Special Reports

Business dynasties are relatively hard to find in youthful WA.

Our inaugural Business Dynasties feature analyses WA’s oldest family businesses, including some that have been running for more than 100 years, profiles Bob and Gavin Bunning 20 years after their family business was bought by Wesfarmers, and looks at the role of ‘outsiders’ like Neil Hamilton, Michael Smith and Ian Cochrane in some of WA’s most notable family enterprises. Also, see our new WA Business Dynasties list.

The completion of a $65 million infrastructure upgrade at Fremantle harbour is designed to boost the amount of freight carried on rail, but the key players are coy on how much difference the recent investment will make.

A unique partnership is slowly transforming life on the open road.

Regional communities are putting pressure on the WA government and Brookfield Rail to re-open the third tier of the freight network.

Not long after Melbourne-based Blue Tongue was launched in 2001 its founder, Tully Young, recognised that Western Australia had a transport industry skills shortage – so he moved himself and almost half his business to Perth.

When the HMAS Toowoomba leaves Cockburn Sound on deployments as far away as the Middle East, maritime logistics officer Kelly Haywood is in charge of making sure the vessel has everything it needs to make the journey and accomplish the mission.

Our annual Transport and Logistics feature discusses the role of a maritime logistics officer, how a business caters to a skills shortage in the transport industry, the tier 3 rail lines, training for truck drivers in the Pilbara, and the recent completion of the Fremantle harbour rail upgrade.

Companies are making a strong push to improve support for fly-in, fly-out employees.

The conversation around mental health in the workplace is focusing on employees, but what about their managers?

Not-for-profit groups are taking advantage of the increased focus on health and wellness.

Workplace injury rates in WA have fallen despite the heavy influx of workers to construction projects. In fact, mining is behind retail trade in terms of injuries.

Our annual Well@Work feature discusses the need for health and wellness programs for employees, the trend in injury rates in WA, mental health among FIFO employees and how not-for-profit groups have recognised the importance of workplace wellness.

Moral and economic factors have driven employers to take on the responsibility for a physically healthy workforce – tackling mental health in the workplace is their new challenge.

Only time will tell if the sector has reached a point where it is unstoppable.

Developers are tipping the next wave of demand for apartment projects to come from two very disparate demographics – baby boomers close to retirement and generation Ys looking to get on the first rung of the property ladder.

The state government has been praised for its commitment to planning reform, but local governments are being urged to get on board.

Sales and rentals of established apartments in Perth’s inner city are stalling as the rollout of new stock intensifies.

Our annual Apartment Developers feature discusses the oversupply debate of apartments in Perth's inner city, the government's proposed changes to strata titles, and the next wave of demand for apartment projects.

The top end of the accounting profession in Western Australia has nearly doubled in size over the past decade, whereas the state’s major law firms have recorded minimal growth, according to employment data compiled by Business News.

The state’s healthcare and social services sectors are in for another decade of rapid change, industry leaders say, after growing employee numbers by more than 60,000 during the past 10 years.

Western Australia is feeling the effects of recent changes to workplace relations law, with 457 visa restrictions causing skills shortages in niche markets and a high level of industrial activity.

Our annual Biggest Employers feature has the latest BNiQ data on employment trends in WA, including the companies that are expanding and those that are shrinking, and in-depth analysis of what's happening in mining, construction, health care, accounting, law and other industries.

Kerry Stokes is one of Australia’s wealthiest and most private business leaders, but that has changed with the release of two biographies in two years. However conspicuous gaps in what we know about his deals and erstwhile partners remain.

The combined wealth of WA’s richest public company directors fell by around $3 billion in the past year, but some individuals bucked the trend.

Two long-term Perth franchises are hoping to embrace opportunities in WA's changing economy.

Small businesses have developed unique incentives to win staff over larger competition.

The small business sector has had some significant wins of late. Our 4-page special report analyses the issues facing small business, profiles two franchise groups expanding in WA and looks at unique incentive programs for staff.

WA’s higher education providers are benefiting from strong growth in Asia, but are facing increased competitive pressure.

Chinese demand continues to drive export growth in Western Australia, with more than 57 per cent ($6.2 billion) of the state’s $10.9 billion of goods exports in August bought by China.

Niche production of quality exports might be the future for high-cost sectors of WA’s agribusiness industry.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum is seeking to recover about $11 million in unpaid royalties amid producer disquiet about possible royalty rate increases.