WESTERN Australia has experienced a significant increase in the use of solar hot water, with more than one-fifth of homes in WA now fitted with solar hot water systems.
THE days of widespread gender bias in the corporate world is generally considered a thing of the past, with a growing number of women rising through the ranks in both the public and private sector.
IN a bid to bring extra hotel rooms onto the market, a new study has highlighted investment opportunities in Perth's CBD by compiling a short list of commercial buildings suitable for conversion.
THE mortgage broking industry is preparing for a major transformation as the credit crisis and slowdown in the real estate market continues to dampen demand.
Developers of tourism accommodation are adopting a range of responses to the financial crisis, with some going full steam ahead while others are taking a more cautious approach.
VENDORS and lessors of commercial buildings could be required by law to disclose the energy efficiency of their buildings under a proposed federal government scheme.
TIGHT credit conditions significantly hampered commercial property sales activity in the Perth CBD last year, with the number of properties sold almost half that of 2007.
SOME of the state's biggest users of energy have begun publicly reporting their energy consumption, many for the first time, under the federal government's Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act.
ALMOST six years in the making, BGC's $110 million Brikmakers plant in Hazelmere has begun production, although not in the most ideal of circumstances.
AS the state government conducts an audit on capital works projects worth more than $20 million in an effort to contain spending, a number of affected design firms have already started to count the financial costs, including redundancies.
A SPATE of mergers in the property valuations sector could be a sign of things to come, as the downturn in the property market forces greater consolidation within the sector.
WESTERN Australia is one of the worst-performing states in the take-up of renewable energy, with just more than 8,000 customers signed up to an accredited GreenPower product in 2007.
THE million dollar renovations to The Western Australian Club's St Georges Terrace home have been unveiled, with the fresh look hoping to breathe new life into the 115-year-old private facility.
Air New Zealand has taken a major stake in Perth-based leisure technology firm V Cubed, with the two companies to establish a joint venture to launch V3's tourism booking exchange in New Zealand.
ABOUT 236,000 square metres of extra retail space is due to come online in Perth over the next four years, according to a retail report by the Property Council of Australia (WA), with just less than half the extra space coming from new centres.
THE tourism industry was underwhelmed last month when Geoff Carmody described his report on the impact of the global financial crisis on the sector as one of the most downbeat since his first analysis in 1984.
THE company behind the redevelopment of the old Swanbourne Hospital site says it will review its position following the State Administrative Tribunal's decision to back the City of Nedlands' rejection of the proposal.
MALCOLM and Pauline Tew joke that they have the perfect combination of brains and brawn, combining 50 years of experience in international tourism and hospitality between them.
THE global credit crunch has made a significant dent in Perth's commercial and retail sales for the year to November, with total sales value down 26 per cent on last year.
IT was quite fitting that the chairman of state tourism body Australia's North West, Ian Laurance, was awarded the industry's top individual honour last week, an award named after one of his earliest mentors.
Australasian Property Investments is going ahead with the development of Scarborough's first high-rise development after an amendment removing height restrictions received ministerial approval, while plans for high-rise apartments are underway in Cotteslo
WESTERN Australia will be among the first states targeted in the national roll-out of Origin Energy's domestic solar roof-top systems installation program.
THE federal government is pinning too much hope on successful commercialisation of carbon capture and storage technology, the WA Business News emissions trading forum has heard.
A SIGNIFICANT number of liable companies remain unaware of the emissions trading scheme's potential impact on their business, according to GHD global climate change response services leader Chris Lund.
THE state's largest electricity retailer is strongly advocating the introduction of advanced metering, in-home displays and critical peak pricing so customers are provided with immediate price signals to modify their behaviour and energy use habits.
