Edited announcement

State government tourism and events agency, Eventscorp, has been awarded this year's Premier's Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management for the Busselton Ironman.

The number of new home sales in Western Australia fell by 11.1 per cent in September, the country's second biggest drop and nearly three times national decline, following a strong surge in August, according to a Housing Industry Association (HIA) survey.

Australian businesses are the second slowest to pay their local suppliers, at an average 11 days late, with domestic customers taking two days longer to pay Australian businesses than thier international counterparts, a new global survey has revealed.

Perth house prices have grown consistently over the past three quarters, with September quarter median housing prices rising by 1.7 per cent.

Australian Renewable Fuels has struck a deal with Wesfarmers Premier Coal to supply biodiesel to the miner's coal operation.

West Perth-based Great Western Exploration will team up nickel miner Western Areas to jointly explore the Forrestania project in a $2.5 milion deal.

Perth-based TFS Corporation has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with a US-based biotech company to provide sandalwood for the latter's botanical drug.

The state government has been successful in its application to dismiss two native title claims over land in the Pilbara, including the towns of Dampier, Karratha, Wickam, and Point Samson.

Moly Mines says it has finalised its debt restructure arrangements for its remaining $US134 million interim financing facility after a $US700 million deal was struck last week with privately-owned Chinese company Hanlong Mining Investment.

State electricity generator Verve Energy and Fujitsu has struck a long-term partnership agreement over the creation of an 'energy trading management system'.

Bibra Lake-based Mineral Resources will earn a large share of the profits after it struck a farm-in agreement with Reed Resources over the Mount Marion lithium project in the Goldfields region.

Iron ore hopeful Aurox Resources has parted ways with engineering and mining equipment supplier FLSmidth, after the global financial crisis derailed the project financing process for the Balla Balla magnetite project in the Pilbara.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA is teaming up with employers acorss the state to lift awareness about workplace safety, after 22 deaths were recorded last financial year.

WA customers who bought items from collapsed white-goods retailer Kleenamid have today been given hope of a refund after a Victorian Tribunal ordered a linked credit provider to return loan repayments.

Nedlands-based Tox Free Solutions has secured a contract to supply waste management services for the $43 billion Gorgon gas project.

The merger between Subiaco-based Sylvania Resources and Finnish company Ruukki Group has been terminated due to difficulties experienced with the merger implementation.

Shares in East Perth-based Legacy Iron Ore have surged 67 per cent higher after it entered into a potential joint venture deal with Lachlan Capital Partners over its Robertson Range and Hamersley iron ore projects in the Pilbara.

Engineering firm Lycopodium has been awarded a key contract from Adamus Resources for work at its Southern Ashanti gold project in Ghana.

Parsons Brinckerhoff, an employee-owned, consulting and planning firm, has recommended shareholders approve an acquisition by London-based infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty for $US626 million.

Perth-based software firm Cintellate has been sold for more than $14 million to international information services company SAI Global.

Red Fork Energy expects to make an additional $1 million each year in revenue after it struck a deal with a US company to market gas from its Pawnee prospect.

West Perth-based explorer Exco Resources plans to raise $10.1 million for further exploration work at its copper projects in north-west Queensland.

Civil contractor Brierty has secured more than $35 million worth of contracts with long-term customers, including Fortescue Metals Group and Main Roads WA, during the September quarter.

Environmental bonds for the state's mining industry will remain unchanged until the end of next year, as the government extends the existing moratorium to help miners weather the global economic crises.

Russell Barnett, the son of Premier Colin Barnett, has joined the board of West Perth-based oil and gas explorer GB Energy.

Nomad Building Solutions has forecast a $12 million second half profit for 2009/10 but has warned of a first half loss of $1 million due to a downturn in orders.

Japan's Itochu Corporation is expected to push for lower woodchip prices after terminating its purchase agreement with failed agribusiness group Great Southern.

The state government has taken the next step in the revitalisation of the South Hedland town centre with planning approval for the development of up to 130 townhouses and apartments plus commercial, medical and retail space.

Adelaide-based Flinders Mines is planning to raise more than $50 million through an institutional placement and a fully-underwritten rights issue to progress its Pilbara iron ore project.

The state government has announced plans for a development of more than 70 lots straddling the Bluff Point and Beresford suburbs, less than four kilometres north of Geraldton's central business district.

The City of Cockburn has been awarded $150,000 by the Fremantle Magistrate's Court following legal proceedings against Swan Bay Holdings for unlawful development of a roadway and concrete container yard operation.

The federal government has introduced legislation to close the tax loophole around hobby farms and similar non-commercial pursuits by high-income individuals which is expected to deliver $700 million in revenue.