Vanessa Mills

Aug 27, 2024 | abc.net.au | Ted O'Connor |Vanessa Mills |Esse Deves

Tourists who normally flock to northern WA for winter sunshine at this time of year are instead sweltering through record-breaking heat, as tour operators seek workarounds to keep them cool and safe. Temperatures across Western Australia's north peaked at more than 41 degrees Celsius on Monday, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting more hot weather to come. August maximum temperatures in the region usually fluctuate in the low 30s.

Aug 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Mills |Dunja Karagic

Two men have been seriously injured in a light aircraft crash in WA's central Kimberley. The aircraft came down on the border of Leopold Downs Station, north-east of Fitzroy Crossing, on Sunday afternoon. The men remain in Broome Hospital in a serious condition. Two men have been seriously injured after their light aircraft crashed in Western Australia's far north.

May 28, 2024 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Mills

In short: Two reef systems off the Kimberley coast have escaped the worst of a predicted heat stress and bleaching event. A series of tropical storms earlier this year dropped temperatures on the reefs by a few degrees. What next? Despite the reprieve, the reefs still show signs of recent damage and disease, which scientists will study for potential trends.

May 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Mills

In short: The West Kimberley Junior Football League has banned unaccompanied children from attending junior football games. Friday night matches in Broome are usually attended by about 1,000 people and nearly 550 players. What's next: The league says security guards at the gates and a ban on unaccompanied children has improved safety.

May 6, 2024 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Mills

In short: Residents of Embalgun, 180km north of Broome, spend thousands of dollars on diesel each month to power a homemade 'power grid' made up of extension cords. Power management for remote communities was handed to state-owned Horizon Power in July 2023. What's next? A total of117 communities are now hoping significant investment and upgrades will occur to essential services.