Esperance - 6450

Nickel prices have plummeted in recent months due to a glut in the market, but some analysts say it's part of the "boom and bust" nature of the industry.

Researchers are about to travel to one of the most remote places on earth for the first time since 1991. But while humans have barely stepped foot on Ducie Island in decades, scientists are expecting to find plenty of plastic there.

A group led by a mother and daughter duo in Esperance, Western Australia, are turning sea junk into art for ocean conservation.

As another school year begins, the ABC speaks to 10 recent high school graduates from all over country Australia about their hopes, dreams and fears for the future. 

Michelle and Sam Crisp were appalled to find a mass of marine debris wash up on their local beach. But rather than send the waste to landfill, they transformed it into art.

Michelle and Sam Crisp were appalled to find a mass of marine debris wash up on their local beach. But rather than send the waste to landfill, they transformed it into art. 

While it is not unusual for the Esperance region to be hammered by roaring south-easterlies, Bureau of Meteorology data shows a higher-than-normal percentage of gusty winds this summer.

Power is starting to return to Kalgoorlie-Boulder after a summer storm toppled massive transmission towers, causing extended outages to the city's water, fuel, internet and phone services. 

Hopetoun locals brace for the impact of another wave of job losses, after First Quantum Minerals moves to suspend activities at its Ravensthorpe nickel operation on the state's south coast.

During Esperance's peak tourist season, there are times when business owner Sally Nevin cannot even send a text message from the main street.

The 38-year-old is the fifth person to be charged following the alleged seizure of 145kg of cocaine in Eucla and Esperance last year, nearly half of which was allegedly found during the search of a trailer being towed through a WA border checkpoint.

Armadale resident Tom Kelly has just sold his modest property in Perth's south for more than double what he paid five years ago, with home values in the area rising 25 per cent in the past 12 months alone. 

Police say two friends, who had been travelling across the state, were sleeping in a vehicle parked at Twilight Beach when another person opened their car door during the night.

Bushfires that destroyed nearly 12,000 hectares on Western Australia's south coast and cost the life of young firefighter Harry Stead have been brought under control.

Volunteer firefighter Harry Stead is remembered as a caring and "down-to-earth" young man after he died while responding to a bushfire near Esperance. 

Nikotemo Eriuta will spend Christmas a long way from his Pacific Island home. But a friendly group of elderly residents and a ready supply of fish will keep his spirits up. 

Looking to spot the aurora australis but don't know where to start? Your social media feed may hold the key, as recent displays across southern Australia spark interest in forecasting apps and Facebook groups.

A warmer, drier climate could mean more salt lakes in Western Australia will turn pink, but less rainfall could also dry up some lakes entirely.

A young autistic pilot's quest to be recognised by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as capable of obtaining a commercial flying license is one step closer this week.

Esperance pilot Hayden McDonald has completed a lap of Australia in his light aircraft, and says the aviation safety regulator seems to have paid attention.

The Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Corporation wants the carbon farming project to fund improvements in the community's housing and healthcare.

The group has bought a farm near Salmon Gums where it plans to restore country and launch a project designed to improve outcomes for local Aboriginal people.

Traditional owners will plant 4.5 million trees on a barren property near Esperance so they can earn income by trading carbon offsets with big companies. L'Oréal Groupe has already started investing in the business.

Libby Davie drove 700 kilometres to be with her newborn daughter after she was medically evacuated, and is among those who wonder if an over-reliance on the RFDS is putting too much stress on country people.

Libby Davie drove 700 kilometres to be with her newborn daughter after she was medically evacuated, and is among those who wonder if an over-reliance on the RFDS is putting too much stress on country people.