Alison Birrane

Twenty-one years is a long time in information technology, so it’s fair to say that mobile computing specialist Portacom is a veteran of the sector.

Listed technology firm QRSciences has secured a deal with the Chinese Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) to develop a security screening system for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Listed firm CommodiTel has launched the first of its retailer-branded services in the pre-paid mobile sector in a deal with 7-Eleven.

The announcement of preferred tenderers for the Western Australian government’s 10-year, $80 million shared service centres has created ructions within the local information and communications technology industry.

A recent compressor failure on the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline has highlighted the important contribution to the gas supply in the South West of developments driven by junior players such as ARC Energy.

The latest quarterly reports from the oil and gas players with stakes in the highly prospective Perth Basin indicate strengthening prospects on the back of a rising oil price and planned joint venture activity.

Digital literature firm eBooks Corporation has signed a major five-year distribution deal with Nokia Finland. 

Property prices in Dongara and Port Denison have risen significantly during the past 12 months as increasing numbers of retirees, and those in search of a sea change lifestyle, add to the towns’ already thriving industry and business sectors.

The rock lobster industry in Dongara-Denison is one of the world’s few sustainable ‘wild’ fisheries.

The seaside towns of Dongara and Port Denison are booming. But developments in the oil and gas industry and an influx of new residents are putting pressure on local amenities, as Alison Birrane reports.

As greater accountability is demanded of business, so-called ‘triple-bottom-line’ reporting is become the norm. But are ‘green’, or sustainable, business practices delivering tangible benefits? Alison Birrane and Marsha Jacobs report.

Recently-listed Liquid Natural Gas Limited has announced that it has signed the latest in a string of LNG deals, this time for the supply of LNG from Tanzania to an unnamed South African company.

Listed technology firm QR Sciences’ star has continued to rise on the back of several positive announcements.

Perth oil and gas companies have remained a hive of activity with several companies making key announcements in the past week.

Optus has secured a multi-million dollar deal with the State Government to provide telecommunications services across Western Australia.

Only those individuals who have managed to fully infuse their ethics throughout their business, personal and family lives are the true leaders, according to mining industry leader Ron Manners.

Aviva Corporation has joined the ranks of companies hoping to develop downstream processing of iron ore in Western Australia’s Mid-West.

The aggressive exploration program of recently listed Strike Oil is on track with the company set to drill three wells in the Carnarvon basin this month.

Perth businessman Steven Goh is expected to declare bankruptcy this week following a soured loan on which he provided a guarantee.

Challenge Dairy believes a new joint venture with Singapore’s QAF is the first step in its plan to tackle the value-added market.

Mission Australia State manager Anne Russell-Brown has been named the 2004 Telstra Western Australia Business Woman of the Year.

Motorola’s University of Western Australia facility is set to increase its number of employees to 100 as new projects come online.

Oil junior Kimberley Oil has signed an option agreement with Canada’s Golden Dynasty Resources Ltd that could see up to $3 million spent on its Canning Basin projects and a further $500,000 on the development of its oil solidification technology.

The territory dispute over the Greater Sunrise gas fields in the Timor Sea has created a question mark over Woodside's $5 billion Sunrise joint venture.  Alison Birrane repor

The liquid natural gas market has long been the domain of the big end of town.

BHP Billiton has announced $US3.2 billion in additional sales contracts over the next 10 years and the formal signing of the agreement for the Wheelarra joint venture.

Western Australia’s native flower exporters are struggling under increased cost pressures that are threatening their viability.

Industrial IT specialist Industrial Software Solutions Pty Ltd has closed its $5.5 million capital raising one week early and oversubscribed.

In giving the green light to the $1.8 billion expansion of its Gove refinery, Canadian alumina producer Alcan has cleared the way for a further $1 billion investment in the Northern Territory and Western Australia to move forward.

Simulation developer and manufacturer Immersive Technologies wants to replicate its success in the mining sector with new ventures in the defence, aviation and emergency services industries.