Jean Bell
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@abcnews reporter based in South West Victoria
Formerly @TheAge, @newsroomNZ, @radionz & @bay_times
Drop me a line at bell.jean@abc.net.au
Articles by Jean Bell
Cold case murder trial over Christopher Jarvis disappearance closes
Lawyers have delivered their closing statements in the cold case murder trial of Steven Johnson, who is accused of killing Christopher Jarvis in 2006. Prosecutors say Mr Johnson murdered Mr Jarvis over unpaid rent, while the defence says the accused had nothing to do with the disappearance. The jury is expected to begin deliberations next week.
Woman, 42, dies in hospital after being found injured on road in Cardigan, near Ballarat
A woman has died after she was found with critical injuries on a road near Ballarat in the early hours of this morning. Victoria Police said the 42-year-old woman, who has not been identified, was found by a passer-by on Remembrance Drive in Cardigan at about 2.10am. The woman was flown to hospital, but later died. Police said she may have been lying on the road at the time she was struck by a truck or another vehicle.
Tourists must pay and book ahead to see iconic Twelve Apostles
Tourists wanting to visit one of Australia's iconic natural wonders, the Twelve Apostles, will now have to book ahead and pay an entry fee. Each year, more than 2 million people travel down the Great Ocean Road to visit the remaining seven limestone rock stacks that rise out of the Southern Ocean, about four hours' drive west of Melbourne.
Warrnambool to get almost 50 per cent population boost in historic expansion
Jean Bell and Kiara Angelini A regional city struggling with a housing crisis is expected to grow its population by almost 50 per cent thanks to state government-approval of a new residential area. The East of Aberline project in Warrnambool in south-west Victoria is expected to add 4,500 new homes, as well as schools and a town centre over the next two decades, boosting the city's population by 15,000 people.
Key witness in cold case murder trial admits lying to police
A key witness in a cold case murder trial over the disappearance of a Warrnambool man in 2006 has admitted to previously lying to police. Steven Frederick Johnson, 74, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder in relation to the disappearance of 38-year-old Christopher Jarvis on June 13, 2006, from his Wangoom home near Warrnambool.
Jury hears key witness detail alleged brutal murder of Christopher Jarvis in cold-case trial
A jury has heard crucial evidence in a cold case murder trial over the disappearance of Christopher Jarvis in 2006. An unnamed witness has told the court how he assisted murder accused Steven Johnson with killing Mr Jarvis and disposing of the body. The trial in the Victorian Supreme Court continues. A man who assisted in the alleged murder of a Warrnambool man more than two decades ago has told a jury he was told to keep quiet about the crime, otherwise he would be killed next.
Trial begins for Steven Johnson, accused of murdering Christopher Jarvis 20 years ago
Steven Johnson's trial has begun in the Victorian Supreme Court. Mr Johnson faces a single murder charge in relation to the disappearance of Warrnambool man Christopher Jarvis in 2006. Mr Jarvis's disappearance was filed as a missing person's case until police began a new investigation into his disappearance in 2021. A man accused of murdering his tenant over $2,000 in rent arrears more than 20 years ago is facing trial in the Supreme Court.
Fake Port Fairy artist prompts fears 'ghost store' scams will taint real reputations
Jean Bell, Alice Walker, and Sage Davidson About a week ago, Port Fairy glassblower Robert Gatt received an email from someone he did not know. They said they had bought glassware from another artist in the coastal Victorian town, had not received a receipt, but hoped he could put them in touch. "I thought, 'This sounds a bit scammy,' so I just ignored it," Gatt said.
Victorian healthcare system 'fundamentally broken', regional doctors struggling, GP says
Regional GPs across Victoria say insufficient access to primary care in the community is resulting in more patients needing emergency department care in hospital. Some clinics are struggling to hire staff, while others say a lack of resourcing is impacting patient care and safety. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners warns people will continue to get sicker if clinics and staff are not supported.
Border town lawyer labels Victoria's bird flu response a 'scandal' compared to SA
Residents on the Victorian-South Australian border say the Victorian government's response to H5 bird flu is "a scandal" compared to SA. Nelson residents say crews are picking up dead birds in SA, just three kilometres from the town where dead birds are piling up in the Glenelg Estuary. The residents are urging the Victorian government to send out crews to pick up bird carcasses, as is happening in SA.
Fears mass bird deaths in south-west Victoria linked to bird flu
Hundreds of dead and dying birds are scattered along a beach in the south-west Victorian town of Portland, where residents have started removing the carcasses themselves to curb the spread of bird flu. Authorities are yet to confirm if the deaths are linked to the deadly H5 bird flu, but the first Victorian case of the deadly strain was recorded in Portland in July. Portland locals say it's "distressing" to see so many birds dying and are calling on the state government to strengthen its response.
Program: Concerns over mass bird deaths in Victoria
Residents in the south-western Victorian town of Portland have discovered hundreds of dead and dying birds in what they fear is a mass mortality event caused by bird flu. The clean-up has been criticised as sporadic and disorganised, prompting some locals to take efforts into their own hands.
School student Hera Sheppard runs for seat in Victorian election
Eighteen-year-old Hera Sheppard is expecting her schedule to be jam-packed over the next few months. In between the demands of high school studies and a part-time job at McDonald's, the year 11 Warrnambool College student will be squeezing in a political campaign. Ms Sheppard has thrown her hat in the ring ahead of Victoria's state election, making her one of the youngest candidates endorsed to contest a seat. "I'm not going to have any free time.
Regional emergency departments are overcrowded and risking patient safety, doctors say
Victoria's most dysfunctional and dangerous emergency departments are in regional areas, health department data shows. The quarterly statistics on the state's public hospitals include tracking of emergency department (ED) stays 24 hours or longer, an indicator of pressure on hospital resources. There were about 3,300 patients across the state admitted to emergency from January to March this year who stayed there for at least 24 hours.
How much it could cost to repair Victoria's crumbling regional roads
As Victoria approaches a state election, both sides of politics have begun rolling out a flurry of pledges and promises to sway voters. They include Labor and the Coalition unveiling policies on an issue close to the heart of many Victorians: the state of the roads. Labor has allocated $1.04 billion for roads in its latest budget, while the Liberals and Nationals have promised they will spend about $1.25 billion each year, with a total spend of $5 billion over four years.
Proposed $200m blue gum timber hub to boost Victorian jobs and building materials
A $200 million manufacturing hub is expected to provide a new locally made timber product for the Australian construction industry, helping fill a gap left by the end of native timber logging. The proposed Future Portland Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub would span about 35 hectares in the heart of timber plantation country near Portland, about four hours west of Melbourne.
Victoria on high alert for signs of deadly H5N1 bird flu
Mike Risk loves watching the Australia's only mainland colony of gannets at Point Danger on Victoria's rugged south-west coast. The majestic flock of about 300 seabirds nests on a cliff on the edge of the roaring Southern Ocean at Portland, a four-hour drive west of Melbourne. Usually Mr Risk will marvel at the birds as they circle in the air and dive into the swirling sea, but this month he has been watching for something more sinister. Mike Risk is keeping a close eye on the birds.
Report claims Coalition's renewable 'buffer zone' puts projects at risk
New economic analysis claims the Victorian Coalition's plan to implement a mandatory two-kilometre buffer zone between renewable energy projects and dwellings risks billions of dollars' worth of projects, costing jobs and taking millions of dollars from local councils. The ABC has spoken to renewable energy experts who have mixed views on what the full impact of the proposed policy could be. They say Victoria needs to prepare for the retirement of aging and unreliable coal-fired power stations.
Auditor-general's report finds authorities missed targets ahead of Grampians bushfires
A government report has found Victorian fire authorities failed to complete all their planned burns in the years ahead of the devastating 2024 Grampians National Park bushfires. The Victorian Auditor-General's Office report also warns an incomplete network of strategic fuel breaks could pose a risk to properties and communities in future bushfires.
Hundreds of regional firefighters rally against controversial levy in Bendigo
Hundreds of regional Victorian firefighters have turned out for a rally in Bendigo to voice concerns over a number of issues including increased financial pressures. An ABC reporter at the rally said a song featuring the controversial slogan "ditch the witch" directed at Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, which has been widely condemned as sexist, has been played over loudspeakers at the event.
Frustrated regional Victorians spending car rego rebate on pothole-blown tyres
When the Victorian government opened applications for a 20 per cent rebate on car registrations, Kerry Taylor was one of the 2 million people who jumped at the chance to get some money back. But the Warrnambool resident says that financial relief will be short-lived, after rough road conditions in Victoria's south-west blew out a tyre. "I got my refund, but now I'm going to have to put it towards tyres," she said.
Does being in a 'safe seat' influence whether your hospital gets an upgrade?
Advocates say regional hospitals in so-called "safe seats" are being overlooked for funding due to a lack of political appetite from the state government. There are active campaigns to secure funding for public hospitals at Mildura, West Gippsland, Hamilton and Daylesford. A political analyst says Victoria should have an independent infrastructure authority to allocate funding on a needs basis.
Do AI-generated images have any place in Australian politics?
It's a picture of a humpback whale, leaping out of the water, its three or possibly four fins glistening in the glowing orange sunset. The apparently AI-generated image was posted on the Facebook page of Liberal member for South West Coast Roma Britnell to mark the arrival of the first southern right whales of whale-watching season in her state electorate.
Do AI-generated images have any place in Australian politics?
Whales 1 hour ago Whale Deaths Are Surging Along the West Coast theinertia.com - Juan Hernandez • 1h A report released by the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting endangered species, wildlands, and the … travel news 4 hours ago The new battle for Alaska cruise travelers is happening onboard miamiherald.com - Josh Rivera, USA TODAY • 4h HOONAH, Alaska − There were only two ships at Icy Strait Point, Celebrity Solstice and Holland America Line's MS...
Victorian state MP Jacinta Ermacora apologises for mistakenly saying alleged koala killer had died
A Victorian MP's office has apologised after falsely announcing the death of a man under investigation for alleged animal cruelty. WARNING: Readers are advised that this article contains a graphic image of an injured animal. The Victorian Conservation Regulator is investigating allegations a man dragged a koala by a rope behind his vehicle down a residential street in Koroit, in south-west Victoria, in March. The animal was subsequently euthanased as a result of its injuries.
Port Fairy swimming pool to be demolished following unanimous council vote
A regional Victorian town will lose its beleaguered community pool after councillors decided to demolish the facility due to significant structural and maintenance issues. At an emotional council meeting this afternoon, Moyne Shire councillors unanimously voted to decommission the Belfast Aquatics Community Pool at Port Fairy.
Victorian country firefighters slam bureaucracy for slashing roadside burns by 90pc
Country Fire Authority (CFA) firefighters claim they are being "hamstrung" by planned-burn bureaucracy, with approvals taking up to three years. Firies have told the ABC there needs to be less red tape when it comes to burns on both council-controlled land and major arterial roadsides. Barongarook CFA president Mike Evans said his family had been fighting fires in the south-west Victorian region for five generations. Firefighters working on the Carlisle River bushfire in the Otways, early 2026.
Annie Gas Field Project approved for waters near Twelve Apostles in Otway Basin
The Victorian and federal governments have approved plans to build a new offshore gas field in waters near world-famous tourist destination the Twelve Apostles. Australian energy company Amplitude Energy will start work next year on its Annie Gas Field Project, located about 9 kilometres off the shores of Peterborough and Port Campbell, with gas expected to be delivered from 2028.
Fuel crisis forces regional councils to delay construction and road maintenance
Victorian councils are bracing for fuel price volatility to continue, with some delaying construction projects and reducing road maintenance due to cost uncertainty. The conflict in the Middle East caused the daily average price of diesel to soar to $3.28 per litre earlier this month. It has dropped to about $2.60 per litre since a fuel excise discount was introduced, but it is well above the price of $1.86 just before the war.
Coroner calls for more e-scooter safety awareness after 14-year-old's death in country Victoria
A coroner has called for more awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of e-scooters after the death of a 14-year-old boy in a rural town in Victoria's south-west. The boy, who authorities have not identified, died shortly after a collision with a ute on a residential street in Terang on April 22 last year. The coroner's report said the local boy was "gravely injured" in the collision at the intersection of Grey and Lyons Streets.
Victoria Police air wing joins week-long search for Victorian woman Lisa Hirai
Friends and family of missing Victorian woman Lisa Hirai have used social media to appeal for help to find the 40-year-old, who hasn't been seen since last week. Authorities believe Ms Hirai left her rural property at Tahara, west of Hamilton, on April 3. In a statement to the ABC, Ms Hirai's relatives said they were devastated about her disappearance and concerned for her wellbeing. "Lisa is a warm and loving soul, always full of life and character with a beautiful smile," the statement said.
Camperdown couple 'relieved' to see home relocated after being built on wrong block
Most people would panic or stand in disbelief at seeing their home cut in half and carted away on the back of a truck. But David and Melanie Moor felt nothing but relief at seeing their retirement home shuffled 100 metres sideways onto their own land. The couple, who live in south-west Victoria, have been embroiled in a legal battle for the past two years after their dream home was constructed on the wrong block of land in a Camperdown subdivision, directly adjacent to the property they owned.
New research shows regional Australians move on foot more in 'walkable' towns
New research shows regional Australians living in walkable towns walked 75 minutes more each week. The study's authors say governments at all levels should prioritise building footpaths and improving pedestrian accessibility. A Victorian mayor says councils need funding to help build footpaths due to rate caps. How much do you walk each week, and would you walk more if the infrastructure in your town allowed?
Koala dies after allegedly being dragged behind vehicle down Victorian street
Wildlife carers say a koala was allegedly tied with a rope and dragged behind a car down a residential street in south-west Victoria. Volunteer vets were forced to euthanise the animal after it suffered injuries, including deep abrasions and a fractured jaw. Victoria Police and the Conservation Regulator are investigating.
From crafting to surfing, regional Victorians dive into hobbies to make new friends
Making new friends can be hard at the best of times, and it can be even trickier if you are new in a close-knit country town. It is well-documented that Australians are feeling lonelier, with some reports indicating that a third of us feel isolated. In regional Victoria, some young people are finding creative ways to meet new people — here is how they are doing it. Kimberley Hyslop grew up in western Victoria and relocated to Port Fairy last year. The coastal move was bittersweet.
CFA firefighter recovering after injury in planned burn in Victoria
A volunteer firefighter has been hospitalised with severe burns after being injured during a planned burn in Victoria's south-west. Country Fire Authority (CFA) acting chief officer Alen Slijepcevic said the member suffered a number of burns yesterday and was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Mr Slijepcevic said the member was in a "serious, but stable condition". He said the CFA was providing support to the member and their family and that Worksafe had been notified.
Bureau of Meteorology says Warrnambool recorded its hottest day ever but locals aren't convinced
If Keith Prest had a magic wand, the kite surfer from Victoria's south-west knows exactly what he would conjure into existence. "I'd wish for an official weather station in central Warrnambool in a position that truly reflects the weather," he said. The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) weather station recorded its hottest day ever for the regional centre during last month's heatwave, with temperatures surging to 45 degrees Celsius on January 27.
Warrnambool pub fined $150k for numerous gambling regulation breaches
A south-west Victorian pub has been fined $150,000 for multiple breaches of gambling regulations, which included failing to assist patrons in distress and staff members playing poker machines while on the clock. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission said inspectors visited the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery in Warrnambool twice in February 2024 and found four different types of breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act.
Retired Army colonel Searcy Education Foundation 2026 Hall of Honor inductee
Retired Col. Denise Gouin Beaumont, born in Searcy the daughter of Ray and Phyllis Gouin, readily recognizes there were many advantages to growing up in a small town. In Searcy, everyone knew everyone, and chances are, if one needed help, it was easy to find someone to assist. In other words, “everyone pulled together,” she said. Beaumont is set to be inducted into the Searcy Education Foundation Hall of Honor, along with Brig. Gen.
Otways residents burnt out of their 'paradise' determined to rebuild home
John Cochrane steps through the ruins of his family home, spotting familiar belongings that lie among the ash and rubble. The house is in a valley surrounded by forest and the Gellibrand River flowing nearby. His family has called this area home for about 45 years. "It’s a paradise to live in," he says. John Cochrane is planning to rebuild his Gellibrand home after it was destroyed by a bushfire.
Experts say climate change bigger threat to biodiversity than renewable energy projects
Environmental groups are opposing a proposed wind farm in south-west Victoria, citing potential impacts on endangered birds that live in the region. Experts say the impact of climate change will be far worse for biodiversity than any individual renewable energy project. The Victorian planning minister is due to make a decision on whether to approve the wind farm.
When green energy threatens what it is meant to save
Jean Bell and Daniel Miles Australia's renewable energy boom is reshaping the landscape. But when new green energy projects threaten the wildlife they are meant to save, who decides what gets sacrificed? Cassie Hlava has an answer for most questions about the birds in her backyard. The one question that almost stumps her? Picking a favourite. She stares into space for a moment, genuinely contemplating the question, a mixture of concern and amusement crossing her face.
Family of deceased woman sues Geelong Hospital over alleged medical negligence
The family of a Port Fairy woman who died in hospital is suing the healthcare provider over alleged medical negligence. Jennifer Buchanan died in Geelong Hospital in February 2023, after she was admitted for chemotherapy treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia. A statement of claim filed in the Victorian Supreme Court lists Ms Buchanan's husband, Paul Buchanan, and her two daughters as the three plaintiffs in the matter.
New childcare centres might ease waitlists in regional Victoria, but worker shortages endure
Childcare business owner Brent Wilson has owned 15 daycare centres during his 25 years in the industry, but says he has never seen demand like in Warrnambool. His newest centre Bright Start Childcare in the south-west Victorian city opened its doors this month, and he said it was "bombarded" with calls from parents as soon as it opened its books. Figures from the Warrnambool City Council show there have been as many as 400 children on wait lists across the city in the past year.
Indigenous elder Alby Clarke remembered for ultramarathon and cycling feats
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the image and name of a person who has died, with the permission of their family. Thirty years ago, Alby Clarke got a shock message: either get healthy or die young. Sixty years old at the time, the respected Gunditjmara elder took this directive to the extreme. He transformed into a long-distance runner and cyclist, using his endurance feats to advocate for Indigenous reconciliation and health.
Sole survivor of Bochara fatal crash was behind the wheel, coroner rules
A coroner has found the sole survivor of a crash that killed four people in western Victoria in 2023 was driving at the time. Joshua Elmes, 15, Megan Fox, 14, Lucus Garzoli, 14, and Alicia Montebello, 31, died at the scene after Ms Montebello's red Toyota swerved across the road and crashed into a tree at Bochara, near Hamilton, in south-west Victoria. Jorja Fox, then 16, was the sole survivor.
AFL super fans prepare for the grand final clash between Geelong and Brisbane
Warrnambool's Lochie Keats was celebrating Geelong's premiership win in 2022 at his local bowls club when he got an idea. "I said to my wife, 'Write it on my head: too old, too slow', because all the media said the cats were too old and too slow," he said. But words written in pen on his bald head were not enough. "I was having a few beers with a mate and getting a bit silly after winning the grand final," he said. "My mate said, 'Why don't you get it put on permanent.
Family heartbroken after Warrnambool's internet sensation, Wally, the tiny lamb, dies
Warrnambool's internet sensation, Wally, the tiny lamb, has died suddenly. Farmer Ben Pohlner says Wally was just 900 grams when he was born. Mr Pohlner says both his human and animal companions miss Wally. A tiny, partially blind lamb that became an internet sensation and a source of joy for thousands of Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic has died.
Domestic violence services brace for spike in calls during football grand finals
As footy teams across Victoria gear up for finals season, a different kind of preparation is underway in the state's domestic violence support services. There, staff are preparingfor an anticipated increase in calls for help as people fleeing family violence, including domestic abuse, seek support during the period. The AFL grand final has traditionally coincided with an increase in rates of violence, according to Respect Victoria.
Victorian Racing Tribunal releases video of trainer Darren Weir using jigger on horse
The Victorian Racing Tribunal has released footage of disgraced Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir using a banned electrical shock device on racehorses. Weir was banned from racing for two years for using the device, known as a jigger, on three horses at his Warrnambool stables a week before the 2018 Melbourne Cup. The released footage, dated October 2018, shows Weir administering electrical shocks to three horses as they gallop on a treadmill.
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