Dan Wilkie

Western Australia's Pilbara remains the most expensive region to rent a house in Australia, with median rents at $1,650 per week, according to industry analysts RP Data.

The Franchise Council of Australia has questioned the need for Western Australia to introduce state-based franchising legislation, because it would duplicate national regulations.

Westgem Investments transferred $1.3 million to Saracen Properties a day before the Raine Square office development was placed into the hands of receivers, the first meeting of creditors has revealed.

Bankwest has appointed receivers to a further series of assets owned by companies associated with prominent property developer Luke Saraceni.

Tap Oil has trumped Woodside Energy's efforts to buy into the WA-351-P natural gas exploration permit in the Carnarvon Basin, after it exercised its pre-emptive right to acquire an additional 20 per cent interest in the permit.

With 10 out of 11 Western Australian resources-focused listings from December 2010 trading above their issue price, 2011 promises to be a strong year for minerals-related investment.

Perth's residential land market is the third most expensive in the nation, trailing only the Sunshine Coast and Sydney, according to the latest research by the Housing Industry Association and industry analysts RP Data.

National healthcare services provider GenesisCare has joined forces with the state government in a move that will more than double the treatment capacity for cancer patients in Western Australia over the next four years.

Humfrey Land Developments is formulating plans to produce an "iconic" building for the Geraldton foreshore, after it was announced as the winning bidder for an 8,800 square metre site formerly owned by the Public Transport Authority.

Apartment specialist Finbar Group has launched a joint venture with investment and development firm Swanline Group to build a $50 million, 90-apartment mixed used project in East Perth.

Pankaj Oswal has been accused of producing misleading information after he said he offered to deposit $20 million into Burrup Fertilisers to "avoid expensive and damaging litigation" stemming from the investigation of Burrup's financial irregularities.

Investors have welcomed a flurry of Western Australia-based listings in the minerals exploration sector, with 10 out of 11 companies to float during the past month trading above their issue price.

Global bio-fuels firm Algae.Tec has been launched on the ASX, with the clean technology firm's share price edging to 25 cents shortly after listing.

TWO surveys released this week have predicted the retail sector will be left behind in 2011, as consumer apathy shrinks sales and the wider economy grows on the strength of the resources sector.

WESTERN Australia’s commercial construction sector is reaping the benefits of the state government’s commitment to the upgrade of the state’s medical infrastructure and facilities.

Residential developer Aspen Group has announced its St Leonards Residential Land Syndicate has successfully raised the minimum $8 million required to commence the 181-lot residential project.

Receivers for troubled office development Raine Square say project financiers gave the developer, Westgem Investments, ample opportunity to meet its debt obligations, but Westgem chief Luke Saraceni says Bankwest would not discuss refinancing options.

The director of beleaguered office development Raine Square has labelled its receivership unnecessary, saying the project still has "strong financial metrics".

Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that lead concentrate levels in Magellan Metals' shipping containers have not exceeded national standards since the sampling program began 15 months ago.

Cape Lambert Resources chairman Tony Sage says his minerals exploration firm will focus on advancing its Marampa iron ore project in Sierra Leone, after completing the $83 million divestment of subsidiary DMC Mining to African Iron.

Burrup Fertilisers' creditors meeting tomorrow will be without its star attraction, after Pankaj and Radhika Oswal said they would not return, and added that Perth may not be part of their future plans.

A PROMINENT Perth-based lawyer has questioned the need for local governments to remain involved in town planning, after Planning Minister John Day last week moved to smooth the way for mid-rise development on Cottesloe’s beachfront.

OFFICE leasing is the CBD has become increasingly competitive as growing firms absorb record levels of office space, and owners of older buildings mobilise plans to reposition their stock to compete with a raft of new offerings to the market.

Building products manufacturer Wesbeam posted an improved result in financial year 2009-10, but remains short of being profitable, according to its latest accounts.

A SHIFT from craft brewer to contract beer-maker has led to Gage Roads Brewing posting a maiden profit of $680,000, and has the Palmyra-based operation poised to launch three new contract brews during the next year.

WESTERN Australia’s construction and development sector is set for a change in fortune after a lacklustre 2010, according to new research by construction industry analysts Davis Langdon.

PERTH’S residential property market is in a state of oversupply and in the midst of a price correction with industry experts warning the market has been overstimulated.

Seven Group Holdings will seek a development partner next year to create a mixed-use commercial, residential and office precinct on inner city land made vacant by the demolition of the Perth Entertainment Centre.

PERTH’S property markets are proving attractive to overseas investors, with new research showing office, retail and industrial sectors in Western Australia are undervalued amid rising enquiry levels from offshore investors.

MAJOR builders and construction companies will vie for the lucrative contract to build Perth’s new children’s hospital at the QEII Medical Centre in February next year, after state cabinet approved the project’s $1.17 billion budget early this week.

Tony Crook has been thrust out of the bush and into the political spotlight.

THE Master Builders Association has identified industry driven training schemes and employer bond systems as new strategies to address anticipated skills shortages over the next two years at its annual Skills Summit.