Latest Headlines

DOWN here at Noteville we like a business leader who can always see a silver lining, even as the dark clouds of global turmoil continue to roll across our once bright blue corporate skies.

THE past and the future combined in the present to hit stockbroker Patersons Securities' profitability.

AS the credit crunch hits real estate investment trusts, the spotlight has turned to the strength of Victorian-based Becton Property Group, which has a number of holdings in the central business district - including a stake in 111 St Georges Terrace.

Work to start on Victoria Quay A START will be made in the first half of 2009 on one of Perth's most controversial construction projects, the commercial precinct at Victoria Quay overlooking the Frema

One year after Wesfarmers secured Australia's largest takeover, the investment market is unsure of the company's prospects.

WE do indeed live in a land of confusion. As the dust begins to settle, through the smoke and destruction of the great credit crunch of 2007/08, we can begin to observe the debris that unfettered and under-regulated consumer capitalism has wrought on th

CHURCHLANDS gourmet food store The Herdsman has shelved a $3.7 million expansion plan in Claremont because of the current economic crisis.

ONE of the recurring criticisms of Western Australia is that the state is little more than a quarry for the rest of the world and that our small, one-dimensional economy drives bright, young talent to cities like Melbourne, London and Sydney.

BUSINESSES in Western Australia spend proportionately more on research and development than their counterparts in any other state, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found.

New WESTERN Australian Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has had to deal with a heated lobster fishing industry after new plans to restrict the commercial and recreational catch of western rock lobster

AS someone who prefers small perfectly formed objects as opposed to monolithic structures, when it comes to business, the government's decision to carve up two Labor-created super departments is something I'd generally welcome.

AUCTIONING homes is emerging as a popular vehicle for cash-strapped not-for-profit organisations to raise much needed funds.

FIVE years ago, Eric Zuziak made a few minor changes to his website to be more visible to potential clients in other countries.

Despite the global downturn, the retail market is confident the significant amount of retail space under construction will be absorbed.

LEAVING the corporate cocoon to set up their own gourmet food store was challenging for the owners of the newly opened Turban Chopsticks; but the former human resources advisor and accountant don't miss their former life.

NOT many people could differentiate an Australian sparkling from a French champagne.

THE growth of retail space in suburban Perth shows little negative signs of the global financial meltdown, as shopping centre operators and traders hold their collective breath that public spending in the approach to Christmas will be at, or near, last ye

IF we're to be subjected to that "D" word, then let's at least focus on the correct one, which means ignoring the depression sparked by Wall Street's 1929 crash.

THE development of so-called "main street" or strip shopping centres around the city has created another viable retail category outside of the traditional suburban and CBD shopping centres.

AT least four major shopping centres across Perth are poised for a change of ownership, including three of the Centro Properties Group's largest Western Australian assets.

SOME of the largest publicly-listed retailers in Western Australia have been feeling the pinch during the recent economic turbulence, but preparations made early to deal with the downturn and positive signs about the future of retail in the state are keep

PERTH is attracting more large-scale commercial bulky goods complexes, despite the sector experiencing a lull on the back of the credit crisis and global economic downturn, according to real estate agents.

Incremental Petroleum says its second suitor TransAtlantic could still alter its bid as another independent report lowers the value of the takeover target's shares.

Perth-based Indo Mines has received government approval to develop its $870 million Jogjakarta liquid iron project in Indonesia, the first such approval granted to a foreign company in over 10 years.

Westpac Banking Corporation has cut its standard variable home loan interest rate by 65 basis points, while the National Australia Bank has lowered its rate by 62 basis points.

A sharp fall in the tin price has forced West Perth-based Stonehenge Metals to suspend its operations in Tasmania and review exploration activities.

The global economic turmoil has prompted West Perth-based BC Iron to review a smaller start-up operation for its Nullagine iron ore project in the Pilbara which could save its some $80 million in development costs.

Downer EDI has secured a $35 million engineering contract with BHP Billiton for expansion works at its Pilbara iron ore operations, while Paladio Group has won its third Woodside contract in two months.

A German-based company has agreed to invest over $11 million in metal recycling group CMA Corporation and provide expansion opportunities.

The state government has appointed former resources department deputy director general, Stuart Smith, as the new chief executive of the Department of Fisheries.

The Western Australian housing market has taken another hit today with latest figures showing building approvals falling nearly 14 per cent in September, nearly double that of the national trend.

The state government has announced it is seeking a development partner for a major part of its landholding at Alkimos, 40 kilometres north of Perth.