Mark Beyer

Marine technology company VEEM has substantially revised down its earnings outlook for the current half-year but expects a strong rebound in the second half after overcoming delays.

The Subiaco-based company has struck two deals worth a combined $A96 million that will strengthen its balance sheet and allow the vesting of 133 million performance rights.

An industry group led by farmer Alan Richardson and project developer Enzo Gullotti has become the third outfit looking to build a canola processing plant in WA.

Trading in West African Resources shares will resume tomorrow for the first time in three months after a brief and imprecise statement on ownership of its prized mine in Burkina Faso.

Shares in Fleetwood tumbled lower today after the company announced the immediate exit of managing director and chief executive Bruce Nicholson, with chairman John Klepec taking the reins.

Mark Beyer and Justin Fris discuss WA's contractor industry.

The EPA has decided to not assess the WA government's proposed sporting complex at Burswood, mirroring its approach to the contentious Crawley ferry service proposal.

The collapse of one contractor and its acquisition by another provides a telling case study on business in WA.

Erica Smyth has been remembered for her many achievements as a trailblazing geologist, mentor and company director, having served on 60 boards and committees during her busy life.

The builder of Australia's first waste-to-energy plant, to be officially opened today in Kwinana after more than six years of work, has revealed it cost about $1.1 billion.

Spanish construction group Acciona is keeping its options open after quietly withdrawing its application to the ACCC to buy a giant waste-to-energy plant at East Rockingham.

Commitments under a $750 million resource sector community investment scheme have reached $100 million three years after its launch and Roger Cook is hopeful of much more.

The Business Council of Australia says WA is the second worst state in the country for doing business, with payroll tax, land tax and retail trading hours the main problem areas.

Buru Rehab has won a second major contract for rehabilitation of the Ellendale diamond mine, taking the total cost of the project to nearly $130 million.

A creditors' report has detailed the value of a planned takeover of the failed Rex Airlines along with the value of last year's sale of subsidiary National Jet Express.

Family-owned funeral business Bowra & O'Dea has delivered another strong annual result, with profit margins that would be the envy of its ASX rival.

Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott has disclosed a challenging outlook for several of the group's businesses while also detailing an alarming rise in retail crime and threats to staff.

BGC Australia has reported another big operating loss as the restructuring of the group continues but also disclosed a strong operating result in its core building materials business.

WA's energy transition has taken a strange turn, with new data showing coal has lifted its market share while the much-heralded big batteries have driven wholesale prices sharply higher.

The WA government awarded 383 contracts worth a record $442 million to Aboriginal businesses last financial year, with the Department of Communities and Main Roads WA the largest contributors.

Global Advanced Metals has sold the last of its shares in Wildcat Resources as it focuses on expansion of its Greenbushes mine operation and US manufacturing facility.

Balcatta-based Brownes has bought out its partner in its UK manufacturing plant, while also revealing the sale of the dairy business has been put on hold until next year.

Mining services contractor Warrikal has announced a three-year maintenance contract with BHP Iron Ore, shortly after signing a similar agreement with Hancock Iron Ore.

Airport's owners have joined several groups planning new or upgraded supply bases targeting oil and gas projects.

ASX-listed contractors Ventia, Downer and Service Stream have been awarded Department of Defence asset management contracts with a combined value of $7.3 billion.

Woodside Energy has finalised an LNG offtake agreement with Malaysia's Petronas as speculation mounts the federal government will announce its stance on the North West Shelf facility this week.

The Tax Practitioners Board has terminated the registration of former PwC chief executive Tom Seymour after concluding he failed to act with integrity or manage conflicts of interest.

A $US30 million ($46 million) funding deal with Alcoa has lifted hopes the privately-owned Equus gas project off WA's north-west coast could finally be developed.

Burswood-based PRL Global is set to acquire the Ardmore phosphate mine in Queensland after satisfying all conditions precedent for the complex deal.

Shares in Austal continued their strong run today after the shipbuilder secured a further $US314 million ($480 million) of work with the United States Coast Guard.

A private company planning a $300 million supply base on Cockatoo Island has expanded its land holding through a deal with ASX-listed Pearl Gull Iron.

The fast-growing sector expanded by 27 per cent last year, underpinned by contracts with big mining companies, research by Business News has found.