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Western Australian builders' co-operative, Wesbuilders, claims to have doubled its membership this summer as smaller builders find it tough to individually challenge the muscle of large volume project builders when it comes to accessing vital supplies.

Serviced industrial land is becoming a rare commodity in Perth, with prices rising sharply and large lots in short supply as owner-occupiers flood the market.

Moving to shore up its financial future, the 114-year-old Western Australian Club is seeking buyers or redevelopers for its historic premises at 101 St Georges Terrace.

One of Western Australia's oldest but lowest profile property development companies stepped out of the shadows last week to accept a prestigious national award for its Harbour Rise Estate at Hillarys.

It's not Brian Burke's Panama hat that is causing so much trouble in Western Australia these days. It's something far simpler – it's the letter ‘b' itself.

Small businesses are not often targeted by not-for-profit organisations seeking corporate partnerships, yet the smaller end of town has much to offer, according to many in the NFP sector.

David Coomer has some exciting changes in store for diners at his popular Star Anise restaurant in Shenton Park.

Five years after leaving engine technology company Orbital Corporation, Kim Schlunke has reached a major milestone at his new privately-owned venture, Entecho.

I very much appreciate state opposition leader Paul Omodei focusing attention back on the Perth foreshore.

The 24-hour cafe institution, Oriel Brasserie, will re-open next month.

Strong attendance figures have delivered record figures for this year's UWA Perth International Arts Festival, which is set to take more than $3.5 million at the box office when its film festival draws to a close next month.

It's common for those living in parliamentary democracies to forget most of their accomplished figures.

With uncertainty surrounding the future of non-forestry managed investment schemes, promoters are expecting an increase in MIS project sales this year.

Mud was slung, and some stuck to Santo Santoro this week, while Matt Birney pondered the state of his curtains and a Senate committee stymied plans for an Access Card. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister went to Afghanistan - which was possibly a safer place.

Bassendean-based Total Catering Solutions has secured the largest contract in the company's history after signing a $30 million deal with a national fast food organisation which will run for five years.

The latest market report from Mortgage Choice and the Real Estate Institute of Australia released this week paints a bleak picture of Perth's rental market.

Baby boomer and retiree demand for luxury apartments in Mandurah has buoyed developer Port Bouvard Ltd in the lead up to the sales launch of its $100 million Oceanique apartment development next month.

Esperance is in the midst of an accommodation development boom, driven by an influx of mine workers and tourists seeking permanent and short-stay accommodation.

VDM Group Ltd subsidiary, Van Der Meer Consulting, has been awarded an initial $3.5 million contract to provide significant structural engineering expertise to the Dubai Waterfront Development.

This week, as a treat for its reader, Briefcase wanted to declare this page a Burke-free zone.

Sailing on the Leeuwin II has provided many high school students in Western Australia with a fairly inexpensive adventure over the years, principally due to the generosity of the ship's sponsors.

Former Sheraton executive chef Fritz Hansal says the service dished up at many Western Australian restaurants is poor. But he thinks that presents him with an enormous opportunity.

Russell Blaikie - Chef/partner, Must Winebar

Sydney-based mobile phone retailer Planet Com is expanding into Western Australia through an exclusive dealer arrangement with Vodafone to open four branded outlets by June.

Despair, despondency, dejection. Pick any of these ‘d' words and it will describe the mood within the parliamentary wing of the state Liberal Party. The reason is obvious.

Astute readers will have noted my absence during the past few weeks.

R MARINE dealer principal Brendon Grieve created a bit of a stir when he ran an ad for his Riviera and Princess yachts recently.

Aged care providers in Western Australia have expressed concern that the federal government's latest funding package, which allocates $1.5 billion towards aged care over the next five years, may leave some providers worse off due to financial restructurin

The Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry has already claimed a pride of fallen scalps but the real implications lie ahead for lobbyists, ministers, bureaucrats and business.

The establishment of a register of lobbyists is one of the main reforms flowing from the CCC inquiry, but apart from voyeuristic journalists it is hard to find supporters of this initiative.

Ministerial staffers would be banned from holding senior elected positions in political parties if the state government adopts reforms currently being evaluated by Commissioner of Public Sector Standards, Maxine Murray.