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Small to medium enterprises are sticking with the safety of the big four banks, which have increased their market share in the increasingly competitive market for small business deposits, new figures show.

Four WA companies involved in environmental management, nickel mining and genetically modified crops have received nearly $1.3 million under the latest round of federal government Climate Ready grants.

The impact of the federal government's roll back of the first home owners boost has affected Western Australia the most, where mortgage volumes slumped 35.5 per cent in October, new figures show.

Wesfarmers has today approved a $286 million expansion of its Curragh coal mine in Queensland after striking an agreement with Stanwell Corporation.

West Perth-based Cauldron Energy has secured $10 million from Chinese investors to ramp up exploration at its suite of uranium assets in Australia and Argentina.

The state government will immediately provide the St John Ambulance Service WA (SJA) with more than $1 million in funding following the recommendations of the independent inquiry into the safety and quality of SJA's clinical practices released today.

The Assistant Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia has joined other finanical experts in suggesting the Asian region had been largely insulated from the economic downturn and would aggressively outperform other global economies in the medium term.

Western Australia's largest private sector employer, Wesfarmers, has launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) targeting employment and community engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Liquefied Natural Gas Limited's share purchase plan has been completed, raising almost $18 million, bringing the company's cash position to some $55 million.

Education services provider Navitas has secured a memorandum of understanding with Charles Darwin University, enhancing the company's global presence to develop further educational programs.

Mid-West magnetite hopeful Asia Iron Holdings is targeting a 2012 production start at its flagship $2 billion Extension Hill project near Geraldton, after securing a major state-owned Chinese partner for the venture.

Sundance Resources has raised $85 million from international institutional investors to complete a definitive feasibility study of its Mbalam Project, including mine, process, transport and port infrastructure and also provide general working capital.

Shares in West Perth-based Regis Resources remained steady in trading today following the announcement of a $45 million debt facitlity the company will use to develop its $73 million Duketon gold project.

Shares in Territory Resources have fallen eight per cent in morning trade after the company announced it has agreed to sell its stake in India Resources, as it moves to cut its debt.

An increased flow of credit into the housing sector, apparently due to a last minute rush by first home buyers to secure the full benefit of a more generous housing grant, looks likely to generate a boost to the economy.

Victoria Park-based Tectonic Resources says it Phillips River gold-copper project near Ravensthorpe will cost $125 million to develop.

The state's median land price has surged 11 per cent in the September quarter, while house prices rose 2.2 per cent to a median of $460,000, new final figures from the Real Estate Institute of WA show.

Cedar Woods Properties says it will restart its interim dividend next year after it tipped a $12.5 million full year profit for 2009/10 on the back of a strengthening residential property market.

The federal government has announced it will deliver a free superannuation clearing house service for small businesses with less than 20 employees through Medicare Australia.

The state's leading business lobby organisation said problems such as severe labour shortages, a lack of affordable housing, and infrastructure bottlenecks will hamper the state from realising its full economic potential.

Premier Colin Barnett has turned the first sod at Galaxy Resources' new lithium mine site to the delight of neighbouring Ravensthorpe locals who he said were dealt a hard blow earlier in the year by the closure of the BHP Billiton nickel operation.

West Perth-based Northern Iron has further strengthened its relationship with Sinosteel, signing a spot sales contract to sell iron ore to the Chinese market.

Azumah Resources has raised more than $4 million through an oversubscribed share placement as part of its push to fast-track exploration and development at its Wa gold project in Ghana.

The University of Western Australia has agreed to pay Sirtex Medical $3.25 million to cover costs relating to an intellectual property matter involving Dr Bruce Gray.

New vehicle sales in Western Australia slumped 11 per cent in October as national sales rose for the first time in 16 months in a further sign that the economy is on a recovery path, new figures show.

The competition watchdog has given its final approval to the Gorgon gas project partners to jointly market gas sales to the Western Australian market, despite protests it will drive gas prices higher.

Tim Moore has just completed his second successful private equity deal with a low-profile Perth software company.

PERTH architect Peter Hunt has won numerous awards over the years, but his latest was perhaps the most surprising.

THE owners of two Perth office buildings have been awarded grants under the federal government's Green Building Fund for upgrades to make them more environmentally efficient.

CONTRADICTORY recent indices measuring home values have somewhat muddied the price direction of Perth’s residential property market.

Pizza master to open new business on the site of a Leederville favourite. Russell Quinn reports.

Having taken swift action to limit the effects of the GFC, the government must now focus on future opportunities.