Government

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has welcomed the state government's environmental nod for the development of Apache Corporation's Devil Creek gas plant, but says there is room for improvement in the approvals process.

The senior executive team at Wesfarmers has agreed to a salary freeze for two years and will forego individual bonuses potentially worth a collective $4.5 million.

A new beachside suburb accommodating for 1,000 homes in the City of Wanneroo has taken a step forward with amendments to the metropolitan region scheme tabled in parliament today.

Plans for a private port at Kwinana, backed by BGC boss Len Buckeridge, progressed today after Planning Minister John Day tabled planning scheme amendments to facilitate the reclassification of a waterway reservation to an industrial zone.

The average weekly wage in Western Australia has grown more than 6 per cent over the past year to $1,338, higher than the national average of $1,182.

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

TWO Western Australian quasi-government agencies will pocket almost $120,000 in funding under the federal government's Enterprise Connect's small grants round, designed for remote and regional small t

More than 40 directors have dropped off the WA Business News rich list during the past 12 months.

Questions are being raised over the government's plans for infrastructure.

THE building and construction sector has welcomed the state government's record capital works program, as the industry looks to the government to stimulate activity while private sector investment languishes.

State and federal budgets provide some welcome, but unexpected, outcomes.

As the state rushes to commit to a port at Oakajee, it would do well to heed the warnings of previous infrastructure arrangements.

RESIDENTIAL property developers and builders were big winners from state and federal budget initiatives, which will provide much-needed stimulus to the property industry.

CCIWA says the state deserved more from the federal budget, despite ports securing millions in funding.

Access to state government ministers seems reserved for a special few.

THERE weren't too many winners to emerge from the gloomy economic backdrop surrounding last week's federal and state budgets, but the small business sector has more to be pleased about than most.

If we are to have a carbon tax, it's important we get it right – first time.

THERE is growing speculation that some grain traders are considering establishing their own port-based grain loading facilities to take advantage of the deregulated export environment and challenge the monopoly of grains handler CBH.

LAST week, the Baltic Dry index, which is a benchmark measure for freight costs of bulk commodities including iron ore, coal and grains, rose 22.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA has thrown its support behind Treasurer Troy Buswell's wariness over plans to align occupational health and safety rules across all states.

Four Perth office buildings have been awarded nearly $2 million in government grants for 'green' upgrades though Western Australia gained only five per cent of the total grants.

Iluka Resources has received final regulatory approval for its $420 million Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands project in South Australia, which allows mining to begin.

The state government has recommended that Western Australia's minimum wage be increased by $19.50 a week to better reflect the increased cost of living.

Property developer Aspen Group has unveiled plans for a fully underwritten capital raising of more than $82 million, which will be used to "secure an enhanced senior debt facility".

TFS Corporation has formed a joint venture company with a United Arab Emirates investment firm, which will spruik investment in 200 hectares of new sandalwood plantations annually.

The state government has reiterated its concerns about elements of the proposed national Occupational Health and Safety Regime, saying it will be inferior to Western Australia's existing regime.

Reassuring news about housing and banking on Monday convinced investors to return to the US stockmarket.

Perth-based design director for Cox Howlett and Bailey Woodland, Steve Woodland, has today been appointed as the state's new government architect.

Gindlabie Metals says the timing of its Karara iron ore project will not be affected following the state budget's omission of an upgrade for the Perth to Geraldton transmission line.

Daylight saving should not be considered for another 20 years in Western Australia, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Babcock & Brown Power, owner of Alinta's retail assets, will realise $125 million from the release of an "onerous" contract but has revised down its operational earnings from $310 million to $270 million.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has again defended the government's decision to not release the State Infrastructure Strategy, saying its framewok needs to be revisited.