Property

THE Royalties for Regions scheme couldn't have come at a better time for the state's rural areas, with the list of infrastructure projects being developed helping cushion the regions from the worst of the economic downturn.

INCREASING demand for student housing has prompted a number of Perth universities to commit to expanding their on-campus accommodation.

HOPES of Perth throwing off its Dullsville tag once and for all have been dashed with the government's belt-tightening and its shift in priorities for key infrastructure projects.

SPECULATION over the status of Finbar's mixed-use development on the former Fairlanes Bowling site has been put to rest after the developer this week launched an off-the-plan sales campaign for the residential component.

The Subiaco Redevelopment Authority is free to develop the north-eastern corner of Subi Centro into a mixed use residentital and commercial space following approval from Planning Minister John Day.

Architect-design firm shows the value of a well-planned restoration in the heart of the city.

TWO real estate agency acquisitions in recent weeks could be a sign of increased activity in the sector, as business looks to rationalise their operations and gain economies of scale during the down cycle.

SMALL to medium-sized enterprises are frustrated that interest rates for business loans remain higher than loans in the residential sector.

Perth firm Christensen Vaughan will merge with the Perth operations of national legal firm Gadens Lawyers to form an expanded commercial legal practice in Western Australia.

Perth remains among the most expensive in the world for office accommodation, however, a new research report released by DTZ has forecast a decline in occupancy costs in the year ahead.

Belmont-based property developer Diploma Group has booked an interim net profit of $941,000, a dramatic fall from the previous corresponding period's profit of $4.8 million.

NEW research by the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA suggests the federal government's first home owner grant (FHOG) needs to remain in place for 18 months in order to effectively stimulate the market for the long term.

There’s unlikely to be a return to record low CBD vacancy rates any time soon.

THE long-awaited opening of the new Bishops See office building at 235 St Georges Terrace could set the tone for the move towards greener, more sustainable office buildings in Perth.

The state government will create a new director position to oversee the expansion of the Ord River irrigation scheme and associated community and social infrastructure in the east Kimberley.

The unwinding of the commodity and mining investment boom will take the lustre out of the Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland economies over the next few years, according to Access Economics, as the nation's economic backdrop continues t

Navitas has formed a new partnership with software companies Oracle and Delexian to implement applications for its financial services platform across the entire group.

South Hedland is set for a revamp after the government announced it has allocated $23 million from the royalties for regions fund for a redevelopment plan.

A new expert group has been established by the state government to guide the future expansion of Fremantle Port.

Building approvals in Western Australia have nearly halved over the past year as the latest January figures solidifies the property slump in the state.

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has denied its pre-budget submission to the state government includes a hit list of agencies it wants split or privatised.

This current down cycle is different from the others in terms of its speed and widespread impact.

Sales activity in the Perth CBD commercial market is gathering pace, as some real estate investment trusts look to sell assets and private investors scour for bargains.

TFS Corporation says it is on track to achieve at least 15 per cent growth in net cash earnings for the 2009 financial year as it today booked a $5.2 million half-year net profit after tax.

CHANGING market conditions have fuelled a trend towards strata property in the commercial sector, as owners respond by offering floors for sale as strata-titled stock to entice a growing number of financially constrained potential buyers.

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has named the Small Business Development Corporation, LandCorp and the state's eight port authorities as prime candidates for privatisation or review.

Aspen Group has reported an interim net loss of $42.8 million, taking a big hit from investment property revaluations and fair value adjustments for the reporting period.

Updated figures from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia confirm that Perth's housing prices underwent four consecutive quarterly falls in median price in 2008 - something not experienced since 1982.

A PH.D project at the University of Western Australia hopes to change the way houses in bushfire-prone areas are designed by developing a structure that can survive a fire without human intervention.

The falling Australian dollar has impacted Schaffer Corporation's bottom line with the industrial company today reporting a 42 per cent drop in its interim net profit.

THREE of Perth's major sporting facilities - Belmont Park, Gloucester Park and the WACA ground - are considering major property developments to fund upgrades and secure the financial viability of their various sports.

INDUSTRIAL leasing activity held strong amidst a dramatic fall in sales through 2008, with the lack of supply of larger warehouse-style premises supporting rental values.