Special Reports

Kimberley Diamonds’ spin-off exploration company Blina Diamonds is hoping to raise $10.4 million through an initial public offering.West Perth-based Blina is looking to issue 34.

With Argyle’s future at the crossroads new players are providing some junior sparkle to WA’s third biggest royalty generating sector, diamond production. Alison Birrane and Jim Hawtin report.

About 30 years ago, the Ellendale diamond prospects in the West Kimberley launched Australia’s first diamond boom.

INTERIOR AWARD 

In the year of the built environment (YBE), the WA Royal Institute of Architects awards have a special significance in recognising design that reflects the capacity to affect the way that Western Australians live, work, play and interact with their enviro

At least 10 new power stations are likely to be built in Western Australia over coming years to cope with growing electricity demand and the retirement of existing units.

 MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL AWARD 

SINGLE RESIDENTIAL AWARD (joint) Odden Rodrigues for Avalon House.

In 2000, the Hawaiian Property Group approached Jones Coulter Young to undertake a feasibility study to consider a range of options for 182 St Georges Terrace.

Western Power is planning to hire gas turbines from overseas this year to ensure it can supply enough electricity to Perth during the hot summer months.

HERITAGE COUNCIL CONSERVATION AWARD 

SINGLE RESIDENTIAL AWARD (joint) 

An unlimited supply of cheap water has long been touted as one of the great attractions of the Ord River project, but the reality is not so simple.

The State Government is hoping a report due this month will help to kick start much-needed expansion of the Ord River project. Mark Beyer reports.

Cotton comeback?

The Dobson family and investment manager Rewards Group are relatively new to the Ord River irrigation area but together they are well on the way to having a big impact.

Sugar miller keen to grow 

TONY van Merwyk is passionate about his work.

FOR the second year running, Perth’s corporate lawyers provided a closely run contest in WA Business News’ Legal Elite survey.

THE past 12 months has been a busy and interesting period for Hunt & Humphry partner Michael Hunt, who has been ranked by his peers as the top mining lawyer in Western Australia for the second year in a row.

THROUGHOUT his career Wayne Martin has had the knack of being in the right place at the right time, and this year he positioned himself perfectly to win the barristers’ section in the WA Business News Legal Elite.

A RUNNER-UP in last year’s WA Business News Legal Elite survey, Mallesons Stephen Jaques partner John Naughton has gone one better in 2004, ranking as the top banking and finance lawyer in Perth.

RICHARD Norton and Chris Smailes are just a few weeks away from celebrating the 10th anniversary of their boutique law firm Nortorn & Smailes.

IN the early 1980s, when Jon Carson was a young solicitor, he started working on the financing and construction of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.

SETTING up a new law firm has clearly done nothing to dent the professional standing of Lee Christensen, who has been ranked the State’s top insolvency lawyer for the second year running.

COMMERCIAL litigation is a term falling out of favour with many lawyers, who prefer the more diplomatic term ‘dispute resolution’.

TREVOR O’Sullivan’s love of the law started at an early age.

APART from the Legal Elite scattered across these pages, WA Business News would like to acknowledge another winner.

TECHNOLOGY and Industry Advisory Council spokesman Rob Meecham told those at the WA Business News luncheon that access to existing telecommunications infrastructure already in the ground remained problematic as it was too costly for businesses to access.

AUSTRALIAN Telecommunications Users Group national director Walter Green said there had been a significant cost reduction in the delivery of fibre to homes in the first half of last year.