As it happened: WA news on Tuesday, March 31

Perth’s population increased by 58,100 people, or 2.4 per cent in the 2024-25 year, the highest growth rate of any Australian capital city.

Perth, along with Brisbane, were the only cities to also experience net interstate migration gains, with Sydney and Melbourne suffering the biggest losses there.

The Perth areas with the highest growth rates were Alkimos-Eglinton (13%), Brabham-Henley Brook (12%), and Baldivis north (11%).

The city gained 37,289 people from net overseas migration, 8,211 from net interstate migration, and 12,588 from natural increase (births and deaths).

The outer south-east suburb of Byford had the highest rate of natural increase, adding 400 people to its population. Alkimos-Eglinton had the largest net internal migration gain (1,900), and Bentley-Wilson-St James, the home of the state’s largest university, had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,100).

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

As we leave you, the owners of beloved East Fremantle restaurant Young George have just spoken to reporter Indigo Lemay-Conway about their decision to close the doors to their widely acclaimed venue after a decade on George Street – and the role the recent Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure played.

Meanwhile, here’s a recap of the day’s headlines:

• The Arson Squad is investigating a house fire in Palmyra that gutted a property on Monday evening.

• A livestock delivery has taken a wrong turn, with the semi-trailer rolling onto its side on the Brand Highway near the Tonkin Highway intersection overnight. The truck was carrying chickens, with hundreds killed in the crash.

• A man accused of allegedly attempting to throw a bomb into a crowd of protesters at an Invasion Day rally in Perth will likely defend his actions by arguing he was suffering a mental impairment at the time.

• The fuel crisis has sprouted yet another WA government taskforce to tackle supply and cost issues arising from the Iran conflict.

• WA Premier Roger Cook was in Carnarvon today to witness firsthand the damage done by ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle as it passed through the region on Friday night.

• Perth’s population increased by 58,100 people, or 2.4 per cent in the 2024-25 year, the highest growth rate of any Australian capital city.

• Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has mounted a strident defence of the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision to not formally assess his government’s Burswood racetrack and amphitheatre plan as part of the $217.5 million Perth Park project.

• A jogger has died after being hit by a Transperth bus in Thornlie this morning.

• The Australian Education Union has called for the federal government to step in and fund new infrastructure at public schools across the country.

Thank you again for tuning in today, we’ll see you back here tomorrow for more news you need to know.

A Perth jogger has died after being hit by a Transperth bus in Thornlie this morning.

The incident occurred on Forest Lakes Drive around 7.40am.

A WA Police spokeswoman said the male, 65, was jogging north-west along Garden Street when he collided with a bus, travelling in the opposite direction.

The injured man was rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital but later died.

Major Crash investigators are conducting an examination of the scene and appealing for any witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers.

Perth’s population increased by 58,100 people, or 2.4 per cent in the 2024-25 year, the highest growth rate of any Australian capital city.

Perth, along with Brisbane, were the only cities to also experience net interstate migration gains, with Sydney and Melbourne suffering the biggest losses there.

The Perth areas with the highest growth rates were Alkimos-Eglinton (13%), Brabham-Henley Brook (12%), and Baldivis north (11%).

The city gained 37,289 people from net overseas migration, 8,211 from net interstate migration, and 12,588 from natural increase (births and deaths).

The outer south-east suburb of Byford had the highest rate of natural increase, adding 400 people to its population. Alkimos-Eglinton had the largest net internal migration gain (1,900), and Bentley-Wilson-St James, the home of the state’s largest university, had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,100).