Unexpected visitors descend on Collie

A massive fire heading to the town of Waroona destroyed a vineyard, fences, sheds and a bridge, and caused a number of roads in the South West to be closed.

Collie police were out in force, implementing traffic management to allow vehicles to enter and exit Throssell Street, where the diverted vehicles were passing through in their masses.

Fast food outlets, service stations and local retailers reaped the benefits of the unexpected diversion.

Many people stopped in town to fuel up and for refreshments, before continuing on the diversion.

Magdalena Urbal, Ilona Majeweska, and Kimil Zozak from the United Kingdom, were travelling from Augusta to Perth when they realised there was a diversion.

“It is normally 320 kilometres to get home, but this added quite a bit of time to our trip,” Mr Zolak said.

“We stopped in Bunbury to refuel and then Collie for some food.”

Mr Zolak joked that the group of friends had stopped in Collie just to try the ‘local cuisine’.

“We tasted your local cuisine, McDonalds, we tried their specialty McFlurry and cheeseburger,” he said.

Ms Urbal expressed her concern for those effected by the fires.

“We really hope everyone is ok and no houses or lives are lost,” she said.

“The wind isn’t helping either, we really hope it calms down a bit.”

“Collie seems really interesting, I am sure we will be back.”

Kim Wynhorst and Matt Dentamaro were driving from Perth to Collie when they were diverted.

“It was pretty amazing driving through the dark sky and seeking patches of blue sky,” Ms Wynhorst said.

“We almost weren’t going to come down today because of the fires but we decided to in the end.”

“It hasn’t been too bad but there was a bit of a delay going through Williams.”

“We hope no one gets hurt in the fires and they die down soon.”

Nathan and Fraser were travelling from Perth to Mumballup to pick up a car when they stopped in Collie.

The two men said they had been driving for over 5 hours after encountering several road blocks.  

“We originally tried to take Forrest Highway but came to a road block, so we turned back and took Old Coast Road,” Nathan said.

“When we got to the end of Old Coast Road there was a block to get onto the highway so we had to drive back to Mandurah.”

Tim Chaney, Bianca Piano, and Elle Chaney were returning to Perth from Eagle Bay before being diverted onto Coalfields Highway.

“We contemplated staying down south for another night because of the fires,” Mr Chaney said.

“We had never stopped in Collie before but we are really enjoying the detour.”  

Mr Chaney said he was more concerned about the people effected by the fires than the extra time they had to travel.

“We hope the fire is under control soon,” he said.  

“We just keep thinking how brave the firefighters must be, because we were scared just driving towards it.”

“The main thing we are worried about is that everyone is safe.”

Rebecca, Lachlan, Declan and their dog Sumo were driving to Dunsborough  from Perth this morning when they were diverted off the highway.  

“We didn’t expect a diversion until we drove into it,” Rebecca said.  

“It’s not too bad, but from Williams to Collie it was a bit slow.”

The diversion is still in place and police are continuing to manage traffic at major intersections on Throssell Street. 

Road Closures are currently in place for the following. 

Forrest Highway at Pinjarra Road

Old Coast Road and Old Bunbury Road

Forrest Highway, Old Bunbury Road and Dorsett Road

Old Bunbury Road at Forrest Highway

Forrest Highway at Greenlands Road

South Western Highway at Coolup Road East

South Western Highway at McLarty  Street Waroona

Nanga Road at Murray River Bridge

Tallanalla Road at Driver Road

South Western Highway at Uduc Road

Forrest Highway at Myalup Road

Forrest Highway at Forestry Road

Uduc Road and Harvey Quindaining Road at South Western Highway

Preston Beach Road at Mitchell Road

King Street at South Western Highway

Johnston Road at Forrest Highway

Forrest Highway at Raymond Road

South Western Highway at Coalfields Highway.