Special Reports

Innovator of the Year 2019

Business News takes a dive into the WA Innovator of the Year Awards 2019, profiling the companies behind glycine leaching, automated rigging, localised weed tilling and efficient bike storage.

Commercial Property 2019

• Optimism returning to office market as vacancies gradually fill
• Rents starting to grow, incentives pulling back
• Developers seeking new approvals to benefit from demand uptick
• Chevron HQ construction to mark turning point in office sentiment

Environmental services

• Big data for managing water, power use and geospatial services
• Sustainable tech businesses also include those focused on renewables and recycling
• Work picking up for environmental consultants is a good sign for the economy

Great for the State – Edition 8: Generosity & Giving

The 8th monthly edition of Business News' Great for the State has a focus on philanthropy. We profile some of the people and organisations who have made a big difference in Western Australia, and those set to have a large impact in future. These include:

ICT Infrastructure

This feature analyses the growing debate over broadband services, as construction of the NBN approaches completion.
It also looks at WA data centres – while NEXTDC and Equinix are investing, Fujitsu has cancelled a planned upgrade.

Biggest Exporters 2019

Resources exports continue to surge after years of significant capital investments, while other industries face challenges.
- Chevron dramatically lifts WA exports
- UWA catching up to Curtin on international students
- Competition grows for grain traders

Residential builders

Western Australia’s biggest builders are cautiously optimistic that the worst of the state’s biggest downturn in residential construction is over, with forecasts finally turning positive after five years of declining activity.

Professional Services

Accounting firms are widening their services into new areas as they seek a competitive edge.

Wellness@Work

What does it mean to live well at work? Is it an apple in the kitchen, a yoga session at lunch or an office fitted out with a gym?

Great for the State – Edition 7: Natural Resources

Natural resources, from mines and farms to beaches.

We shine a light on the visionaries and the volunteers who harness our landscape for the benefit of the community.

Tourism

WA’s tourism industry has recovered in the past year on the back of millions of dollars in marketing campaigns from the state government. A decline in international tourism, though, has left some industry and business leaders asking: Is that enough?

Gold Miners

Our updated list of WA’s top gold miners shows stagnant production despite a surging gold price. This feature also delves into the Super Pit sale and the deal behind WA's biggest new gold mine in years.

Retail property 2019

Retailers, landlords evolve to meet changing market

Power and energy 2019

Gas peaking generation and utility scale batteries will become increasingly valuable in Western Australia as coal power units are retired and new wind farms enter the market.
616MW of new capacity is approved for construction, including 394MW of wind power.

Great for the State – Edition 6: Values & Purpose

We’re taking a close look at how our biggest businesses operate with values and purpose for the good of Western Australia.

Small business and franchises

Business closures around the city have increased drastically in recent years, with the slowing economy and high rents two major concerns. Plus, franchising may be under constant scrutiny but we explore how WA entrepreneurs are using the model.

Oil & Gas 2019

Green activism, union battles loom

Great for the State – Edition 5: Disruption

In this edition, we’re painting a picture of how disruptive technology can change our state for the better.
- How can images of your eye help prevent disease?
- Are driving, petrol and car ownership meeting an end?

Infrastructure 2019

Unprecedented transport infrastructure spending and an uptick in mining investment have boosted confidence, but civil contractors are facing new labour and capacity challenges as the market rebounds.

Aviation

Air travel in Western Australia has started to recover from an extended slump. This Special Report has data on all WA’s major airports, and details on an innovative inter-regional service coming to the state’s north.