Government

THE downturn in Western Australia's housing market has had a huge impact on the state's real estate industry, with businesses consolidating their operations and a number of sales consultants leaving the sector.

DESPITE tightening global credit markets, property analysts remain optimistic that the residential sector in Western Australia is headed for a growth phase in the near future.

Major independent Western Australian winemaker Stella Bella has raised rural property rights as a key issue in a battle with the Augusta-Margaret River Shire over a diversion road that could cut through one of its vineyards.

IT'S difficult when assessing elections not to immediately reach for statistics - size of swings, percentage of preferences gained by parties, levels of various majorities, and other such measures that help assess how well or how badly parties and candida

WESTERN Australia's long-term outlook remains bright, despite the upheaval on global financial markets, with labour shortages continuing to be one of the biggest challenges.

Calling the bottom of the market is fraught with danger for real estate agents and developers, but many in the industry are hopeful that the tide is beginning to turn.

Australia is experiencing the biggest migration boom in its history, contributing to the fastest rate of population growth the country has experienced in almost 19 years, expanding by 1.61 per cent.

World leaders have called for urgent steps to tackle the global financial crisis saying the time had come for sweeping reforms of multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council.

Shares in embattled Structural Monitoring Systems plc have slumped 60 per cent as the company seeks a shareholder vote to reduce the nominal value of its stock for a planned $4 million raising.