Year in Review: January

This week, the South Western Times looks back at the biggest news events of 2016, starting with January.

BUNBURY is set to gain its first rooftop bar next summer with demolition work starting on a former carpark site at Casuarina Drive.

A MULTI-million-dollar upgrade to Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre was one step closer to fruition, with plans set to be approved.

THE true cost of bushfires near Harvey and Waroona to the agricultural industry was still being calculated.

THE Department of Food and Agriculture estimated the bushfires near Harvey and Waroona had affected 414 agricultural properties.

AS the final Yarloop residents were returning to what was left of their homes, one bushfire expert labelled the town a “sitting duck” for a bushfire disaster.

The historic settlement was all but wiped out during the devastating fire that burnt through more than 70,000ha of land and destroyed 169 properties, including 128 homes.

STATISTICS that show Bunbury had the highest rate of knee arthroscopy hospital admissions for people over 55 in Australia surprised two senior figures from separate medical bodies.

SOUTH West police and Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan labelled the city’s Australia Day celebrations a success.

About 40,000 people lined the city foreshore for Tuesday night’s Skyfest – about the same crowd as last year.