Dan Wilkie

THE residential construction sector is concerned that energy savings benefits from next year’s introduction of minimum energy ratings requirements for new homes will not outweigh the increased costs associated with sustainable building design.

DEMAND for large plots of industrial land in Perth is growing thanks to the flow-on effect of increased resources sector investment, while institutional investors are poised to re-enter the market after re-weighting their portfolios, new industry research

Greens fight Labor on uranium – The Aus; Unions push wages in West – The Fin; Environment watchdog warns against more logging in state forest – The Aus; Ammtec board backs Campbell – The Fin; QR National banks on WA rail track revamp – The West

Crean seeks state deal on regions – The Fin; iiNet boss plans network expansion – The Fin; I'm exempt from bond: Palmer – The West; Hospital workers take action as pay row grows – The West; Peak Oil in $55m float – The West

Swan firm on mining tax – The Fin; Premier slams Swan for misleading Rudd – The Aus; New MP insists that WA get bigger slice of tax pie – The West; Regulator backs gas giants – The Fin; Upset Palmer seeks a scalp – The West

A RESIDENTIAL development in the Swan Valley by Brookfield Residential Properties has been recognised by the Urban Development

Osborne Park-based EMCO Building has responded to rising demand in the modular housing sector by launching a fully finished ready-made transportable housing solution in a joint venture with national manufacturer Amoveo.

SHOPPING centre owners have welcomed the release of the state government’s Activity Centres policy by revealing expansion plans, but the head of the Retail Traders Association in Western Australia has warned it will be some time before WA shopping centres

Gillard buys power for $10 billion - The Fin; No backdown by Gillard despite storm of anger – The West; Call for fresh start on tax reform – The Aus; State the big loser: Barnett – The West; Signs point to move up soon – The Fin

Crook throws Abbott a lifeline –The West; Gillard mine tax 'to deliver $8bn less than forecast' –The Aus; Barnett looks at legal block to mine plan –The West; Mining boss avoids $45m EPA bond –The West; Green groups battle to overturn gas plan –The Aus

Coalition's hopes for power sink – The Aus; Greens flag blocks on NW gas hub – The West; WA debt cap casts doubt on stadium – The Fin; Woodside case part of resources push – The Fin; Rio likes the look of diamonds – The Fin

Woodside land move to be felt 'around the world' – The Aus; Resource states reap $3.4bn royalty bonanza – The Fin; Rio keeps Pilbara JV options open – The West; Wesfarmers backs diversity – The Fin; Home targets to cost more – The West

$7bn hole in Abbott election costings – The Aus; Sector warns of new tax battle – The Aus; Bid to halt gas land acquisition – The West; Barnett's vision for WA resources – The Fin; Investors snap up local shares as GDP surges – The West

RESIDENTIAL developer Satterley Group has responded to rising demand for residential land in the metropolitan area with the launch of two major new subdivision projects.

THE divisive $350 million redevelopment at Fremantle Harbour by ING Real Estate has hit another stumbling block, with the State Administrative Tribunal dismissing an application for an extension to the project’s development approval.

WA’s stockmarket-listed property investment firms and developers are predicting a bright outlook for the sector.

THE state government will have to provide more incentives for developers to reach density and urban infill targets set in the new state planning framework, Directions 2031 and Beyond, according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

Gillard holds line on big handouts – The Fin; Rogue Nat seeks GST shake-up from Liberals – The Aus; Buswell pushes ban on new SW coal mine – The West; Export surge lifts growth outlook – The Fin; Local miners losing ground – The Fin

Abbott offers bush deal as Gillard mandate slips – The Aus; Crook is a problem for Abbott, says Liberal MP – The West; Oil, gas threat to NW tourism – The West; Gas claims rejected – The Fin; Suburbs face homes pressure – The West

Nats push Abbott for better deal – The Aus; Barnett calls for federalist reforms – The Aus; Worry over irrigation project's next phase – The West; Obstacles for Pluto's delivery – The Fin; Asciano in $700m grain bid – The Australia

Determined Coalition labels Gillard 'whimsical' – The Fin; Trends go with Coalition as slow counting criticised – The Aus; Miners plan record spending – The Aus; Electricity rejig jolts Griffin – The Fin; Jakarta wants $1.4b Montara spill compo –The West

Key MPs name price for power – The Aus; Crook not off the hook as Gillard woos vote – The West; Pressure to rework the resources tax – The Fin; Seven beats forecast numbers – The Fin; Court backs investors in Firepower bid – The Westminster

LOCAL firms are becoming more conscious of the benefits associated with green building design, and sustainable building principles are gaining momentum in the marketplace, according to the proponents of what will become one of Australia’s top environmenta

NATIONAL glass recycler Colmax Glass is aiming to increase Western Australia’s glass recycling rates from about 25 per cent to more than 80 per cent within 12 months with the opening of its reprocessing plant in Kewdale.

THE developer behind a proposed inland marina development at Rockingham says it will attempt to emulate the success of the Mandurah Ocean Marina as it transforms the Rockingham foreshore near Cape Peron.

OFFSHORE investors are targeting the assets of distressed property investment funds, while listed developers have restructured their debt and are ready to chase bargains in Perth’s residential development land market, new research shows.

FREMANTLE’S landmark Fort Knox storage warehouse will be transformed by Diploma Group after boutique developer Match named the Belmont-based firm as the builder for the $11 million first stage of the heritage-listed apartments conversion.

Powerbrokers to take time – The Fin; Libs call in lawyer as postal votes surprise – The Fin; Canberra stalemate threatens resources – The Aus; New push for merger of councils – The West; Potash Corp looks beyond BHP – The Fin

Gillard's Green path forward – The Aus; Latest counting points to a dead heat – The Aus; Crook's stance adds to intrigue – The Fin; Brookfield gets control of WestNet – The West; Fortescue rail fee 'high', say juniors – The West

Leaders bid to secure power – The Aus; Single WA seat could hold key – The Aus; Tuckey slayer demands a royalties deal from Canberra – The West; Quick action urged to ease nerves - The Fin; Voters killed mine tax - The West

BOUTIQUE architecture and design firm Baltinas Architects says its commitment to original, modern design is not an attempt just to be noticed in the market, but is instead reflective of the opportunities on offer throughout the metropolitan area.

DEMAND for industrial land in Perth has been tipped to rise ahead of the resources sector’s next growth cycle, while a shortage of supply is expected to increase upwards pressure on industrial rents and land values throughout this year and next.