Infrastructure

Miner Jabiru Metals will be able to directly negotiate offtake contracts and has agreed to buy a partly constructed storage shed at the Geraldton Port following a restructure to an OZ Minerals agre

JUNIOR explorer BC Iron has finalised a company-making deal after it agreed to give up half of its Pilbara iron ore project in exchange for access to Fortescue Metals Group's port and rail facilities.

Some of the commentary on BHP, Rio and Chinalco has been hysterical.

Former managing director of Consolidated Minerals, Rod Baxter, has joined Perth-based engineering company Calibre Global as its new managing director.

The Esperance Port Authority (EPA) has accepted responsibility for its role in the 2007 lead contamination of the town, changing its plea to guilty in the Magistrates Court today.

BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto will set up a production joint venture comprising all of their iron ore assets in Western Australia, in a move expected to save them billions of dollars.

Aquila Resources has had a win in the Queensland Supreme Court case relating to its dispute with its joint venture partner in the West Pilbara iron ore project.

The state government's recently established Freight and Logistics Council has been given the task of assessing the contentious issue of upgrading grain transportation in Western Australia.

Has Perth missed its opportunity to deliver bold, city-making projects?

The trading halt in shares of BC Iron has been turned into a suspension, as the mining junior continues to negotiate the details of access to Fortescue Metals Group's rail and port facilities in the Pilbara.

Port Bouvard is the latest property developer to branch out into funds management after receiving a financial services license by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

A merger between generator Verve Energy and retailer Synergy is still on the cards with Premier Colin Barnett expected to make an announcement in the next couple of months.

Minemakers has entered into a port access agreement with the Darwin Port Corporation for its $100 million Wonarah phosphate project in the Northern Territory.

Coal and wind power are predicted to dominate new electricity generation projects in WA.

While there's agreement on the need for action, those involved in grain transportation are divided on how to proceed.

KEN Bowron (pictured) has been appointed as the new statutory head of EnergySafety WA. Mr Bowron was previously the general manager of regional businesses at Western Power.

A STUDY investigating the impact of the resources sector on the Pilbara's road transport network has labelled the state government's planning "inadequate", and concluded that the lack of a Pilbara freight transport strategy could put future mini

The first ever national audit of the resources export chain has found key infrastructure shortfalls in Western Australia's $59 billion minerals and energy sector.

Paladio Group has confirmed a $57 million contract to design and construct an accommodation village in Port Hedland for BHP Billiton.

Property developer Port Bouvard has agreed to sell its landholding at Lot 105 Old Coast Road Dawesville for $4.5 million to an undisclosed purchaser with settlement in financial year 2010.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

THE state government has established a working group to review energy infrastructure options in the Mid West after its surprise decision to defer the upgrade of the transmission line to Geraldton.

Shares in Atlas Iron have risen after the miner announced a five-fold resource increase at its Wodgina iron ore project near Port Hedland.

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

The government has committed to a $23.8 billion capital works program over the next four years - an increase on the $18.5 billion spent over the past four years - with a record $8.3 billion to be spent in 2009-10.

While the federal government's decision to invest in significant WA infrastructure projects has been welcomed, a business lobby group says the state's importance to the nation's economy has been undersold.

The federal government has allocated $236 million for the sinking of the Northbridge rail line as part of the $8 billion Building Australia fund, while the Fiona Stanley hospital will receive $255 million.