News Articles for Rita Saffioti

Developer Saracen Properties will start work early next year on a heritage restoration of East Fremantle's historic Royal George Hotel, after Planning Minister Rita Saffioti approved changes to planning guidelines to facilitate the development.

Work has started on the state government's $716 million, 32 kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Link, but the Liberal opposition claims the Metronet project is two years behind schedule and its cost is blowing out.

Northern Star Resources has confirmed it is the new owner of a half stake in Kalgoorlie-Boulder's famous Super Pit, with the gold miner announcing an $US800 million ($1.16 billion) deal with Newmont Goldcorp.

Global manufacturer Alstom has signed a 10-year contract to assemble new railcars at Midland as part of the Metronet project, with the government saying the railcars will be delivered 22 per cent below its budget at $1.25 billion.

A consortium comprising national firms CPB Contractors and Downer has been selected as the preferred contractor for the Yanchep and Thornlie-Cockburn rail projects, with construction expected to commence in May next year, well after the state government's goal of starting this year.

The widening of Mitchell Freeway near Joondalup and a train station at Lakelands are some of the new projects to be funded from a $940 million, four-year infrastructure stimulus package announced today.

Environmental work for part of the Ellenbrook rail line has been submitted to regulators today, with a second stage of the project, from Malaga to Ellenbrook, to be reviewed next year.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has confirmed the state government will assess whether Finbar Group's Civic Heart proposal in South Perth should have been approved, while at the same time another planning flashpoint is emerging in Melville.

Welshpool-based company Westforce Construction has been chosen to design and build two new car parks at Meltham and Ashfield train stations.

The state government is seeking tenders to design and build a $32 million multi-storey car park at Mandurah Train Station, with construction to commence early next year.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti says the state government is assessing whether it needs to intervene following the rejection of Finbar Group's $365 million Civic Heart proposal in South Perth by planning authorities.

Pre-construction works for stage one of the Bussell Highway dual carriageway project have begun, with the $4.5 million tender awarded to a joint venture between indigenous-owned and operated DK Kaartdijin and civil contractor BCP Group.

Off-the-plan apartment buyers in Western Australia will receive a 75 per cent rebate on stamp duty for the next two years, capped at $50,000, under a stimulus package unveiled by the state government today that has been roundly welcomed by the development industry.

Western Australia's biggest apartments developer is evaluating its options after its second proposal for the flagship Civic Triangle site in South Perth was knocked back by planning authorities.

The state government has invited three companies to tender for the $69 million Denny Avenue level crossing removal.

Consistency across local governments and clear guidelines for decision makers are top priorities for the state government's comprehensive suite of planning reforms.

A large portion of Bullsbrook is set to be opened up for development, with the state government moving to rezone 362 hectares in the suburb to allow for the construction of residential, retail and commercial buildings.

The state government has shortlisted two proponents to design and build the new Bayswater station, with early construction to commence later in the year.

OPINION: The state government's $1.6 billion plan to build railcars at Bellevue for the Metronet project represents a massive public sector investment in local manufacturing.

The state government has selected French company Alstom as preferred proponent to build and maintain its new fleet of railcars, ahead of two competing groups, including the Downer Bombardier joint

The state government's Westport taskforce has concluded that all container shipping should be moved out of Fremantle to a new land-backed port in Cockburn Sound, to be built at a cost of about $4 billion.

Infrastructure Australia has dramatically scaled down the expected cost of road congestion in Perth, mainly because of lower population growth, but has warned about the impact of continued urban sprawl.

Wholesale changes to Western Australia's planning system, including a reduction in the number of development assessment panels, a more streamlined Western Australian Planning Commission, and standardised local government regulations have been welcomed as a boost to housing affordability and a catalyst for greater diversity of housing choice across the state.

The state government is making solid progress on its congestion busting, industry boosting infrastructure rollout.

Premier Mark McGowan and Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti attacked opposition leader Liza Harvey today for her support of the Perth Freight Link, criticising the previous Liberal government and Ms Harvey's stance on tolls.

SPECIAL REPORT: Unprecedented transport infrastructure spending and an uptick in mining investment have buoyed the spirits of WA's major contractors.

The state government has awarded a $4.9 million contract to a Bibra Lake-based company for the construction of a new weir at Bandy Creek Boat Harbour in Esperance.

Future high-density development in Subiaco will be clustered along main roads in close proximity to the suburb's town centre and train station, with new planning guidelines endorsed by council this week.

International hotel group Hilton has chosen Albany to open its first Hilton Garden Inn in Australia, with construction starting on a five-storey, 108-room waterfront hotel this week.

The inaugural State Design Review Panel has been appointed to oversee the design quality of major new development proposals in Western Australia.

The state government says it will fix a planning loophole that enabled small housing subdivisions in WA to be built without connection to telecommunications infrastructure.

A handful of big, integrated, high-rise projects with a combined value of $2.2 billion will reshape the waterfront site.

Balcatta based R.J. Vincent and Co has been picked by the state government to demolish the grandstands at Subiaco Oval, with the playing surface to remain for community use.

The state government is assessing the construction of an extra rail link over the Swan River, as part of a new Fremantle traffic bridge, after committing to the $230 million project.

The state government has launched a $1.52 billion major roads package as part of the 2019-20 state budget, and announced a $415 million funding boost for Metronet.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has approved new guidelines allowing for higher-density development in Nedlands, despite continued opposition from local government.

The state government has attracted just two bidders, both headed by Spanish-owned companies, for its signature Metronet rail projects, despite altering its contracting strategy to boost market interest.

Recent policy disputes have shone a light on political and business influence in WA.

Albany and Bunbury Ring Roads, Fremantle Traffic Bridge, and an extension of Tonkin Highway were among the list of local road projects to receive $1.6 billion of funding from Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Perth today.

The state government has awarded a $549 million contract to Volvo to continue supplying Transperth buses with local manufacturer Volgren to fit-out the vehicles.