Fuel age map shows bushfire threat

The horrifying scale of the bushfire threat faced by West Australians is made clear by this map exposing the amount of old vegetation across the state. Source: Supplied

THE horrifying scale of the bushfire threat faced by West Australians is made clear by this map exposing the amount of old vegetation across the state.

The map reveals the build-up of fuel - combustible trees, shrub and ground litter - aged over seven years near Perth and in the South-West.

This is the age it becomes almost impossible to control on even average summer conditions - let alone catastrophic days with soaring temperatures and fast winds.

Rising fuel ages and a failure to hit prescribed burn targets means bushfire is WA's "pre-eminent hazard", according to the State Emergency Management Committee.

Its recent report uses a similar version of this map to highlight the point, which is based on data from the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

"The accumulation of (fuel aged more than seven years) is creating the potential for fires of extreme intensity for which suppression may not be possible before major damage occurs," the SEMC's latest Emergency Prepardness Report warns.

As of last July, there was almost 2.1 million hectares of fuel aged seven years and older across WA, the paper reveals. Fuel aged under six years spanned 944,000ha.

Bushfire Front chairman Roger Underwood described the accumulation of older fuel - about eight tonnes per hectare - near poorly prepared residential areas as WA's "ticking time bomb".

"This map demonstrates that 80% of South-West forests and national parks are now in a situation where firefighters will not be able to tackle or surpress a fire even in moderate conditions because of the very heavy fuels," Mr Underwood said.

"This is a diabolacle problem that has crept up on us over the past 15 years. No-one was worried in the past couple of years - but now everybody is worried."

In 2012/13, DPaW achieved just 23,648ha of its annual prescribed burn target of 200,000ha in the South-West.

This was blamed on a wet spring during the 2012 "burning season" and a subsequent sharp rise in the Soil Dryness Index following summer.

So far in 2013/14, DPaW has completed 40 of its 152 planned prescribed burns and started another 18 covering more than 60,000ha so far this season.

The figure is well short of its target, but the department said further burning is likely in the Warren region where conditions may remain suitable for some time.

Mr Underwood, a former Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) general manager, said the weather was "no excuse".

He said Perth householders need to be more tolerant of smoke from prescribed burning and some rules governing burns need to be relaxed.

In 2011, 40 properties in Margaret River were razed after being sparked by an out-of-control burn. The inferno prompted tighter regulations.

But without strong community support, Mr Underwood said he doubts the authorities will ever be able to catch-up on the backlog.

Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes president Tony Pratico claimed DPaW was "running scared" of prescribed burns.

"Instead of getting fuel reduction every eight, 10, 15 years - we are talking about 30 years before they get back into a rotation and it's only going to get worse because every year they fall behind," Mr Pratico said.

Shire of Manjimup president Wade DeCampo added: "There is only one thing that will fix that - and that's money.

"It's more resource and more money for DPaW so that when they can burn, and they have the ability to burn, they do burn. That's the only way to do it."

Opposition emergency services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk called for DPaW to take on more seasonal workers to carry out burns when the "window of opportunity" arises.

Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson said prescribed burns were done with best practice and were not impeded by the regime's systems and processes.

"Obviously there are a number of variables that affect (DPaW) capacity to do a prescribed burn. The expectation is they adhere to the standard but they are not impeded by that standard," Mr Gregson said.

DPaW said its prescribed burning program is governed by a number of factors, including weather conditions.

"However, over the past 20 years, the department has met 79 per cent of its cumulative annual target," a spokeswoman said.

"The department takes every opportunity to carry out prescribed burns when it is safe to do so. Residents and other land managers also need to carry out their own fire preventive measures."

Under the bonnet of car club culture

THE headlights stretched in a line as far as the eye could see on Old Yanchep Road as about 60 cars with beefed-up engines, body kits and stereos heavy with bass rolled through the night.

The Sunday Times joined Unforgotten car club members on a Saturday-night "cruise" from Hillarys to Yanchep and back to find out what gives these men - and women - their passion for petrol.

With the media along, there were no burnouts, speeding or drag racing, and the worst anti-social behaviour was revved engines when the cars pulled up near Hungry Jack's for a dinner stop.

Many of the members - mostly men in their early to mid-20s - insisted that the club was not a meeting of revheads out to menace society, but a gathering of like-minded friends who simply love cool cars that go fast, sound loud and pack plenty of horsepower.

HSV owner Josh Hardman, 26, said pouring his savings into his passion for cars was "a hell of a lot better than blowing $600 a fortnight in Northbridge''.

Toby Morris with his 600hp Commodore SS ute, fitted with an aftermarket supercharger, cams, exhaust and lots more. Source: News Limited

Stephen Radis, 19, of Joondalup, conceded he had written off his HSV Clubsport show car after a driver pulled out in front of him, but said club members were constantly told to drive responsibly and those who didn't were soon booted out.

Club president Glenn Polidano insisted car enthusiasts were saddled with "the hoon label" because of the actions of a few idiots, though there was no shortage of idiots last month when more than 180 drivers were fined at a car cruise to remember late Hollywood star Paul Walker of the Fast and the Furious movies.

That event was organised by the Unforgotten car club, which called it off when more than 3000 non-members turned up, with some refusing pleas to drive safely. Top traffic cop Nick Anticich slammed those caught hooning, saying it was typical of the dangerous behaviour of a minority

Last year, a member of the notorious Running On Empty club pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving and was banned from driving for life for doing a burnout in front of a crowd of people.

Member of Unforgotten, gather at car park in Hillarys before the cruise starts. Source: News Limited

Unforgotten's co-founder Marc Jones, 21, admitted clubs like his "sometimes get a few dickheads'' and said so far six members have been expelled.

"Not everyone is an angel but we tell them to save it for the right place - official days at the track (Kwinana Motorplex),'' he said.

Despite professing their innocence, many members said they'd lost their licence at some time. Others conceded they had illegal engine performance modifications hidden under the bonnet.

On the Saturday night cruise, drivers stayed at or below the speed limit, with only the sleekness of their vehicles marking them out as anything other than ordinary road users.

Their passion for cars, however, is anything but ordinary.

Belmont car stereo technician Toby Morris, 21, said he's owned up to six cars at a time, including a Holden Commodore SS with $60,000 worth of modifications and a Toyota HiAce van that he spent every cent of his savings turning into a "nightclub on wheels''.

CEO of Unforgotten car club, Glenn Polidano, introduces new members and explains the route and rules for the cruise. Source: News Limited

Auto glazier Daniel Silvestro, 20, from Westminster - who admitted he'd lost his licence after being charged with reckless driving while "having a bit of fun in the wet'' in his Toyota Celica - said he'd owned 18 different cars since he was 16. "I love cars way too much to think about a house or a holiday. I spend everything on cars,'' he said.

His reason for joining the club was typical of many members, describing Unforgotten Carclub as a "family'' and a source of friendship and camaraderie.

It's also very well organised.

Glenn Polidano said: "A lot of people think we're a bunch of kids jumping in loud cars being idiots. The truth is we're having board meetings, we're organising charity runs, we are run as a business, we're working with the police and not against them, and we're telling our members that 10 seconds of fun isn't worth the lives of your mates in the car."

An Unforgotten car club member cruising past in his Nissan S13 Silvia. Source: News Limited

His girlfriend, auto spray painter Kara Mullane, 22, of Canning Vale, said women were welcome in the club and many knew more about cars than the blokes. "The girls also get hassled more by the cops," she said. "I got pulled over 32 times in my first one and a half years on the road. My car at the time was bright pink so it was hard to miss."

Ms Mullane - who drives a Nissan Silvia S13 convertible, one of only three in WA - has written off one car and lost her licence once, but said her life had changed since joining Unforgotten.

Ms Mullane said she was estranged from her family. "The car club is my family now," she said.

One former club member who agreed to speak to <i>The Sunday Times</i>said drivers, while well behaved on club cruise nights, let their hair down during everyday driving. "If you pull up next to another GTR at the lights you're going to dump it (accelerate rapidly) when the light turns green," he said. "You want to see who's got the faster car, who's the boss and who's got the biggest d--k."

Mr Polidano, on the other hand, insists most car enthusiasts don't hoon because they value their licence too much.

Police have no problem with vintage and classic car clubs, but unofficially believe clubs like Unforgotten blur the line between enthusiasts and hoons. To shake that tag and build its family friendly image, Unforgotten is organising outings to Perth Zoo and charity fundraisers.

And the regular car cruises will continue.

Unforgotten car club member, Stephen Radis (19), owns a modified VY HSV Clubsport. Source: News Limited

Serco spy games: Escapees' ultimatum

The Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre. Source: News Limited

ASYLUM seekers who escape detention would be sent offshore for processing under tough new measures to deal with breakouts.

Detainees would also undergo a vetting process used to identify potential terrorists to weed out high-risk individuals.

Documents leaked to The Sunday Times show Serco, the embattled private contractor that runs most of the country's detention centres, is desperate to overhaul safety procedures.

It comes after a spate of breakouts - including 24 detainees escaping in 13 separate incidents since July last year.

Last week, The Sunday Times revealed how three asylum seekers took just 45 seconds to escape from a Northam detention centre on January 12 using nothing more than padded socks.

Serco has come under increasing pressure from authorities to lift their performance.

The documents show Serco wants to transfer detainees who attempt escapes to more secure facilities. It suggests offshore centres such as Manus Island and Christmas Island.

Serco also calls for the current security risk assessment process for detainees to be replaced by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's T4 Threat Methodology.

Currently, detainees are only assessed after they commit a misdemeanor.

Even then, their risk rating does not affect how they are monitored.

T4 is the group within ASIO - the country's spy agency - that provides security advice on potential threats of espionage, sabotage and politically motivated violence.

Under this process, detainees would be assessed on arrival and their threat level determined by other information such as their resourcefulness and ability to escape.

Serco also recommends escapees face criminal charges to deter copycat attempts or ¬repeat breakouts.

It also calls for facilities, such as the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam, to be altered to include extra fencing to prevent escape bids.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison this week demanded Serco lift its performance.

A spokesman for Mr Morrison yesterday said he would not comment on risk assessment processes for "operational reasons" but that all "illegal maritime arrivals" were "eligible" to be sent offshore.

He said in light of recent escapes at Yongah Hill, the government was upgrading the facility and moving medium to high-risk detainees.

The spokesman said the Minister was also "examining stronger sanction options" for escapees.

Refugee advocates have condemned the recommendation to send escapees offshore.

"I don't think any of those measures are going to help," Case for Refugees chief executive Shayla Strapps said.

"Perhaps the Minister should consider why these people are escaping."

'I love my car like a newborn baby'

Unforgotten Carclub founder Glenn Polidano. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

GLENN Polidano says the inspiration to start his own car club struck him when he regained consciousness after a failed attempt to take his own life.

Now, he's president of Perth's Unforgotten car club, which has more than 600 members and chapters around WA and overseas. "They're family, they're my blood,'' he said. "I don't welcome new members to the club. I welcome them to the family.''

The 23-year-old former nightclub bouncer from Joondalup doesn't think of a car as a means to get from A to B, either. "I love my car like people love their newborn baby,'' he said.

Despite his love of fast, loud and powerful cars, he hasn't driven in almost five years, except to reverse his R33 Nissan Skyline - complete with $30,000 worth of modifications - out of the garage and on to his driveway to wash it.

A series of speeding offences, driving while unlicensed and driving a motorcycle out of class bought him a five-year driving ban that will keep him off the road until later this year.

And he insists he has learnt his lesson. "I won't be losing my licence again," he said. "It's torture. You don't realise how much you need a licence until you can't just get in your car to get to work or go and buy some milk."

Polidano manages the tyre shop at Big Rock Toyota in Balcatta and spends virtually all his spare time running Unforgotten car club, organising member cruises, planning promotions and track days at Kwinana Motorplex, and expanding his empire with new chapters, merchandising and events.

That's when he's not hanging out with his girlfriend, Unforgotten member and self-confessed petrolhead Kara Mullane, 22, of Canning Vale. She drives as Nissan Silvia S13 convertible - one of only three in WA - and says she knows more about what's under the bonnet than her boyfriend.

It's a massive turnaround after living on the streets in his teenage years and, in 2008, trying to take his own life when he hit the lowest point of his life.

"I tried to take the easy way out," he said. "I'm glad it didn't work out. After that I had a whole different outlook.

"I followed my passion for cars. It was the best decision I ever made. It saved my life, no doubt about it.''

Lifeline 131144; Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800

Hope and joy rise from Hills' ashes

Brett Unwin with his children Hannah,12, Cam, 14, and Thomas, 14, on the site of where their home once stood. Source: News Limited

HE lost everything, but amid the ashes and devastation, Perth Hills bushfire victim Brett Unwin says he's been "given wings" by the overwhelming generosity of the WA public.

A total of $317,000 has now been raised for victims of the Parkerville-Stoneville bushfire that razed 56 homes.

The Sunday Times, PerthNow and Channel 9, in partnership with Channel 9 kicked off the appeal with a joint $20,000 donation to The Salvation Army.

Mr Unwin, 50, fled his home with his children Thomas, 14, Cam, 14, and Hannah, 12 and "virtually nothing else but the clothes on my back''.

Flames reduced the builder and carpenter's Richardson Street home, that he'd built four years ago, to ashes.

"There wasn't a nut or a bolt salvageable from the shed, the house, the camper trailer . .  . nothing,'' he said.

His children lost their go-carts and quad bikes, but Mr Unwin said he was lucky to escape at all.

Mr Unwin said the offers of help and assistance since then had been "mind-blowing'', while financial aid from St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army and Bendigo Bank had been "a real help''.

"Even the local hairdresser is cutting people's hair for free, not that I have any,'' he said.

Mr Unwin is now renting a house nearby but plans to rebuild as soon as he receives an insurance payout.

Volunteers and friends organised a busy-bee at his property to clear away the rubble, while other friends sorted out a house full of furniture for him.

"It's been amazing," he said. "It does sort of give you wings."

Salvation Army WA fundraising secretary Warren Palmer said the generosity of the community had been "above all our expectations''.

The Sunday Times and PerthNow managing director Michelle d'Almeida said she was overjoyed with the generosity of West Australians.

Channel 9 Perth managing director David Mott said the station was "extremely proud to have joined with The Sunday Times and The Salvation Army to support our community in this great time of need".

Donations can be made by calling 13 72 58 (13Salvos) or at www.salvationarmy.org.au.

The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund has raised almost $1.5 million for fire victims.

Man critical after being set alight

Police are investigating a case where a 20-year-old man was set alight in Cannington early this morning and suffered burns to about 40 per cent of his body. Source: News Limited

POLICE are investigating a case where a 20-year-old man was set alight during a fight in Cannington early this morning and suffered burns to about 40 per cent of his body.

The victim, from East Cannington, is in Royal Perth Hospital in a critical but stable condition. He was burnt on his legs and abdomen, with minor burns to his face.

Police believe the incident occurred around Mallard Road and Hamilton Street in Cannington between 4am and 4.30am.

Kensington Detectives officer-in-charge Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Jamieson said the victim was out walking and was approached by five dark-skinned males, a police spokesman said.

He said during the altercation it is believed some form of accelerant was poured or sprayed onto the victim and he was set alight.

The man showed up at Cannington Police Station about 4.30am and collapsed. An ambulance was called and the man was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.

The police station was closed after the incident, but has been reopened this afternoon.

One of the offenders is described as 18 to 25 years old, about 175cm tall, of slim build and was wearing black and red basketball shorts and no shirt.

The victim is described as fair-skinned and at the time of the incident he was wearing black jeans or shorts, white sneakers and a black singlet. He was shirtless when he arrived at the police station as he had taken it off as he put out the fire.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who saw the victim or offenders in the area this morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police call for fatal crash information

POLICE have urged the public to come forward with information about a fatal crash in Hillarys last night.

A Breath and Drug Bus operation was in place on West Coast Drive when about 8:40pm a

Ducati motorcycle approached the operation and the rider failed to stop for a breath test.

A vehicle attached to the operation attempted to stop the motorcycle, however it failed to stop

and the officers engaged in a pursuit.

The motorcycle turned onto Hepburn Avenue, heading in an easterly direction.

At the same time, a BMW was being driven west on Hepburn Avenue.

The motorcycle and the BMW collided at the intersection of Hepburn Avenue and Waraker Road.

The motorcycle rider, a 28 year old man from Beldon, received serious injuries in the crash, and police officers commenced CPR until an ambulance arrived.

The rider was unable to revived and died at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this crash, or who saw the vehicles involved prior to the

crash, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Rider fights for life after hit-and-run

A MOTORBIKE rider is fighting for his life after an alleged hit-and-run accident in Cannington yesterday.

The man, riding a motorbike, was struck by a 4WD about noon near the intersection of Albany Highway and Liege Street.

He was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with shoulder and leg injuries, and remained in a critical condition yesterday. The driver of the 4WD is alleged to have fled the scene.

It is the second such incident in a week, after a 54-year-old man was charged over the hit-and-run death of a 34-year-old motorcyclist on Tuesday afternoon.

Police allege the 54-year-old man was driving a Toyota Hilux utility when it struck the motorbike, which was travelling north on the Mitchell Freeway.

The motorcyclist suffered received fatal injuries and died in hospital.

The accused man has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, failing to stop and render assistance, failing to report a traffic incident to police and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

He was bailed to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court for the first time on January 22.

Anyone who witnessed yesterday's incident is urged to should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man killed in motorbike crash

POLICE are calling for information over a fatal motorbike crash.

An 18-year-old man was killed and another seriously injured after a crash in Wattle Grove last night.

A red Honda motorbike carrying two men collided with a white ute on the intersection Welshpool and Hale roads around 7.35pm.

The 18-year-old man died at the scene, while the other man remains in a critical condition in Royal Perth Hospital.

Anyone with information about the crash should contact Crime Stoppers in 1800 333 000.

Armed group rob Albany home

POLICE are seeking information on an incident where a group broke into an Albany home armed with a tomahawk and knife.

About 2.55pm, between three and five men broke into a residence in Cockburn Road, Albany armed with a tomahawk and a knife.

The men demanded money from the occupants.

A male occupant of the address fought off the offenders with a fire extinguisher before running out the front door with a female occupant of the address.

The woman was injured during the incident.

One of the offenders is described as between 25 and 30 years old, about 175cm tall, medium build, dark complexion, wearing a blue or black singlet, black jeans and had a dark coloured t-shirt covering his face.

He also has a tattoo on his right forearm.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Banding together at Southbound

The crowd at the Southbound music festival. Picture: thomasroyphotography.com Source: Supplied

Solange Knowles, sister of Beyonce, on stage at Southbound. Picture: thomasroyphotography.com Source: Supplied

Bands MGMT and Pond together backstage at the Southbound festival in Busselton. Picture: thomasroyphotography.com Source: Supplied

Southbound Music Festival 2014 - Band "Chet Faker" on stage. Picture: www.ThomasRoyPhotography.com Source: Supplied

WA psychedelic rock band Pond can count a couple of huge names amongst their friends and fans.

Members of Pond joined Crowded House frontman Neil Finn and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker and US festival headliners MGMT during their set.

Speaking to The Sunday Times during an exclusive photo shoot backstage at the two day music event, Pond's Joseph Ryan said the anticipated live collaboration was the brainchild of their manager, who suggested the musicians perform the Split Enz hit Six Months in a Leaky Boat without realising the track had been penned by Neil's brother Tim.

Both Pond and Tame Impala have previously toured with MGMT, striking up a relationship with the popular Brooklyn-based band.

Ryan said Pond had been fans of MGMT's music since their frontman Nick Allbrook introduced the band to their debut album Oracular Spectacular in 2008.

"I remember when we were living in a share house and couldn't afford any food and Nick (Allbrook) brought in MGMT's first album and said 'you should all dig this'," Ryan said.

MGMT singer-songwriter Andrew VanWyngarden said he also respected and enjoyed the WA band's music.

"It's a definite mutual appreciation," VanWyngarden said.

The two bands hope a recorded collaboration between them will eventuate in the future.

"That would be cool," VanWyngarden said.

"It has been spoken about for years now."

Jay Watson, who plays in both Tame Impala and Pond said Neil Finn was like "the uncle I never had" and had helped the band unload their stage gear.

Southbound organisers are over-the-moon with the turn out for this year's festival.

The happy campers turned the two-day Busselton event into a giant singalong birthday party, as the event celebrated its 10th anniversary with a stellar line up of acts.

The Cat Empire, US indie rock band Vampire Weekend, Australian electro duo Flight Facilities and Beyonce's singer-songwriter sister Solange were among performers for the celebration, which kicked off on Friday.

Sunset Events managing director and promoter David Chitty was ecstatic that numbers - about 12,500 each day - were up on last year's event amid all the negative talk of a crisis in the Australian music festival scene.

Mr Chitty said laidback Southbound, which was launched on "a hunch" during the team's "younger and greener days", had grown leaps and bounds as they learnt more about what makes a great event.

"It's an awesome feeling because when we started we didn't really know what would happen," he said.

He said the 10th birthday bill was on par with previous strong line-ups at the festival, which has featured acts such as The Flaming Lips, The Hives, Dandy Warhols, Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand and The Temper Trap.

Thousands of music lovers have headed to Busselton for the Southbound Music Festival 2014. Picture: www.ThomasRoyPhotography.com Source: Supplied

"We love the line-up," Mr Chitty said.

"We didn't want to go too over the top, we just wanted to put on a really good show for the artists and fans."

He said the team would continue to work hard on the festival in the future.

"We believe in what it does for WA music culture," he said.

Crowded House frontman Neil Finn and WA band Pond are on stage before Brooklyn-based psychedelic rockers MGMT close the event.

Police said there had been around 40 drug detections and 25 summonses issued for drug offences last night.

A spokesperson for St John Ambulance said two people had been treated for drug-related reasons.

By lunchtime today 76 people needed help, mainly headaches and dehydration.

Festival promoters said they were happy with the behaviour.

The colourful crowd, many decked out in bright print and some in one piece costumes, was all smiles over the two-day event and the festival goers praised Southbound's relaxed vibe over the years as well as their fellow punters' friendly nature.

Gabriel Bravo, 22, returned to the festival for the second time this year and said the laidback atmosphere was unbeatable.

"You can just relax," Mr Bravo said.

"I don't even feel like I'm at a (typical) festival."

Albany resident Heather York, 18, was also returning to the festival for the second time and said she loved having an event located in the South West that boasted great line-ups and friendly people.

"It feels like home," she said.

"This festival is home for my friends and I."

Police investigate bag theft of 75yo

Police are hoping to locate the woman, pictured, who they believe can help with the investigation into a bag theft in Applecross. Picture: WA Police Source: Supplied

OFFICERS are hoping the public can help them located this woman as they believe she can help in an investigation into a bag theft.

A 75-year-old woman was shopping in IGA Applecross on Saturday, January 4 about 7pm when the handbag, containing cash and other items, was stolen from her shopping trolley.

Police believe the woman shown in the attached photos may be able to assist with the investigation.

She is described as being mid to late 20s, fair skinned, about 167cm tall, medium build, dark hair which at the time was in a ponytail. She has a tattoo on the back of her right hand and was wearing a dark singlet, long pants and black thongs.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00.

Survivor calls for shark reprieve

Surfer Keanan Hardegon at the beach between Umbies and Left-Handers near Gracetown. Picture: Paul Donegan Source: Supplied

A SCAR on his right inner thigh is Keanan Hardegon's permanent reminder of the moment a shark's jaws clamped on to his leg and shook him in a blur of white water.

Even though the harrowing experience has kept him out of the water since the attack nine years ago, the 27-year-old strongly opposes the WA Government's shark cull.

"To be honest, I think it's ridiculous," Mr Hardegon told The Sunday Times this week.

"I have the utmost respect for sharks. It's an apex predator, it's meant to be in the ocean and we're visitors.

"If he'd come on to shore and bit me I would have a problem but I was in his home."

The once-avid surfer remains traumatised from his 2005 encounter at Scarborough, but made it his New Year resolution at midnight on Tuesday to buy a surfboard and get back into the water this summer.

"I'd like to get it over and done with as soon as possible," said Mr Hardegon, who now lives in Margaret River with his pregnant fiancee Katherine.

Mr Hardegon recalled his lucky escape. He was 18 and surfing with a mate, who not­iced a dark shape moving quickly towards them.

"Next thing I know I just had white wash next to me and this big grey head came out of the water," he recalled. "It took a good munch down on my knee and my thigh and gave me a bit of a shake and proceeded to let go and go under my legs."

Augusta teen Jack Challis, 16, was at the scene of WA's most recent fatal shark attack in November, the 11th since 2000. He was surfing a couple of hundred metres from Chris Boyd when the 35-year-old fat­her-of-two was killed at Gracetown.

He too opposes the shark cull. Although fearful, Jack returned to the surf two days aft­erwards. And only a fortnight ago two 1.5m bronze whaler sharks swam within 10m of his board, again while surfing at a Gracetown break.

Despite everything, Jack doesn't want to see sharks hunted down and worries that the bait might draw sharks closer to nearby beaches.

"You've got a better chance of dying on the way to the beach than being bitten by a shark," he said.

"I'm not too keen on (the Government's policy) because it might attract sharks ... it might attract them to the beach. I'd rather the money go into research."

Jack's dad, Graeme Challis, 52, who introduced his son to surfing at the age of nine, believes the drum lines will prove an indiscriminate killer.

"You're going to kill grey nurses and bronzies, hammerheads and things that have never bitten people," he said.

Auction sales in Perth set to soar

A City Beach property being sold at auction. Source: News Limited

THE first auctions of 2014 had a mixed start yesterday, but more properties than ever before are tipped fall under the hammer in the next six months.

The dilapidated condition of a Coolbellup home did not stop it from soaring past its reserve price.

A large block and location near the new Fiona Stanley Hospital saw the home in Florizel Street sell for $382,500, exceeding its $350,000 reserve by more than $30,000.

Despite its unsightly look, Ray White Real Estate agent Greg Cahill said the price was "right on the money" for what they were expecting in the "very popular" area.

Elsewhere, a home in Templetonia Crescent, City Beach, was passed in at $1.35 million, just $50,000 short of its reserve price.

Ray White Real Estate agent Marcus Blake said it was a disappointing result.

"Sadly, it didn't hit reserve, but we weren't a million miles away," he said.

He said negotiations continued with the highest bidder.

Estate agents predict more Perth home sellers will embrace auctions in the first six months of this year.

The number of auctions per week in Perth is generally less than 100, whereas in Sydney and Melbourne there can be more than 1000 per week in peak periods.

And while the attitudes of Perth buyers and sellers haven't changed, auctions increased over the past year due to the market picking up. Also more agencies adopted auctions as a selling method, First National Real Estate Druitt and Shead principal and auctioneer Rob Druitt said.

Clearance rates also picked up throughout the year, Mr Druitt said. He anticipated the trend to continue.

"It's a good time to be auctioning," Momentum Wealth managing director Damian Collins said.

In the past five years it was difficult to auction as the property market was "pretty average" but more people had been keen to try the method in the stronger 2013 market, he said.

Both Mr Collins and Hegney Property Group chief executive Gavin Hegney said auctions would suit residential development sites.

Mr Hegney said these sites - generally 500sq m to 1000sq m in medium to high density areas - would work well due to the high interest.

Belmont, Cloverdale, and Redcliffe were hot with development block sales at the moment, Mr Hegney said.

Maylands, Bayswater, Joondanna and Tuart Hill were also zoned for development and were likely to follow, he said.

Police investigate stabbings

Police are investigating an incident overnight where a man was found at a Balga business with stab wounds. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

POLICE are investigating an incident overnight where a man was found at a Balga business with stab wounds.

Police were called to a group of businesses in Culloton Crescent about 2am where a 22-year-old man was found on the external stairs of one of those premises.

He had suffered what police believe to be a stab wound to his left leg. He was taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital where he is in a stable condition.

The circumstances surrounding his injury are yet to be determined and he is yet to be interviewed by detectives. Investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old Swan View woman has been taken to RPH with stab wounds after she was walking on James Street, Northbridge at 3am this morning with two male friends.

She was approached by a woman when an argument developed and escalated to a fight.

The second woman produced a folding knife and slashed at the victim causing a penetrating wound to her left forearm.

Police on patrol arrived on the scene and saw the woman attempting to further strike the victim.

She was arrested. A 20-year-old Seville Grove woman has been charged with unlawful wounding and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court later this month.