WA news LIVE: Old Fremantle Traffic Bridge demolition date announced, intersections to temporarily change​on May 6, 2025 at 3:29 am

To overnight news now and a direct Qantas flight from Perth to London has made an unexpected landing in the Maldives after a passenger on board suffered a medical incident.

The QF9 flight departed Perth Airport around 6.30pm last night, but landed was diverted around eight hours later, landing in Male this morning.

Passengers are stranded on the tropical island as Qantas rushes to replace its Boeing 787 flight crew, which has now reached their duty limit for the number of hours they can work.

The airline is working to arrange alternative flights, with customers expected to be reaccommodated within 24 hours.

Transport minister Rita Saffioti has just provided an update on the construction of the new Fremantle traffic bridge, flagging the old bridge’s closure in early 2026 and significant changes to nearby intersections to accommodate traffic during the new build.

“We can’t wait to build a new bridge, demolish this one and have new south-west connection,” she told reporters this morning.

The original bridge, built in 1939, was designed to last just 40 years.

The construction of the replacement bridge has reached a new milestone with all 28 piles and some of the concrete piles caps now installed.

Saffioti said residents will soon start to see “towers emerge from the water”, with the old bridge to be demolished at the start of 2026 to clear the path for construction to continue.

Asked if the 12-month closure time for the bridge could blow out, similar to major works on the Armadale train line, Saffioti said she was confident in the timeframe.

The new bridge will have two lanes in each direction and pedestrian and bike paths.

Investigations have found that to keep traffic in and around Fremantle moving during the closure and to avoid severe delays on Stirling Highway, a series of temporary intersection modifications will be required including changes to various intersections on Stirling Highway.

The Coalition leadership race is down to three with Canning MP and shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie ruling himself out.

That leaves shadow treasurer Angus Taylor in the box seat alongside deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley and Dan Tehan.

WAtoday understands Hastie had not put his hand up in the first place, but he has been considered by many in the party as a future leader.

On Sunday, WA Senator Michaelia Cash said he would make a great future leader of the party, but that votes were still being counted.

Retiring senator Linda Reynolds threw her support behind Ley on the ABC on Monday.

“I’m not sure Andrew’s definitely putting his hand up, so I’ll have a look to see who does put their hand up. But I would certainly like to see a woman up,” she said.

Hastie was approached for comment.

Parks and Wildlife staff travelled to the area overnight and additional personnel are being deployed this morning to try and rescue the remaining three whales.

“For public safety and to support response efforts, members of the public are advised to avoid the area and to not self-deploy to the incident,” a spokesperson said.

In case you missed it, yesterday our colleagues at Radio 6PR revealed the deal for an NRL team to be based in Perth had been done.

After months of negotiations, many of which have played out in the media, it’s understood the state government and NRL boss Peter V’Landys will likely formally announce the deal on Thursday, with the new team tipped to be called the Perth Bears, instead of the Western Bears.

Two people are assisting police with their enquiries after a house in Bassendean was engulfed by fire this morning.

The blaze, on Hamilton Street, was reported to emergency services at 4am, with 90 per cent of the property fire damaged and 100 per cent smoke damaged.

One occupant of the house suffered serious burns to his right leg and has been taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment.

A HAZMAT warning was issued due to asbestos being found at the rear of the property.

Fire crews remain at the scene mopping up with the arson squad on site to determine how the blaze started.

To overnight news now and a direct Qantas flight from Perth to London has made an unexpected landing in the Maldives after a passenger on board suffered a medical incident.

The QF9 flight departed Perth Airport around 6.30pm last night, but landed was diverted around eight hours later, landing in Male this morning.

Passengers are stranded on the tropical island as Qantas rushes to replace its Boeing 787 flight crew, which has now reached their duty limit for the number of hours they can work.

The airline is working to arrange alternative flights, with customers expected to be reaccommodated within 24 hours.

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