Mark Beyer

The Mid West region has established itself as Western Australia’s second iron ore province after the Pilbara, with three companies now exporting ore through Geraldton and a fourth planning to start exports next year.

The debate over rail and port infrastructure in the Mid West hotted-up today, with Yilgarn Infrastructure providing details of its rail project and the state government calling for more data from the industry before committing to further port upgrades.

Alinta's directors have been pilloried in the national press for their handling of the proposed management buy-out and there is concern in Perth that WA's corporate reputation is also suffering.

Mount Gibson Iron Ltd has delivered a mixed report card for the December quarter, with ore shipments hitting a record level but profit below forecast and expansion projects adversely affected by cost increases and delays.

The state government has approved $9.5 million in funding so the Port Hedland Port Authority can proceed with dredging work but has deferred a funding decision on the proposed expansion of the port's public berth, likely to cost about $180 million.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd has announced the appointment of senior executive Mark Chatterji as chief financial officer.

Two weeks after Alinta shocked the market by announcing a management buy-out proposal, the future of the energy infrastructure company has turned into a fully-fledged auction process.

The state government is planning a hybrid contracting approach for the design and construction of the $1.1b Fiona Stanley Hospital to try and maximise competition and reduce risk facing the state.

Euroz Securities has for the first time knocked Patersons Securities off its position as the top stockbroking firm in Perth for equity capital raisings.