Join the City and your neighbours in planting for a greener future as part of our annual winter planting program this June and July.
The tree planting program encourages our community to care for their local bushland, with the goal of increasing urban canopy coverage and working towards a greener, more sustainable City for us all.
This year, the winter tree planting program includes a series of family-friendly events throughout June and July, where residents can help plant shrubs and trees to rejuvenate bushland and coastal dunes.
To register, please contact the City’s Conservation Team on 9405 5000 or conservationmaint@wanneroo.wa.gov.au
Airlines, aircraft operators and their contracted services (third parties) performing or certifying disinsection treatments applied to aircraft cabin and hold for aircraft arriving in Australia and New Zealand.
Motorcycle seized after learner rider caught at 166km/h
Thursday, 24 April 2025 – 9:44 am.
A learner motorcycle rider will appear in court for dangerous driving and other offences, after being caught speeding on the Bass Highway yesterday.
The 23-year-old Devonport man was detected travelling at 166km/h near Paramatta Creek about 5pm.
Inspector Adam Spencer said as a learner license holder, the man is legally limited to 80km/h.
“To ride at more than double the learner speed limit is reckless and unacceptable,” he said.
“Western road police have confiscated the man’s motorcycle, and he will appear in court at a later date.”
“This kind of behaviour puts the lives of not only the rider but also other road users at extreme risk.”
“The decision to travel at such a dangerous speed could have led to devastating consequences, fortunately, our officers were proactively on the lookout for this type of behaviour.”
“While the Easter holiday period is over, Tasmania Police will remain proactive in keeping our roads safe.”
“We will not tolerate the minority or road users who disregard road rules and jeopardise the safety of others.”
“Our focus is firmly on protecting all road users and preventing tragedies on Tasmanian roads.”
Anyone with dash-cam footage or relevant information about a black Yamaha YZF motorcycle travelling westbound on the Bass Highway from Launceston to Sassafras between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April is asked to contact police on 131 444.
Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au
Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space graduate Glen Gallagher in Washington, DC.
The first hand-picked cohort from a specialist global program tailored to meet the pressing challenges facing the defence and space sectors graduated from the University of South Australia this week.
Students from UniSA’s Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space have completed the customised 18-month program, a world-first to help build a global pipeline of talent for the two sectors, specifically benefitting international alliances such as AUKUS.
The graduates, who include executives and uniformed personnel from defence and space organisations operating in Australia, the US, UK and Europe, will help address critical skills gaps in cyber security, space systems, geopolitics and defence procurement and build the innovation and leadership capabilities required across the sectors.
UniSA partnered with the University of Exeter (UK) and Carnegie Mellon University (US) to deliver the program, with students undertaking online study and intensive in-person residentials in each of the three AUKUS countries.
Professor Lan Snell, Dean of Programs (Postgraduate), UniSA Business, says the value of the program lies in its global structure.
“Throughout the program students develop global experiences, networks and competencies in the defence and space sectors that other Executive MBA programs can’t match. That is not only attractive to SA locals, but to potential recruits and their employers nationally and internationally,” she says.
Professor Snell says the 2025 graduates are well equipped to tackle the complexities associated with the multi-decade projects that will make up the AUKUS arrangement.
“Our graduates have built on a range of skills and capabilities ranging from technical skills through to project management and leadership capabilities,” she says. “We now have heightened technical understandings and better developed future-focused capabilities such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.”
Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space graduate Glen Gallagher says the program directly influenced his career progression over the past two years as he transitioned from Operations Manager at Boeing Defence Australia to Director, Advanced Systems at South Australian Government agency, Defence SA.
“I think taking part in the program did influence my career path in terms of my confidence, skills and ability to tackle a senior executive role. If I hadn’t been undertaking the Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space, I might not have backed myself or had the necessary attributes to be successful in my current role,” he says.
“The value of the program is also in the establishment of multiple networks with peers, colleagues and industry professionals from around the world that you wouldn’t typically be exposed to unless you take up a lot of international travel.”
Gallagher says highlights of the program included the two-week residentials in the US and UK, particularly travelling to Washington, DC, in the lead up to the US election in November 2024.
“Part of the program was held near Capitol Hill and that was amazing to witness in terms of the build-up in geopolitics at that time. It was an experience that can’t ever be beaten.”
Australian and Dutch researchers have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary adaptation in birds that could hold vital clues for combating avian flu and respiratory infections in humans, including pneumonia and COVID-19.
The research, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, investigates the molecular evolution of specific types of proteins (CL-10 and CL-11) in bird lungs, revealing the role they play in recognising and neutralising harmful microbes.
These ancient proteins appear to compensate for the evolutionary loss of the surfactant protein D (SP-D), a key immune component in humans and other mammals that helps protect the lungs from airborne pathogens.
According to University of South Australia pulmonary biology researcher, Professor Sandra Orgeig, the study sheds new light on how birds maintain lung protection despite their unique respiratory anatomy that does not allow their lungs to contract and expand.
“Unlike mammals, birds have a rigid lung structure with unidirectional air flow, which has evolved to support flight,” Prof Orgeig says.
“Our research shows that CL-10 and CL-11 have been highly conserved in birds, suggesting they play a crucial role in lung immunity, possibly compensating for the loss of SP-D.”
Birds are known reservoirs for several zoonotic infections (diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans), including avian flu and other airborne pathogens. Understanding their lung immunity could provide important insights into how these diseases spread, and how to prevent them.
The team conducted an extensive analysis using molecular and genetic techniques, confirming the presence of CL-10 and CL-11 in the zebra finch and turkey – two evolutionary distant birds.
Co-author Dr Albert van Dijk from Utrecht University says that because birds lack the SP-D immune protein found in mammals, their lungs must rely on alternative defence strategies against respiratory pathogens.
“If we can identify how these proteins function in birds, we may be able to develop new strategies to improve immune responses in humans, particularly for respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and COVID-19,” Dr van Dijk says.
The researchers say the findings may provide a foundation for future medical and veterinary advances.
Kunchala, S. R., van Dijk, A., Veldhuizen, E. J. A., Haagsman, H. P., & Orgeig, S. (2025). Adaptation and conservation of CL-10/11 in avian lungs: Implications for their role in pulmonary innate immune protection. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0425
Dr Srinivasa Kunchala led the research while undertaking his PhD at the University of South Australia. He is now based in Hyderabad, India, where he has founded his own company Advanced Respiratory Drug Delivery Solutions.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has recovered three stolen motor vehicles and arrested an 18-year-old male in relation to property offences in Alice Springs last Thursday.
About 6am, police were notified that an unknown number of offenders allegedly unlawfully entered a Government facility in Ciccone and stole three vehicles from the premises.
Strike Force Viper members took carriage of the investigation and identified that one of the vehicles, a white Toyota Hilux, was allegedly used in a ram raid at a grocery store.
Later that day at 3:30pm, the vehicle was recovered abandoned in scrubland behind Hidden Valley Camp and about 10:40pm at night, police apprehended an 18-year-old male in relation to the two incidents. He has since been charged with Burglary, Damage to property, Ram raid and Theft and was remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court tomorrow.
A short time later, about 11:25pm, police received reports of one of the stolen vehicles allegedly driving erratically in Alice Springs CBD. A short time later, the vehicle was located bogged in the Charles Creek riverbed and police coordinated a response with members from Territory Safety Division and Strike Force Viper with the use of a drone and located and apprehended 3 male youths, two aged 13-years-old and a 17-year-old nearby. They were conveyed into the care of a responsible adult.
The final vehicle, a white Toyota Troop Carrier, was recovered abandoned on Undoolya Road.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Coconut Grove early this morning.
Around 12:20am, police received reports that a male youth had allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old female with a fridge shelf in the yard of her residence on Progress Drive.
The victim then retreated inside her 57-year-old grandmother’s unit, where the male forced himself inside the residence and stole a handbag.
The 57-year-old occupant attempted to hold onto the bag, before the male allegedly threatened to stab her with scissors if she did not let go. The woman released the handbag, and the offender fled the scene on foot.
Police attended and 14-year-old female victim was assessed for minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
The offender remains outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25110967. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an assault that occurred in Katherine on Monday evening.
About 8.15pm, a female was allegedly assaulted by an unknown person whilst walking along the footpath beside the Stuart Highway, within the vicinity of Byers Road, rendering her unconscious. At around 9.30pm, the female regained consciousness and walked to her home address, where she sought assistance from a friend and was transported to Katherine Regional Hospital.
Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to this incident, particularly anyone with dash cam footage from the area at around the same time to make contact on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500041721.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Today, a member of the Northern Territory Police Force was served a Notice to Appear in relation to an incident that occurred in March 2025.
The 33-year-old Constable is scheduled to appear in Darwin Local Court on 28 June 2025 on a single charge of Aggravated Assault contrary to section 188 of the Northern Territory Criminal Code Act 1983.
The member is currently suspended with pay and was off duty at the time of the incident.
Please be aware that the matter is currently under investigation. Due to the case being before the courts, no additional information will be provided at this time.
This update is in accordance with the NT Police Transparency Guidelines.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force are investigating after a death in Nightcliff this afternoon.
Around 5:15pm, it is alleged that an unknown male was stealing items from a supermarket on Progress Drive, Nightcliff.
A 71-year-old owner of the store allegedly confronted the male and asked him to return the items before the male allegedly stabbed him with an edged weapon and fled the scene on a bicycle.
Patrons inside the shop provided initial first aid and immediately contacted police.
Emergency Services responded immediately and attended the scene where CPR was commenced, and the 71-year-old man was pronounced deceased.
At this stage, police believe they have identified the offender, and efforts are currently underway to locate him.
Detectives are urging anyone who has information to make contact on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, and quote reference P25111518.