Infrastructure

West Perth-based Polaris Metals NL has turned its attention to the Esperance port as it looks for larger alternatives to export iron ore from its Yilgarn project.

A subsidiary of VDM Group Ltd has secured a near $6 million contract from Cemex for works in the Pilbara.

WITH energy issues firmly fixed on the public agenda after the events in recent months, the time is right for the development of a state energy policy which, at its heart, has a vision for Western Australia's development to 2050 and beyond.

WESTERN Australians spend an estimated $300 million on sporting events each year, which has given rise to a dynamic and growing industry.

Perth-based Axiom Properties Ltd has refinanced its Port Geographe residential subdivision project with St George Bank, which will provide a $100 million construction finance solution.

Port Bouvard Ltd chairman Michael Perrot and managing director Ross Neumann are set to stand down in the middle of next year.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy said new investments in the wholesale electricity generation market will be put at risk if Premier Colin Barnett pursues a re-amalgamation of Synergy and Verve Energy.

State opposition leader Eric Ripper says the state runs the risk of higher electricity prices if Premier Colin Barnett pushes ahead with the re-amalgamation of Verve Energy and Synergy.

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'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 state corruption watchdog has recommended that former deputy of the resources department, Gary Stokes, be prosecuted after finding he engaged in serious misconduct for supplying information to disgraced former premier Brian Burke.

THE expansion of existing iron ore projects, and the commissioning of new mines, is expected to increase pressure on the Pilbara's already squeezed port and rail infrastructure.

WESTERN Australia's major shipping and transport stakeholders are cooperating closely to ensure smooth sailing at the Fremantle Ports this coming Christmas period.

Labor shortages, infrastructure and climate change are three key topics the state business lobby group is urging the Premier Colin Barnett to raise at tomorrow's Council of Australian Governments meeting.

Golden West Resources Ltd will spend over $11 million subscribing to shares in Yilgarn Infrastructure Ltd in a bid to secure the construction of a railway from its iron ore project to the Oakajee port.

US-based machinery group Terex Australia has signed a design and construct deal with Perth Airport to establish its new WA headquarters on a four hectare site at the airport's Kewlink intermodal business park.

Western Australia has formally lost its bid to host a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas plant, with Japanese company Inpex Ltd today announcing Darwin as its preferred site.

THE CBD will face a power shortfall in 2010 unless Western Power installs $100 million worth of new electrical infrastructure to cater for the increased demand on the grid from new office and apartment buildings.

Rio Tinto and its partners will invest up to $300 million upgrading the town Pannawonica as it develops its $1 billion Mesa A/Warramboo iron ore project.

Sinosteel Corporation's appetite for the Mid West region has been capped by the federal government, which granted the Chinese steelmaker up to a 49.9 per cent interest in Murchison Metals Ltd.

Murchison Metals Ltd has posted a full year net profit of $56 million for the 2008 financial year, a turnaround from the previous year's loss of $45 million.

WHILE the Pilbara may be the centre of the state's resources industry, developers are also realising the region's tourism potential with a number of hotel developments planned over the coming years.

Oil and gas services companies see an abundance of opportunities in WA, but local firms aren’t assured of winning the work.

Grylls grants Barnett tenuous grip on power; Yilgarn clings to berth hope at Oakajee; Qantas pilots reject pay proposal; Lehman on brink as Fed steps in; Bank breaks rank on emissions

FOR much of 2007, iron was the mineral of choice for speculators.Companies like Midwest, Atlas, and Sundance Resources all rose like phoenixes out of the ashes, with paper fortunes made and more recently lost, as share prices tumbled. During this time, ma

Continued strong growth in iron ore and gas projects in the Pilbara has underpinned WA's economic growth.

THE growth in major resources and infrastructure projects in Western Australia has fuelled the expansion of local engineering firms, led by industry giant WorleyParsons.

The growth of state's iron ore province in the Mid West has been a lot slower than many companies had predicted, with some of the massive projects set to change the face of the region yet to get under way.

VIRGIN Blue Airlines' announcement late last month that it would significantly expand its presence in Western Australia with the launch of two new destinations - Karratha and Newman - has significantly increased the level of competition in what is a very

Maddington-based civil contractor Brierty Ltd has signed a letter of intent with iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group for further major earthworks at its port development at Port Hedland in the Pilbara.

IT'S the one issue that comes up time and again, in boardrooms and business forums across Western Australia.

Uranium mining, nuclear waste dumps and genetically modified foods barely rated as significant political issues when the state election was called last month, yet they have become major issues as the campaign has unfolded.