Infrastructure

Trans-shipment has been floated as a solution to capacity constraints at bulk export ports in the state’s north.

Premier Colin Barnett has taken aim at Labor leader Mark McGowan, accusing him of being cheap and tacky over a proposal to sell stadium naming rights.

Infrastructure and mining services group Downer has agreed to buy New Zealand builder Hawkins for an undisclosed sum, as it expands operations in the Pacific nation.

Drivers will be able to turn left on red lights at 10 intersections across Perth under a trial announced by Liberal Transport Minister Bill Marmion if the party is re-elected next Saturday.

Could the state government solve the political headache created by the freight congestion at Fremantle, set up the state’s future as significant trading hub, and make a big profit on privatisation all at the same time? One local infrastructure expert certainly thinks so.

Shares in mining and civil contractor Brierty have tumbled 23 per cent today despite the company announcing a $3.8 million net profit for the six months to December, which the company said was above guidance.

Premier Colin Barnett has rejected calls to release the latest costings for the Roe 9 stage of the contentious Perth Freight Link project, saying it would undermine the tender process.

There’s been a big rise in the exercise of contract termination for convenience clauses in the past four years, according to Jackson McDonald lead partner of projects, infrastructure and construction Basil Georgiou.

National hire equipment supplier Kennards Hire has acquired a Belmont-based company that offers similar services for an undisclosed sum.

ANALYSIS: Both Colin Barnett and Mark McGowan wisely avoided making big spending commitments when they launched their formal election campaigns on Sunday.

Perth-based private utility Water West has received Economic Regulation Authority approval to roll out water recycling at a new land development near Pinjarra.

The company building the national broadband network, NBN Co, says the number of homes and businesses connected to the network is now 1.6 million - double the same time a year ago.

A marina in Perth's north is a sure thing after the WA Liberals pledged $105 million to its development, weeks after Labor committed $40 million to a similar project.

Local engineering and construction group Valmec has won a $5.4 million contract for work on DBP Development Group’s Tubridgi gas storage facility near Onslow, which will be the largest in Western Australia when completed.

Congested roads are becoming a way of life for many residents of Bunbury as visitors from the north clog the city’s arterial roads on weekend trips to and from the South West.

SPECIAL REPORT: Two Perth mayors have more at stake than most if the controversial Roe 8 contract is ripped up, having both devoted decades fighting on opposite sides of the debate.

Fremantle council has passed a motion to support concerts raising funds to help pay the legal fees of those protesting against the Perth Freight Link project.

Work has started on a $70 million expansion of the Busselton-Margaret River regional airport, after Ertech and Arup were awarded contracts for development of the project.

Decmil Group has substantially cut its revenue forecasts for the current financial year due to delays in recent contract wins, while suffering further losses at a Victorian construction project.

The iconic Dingo Flour mill in North Fremantle is coming under new ownership after Graincorp and Cargill Australia agreed to sell their Allied Mills Australia joint venture to private equity group Pacific Equity Partners.

The state government has awarded an $11.5 million contract to Universal Constructions for development of the replacement Doubleview Primary School, while other local builders have shared in $26.7 million worth of work.

Rail operator Aurizon has taken a $321 million hit from write-downs and charges but has maintained its full-year guidance for underlying earnings.

A subsidiary of Spanish-controlled CIMIC Group will build the final stage of the $1.12 billion Northlink WA roads project, with the state government awarding the last unassigned portion of work today.

The head contractor building the new Perth Children’s Hospital dropped a bombshell this morning, with the project’s manager saying the company is not responsible for the lead-contaminated water, and that water being delivered to the site already contains the harmful  metal.

ANALYSIS: Politics is getting in the way of timely and cost-efficient delivery of much-needed major projects.

Western Australian police say they have arrested 30 people this morning for disrupting land clearing works as bulldozers moved in on the controversial Roe 8 highway extension project.

Colin Barnett has criticised protesters for disrupting the government's Roe 8 project, saying they were refusing to accept the courts' decisions and did not deserve sympathy.

Hong Kong investor CKI will be hoping the federal government approves its $7.3 billion takeover bid for DUET Group if the energy utility operator's shareholders back the deal.

Business News sat down to lunch at Julio’s with the CEO and managing director of Decmil Group, Scott Criddle, who says building relationships is an important part of his role.

The state government has committed $37 million to an ambitious desalination and irrigation project in the South West that is led by Perth business executive Peter Fogarty and will cost an estimated $380 million.

Plans for a new section of Great Northern Highway will be progressed by Main Roads after the state government gave its nod for a bypass of Bindoon.

A joint venture between BGC Contracting and Laing O'Rourke has been confirmed as the successful bidder for a $417 million contract to deliver the second stage of the Northlink WA roads project.