Top three reads in this week’s Bunbury Herald

In this week’s Bunbury Herald, Bunbury’s massive transport costs are revealed, the city’s biggest retail complex is facing community furore after announcing changes to its parking, and police are calling for help to find a missing South West woman.

Price we pay to get around

The average Bunbury household is forking out more than $17,000 in transport costs in one year, a report by the nation’s peak motoring body has found.

The most recent Australian Automobile Association Transport Affordability Index found the South West city’s total costs were more expensive than a sample of other major regional centres across the country and had skyrocketed by about $2000 since the last quarter.

It comes as fuel prices reached a high of 143.9¢ per litre last week, while the cheapest available was 139.5¢.

Parking at centre of anger

Bunbury’s biggest retail complex will no longer allow members of the public to use its carpark for free if they do not plan to shop at the centre.

The move — which will see a dedicated worker monitor the bays at all times — has lit a fire under a big number of residents, who have expressed concerns about their privacy and the vagueness of the new system.

Community help needed to find missing woman

Australind police are seeking information about missing 68-year-old woman Anna Johnson who was last seen in Millbridge on Saturday afternoon.

The calls were renewed Sunday evening when police confirmed a vehicle belonging to Mrs Johnson was seen in Collie between 6.40pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.

Mrs Johnson is described as being 150cm tall, of solid build and was last seen wearing navy blue pants, a khaki jumper, a black puffer jacket and glasses.