Mark Beyer

In hindsight, Forge Group founder Peter Hutchinson was unwittingly prophetic when he spoke to Business News in June 2012, on one of his last days at the company. Explaining his decision to hand the reins to more experienced managers, Mr Hutchinson said he wanted to ensure Forge didn’t enter the “graveyard of mining services contractors that have come unstuck”.

The spectacular collapse of Forge Group highlights some of the big differences between the resource states and other parts of Australia.

Mining services company Mineral Resources is close to implementing ambitious plans to develop new transhipment facilities in the Pilbara and in Cockburn Sound to support growth in iron ore exports.

Accounting group PKF will find itself in the unusual position of having two member firms in Perth, after the members of the mid-tier Lawler alliance agreed to join the global network.

Maintenance and construction contractor AusGroup has returned to the black in the December quarter, with a tax credit offsetting the adverse impact of falling revenue.

Former John Holland executive Adam Harry is planning to launch a new multi-disciplined construction business this week.

Stockland has selected Probuild as its preferred contractor for the $116 million redevelopment and expansion of the Baldivis shopping centre.

Kalgoorlie-based Phoenix Gold has opted for a low cost development option at its Castle Hill project, with plans to commence production using third-party milling capacity rather than build a stand-along project.

The University of Western Australia has recruited BHP Billiton executive Peter Lilly to head up its ambitious ‘engineering zone’ project, which comes with a likely cost of $250 million.

Woodside Petroleum is set to take a 25 per cent stake in the Leviathan gas project off the coast of Israel, under a conditional deal that involves up-front payments of $US1.2 billion.

The directors of US-focused Aurora Oil & Gas have recommended that shareholders accept a $1.84 billion takeover offer from Canadian oil company Baytex Energy.

Joe Hockey won plaudits this month for providing intellectual backbone to the federal government.

Owners of older office buildings in central Perth are struggling to find tenants, with the latest Office Market Report showing a widening gap between premium buildings and the rest of the market.

The state government is calling for extra private investment at the port of Dampier, following a major new development at the port by QUBE Holdings and a call for private development of new facilities at Fremantle.

Former Ezeatm chief executive Todd Zani has been ordered to stop working with a company established five months ago that operates in the same business as his old employer.

The operators of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit - Australia's second largest open cut gold mine - say they will extend its processing life by eight years.

Qantas has struck a deal with a restaurant booking service enabling customers to earn frequent flyer points when making a booking at the likes of Rockpool, 1907, Sushia Izakaya and Bar, and Must Winebar.

SPECIAL REPORT: One of the Barnett government’s most innovative social reforms, seeking to marry hard-nosed investment bankers with not-for-profit groups, is under review.

Mining services company Boart Longyear has taken the unusual step of awarding its recently appointed chief executive Richard O’Brien a US$5 million cash grant.

The Fremantle port authority is looking for a private sector company to develop and operate a new bulk liquids berth at Kwinana, at a likely cost of more than $100 million.

Australia’s top infrastructure adviser has challenged governments around the country to be more rigorous in their evaluation of projects.

Premier Colin Barnett has announced the appointment of Under Treasurer Tim Marney as the State’s next Mental Health Commissioner.

The granting of planning approval for a $400 million apartment project in Port Hedland has focused attention on environmental issues facing the Pilbara town.

Experience in the UK has delivered some good lessons on how to go about privatising government businesses.

Australia’s largest full-service fitness chain is planning big changes after admitting to major problems in the way the private equity-backed business has been run.

The office vacancy rate in Perth’s central business district has jumped sharply higher to 10.8 per cent, research by Jones Lang LaSalle has found.

The signing of two long-term leasing deals by BAE Systems has highlighted the defence sector’s role in the state’s economy.

Finbar Group has repositioned its stalled Port Hedland apartment project, announcing today that it has obtained ministerial approval to build more than 700 apartments in a 10-storey tower near the town centre.

SPECIAL REPORT: The biotech sector came to life in 2013 but pricing was critical to the success or failure of capital raisings.

The state government’s liquor licensing review has sparked a fascinating debate over corporate social responsibility, vested interests and Perth’s social and cultural development.

Solid gains in building approvals in 2013 are expected to flow through to the housing construction numbers in coming quarters.

Forge Group has announced further cost blow-outs of up to $28 million on one of its power station projects, less than two months after telling the market it had defined the full extent of its problems.