Staff Reporters

The state government has awarded a Downer EDI-led joint venture a $285 million public transport rail maintenance services contract.

Preliminary Real Estate Institute of Western Australia data shows Perth median home values have declined for 15 consecutive months.

Perth based junior explorer Hunnu Coal has announced an 85 per cent increase in its resource estimate for its Tsant Uul coal project in Mongolia.

ADG Global Supply has announced a 45 per cent increase in revenue, surpassing its own internal forecasts by 21 per cent.

Contracting group EC&M has announced the acquisition of Kwinana-based Press Construction Group for an undisclosed sum.

Perth-based privately-owned engineering services company Proteus EPCM Engineers has been acquired by US-based engineering firm Tetra Tech.

International energy and electronics giant GE has signed a deal with Fortescue Metals Group to provide two dual fuel gas turbines for its new 120 megawatt power facility at the Solomon iron ore mine.

African Energy Resources has raised $15 million through a 50 cents per share placement to accelerate development of its Sese coal project in Botswana.

Despite ongoing uncertainty shaking confidence in the global economy, the state's Chamber of Commerce and Industry has tipped the local economy to grow by 6.25 per cent over the next year.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier says the federal government's visa process is holding back the ability of skilled workers to enter Western Australia.

Galaxy Resources shares dipped today after it revealed a $27 million cost and schedule blowout for its lithium carbonate processing plant in Jiangsu, China.

Marine services group Neptune Marine has announced the sale of a remotely operated vessel for $US2.4 million.

Mining contractor Macmahon Holdings has won a ten-year, $900 million mining contract for the Tropicana gold joint venture between AngloGold Ashanti and Independence Group.

Chevron has announced it has allocated a $US2.3 billion deal to a joint venture between the Australian division of international engineering group Kentz Corporation and New York-based CB&I.

Perth-based biofuels company Algae.Tec says the introduction of a carbon price will accelerate uptake of its technology by carbon dioxide emitting industries.

Rio Tinto has awarded $45 million in new railway signalling and communications contracts to international rail infrastructure group Ansaldo STS.

NRW Holdings has announced it has won a $70 million contract for Fortescue Metals Group's main line rail duplication project in the Pilbara.

Syndicated Metals has announced a farm-in and joint venture agreement with Deep Yellow over four tenements adjacent to its Mount Remarkable base metals and gold project in Queensland.

Matsa Resources has announced it has reached agreement with US-based institutional investment fund SpringTree Special Opportunities Fund for an $8.6 million, 18 month finance facility.

John Holland has won a $125 million contract to construct the Yongah Hill immigration detention centre at Northam.

Perth-based aerial mapping group nearmap.com has announced its full year revenue for financial year 2011 had soared more than 2,000 per cent over the previous year's result.

Pacific Energy subsidiary Kalgoorlie Power Systems has won a three-year contract to build, own and operate a 3 megawatt power generation facility at Avoca Mining's Chalice gold mine near Kambalda.

Bass Metals has entered a trading halt pending completion of refinancing negotiations to support its plans for the development of the Hellyer gold mine in Tasmania.

Chevron has been granted the rights to explore for gas over two new permit areas in the Carnarvon Basin.

Energy Response Pty Ltd, which has emerged as a significant player in the state's energy market, has been sold for $28 million to a US-based energy management company, EnerNoc.

Perth hotels remain at record levels of occupancy, with hotels operating at 83 per cent of capacity over the March quarter, new data shows.

The last remaining development site at Subi Centro has hit the market, with the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority seeking expressions of interest on the 4.4 hectare Australian Fine China site.

Fastwave Communications and Curtin University were among the winners at the technology industry's most comprehensive awards program, the iAwards.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier has launched a new website designed to assist migrant workers find work in Western Australia.

The state government has revealed the first nine regional towns to benefit from $85 million in upgrades under Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls' "SuperTowns" initiative.

Cleveland Mining Company's board of directors has taken on more Fortescue Metals Group flavour, with the appointment of former FMG deputy chief executive Russell Scrimshaw as non-executive director.

Engineering firm Monadelphous Group has acquired asset manager PearlStreet Energy Services for $4 million from Brisbane-based testing and laboratory services company Campbell Brothers.