Jenelle Carter

Developers who have secured large commercial sites around Perth are wasting no time transforming them into business parks, with at least five new developments recently announced.

While a number of regional shopping centres in Perth will undergo major expansion projects this year, the port city of Fremantle is working hard to keep its head above water in the retail stakes.

A public swimming pool and more supermarkets are high on the wish list of the City of Perth community, as revealed this month in the first survey of residents undertaken by Perth council and the Property Council of Australia WA.

With less than four months until the first train rolls in to Cockburn Central, the local council is planning some significant development projects to inject new life into the city.

It’s been four years in the making, but the state government is about to roll out one of its biggest crime prevention strategies to date, and one which could change the direction of urban planning in Western Australia.

Increased activity among first-home buyers has helped provide some price relief in the June quarter, with the median house price falling $7,000, or 1.5 per cent, during the period.

Major infrastructure player Macquarie Bank has struck a development deal with prominent builder Alcock Brown Neaves Group after jointly buying a $16 million site in Herdsman this week.

Over 70 developers and hotel operators expressed an interest in taking charge of the Old Treasury Buildings after State Government calls for expressions of interest.

Developers Satterley Property Group and Lester Group are introducing fresh initiatives to help end the reliance on mains water in their residential estates.

Rooftop water tanks, wind turbines, solar panels and even waterless woks in food courts are some of the initiatives shopping centre owners are implementing to reduce their environmental footprint.

Perth’s industrial sector has moved into top gear in the past 12 months, posting rental growth close to 50 per cent in secondary markets and sparking high levels of development activity.

Firepower Holdings Group Ltd chief executive Tim Johnston has been summonsed to appear in the Supreme Court this month after failing to pay an out-of-court settlement totalling $4 million to a company of former Firepower chief, Trevor Nairn, and to Mr Nai

The Urban Development Institute of Western Australia is calling for an urgent study of housing affordability, following the release of a state government report on WA’s land supply crisis.

The developers behind a new industrial warehouse project in Welshpool are hoping to break the ‘big shed’ look common to the sector by incorporating a new curved roof system from Spain in the design.

West Perth could have its own town square, if a proposal by the City of Perth to transform a block of public housing flats on the corner of Colin and Hay Streets is realised.

Perth hotelier Graham Hardie will proceed with a $140 million apartment project on Roe Street Northbridge after the state government today withdrew its plans to resume his property for a new Police complex.

Housing developers have taken a new approach in their efforts to compete with the established-home market, offering a range of inducements and incentives to prospective clients.

The City of Perth’s dream of a large public square in place of the 1970s era Law Chambers and Public Trustee buildings on Hay Street could be a very expensive exercise for the state government if it chooses to acquire the properties.

Residential developers in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River may have to provide lots for sale to first-home buyers under new planning guidelines being considered by the state government.

Western Australia’s powerhouse economy is yet to hit its peak despite a record $23.1 billion in investment by WA businesses in the March quarter, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.

Cape Bouvard Investments plans to vacate its St Georges Terrace address at Emirates House in early 2009 and take up the top floor of its proposed 21-storey office tower on Mounts Bay Road.

Aspen Group's unlisted Aspen Diversified Property Fund has paid $20 million for an industrial complex in Melbourne in addition to offloading its Midland Cinema Complex in Perth for $5.5 million.

Melbourne-based developer John Crane and venture capitalist Daniel Besen are on the lookout for new acquisitions in Western Australia, following their successful entry to the market last year.

Fresh from its $6 million purchase of East Victoria Park’s historic Balmoral Hotel, listed property trust and management operator, ALE Property Group Limited, is targeting other Western Australian pubs.

Burswood’s prominent Sands & McDougall site will be transformed into an A-grade office park following its sale to Perth-based developer Watersun Property for $19.5 million.

The state government is considering developing a technology park at Mandurah if results from a business survey of the region justify one.

After six years at the helm of Perth architectural studio of Woods Bagot, Ross Donaldson has taken on the role as the group’s global managing director.

Portable buildings manufacturer Nomad Modular Building Pty Ltd has taken legal action preventing a former employee from working for a rival firm.

The City of Fremantle is determined to take a slice of the Cockburn coast from its neighbouring council, with plans afoot to employ an officer to investigate the proposal.

The state government has not ruled out taking office space in the historic Old Treasury Building, which is up for grabs following its decision last week to seek expressi

Burswood's prominent Sands & McDougall site will be transformed into an A-Grade office park following its sale to Perth-based developer Watersun Property for $19.5 million.

Sol Health’s plan to build an $18 million aquatic, health and lifestyle centre in Butler received a funding boost this month following the state government’s decision to award $2.4 million towards the cost of a swimming pool.