A MID-DECADE housing industry boom in Australia, fuelled by an ultimately destabilising rate of population growth, diverts scarce resources, including funds, away from much more productive sectors of the economy.
LEIGHTON Holdings Ltd has emerged as one of the most active buyers of small Western Australian businesses in the past year, paying more than $22 million for three service organisations that expanded its footprint in Perth and the South West.
THE state could have been up to $2 billion better off if the Carpenter government had actively pursued renewable energy projects at the start of the decade, according to WA Sustainable Energy Association chief executive Ray Wills.
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.
The state's economic boom could turn into substantially higher electricity prices next year as Western Power submits its proposals to the Economic Regulation Authority to increase tariffs.
The Australian stock market has clocked up its second-worst trading day for the year, closing down 5 per cent to its lowest point in three-years as panic selling engulfs markets around the world due to growing fears about the global financial crisis.
The former Western Australian government's $37 million investment into streamlining the state's resource approval process has largely failed, according to a report by the Auditor General.
Engineering company Neptune Marine Services Ltd has finalised a $35 million acquisition of its second offshore construction vessel, with $7 million worth of contracts already locked in.
Backflip on Varanus may see state government gag report findings; Crisis sparks bank shake-up; Pilbara workers to strike; Investors hammer oil giants on global worries; Banks turn to fund for cheap cash
Toronto-listed Waratah Coal Ltd has urged its shareholders to take no action against a hostile bid by acquisitive billionaire Clive Palmer, who recently launched a takeover for a Western Australian iron ore play.
Engineering firm Clough Ltd has secured a further $20 million in work for its vessel, Normand Clipper in the Gulf of Mexico for Apache Corporation and Oceaneering International.
The state environment watchdog has recommended a proposal by the Water Corporation for the development of a desalination plant at Binningup, with the final nod of approval now needed from new Environment Minister Donna Faragher.
Varanus gas blast a $2b blow to WA; Recession fears increase; Shareholders target boards in executive pay revolt; ANZ readies axe over troubled lending arm; Top China official in warning on BHP-Rio tie
The credit crunch sweeping global markets is buffeting the property sector in Western Australia, with major developer Brookfield Multiplex denying rumours that the $1 billion office tower City Square was in jeopardy.
Energy retailer Synergy has rejected claims by the Food Industry Association that it engaged in price gouging following the gas explosion at Varanus Island in June.
South-Perth based Cooper Energy Ltd today said its hostile takeover bid for Incremental Petroleum Ltd could become ugly if Incremental's board acts against its shareholders' wishes and refuses the unsolicited takeover offer.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has told a Senate inquiry into the Varanus Island gas explosion the approvals process has made the state's energy supply structure vulnerable.
Despite there being no firm launch date for the mutualisation of $9 billion fund manager GESB, a seven-member board has been unveiled that includes the who's who of the corporate world.
Former managing director of Woodside's green energy subsidiary Metasource, Richard Beresford, has been appointed to the board of West Perth-based energy company Green Rock Energy Ltd.
Disgruntled shareholder Power United Ltd has stepped up its calls to remove the board of Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd after it formalised a $250 million deal to acquire a stake in an African iron ore project.
WESTERN Australia formally lost its bid to host a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas plant on Friday, with Japanese company Inpex Ltd and project partner Total E&P Australia announcing Dar
NATIONALS WA's Royalties for Regions plan, which is now a key element of the new government's policy platform, is going to be a true test for Colin Barnett and his team as they manage the state's finances.
RALLIES on global markets last week were a direct result of short covering and some over-exuberance by a few who have not yet lost all their investments or hope.
TORO Energy Ltd has clarified statements last week that it was among the top five most likely uranium project contenders in Western Australia to move to commercial fruition.
MALAGA-BASED Complete Site Services is set to become Western Australia's newest player in the transportable mining accommodation sector, having being awarded a $65 million contract to supply and install a camp for 801 workers at Fortescue Metals Group's H
MINERAL and petroleum commodities dominate Western Australian exports, with iron ore alone accounting for almost one-third of the state's total exports.
THE timber industry has incurred major losses and continues to struggle as a result of the state's gas crisis following the explosion at Varanus Island.
FORTESCUE Metals Group Ltd is closer to gaining access to Pilbara railways, after last week’s High Court decision that some tracks were not part of BHP Billiton’s production process.
THERE was something almost surreal about events last Friday when Western Australia lost the country's single largest resources project as the rest of the world trembled over the fallout from the global financial crisis.
