Janelle Macri

Two major Perth CBD commercial sales in recent weeks have given early indications of where values could be headed, after months without a major commercial office sale.

RECOGNISED as the most concentrated form of wealth on earth, the extremely rare pink diamond is one ultra high-end niche business that appears to be defying global commodity trends.

Property taxes remain one of the biggest revenue earners for government, with the state and local governments in Western Australia raking in more than $4 billion from property taxes last financial year.

RETAILERS have taken the whip hand in negotiations for tenancies, with rental growth expected to stabilise and even drop in some precincts.

THE state government is progressing with its plan to relocate social housing stock from high-end Perth suburbs into lower-cost suburbs In October, Treasurer Troy Buswell announced a review into Homeswest housing in wealthier suburbs, ordering the Departme

THE state's second largest residential builder has called on the federal government to extend the boost to the first homeowners grant until the end of the year and extend the grant to second and third homeowners to stimulate the industry.

QUESTIONS are being raised within the housing industry about the federal government's ability to meet its commitment to supply 3,000 new social housing dwellings in Western Australia through its housing stimulus package.

Governments are seeking new, innovative approaches to social housing after almost a decade of stagnation.

FOR the second year running Perth has claimed first place in the annual Deloitte Hotel Occupancy Global Ranking index, cementing its position as the number one performer in worldwide hotel occupancy rates.

Nature may have dealt Karl Plunkett’s Kimberley resort a cruel blow, but he’s anything but bitter.

EXPANDING from one office to three in the past two years has helped cement Northbridge-based town planners Greg Rowe and Associates as one of the largest firms of its kind in the state.

Developers take control as construction costs become more competitive.

IT may have had a mixed reception at the box office, but Australia the movie could still prove to be a boon for Kimberley tourism.

MORE than 300 new accommodation rooms will have opened in Broome in time for the start of this year's peak season, with a number of new developments coming online over the next three months.

A management buy-out was a key turning point for Welshpool firm QED Occtech.

What is your favourite holiday destination? Rottnest Island for a relaxing holiday close to home, or Whistler, Canada, for skiing.

INDUSTRY has welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority's environmental impact assessment process review, supporting its recommendation to move towards risk-based assessments for environmental approvals.

A PROPOSAL by the City of Wanneroo could provide a solution to the growing concerns of developers over requirements to preserve habitats of the endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoo.

THE state government has moved on two of the largest hospital developments undertaken in metropolitan and regional Western Australia, with the commitment of more than $3 billion in health projects.

ALMOST $3 billion dollars worth of electricity generation projects are planned for Western Australia, with almost one-third of the investment going towards renewable energy projects.

INCREASING demand for student housing has prompted a number of Perth universities to commit to expanding their on-campus accommodation.

ALMOST nine months after the Varanus Island incident, which cut the state's gas supply by a third and cost Western Australian businesses almost $2.

SPECULATION over the status of Finbar's mixed-use development on the former Fairlanes Bowling site has been put to rest after the developer this week launched an off-the-plan sales campaign for the residential component.

CHARTER Hall is selling its 50 per cent stake in Alluvion, bringing to the market the first of the city's new office tower developments.

Award-winning coffee roaster Rubra has put its stamp on the burgeoning WA boutique coffee scene.

FOUR women working on the same commercial building project in the city have joined forces to launch Western Australia's first association dedicated to women working in construction.

TWO real estate agency acquisitions in recent weeks could be a sign of increased activity in the sector, as business looks to rationalise their operations and gain economies of scale during the down cycle.

Perth Glory owner (among other ventures)

THE state's caravan industry is preparing for its biggest trade event of the year, with signs the changing demographics of the caravan and camper trailer market could prop up sales.

FRUSTRATION over the prohibitive barriers to tourist accommodation development has intensified, after news the first development site released under the Landbank program, aimed at fast-tracking accommodation developments, had stalled.

Architect-design firm shows the value of a well-planned restoration in the heart of the city.

THE awarding to Brookfield Multiplex of the $220 million stage one contract for the Fiona Stanley Hospital is noteworthy in a number of respects.