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.
THE state government has lifted the moratorium on the commercial production of genetically modified cotton in the Ord River Irrigation Area, renewing calls for it to move on the Ord Stage Two project.
THE residential population of the area encompassed by the City of Perth is forecast to double in the next 20 years, as the number of new dwellings and net migration numbers grow.
THE Links Kennedy Bay golf course has been re-opened under new management with developer Mirvac taking over the role after the former manager was placed into administration.
A REPORT released this week has provided the first accurate and detailed picture of the Western Australian forestry industry, which employs 5,570 people, half of whom rely on native forest resources.
FOR someone who wasn't even a member of a political party just four years ago, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has settled comfortably into his new, if somewhat unexpected, role.
RESIDENTIAL developers are beginning to see the effects of sliding interest rates and boosts to the first homeowners grant, with some recording a significant increase in traffic through sales offices.
THE Margaret River wine region welcomed its newest microbrewery late last month with the opening of the $10 million Saracen Estate/Duckstein microbrewery.
Property developer Nigel Satterley believes the Perth residential property market is virtually at the bottom of its downward cycle, with increases to the first home owners grant and the drop in interest rates injecting some stimulus into the market.
THE development of so-called "main street" or strip shopping centres around the city has created another viable retail category outside of the traditional suburban and CBD shopping centres.
THE global financial crisis continues to take its toll on the construction industry, with more than half of the state's builders indicating they will be reducing subcontractor numbers in the next 12 months.
THE Western Australian economy ended the 2007-08 financial year on a positive note, with most of the growth again driven by increased business investment.
The Chinese economy is expected to remain resilient over the next financial year and is well placed to weather a downturn in the global economy, according to CommSec.
A 15,000 square metre beachfront site in the coastal holiday town of Lancelin will soon be home to a luxury bungalow-style resort, the first development of its kind for the town.
THE business of putting more trees in the ground and keeping them there may soon become one of the more viable options for the forestry sector, with two announcements this week a sign of the times.
WESTERN Australia's tourism industry has called on the new state government to fast-track tourism developments in the city and regional areas and help combat the labour shortage.
BUNBURY will get its first new hotel in almost 10 years this Christmas with the opening of The Mantra Bunbury, attached to the Silos apartment development on the Koombana waterfront.
THE list of carbon-offset firms in Western Australia continues to grow, as a new player with a combined horticultural/carbon sink project looks to enter the market.
INCREASED requirements on energy efficiency and water use are expected to fuel the growth in green buildings for commercial and residential developments.
THE details of the federal government's carbon trading system may not be finalsied, but one Western Australian carbon offset trader is hoping its early adopter status will be an advantage in the new legislative environment.
