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THE state government is looking to add a new layer of planning expertise to sit above local government as part of its bid to streamline approvals in the land development sector.

THE Vintage Concert, as part of the 2009 Margaret River Wine Region Festival, will be headlined by two of Australia's biggest musical artists at the Leeuwin Estate Amphitheatre on Sunday April 19 2009.

FAMILY owned small business Casa Dairy Products has won the best retail product category at the inaugural Westpac Food and Beverage Industry Awards, organised by the Food Industry Association of WA.

A WESTERN Australian technology company that specialises in down-hole survey tools is making headway in Australia and on the international market, despite the global economic turmoil forcing resources projects to shutdown.

What does a typical day at work involve? I check e-mails and answer those that need immediate action, then check appropriate articles in scientific journals.

CHANGE is not in the air, it has hit the ground running, or should I say running rampant. If it hasn't affected you or your business in some way, you are in the minority. Change is here.

WITH mining activity in the Pilbara forecast to double over the next ten years, demand for water in West Pilbara could outstrip long-term supply within the next two to six years.

WE'VE gone beyond the old boom-bust cycle." How many times did we hear that comment over the past year or two? "We're in a new paradigm."

Finsia Residential Property Outlook The strength of Australia's economy has been highlighted in recent years by its ability to withstand a number of internal and external events, including a major dro

THE All Ordinaries is at levels approaching 3,500 and Colin Barnett is premier of Western Australia.

I THINK it was Keith Suter who compared the global financial crisis to a 'big weekend' - too much to drink on Saturday, hangover on Sunday, cleansed and ready for work on Monday, the social commentator told a recent Technology and Industry Advisory Counci

NEXT year may be the year of the insolvency practitioner but the sector was certainly gearing up for business in 2008 as the older hands of the sector recognised the signs of a stumbling bull market.

I WAS pleasantly surprised to see a job vacancy advertised in the window of a restaurant last week.

AT first it seemed Western Australia, riding the mining boom, was digging a hole all the way to China.

THIS is State Scene's eighth year-in-review column and, like the first, it features a change of government.

Four years after winning a boardroom stoush, St Barbara chief executive and managing director Eduard Eshuys has tendered his resignation with former Newcrest Mining executive Tim Lehany to take over.

The state opposition is calling on the government to release the royalties for regions formula after some of the needier regions, such as Halls Creek, were allocated less money.

The Australian stock market closed slightly higher today but investors ignored a big lead from United States markets, instead taking an axe to some major banks.

Cape Lambert executive chairman Tony Sage has bought a 6 per cent stake in mining minnow Jackson Minerals for $150,000 cash.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia had terminated a share placement agreement with Merrill Lynch following confusion over its $2 billion capital raising launched last night.

Amid a backdrop of falling base metal prices, Northbridge-based Impact Minerals says it will focus on its Nowthunna uranium joint venture in Western Australia following the state government's decision to lift the uranium mining ban.

Perth-based Indo Mines has secured a $5 million financing facility with Anglo Pacific Group for its $860 million Indonesian project.

Shares in Mount Gibson Iron have jumped 40 per cent on the government's approval for two Chinese companies to subscribe and underwrite a $162.5 million capital raising.

The state government will ask the private sector to submit proposals for the expansion of Exmouth Boat Habour, which is increasingly catering for super-yachts and ideally placed to service the oil and gas industry.

Redbank Mines has listened to the advice of its largest shareholder, Michael Kiernan, with the spinout of its Fiji project into a separate, dedicated gold vehicle.

Subiaco-based Rox Resources has entered into an agreement with a Chinese minerals company for the majority sale of its Myrtle zinc-lead project for $12.5 million cash.

The Australian sharemarket extended the morning's positive gains at noon, buoyed by gains in the materials sector.

Macmahon Holdings has secured a $40 million contract to construction the new Bunbury port access road, with work to start early next year.

Banks agree to extend Centro's $5bn debt; CBA seeks $2bn in late dash for cash; Industry revolt on green plan; Telstra hit again; Burrup counts the cost as gas supply comes back on stream

US stocks soared on Tuesday as investors cheered the Federal Reserve decision to cut its key rate to near zero and its pledge of more steps to revive economic activity.

The Department of Treasury and Finance is set to take on more responsibilities as the Department of Housing and Works joins the list of government agencies to be split.

Cape Lambert Iron Ore says any discussion to acquire more assets remain confidentional and incomplete as reports reveal the company has been in talks over OZ Minerals and CopperCo's assets.