Mark Beyer

Production trials of genetically modified cotton undertaken near Kununurra have highlighted its potential as a commercial crop in the Ord River irrigation area.

The state government is seeking to coordinate an ambitious plan for the Kimberley region that would link a proposed $1 billion expansion of the Argyle diamond mine with $100 million worth of investments in the nearby Ord River irrigation area.

Case study: Roof insulation producer ThermoSealed Batts has faced a problem common to most fast-growing start-up businesses – finding enough capital to support its rapid expansion.

The building industry has welcomed proposed changes to the apprenticeship system that will reduce and in some cases halve the period of time spent in training.

TheChamber of Commerce & Industry has criticised plans by the State Government to introduce a levy on major electricity producers and gas distributors to fund EnergySafety, a division of the Department of Con-sumer and Employment Protection.

Foundation Capital has completed a major restructuring that will narrow the Western Australian venture capital pioneer’s focus onto early-stage technology investments.

Pooled development fund euromicrocaps has joined AMP Capital Investors and the ANZ Bank’s private equity arm among the state’s active equity investors.

The administrators of EG Green Group are expected to receive up to four bids for the beef processor when final bids are lodged this Friday.

The number of Small Business Enterprise Centres in Western Australia has been cut from 35 to 26 and renamed the Small Business Centre Network, following a review and restructure by the State Government.

Spiralling construction costs have taken a mounting toll on planned resource projects in Western Australia. but the deferral of major projects could produce a good result by extending the state’s economic boom.

Perth's suburban dental laboratories have joined GPs, physiotherapy clinics and pathology labs as healthcare sectors to experience a major shake-up courtesy of a loss-making listed company.

Law firm Phillips Fox plans to fully integrate its Perth office into the national practice following the departure of about two thirds of its Perth staff.

A $5 million super computer established by Bentley company ISA Technologies will help a new research centre at Curtin University develop seismic technologies for mineral exploration.

Accountants, lawyers, real estate agents and jewellers will be among the many business groups affected by reporting and compliance obligations under planned anti-money laundering laws.

The shortage of skilled labour has affected most industries in Western Australia, and universities are no exception.

The planned merger of Curtin and Murdoch universities highlights the major changes facing Western Australia’s higher education sector. WA Business News convened a boardroom forum to discuss the current issues and future outlook for the state’s public universities.

As many businesses consider new ways of supporting university training in light of Western Australia’s growing skills crisis, the Fogarty Foundation is one organisation already doing something.

Western Australia’s universities have called on the State Government to take a more strategic role in guiding and supporting development of the sector.

Curtin University’s council and Murdoch University’s senate have been forced to defer meetings scheduled for this week to make an official decision on their merger because of delays with a merger feasibility report.

The State Government has signed a Native Title agreement with the traditional owners in the East Kimberley, which it hopes will pave the way for further development of the Ord River irrigation project.

Australia's universities are highly competitive, especially in their pursuit of research dollars, yet some of the best research occurs when they collaborate.

The hospitality sector has introduced a new ‘fast track’ training scheme that will be the envy of other industries struggling to cope with the shortage of skilled labour in Western Australia.

Belmont firm PCT Engineers has used its oil and gas expertise as a basis for diversifying into the defence sector, in partnership with east coast consulting firm Capability by Design.

A new technology float that is commercialising products developed in the US is working with Curtin University in Perth to research future developments.

Perth's Technology Park got an unexpected result when it invited the commercialisation experts from Perth’s four public universities to speak at its 20th anniversary conference last week.

The Royal Automobile Club of WA’s foray into the mortgage broking business has proved costly, with the group writing down the value of its broking arm by $4.3 million.

Financial services company Sealcorp is planning to hire an extra 45 technology staff in Perth, reinforcing its position as one of the biggest systems development houses in Western Australia.

Western Power has deferred the sale of Bright Telecommuni-cations after turning around the subsidiary’s financial performance by focusing on niche Internet services.

Software developer Chris Farquhar, who established WiredCity in Perth in 1999, has scored another success following his move to Silicon Valley in California.

Burswood-based automotive supplies cooperative Capricorn Society has continued its rapid growth with sales revenue jumping 16 per cent to $537.6 million in the year to June 2005.

Listed Perth company ORT Limited has signed a funding agreement with Perpetual Investment Management that it hopes will end a year-long halt to work at its flagship waste treatment project.

Twenty years after Technology Park was established as a research and development centre in Bentley, the State Government is preparing to spend $25 million developing what it calls a technology precinct in the area.