
IN THE NEWS.
The annual Our Patch event brought together Year 6 students from across the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River to present environmental science projects developed through Nature Conservation’s in-school program. Held at the Margaret River HEART, the event highlighted innovative student efforts in conservation, drawing praise from local leaders including MLA Bevan Eatts.
The WA Government has not confirmed whether it will continue funding the Principal Chaplaincy Program beyond 2025, despite significant reliance by regional school leaders. Shadow Education Minister Liam Staltari and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts have criticised the lack of clarity, urging the State to guarantee the program's future as principals face growing pressure.
Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the WA Government for longstanding neglect of school infrastructure across his electorate, highlighting serious mould issues, overcrowding, underfunding, and inadequate facilities in multiple regional schools. Despite confirmed health concerns and repeated requests, Education Minister Tony Buti has not committed to visiting the affected sites this year.
Shadow Minister for Aged Care and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the WA Government’s handling of the aged care system, citing dangerous delays and lack of regional services. He highlighted a case in Manjimup where an elderly woman waited over five months for an aged care assessment, leaving her husband without support. Eatts has proposed several reforms to address the crisis, while the State Government defended its efforts.
Crisis accommodation services in Augusta–Margaret River are at breaking point, with growing demand overwhelming shelters in nearby Busselton and Bunbury. Social workers and community leaders are urging the State Government to treat Margaret River as a standalone hub, with calls for a dedicated local women’s refuge intensifying.
Families in Augusta, Margaret River, Dunsborough, and Busselton are struggling to find housing during relationship breakdowns, with the shortage of rentals forcing some to relocate far from home. Crisis accommodation remains limited, and local leaders warn that the “face of homelessness” now includes people experiencing housing insecurity for the first time. Calls for greater State Government action have intensified.
Health leaders and local MPs have raised urgent concerns about the South West’s hospital network following record ambulance ramping in July, with Bunbury Regional Hospital the worst affected. The Australian Medical Association WA warns the system is “in distress” as patient transfers from Margaret River and Augusta face growing delays. Despite a $471 million redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital, critics say the investment will not meet demand and is leaving smaller hospitals under-resourced.
Following the March state election loss in Warren–Blackwood, criticism has emerged over Labor’s minimal investment and campaign presence in the electorate. Despite receiving more primary votes, former MP Jane Kelsbie lost the seat to Nationals WA’s Bevan Eatts due to conservative preference flows. Labor officials, including party director Ellie Whitaker, have remained silent on the campaign’s shortcomings.
Local medical professionals and the AMA have raised serious concerns about Bunbury Hospital’s capacity and the broader South West health system, citing critical underinvestment and ongoing ambulance ramping issues. Despite a planned $471 million redevelopment, doctors argue the situation remains dire and investment in surrounding hospitals like Margaret River is lacking.
Bevan Eatts, MLA for Warren–Blackwood, has criticised the State Government for withholding the business case and master plan for the redevelopment of Margaret River Hospital. Despite raising the issue in Parliament and highlighting the region's growth pressures, the Government has not committed to a release timeline or responded publicly.
Local leaders in Augusta‑Margaret River, including the Margaret River Senior High School board chair and MLA Bevan Eatts, have called on WA’s new Education Minister, Sabine Winton, to tour the region's high schools. The invitation aims to give the minister first‑hand insight into challenges and infrastructure limitations faced by the schools.
WA Labor’s portrayal of conditions at Margaret River Senior High School has come under renewed scrutiny after reports surfaced of students lacking access to basic necessities—such as food and water—during the school day. Critics argue these incidents reflect deeper issues including overcrowding and neglect by the Education Minister, prompting calls from local representatives for urgent action.
Bevan Eatts, the newly elected Nationals MP for Warren-Blackwood, expressed shock upon learning that volunteers in Pemberton must raise $300,000 to replace an ageing ambulance. He criticized the expectation that regional volunteers should fundraise for essential equipment, highlighting the strain on already overburdened community members. Eatts called for increased government support to ensure that vital emergency services in rural areas are adequately funded and not reliant on local fundraising efforts
State bushfire crews will resume prescribed burning and fire load management after accepting a new pay offer, ending recent industrial action. The agreement was welcomed by Bevan Eatts MLA, who had raised concerns over its impact on 150 burns and is advocating for a broader regional fire strategy.
The Nationals have claimed victory in the WA regional seats of Albany and Warren-Blackwood.
Scott Leary (Albany) and Bevan Eatts (Warren-Blackwood) both ousted a sitting Labor member.
In the News: Prescribed burns to continue in South West after firefighting industrial action concludes with new offer
State bushfire crews will resume prescribed burning and fire load management after accepting a new pay offer, ending recent industrial action. The agreement was welcomed by Bevan Eatts MLA, who had raised concerns over its impact on 150 burns and is advocating for a broader regional fire strategy.