEAKER_03 4:25

Moynshire Council is keeping its cards close to its chest regarding Tower Hill State Game Reserve after a meeting with Parks Victoria. Representatives from both organisations met recently with Tower Hill on the agenda. A spokesperson for Moineshire said what was discussed regarding the iconic location would not be divulged. Those works were completed in early 2024. Australia's very own dog breed, the Kelpie, is being celebrated in style this weekend. The Australian Kelpie Muster is taking place in Castardon with thousands flocking to the town. The weekend will highlight everything Kelpie, including the annual Kelpie auction. Other activities include the street parade, the Kelpie Dash, the Kelpie High Jump, and the Kelpie Triathlon. Market stalls, live music, and a photography competition will also be a part of the weekend. This Sunday, Jo and her team from the Crystal Lee Foundation will fit out the foyer of the Croat Theatre for a special offering. The Crystal Lee Foundation supports children and families going through a cancer diagnosis, including challenges like financial strain and overwhelm. The foundation offers a family support program and bereavement counselling, both free of charge. This year, the Croat-based charity has been named the beneficiary of the Ray White Charity Ball. And to market, they're throwing open their doors to a one-day formal wear pop-up right here in the town.

SPEAKER_02 6:07

It's so surreal, to be honest. Emily, our executive officer, was ringing me kind of after hours, and she sort of rang a few times, and I thought, oh, this is a bit strange. Like it was later, and I'm like, Oh, I better ring her because I'm a bit worried about her. And um, then she's like, Oh my god, Joe, you're not gonna believe this. And when she told me I'm like, oh my god, it's just hyperventilating pretty much, and very, very emotional because it's it's a really big deal. Um you know, and to be choosing it's really really naughty, it's gonna be really naughty. Um the people who are you know and um people you know we call it a lot of this and we call it going together, but you know, because people, you know, often go into weddings, bulls and you know, tables and all that sort of stuff. So we thought, let's just put something together and you know if someone is going to the bowl, I can come along and have a look and maybe pick up something that you know we've got broader dresses here as well. But yeah, this is gonna be a fun day for everybody. And I think the other thing that's vitally important too is that we do recycle and we do repurpose. Like you think, you know, there could be 120 dresses here. Where would they go if they didn't come here or get lost somewhere or potentially go into landfill? Like I just think, and some of them may only have been more months. Why wouldn't you not want to repurpose them and someone else enjoy them?

SPEAKER_03 7:45

We're talking racks of formal dresses, all sizes and styles, and even a few brand new wedding gowns.

SPEAKER_02 7:51

I received a phone call from a lovely girl one sort of Tuesday afternoon, and she she rang me to say that she had been in um Croix at the Easy's restaurant, and she said that she when she was leaving, she said she saw some mannequins in the window and come across, and she said, I've just seen this most gorgeous little op shop. And she said, Oh, that's where my dresses are going to go. So then she rang me and said that she had these lovely dresses and she'd like to donate them, and she bought them out. I'm like, oh my god, they're stunning. So we are very blessed, very lucky. I just think it's nice to get together, like it's a really nice thing. It's lovely, you know, lovely dresses, jewelry, shoes. I mean, everyone feels good in that environment, and we'll you know, there'll be some bubbles and sort of cheese and pickies and things like that. So just a nice way for a community to come together or visitors that are coming through and into the region.

SPEAKER_03 8:38

It'll be just a lovely day. The event we're extravaganza is on this Sunday, June the 7th, at the Croat Theatre here from 1 till 4, with tickets still available on Humanitix for all of the profits to go to this great cause. Southwest workers on minimum wage will soon get a pay rise. On Tuesday, the federal government announced the Fair Work Commission would increase modern award wages by 4.75% and the national minimum wage by 6% from July the 1st. Currently, there are 2.7 million Australians on these wage rates. In real terms, the minimum wage will increase from $24.95 to $26.44 per hour, 948 to $1,04.90 per 38-hour weeks, and $49,296 to $52,254.80 per year. This represents an historical mark. The first time the national minimum wage has topped $1,000 a week. The Warnerville Library will host a workshop to delve further into the subjects raised in the ABC documentary The Matter of the Facts. Local Southwest ABC radio journalist and author Matt Neal will run the workshop. Neil will talk about how news is delivered and what people should look for when separating fact from fiction. The workshop will take place tomorrow at Warner Library from 10.30am. Ever wanted to be a millionaire? Well now might be your chance if you use your sense. The Victorian Container Deposit Scheme is offering a prize of 1 million cents to those who use the service. To enter, you need to drop off a minimum of 50 containers at a deposit point. You'll then go into the drawer to win 1 million cents, which converts to $10,000. Five winners will be drawn, with one of those also receiving another $10,000 to donate to their nominated charity partner. Entries can be made at the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme and close on June the 14th. The Warriors started the season in a hurry, winning their first six games, but the last fortnight has been less successful with losses to Russell's Creek and Allensford. In other round nine games, Russell's Creek hosts Allensford Pemua take on Dennington in the Battle of the Dogs. Tim Boon Demons visit South Rovers and Merivale play Kaluranuurat. An important away game looms for South Warnable in Hampton League football tomorrow. The Roosters make the journey to Portland to take on the Tigers. Both teams are coming off last round wins, with South Warnable having five victories from seven rounds. The Tigers have been slower out of the blocks with three wins, but boast a team stacked with talent. The other big game of the round is between finals Hopefuls, Warnable and Terrangmort Lake at the Reedoval. Close town rivals Croyd and Port Ferry meet, Camperdown and Cobden Lockhorns, and North Warnerbull Eagles play the Hamilton Kangaroos. North Warnable Eagles have a chance to climb the ladder in the Hampton Open Grade Netball. Tomorrow the Eagles take on the Hamilton Kangaroos, a game they start favourites in. The Kangaroos have just one win and a draw, while the Eagles have three wins and are coming off a competitive loss to Tarangmort Lake. A win for the Eagles could see them rise as high as fifth on the ladder, depending on other results. Fifth placed Warnable take on the fourth ranked Bloods, while sixth placed Cobden play the winless camperdown. Around the region, the synoptic chart shows winds still persisting from the southwest, but not as strong as earlier this week. Cloudy with showers from the coast tomorrow, and Sunday, morning fog settling in over this part of the state. Now to the forecast. Saturday topping at 17, around 1mm to fall, and cloudy in the west, northwesterly winds. Sunday, partly cloudy with fog in the north, and Monday, morning fog in the northeast, partly cloudy, topping at 17 with 30 kilometre winds from the northeast. Mortlake Saturday light showers topping at 16 with northwesterly winds and overnight temperatures dropping to as low as 7. Sunday, clouds are clearing, a chance of morning fog in the north and light northwesterly winds. Monday, winds are picking up to 30 kilometres per hour, overnight temperatures dropping to as low as 7. In the Kolak and Camperdown region, topping at 15 with 2mm approaching, topping at 17 on Sunday with partly cloudy conditions, light winds and a chance of a shower. Monday, partly cloudy, northerly winds, and remaining light for the afternoon. Over in Port Campbell, tomorrow on Saturday, showers are easing, topping at 15, with only 2mm due to fall. Partly cloudy on Sunday, topping at 16, only 1mm, and mostly sunny on Monday, topping at 16. Home to Warnable, Saturday, partly cloudy, topping at 17. Sunday, partly cloudy and northwesterly winds topping at 17. And Monday, partly cloudy, light winds, topping at 17 as well. That's it from your Southwest local news team this morning, and thank you for tuning in. Remember that you can also watch this bulletin online at southwestlocalnews.com.au. Until Monday morning with peace, have a great day.