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The state government and iron ore miners in the Mid-West are facing crunch time over the development of new railway and port infrastructure, which is needed if planned mines are to proceed.

While Western Australia is witnessing a boom in mining and resources projects, several major non-mining projects, with a combined value of almost $2 billion, are also in the pipeline.

The opening of a $4 million privately funded, dual carriageway steel and concrete bridge over Millars Creek near Bunbury has given the all-clear for release of an additional 700 residential lots in greater Bunbury.

Global investment bank Babcock & Brown Ltd has established a Perth office following several major infrastructure and property investments in Western Australia.

A common fixture in high-density cities such as Tokyo and Sydney, vehicle-stacking technology has been proposed for just the second time in a Perth residential project, with the latest unit planned for an apartment complex in West Perth.

Western Australian property developer Dick Lester is preparing to diversify into retirement village and health care developments, as well as planning one of the largest residentia

Inverse yields in the money market are a telltale sign of a future recession and are high on the watch list of US economists.

The annual survey of major resource and infrastructure projects featured in this week’s WA Business News provides plenty of support for those who have a ‘stronger for longer’ view on the state’s economic outlook.

The state government and a number of Western Australian not-for-profit organisations have expressed their support for the creation of a standardised accounts system, similar to those used in Queensland and New South Wales, to streamline the process of app

There have been many headlines in recent weeks about foreign investment in Australia, especially with so many key foreign leaders in Sydney for last week’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

The grand opening next week of Vince Garreffa’s renovated butcher’s shop has all the trappings expected of a big-name restaurant event.

The boom in resources and infrastructure projects in WA has hit a new record despite severe cost pressures and skilled labour shortages.

Michelle and Steve Jones have bought Subiaco’s Social on Station restaurant, formerly managed by Linda Ross (formerly Mead) and her husband, Adam. Mr and Mrs Jones are in the process of re-branding the eatery as Social Subiaco.

Perth-based asset management company PearlStreet Ltd has renewed its testing and inspection services contract with Exxon Mobil subsidiary Esso Australia Pty Ltd, signing on to provide them until 2012.

Welshpool-based mining and earthmoving contractor NRW Holdings Ltd, which recently completed a $303 million initial public offering, has debuted strongly on the Australian Securities Exchange, closing up 20.5 per cent at $2.41.

Growing numbers of businesses in Western Australia are becoming involved in workforce training in response to the state’s skills shortage.

A review of Western Australia’s vocational education and training system, undertaken earlier this year by KPMG has called for a redistribution of the Tafe sector’s infrastructure assets and an injection of further capital to improve services.

With a national investment portfolio of properties worth more than $1 billion, Primewest Management Ltd is shifting into more design and construct projects with office buildings in the CBD and at Herdsman, and a psychiatric facility in Joondalup planned.

Proponents and supporters of the $200 million Victoria Quay project have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey of residents and visitors to Fremantle.

Unique to the South West region of Western Australia, the western ringtail possum has found itself in the midst of a development boom in Busselton and Dunsborough which has government authorities and property developers chasing their tails.

Construction of one of Western Australia’s largest tourism resorts north of Perth, the Jurien Bay Beach Resort, has been delayed by 12 months because of dust management issues.

The world’s sub-prime credit squeeze came from nowhere, a fact that will please one seasoned observer of the way economies work, Don Stammer.

For Curtin University student Ian Blackburn, information computer technology access for the blind is an issue that resonates strongly.

Riverside eatery Matilda Bay Restaurant has recently undergone a $2 million makeover designed to make the expansive venue a more intimate place to wine and dine, both for its existing customers and for a somewhat younger, sophisticated corporate crowd.

Assured Hospitality has given its 150 East Riverside Bar Restaurant a makeover.

One of State Scene’s sharpest political contacts insists that spades always be called spades, never digging utensils. He won’t blindly fall into line by referring to things the way political spin doctors – of whom we have plenty – want them described and

This week’s visit to Perth by Chinese president Hu Jintao highlighted the important role Western Australia plays in supporting the world’s powerhouse economy.

I’ve had quite a bit of correspondence in recent weeks with City of Perth councillors regarding the various developments in the central business district.

Western Australia’s skills shortage has prompted a flurry of activity by government and industry, although the state is struggling to find traction on the issue.

The federal government’s Australian Technical Colleges continue to attract criticism over claimed low enrolment levels and insufficient graduate numbers, despite strong support from the business sector.

Former brickies Garry Brown-Neaves and Dale Alcock have developed their company into the state’s second biggest home builder.

Dale Alcock and Garry Brown-Neaves have ruled out listing their successful building empire following a recently completed 20-year business plan that is designed to steer the group smoothly through their eventual retirements.