Mark Beyer

UPDATED: The federal government has declined to provide co-funding for two irrigation projects in Western Australia’s South West that were expected to trigger a total investment of $460 million and create 1,500 jobs, after an expert panel found the WA government did not fully address the assessment criteria.

A dispute over Indian sandalwood producer Santanol Group has pitted 21 Western Australian investors, led by forestry veterans Bob Bunning and Tony Jack, against private equity giant KKR and its local representatives, including Jock Clough and incoming Wesfarmers executive Ed Bostock.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss South West irrigation schemes, sandalwood, NRW, and Lawleys, plus power and energy.

Woodside Petroleum chief executive Peter Coleman said today that changes to the ownership of the North West Shelf Venture would be a natural progression as it became an infrastructure asset servicing offshore gas fields.

A long-running dispute between Karara Mining and DM Civil over a contract originally worth $26 million has highlighted the extraordinary gulf that often arises between project developers and contractors when their relationship sours.

Steel fabrication workshops on the Kwinana industrial strip have secured some big contracts.

Rail freight operator Aurizon has announced the closure of its Forrestfield terminal by the end of the year, as part of a national restructure that will result in the loss of 250 jobs.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Woodside’s Fifo project, contrary views in the nickel sector, Jimmy Wilson’s lateral move, Port Hedland’s dust issue and small business.

This week’s announcement that First Quantum Minerals plans to close its Ravensthorpe nickel mine, at a cost of 450 jobs, has overshadowed several positive developments in the nickel sector.

The Supreme Court has ordered the winding-up of the company behind a successful, well-established trucking business after a complete breakdown in relations between founding directors Ken Shepherd and Tony Maddever.

The fledgling B Corporation movement is attracting diverse backers, from ASX-listed companies to mutuals and private businesses in WA.

Woodside Petroleum is hoping to win state government backing for a new 700-bed fly-in, fly-out camp at Karratha, after selecting a consortium led by Multiplex and Compass Group to build, own and operate the facility.

SPECIAL REPORT: Two senior recruits reflect the growing size and changing focus of the Perth-based online business.

SPECIAL REPORT: Perth tech entrepreneur Guy Holmes launched his fifth business last month, partnering with a global giant to improve data storage.

Henderson company Civmec has won the steel fabrication contract for the Swan River pedestrian bridge at Burswood, with the government hopeful the bridge will be completed in time for the start of next year’s AFL season.

The push for increased local content on big projects appears to be paying dividends, with Rio Tinto announcing a $70 million order for port equipment and local businesses Civmec and Doina Construction and Engineering undertaking work for coal and gold projects.

Construction company Built has found itself in an unwanted legal and contractual predicament, after a computer glitch led to it making what it says was an accidental $565,000 overpayment to sub-contractor C&L Ceilings.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss office vacancies, Richardson Hotel, Mandogalup, residential housing, David Flanagan and home grown tech heroes.

The Supreme Court has ordered privately owned mining company Global Advanced Metals to open its books to a minority shareholder, despite the shareholder being a competitor, a litigation adversary in the US, and having a chief executive who was found to have carelessly handled confidential information supplied earlier this year.

ASX-listed Carnegie Clean Energy is evaluating three sites for the initial deployment of its CETO 6 wave power technology, including Albany and Cornwall, after it was confirmed today its Garden Island microgrid project will initially not include wave power.

Perth-based contractor Georgiou has added to its portfolio of east coast construction work, winning work on the Pacific Hwy upgrade in northern NSW.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss the $A, Richard Goyder, egg producers, a Perth venture capital pioneer passes away, and arts and culture.

Renewable energy company WestGen has moved close to proceeding with WA’s second new solar farm this year, after appointing key contractors for its $75 million Byford project.

Oil and gas producer Santos has recruited former Nido Petroleum and BHP Petroleum executive Philip Byrne, who will take over from retiring executive vice-president John Anderson.

Companies investing in research and development have access to an increasingly competitive new source of finance.

Conrad Crisafulli, who was one of the pioneers of venture capital investing and technology commercialisation in Western Australia, has died after a long illness.

Building products company CSR has closed its Jandakot glass factory resulting in the loss of 58 jobs, though growth by competitors including Walshs Glass and Tough Glass will mitigate the impact.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss FMG's native title stoush, trucking sector restructuring, Quintis drama, economic update, honey, and the onshore oil and gas sector. 

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation will seek compensation from Fortescue Metals Group after the Federal Court recognised it has exclusive rights over Pilbara land where the company operates the Solomon hub.

PSC Insurance Group has bought National Franchise Insurance Brokers in a deal worth up to $1.2 million, two months after the Subiaco-based firm was placed into administration.

Privately-owned mining equipment supplier Nepean Conveyors is aiming to expand its manufacturing operations in Perth after buying the global conveyor business of Swedish company Sandvik.

SPECIAL REPORT: Perth companies Macmahon Holdings and ASG Group have illustrated how contested takeover deals can deliver unexpected outcomes.