Edited announcement

Department of Local Government and Regional Development director general Cheryl Gwilliam has been appointed director general of the Department of the Attorney General, to take up her position on August 4.

Subiaco-based Arafura Pearls Holdings Ltd will manage the Beagle Bay pearling operations of North Fremantle-based Arrow Pearl Co Pty Ltd after signing a joint venture agreement with the company.

The state Cabinet has approved two options for expanded container facilities at Fremantle Ports Outer Harbour, and has passed them on for planning and environmental approval, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has announced.

Perth-based engineering company GRD Minproc Ltd has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management contract for West Perth-based Platinum Australia Ltd's Smokey Hills platinum project.

Subaico-based Salinas Energy Ltd has acquired a 50 per cent interest and operatorship of the Paris Valley oil field in the Salinas Basin, located in California's Monterey County, the company has announced.

West Perth-based gold and base metals explorer Shield Mining Ltd announced today it has been granted a new exploration permit in Mauritania.

West Perth-based gold explorer Adamus Resources Ltd has raised $7.7 million through a placement to fund the development of its flagship Ghanan gold project, the company has announced.

WA-based stockbroking firm Euroz Ltd has announced a net profit after tax of $21.9 million, up 30.3 per cent on the same time last year.

Perth-based financial services group Home Building Society Ltd has been awarded a BBB long-term credit rating by Standard & Poor's, with the ratings agency approving of its strong asset quality and good risk management.

Travellers Choice Ltd director Trish Ridsdale and Pilbara Iron training manager Mark Simpson have been appointed to the board of Tourism Western Australia, Tourism Minister Sheila McHale has announced.

The chief executive of Futuris Corporation Ltd, Leslie Wozniczka, has resigned from the board of Westralia Property Management - the responsible entity for the Westralia Property Trust - being replaced by Futuris chief financial officer Peter Zachert.

Perth-based metals explorer View Resources Ltd has announced plans to raise $30 million through placements and a retail offer, funding further development of its Bronzewing gold and Carnilya Hill nickel projects.

Subiaco-based tungsten and molybdenum explorer Vital Metals Ltd has raised $6.6 million through a placement to partially fund a feasibility study of its Watershed project, the company has announced.

The UK subsidiary of Perth-based Cash Converters International Ltd has acquired five Leeds stores for around $3.8 million, which the company says will boost its CC UK on-line auction site.

Como-based property developer Port Bouvard Ltd has acquired three adjacent sites in Gidgegannup for between $81-90 million, which will produce over 2,200 lots, the company announced today.

Subiaco-based Yilgarn Mining Ltd has appointed BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Wayne Richards as its managing director, as part of a company plan to expand its iron ore focus.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Equinox Minerals Ltd has signed a contract worth $53 million with UK-based Standard Chartered Bank to provide contingency funding for its Lumwana project.

Perth-headquartered bio-nanotech company pSivida Ltd will raise around $21.3 million through the sale of its American Depository Shares and warrants to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc, under the $203 million research deal announced earlier this year.

West Perth-based hydrocarbon developer European Gas Ltd will raise $58 million through the issue of convertible notes to what it describes as a "substantial European group", to fund the acquisition of a series of natural gas production assets.

Ascot-based olive oil maker Olea Australis Ltd will raise $500,000 through a placement to fund the continued expanion of its Dandaragan Estate.

West Perth-based Ironbark Gold Ltd will subdivide its issued capital on a basis of five shares for every one held, to increase liquidity and affordability of its shares, as well as completing the acquisiton of the Citronen Zinc Project.

West Perth-based platinum company Nkwe Platinum Ltd has reached agreement with Indian Ocean Capital Pty Ltd to underwrite the exercise of the company's unlisted options, resulting in Nkwe receiving $7 million.

The Federal Government has announced a change to the GST registration threshold, with those turning over less than$75,000 per year, $150,000 for not-for-profit organisations, being exempt from registering.

Three new marine sanctuary zones have been created on Rottnest Island, with two existing zones expanded to help protect the island's marine life, Tourism Minister Sheila McHale announced today.

Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts announced today the creation of an agency to help the building industry work more efficiently as well as providing better consumer protection.

The Corruption and Crime Commission will conduct an investigation into whether there has been misconduct in the relationship between the Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr Neale Fong, and former premier Brian Burke, after a referral from the

Shareholders of Robert Champion de Crespigny-chaired Scarborough Minerals plc and Perth-based minerals investor Mineral Securities Ltd have approved a merger proposal between the two, with the companies now seeking the approval of the English Courts.

Perth-based IT services provider ASG Group Ltd will become a major corporate sponsor of the North Melbourne Football Club.

Perth-based industry publisher Aspermont Ltd has formed a strategic alliance with rural consultancy Kondinin Group for future projects, starting with an online newsletter, Aspermont has announced.

An initiative to ban the use of drag nets by recreational fishermen in the Peel Harvey Estuary from July 6 was launched today by Fisheries Minister John Ford, to reduce the pressure on blue swimmer crab stocks.

Western Australia, with the support of the other States and Territories, is seeking Federal Government agreement to a new six-point plan to tackle housing affordability.

West Perth-based nickel company Western Areas Ltd has completed the issue of $225 million worth of convertible bonds, with funds to be applied to a feasibility study at its Diggers South project.