Infrastructure

EXPANSION of Western Australia's port capacity remains a high priority for local industry, despite the dampening impact of the global economic crisis.

THE board of state power retailer Synergy is expected to select the winners of its 2008 and 2009 power procurement process this week, underpinning the next phase of private investment in Western Australia's generation capacity.

LANDCORP is extending its program of regional collaboration with local governments and the private sector in an effort to avoid future land shortages.

THE agricultural sector may have surrendered its status as the driving force behind Western Australia's export growth, but it continues to be a major contributor to the state.

A newly formed joint venture between Canning Vale-based Electrical Construction and Maintenance and Queensland's Goodline has won $80 million worth of contracts for the new berth in Port Hedland and the Sino iron ore project.

Magellan Metals says it has exported its first sealed shipments of lead carbonate through the Fremantle port, with the cargo destined for a Yunnan Metallurgical Group smelter in China.

GHD and GRD Minproc have jointly won a key contract for the Cape Lambert iron ore project by a Chinese company, while GHD will separately carry out studies for the operation's port, power and water needs.

WA's rail network is not ready for the next harvest and this could result in a large increase in the amount of grain being transported by road, the WA Farmers Federation has warned.

Planning Minister John Day has today released the government's planning reform agenda including the integration of environmental and planning approvals and appeals.

Giant LNG develop-ments such as the massive Gorgon project are only half the story behind the boom conditions reappearing in WA.

BENCHMARK Projects managing director Chris Carman has built a lengthy career out of establishing landmark developments.

LAND development has changed substantially in the past decade or so.

THE proposed $140 billion joint venture of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron operations stands to have a major impact for local contractors.

The amount of local content on big resources projects is a lingering concern for many business people.

The redevelopment of Claremont has the potential to change the way local governments look at revitalising tired suburbs.

A 40-year dream is about to become reality near the dunes at the end of the Mitchell Freeway.

The Barnett government has performed strongly in regulatory reform in its first year in office but must now deliver on its reform promises, a Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA scorecard has concluded.

Property developer Port Bouvard says its share price rise over the past week is due to the company being undervalued and the recent opening of the Perth to Bunbury highway.

Magellan Metals has lodged a $5 million bond with the state government, which paves the way for the miner to start sealed lead shipments through the Fremantle port.

The state opposition has called into question claims the construction of a private port in Kwinana will start within 12 months, after it uncovered no progress had been made on key negotiations.

Grain handling and exporting group CBH has changed the way it charges for its services, to accomodate growers who use alternative transport arrangements in the deregulated grains market.

Bayswater-based utilities infrastructure business Underground Services Australia has been acquired by diversified conglomerate CFC Group.

Australia's biggest single resource project has officially been given the go ahead by its joint venture partners, which have stated that the first phase of development will cost $43 billion.

The property industry has hailed plans for expert panels to take responsibility for approving larger projects as the most important reform to the state's planning approvals process in many decades.

One of the key figures behind the massive Oakajee port and rail infrastructure project, Oakajee Port and Rail chief executive, Chris Eves stepped down from his position yesterday with the company.

Electricity sector expert Peter Oates has recommended a string of changes to electricity market rules and the contracts between generator Verve Energy and retailer Synergy to stem Verve's ongoing financial weakness and encourage investment in the sector.

THE port of Fremantle is undergoing a massive facelift as a $250 million harbour-deepening project brings the facility up to date to cater for much larger vessels.

CHINA has expanded its presence in the state's resources sector with several deals collectively valued at $124 million struck this week.

After a rollercoaster 12 months, the iron ore industry is again showing signs of the rapid growth that made it the powerhouse of the state’s economy before the global financial meltdown.

The much anticipated review of state electricity generator Verve Energy, prepared by former Western Power executive Peter Oates, will be tabled in parliament by Energy Minister Peter Collier this afternoon.

The world's third largest mining outfit, Rio Tinto has exported its three billionth tonne of iron ore from its Australia operations, an historic moment for the company with deep roots in the Pilbara.

The Australian Steel Institute has raised its concerns that local steelmakers could be locked out of supply contracts for the $50 billion Gorgon gas project after design standards were changed to Japanese levels.