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THE downturn in Western Australia's property sector has produced an increase in property repossessions and home loan arrears in the state, according to a report from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

IT has been a tough past few months for companies looking for extra cash, with the surge in market volatility causing investors to further tighten the purse strings.

MALAGA-BASED Complete Site Services is set to become Western Australia's newest player in the transportable mining accommodation sector, having being awarded a $65 million contract to supply and install a camp for 801 workers at Fortescue Metals Group's H

THE timber industry has incurred major losses and continues to struggle as a result of the state's gas crisis following the explosion at Varanus Island.

OFFICE fit-outs using energy-efficient designs and quirky layouts were recognised at this year's Design Institute of Australia WA design awards.

FORTESCUE Metals Group Ltd is closer to gaining access to Pilbara railways, after last week’s High Court decision that some tracks were not part of BHP Billiton’s production process.

While the state continues on its record run with $68 billion in exports, three big resource sector producers dominate the field.

RALLIES on global markets last week were a direct result of short covering and some over-exuberance by a few who have not yet lost all their investments or hope.

WESTERN Australia formally lost its bid to host a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas plant on Friday, with Japanese company Inpex Ltd and project partner Total E&P Australia announcing Darwin

Brockman Resources Ltd has signed a native title agreement over its Pilbara iron ore project, putting it on track to achieve first production late next year.

Perth-based InterStaff Recruitment Ltd has been awarded an 'on hire labour agreement' by the federal government, allowing it to bring overseas workers into Australian in more than 60 occupations.

House values in Perth have suffered the largest drop compared to national figures, falling almost 6 per cent in the past year, according to latest statistics from the RP Data/Rismark International index.

Premier Colin Barnett has reportedly given a strong indication that the government would consider sacking the entire Cockburn City Council if its mayor, Stephen Lee, does not resign.

Longstanding CBH Group chief executive Imre Mencshelyi has announced his decision to retire in April next year after 42 years with the Perth-based grain handler.

Perth-based Homeloans Ltd has announced that its managing director Brian Jones will step down, two months before his contract expires, as the group deals with the sub-prime impact on its warehouse funding.

Balcatta-based Perseus Mining Ltd has estimated capital costs for its gold project in Ghana to cost $220 million as the definitive feasibility study remains on track for completion in April next year.

Brisbane-based Norton Gold Fields Ltd will move to acquire the remaining shares in West Perth-based Bellamel Mining Ltd after its friendly takeover offer closed yesterday.

Labor shortages, infrastructure and climate change are three key topics the state business lobby group is urging the Premier Colin Barnett to raise at tomorrow's Council of Australian Governments meeting.

The rescue of BankWest parent, HBOS plc, could be in jeopardy after the value of its shares plunged yesterday, prompting fears that white knight Lloyds TSB could be paying too much for the takeover.

Perth-based IT services provider ASG Group Ltd will expand its presence in the Queensland market with a $3 million acquisition of A-DB Group.

Iron ore miner Territory Resources Ltd has reported a full year net loss of $48.5 million, with over $40 million of that attributed to asset impairments and investments in collapsed Monarch Gold Mining Company Ltd and Matilda Minerals Ltd.

US failure shocks markets; Reserve poised to cut rates; Emissions deal 'crucial' to economic future; China could be dragged down; NAB unveils $400m hit as global markets dive

Mount Gibson Iron Ore Ltd has today confirmed that is not involved in any discussions with any parties concerning a takeover.

Golden West Resources Ltd will spend over $11 million subscribing to shares in Yilgarn Infrastructure Ltd in a bid to secure the construction of a railway from its iron ore project to the Oakajee port.

Brokerage Hartleys has upgraded its rating for Ausdrill Ltd to Buy after Macmahon Holdings Ltd allowed its takeover bid to lapse.

Perth-based CGA Mining Ltd expects to start producng gold from its $250 million Philippines project in the first quarter of next year as construction of the operation runs ahead of schedule.

The Merredin Shire Council has today approved the development of a $600 million wind farm that will generate enough electricity to power 160,000 homes.

Impairment losses and write-downs of inventories has hit mineral sands miner Matilda Minerals Ltd, which posted a full year net loss of $17.3 million for fiscal 2008, up from the previous year's net loss of $3.1 million.

Lessons learnt from the Asian financial crisis are now cushioning the region from the continuing global fallout overnight from the United States equities quagmire, according to one of South East Asia's most prominent business commentators.

The continued market volatility has claimed another potential acquisition with Newland Resources Ltd scrapping plans to acquire stakes in two companies that hold iron ore and petroleum projects.

Macmahon Holdings Ltd said it will look at other acquisition opportunities after its takeover bid for Ausdrill Ltd officially closed.

GRD Minproc, a subsidiary of GRD Ltd, has secured the engineering contract for the $5.2 billion Sino iron ore project in Western Australia, currently being developed by Citic Pacific Mining.