Transport & Logistics

Premier Colin Barnett says the final stage of the contentious Perth Freight Link will involve expanding Stirling Bridge and not digging a tunnel under the Swan River, although the federal government doesn't expect that to be necessary until at least the mid-2020s.

There's still no plan in sight to connect the controversial Perth Freight Link project to Fremantle Port, a Senate committee has heard.

SPECIAL REPORT: Contractors face hurdles as they bid for work with major companies, and suggest a more open approach might bring benefits.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has defended the airline's financial performance, saying it is outperforming its peers across Asia amid fierce competition on international routes due to lower oil prices.

The state government's estimate for the cost of a tunnel to complete Roe 9 has fallen dramatically since the option was first floated in 2014, according to documents obtained under freedom of information by Labor.

Virgin Australia's financial performance has been whacked by leisure and corporate travellers tightening their belts.

UPDATE: A snap inquiry into alleged breaches of environmental conditions at the Roe Highway extension project will be held next week, after a motion introduced to Parliament by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam was today backed by the Senate.

Previously secret documents regarding the planning of the Perth Freight Link were yesterday released by Main Roads after a recent order by the Information Commissioner, according to Labor North Metropolitan region candidate Alannah MacTiernan.

Shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt said he had no intention of raising taxes after the state election, while leaving wriggle room to do so, and declined to provide further details about how Labor's value capture proposal to partially pay for the Metronet rail package might affect residents living in proximity to stations.

New car sales in Western Australia have started the year on a sour note, with sales down more than 10 per cent in the first month of 2017.

The planned first stage of Labor's Metronet package with railway lines to Ellenbrook, Yanchep and Byford, and an additional line linking Cockburn and Thornlie, will have a price tag of $3 billion, according to costings announced today.

Tigerair Australia has permanently and immediately ended all flights between Australia and Bali, after failing to receive approvals from the Indonesian government.

The Royal Automobile Club of WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA have both welcomed an election pledge by Premier Colin Barnett to spend $520 million upgrading a freight rail line between Thornlie and Cockburn to enable passenger service.

December throughput was higher at the state's major north-west ports, with the Pilbara Ports Authority reporting nearly 60.5 million tonnes of cargo passing over its docks in the month, up 12 per cent on the same time in 2015.

The federal government will be sticking to its guns on the Roe 8 project, Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher affirmed today, saying the $1.2 billion committed by the Commonwealth to the project would not be reallocated.

US-based transport group Watco Companies is seeking further acquisitions and growth opportunities in Western Australia, after buying a majority shareholding in Intermodal Group and winning a contra

Drivers may want to fill up at the servo in coming days with Australian petrol prices set to surge.

The Roe 8 road project will be cancelled if the Labor Party wins the upcoming state election, opposition leader Mark McGowan said today, even though the government has already signed a contract for construction, with $236 million of funding to be re-allocated to three alternative roads.

From a modest industrial building in Willetton, newly rebadged investment company Diverseco has built a substantial national business through a series of targeted acquisitions.

The competition watchdog said today it planned to deny authorisation to a proposed partnership between Virgin Australia Holdings and Alliance Aviation Services because it would lessen competition in the West Australian market.

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has won a $22 million contract for a high speed passenger catamaran to be used in Germany, but it will be built in the Philippines.

Environmental advocates have lost the latest High Court application to stop the extension of Roe Highway through Beeliar Wetlands.

Alliance Aviation Services has extended its contract for the provision of its services to Hong Kong-based CITIC Pacific Mining's Sino Iron project in the Pilbara.

Western Australia experienced yet another horror month for new car sales, with the prospect of a last-minute turnaround to bring the year on par with 2015's poor result looking very unlikely.

Jetstar will stop automatically adding extras such as travel insurance to its customers' online bookings, as Australia's consumer watchdog looks to prevent travellers from paying unnecessary costs.

Fortescue Metals Group has recognised the family of chairman Andrew Forrest by naming four new very large ore carrier (VLOC) vessels after his wife and children.

Stevedoring industry veteran Chris Corrigan has announced he will retire as chairman of QUBE Holdings, saying the time is right as the logistics group enters a new phase.

The transport and logistics subsidiary of Perth-based, family-owned CFC Group has acquired McAleese Group's entire heavy haulage fleet for an undisclosed sum.

Automotive Holdings Group has reassured shareholders that its troubled refrigerated logistics business is on the mend, after releasing a trading update that showed lower profits.

Perth's growing traffic congestion woes have prompted the development of two new apps, both designed to make old methods of commuting easier and get drivers out of their cars.

Six south metropolitan councils are formalising a lobby group to push for development of an outer harbour near Kwinana as the March 2017 state election approaches.

The creators of Northbridge-based startup Stuck are hoping to bring uberfication to roadside assistance, with a new app to be launched soon that will match local mechanics with stranded drivers at the push of a button.