Perth house prices to hit new record

PERTH'S median house price is poised to break through its 2007 peak soon, pushed higher by renewed activity from trade-up buyers.
The Real Estate Institute of WA said new data was showing a continued swing away from first home buyer activity to upgrade buyers.
"Notwithstanding the first homebuyers purchasing homes at the cheaper end of the market, Perth's median house price has held up and is increasing due to renewed activity with trade-up buyers," REIWA deputy president David Airey said.

State commits $29m for rail lines
THE state government has committed $29 million to Western Australia's ageing grain freight network and has called on farmers and bulk handlers to use rail lines rather than roads to transport grain.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien announced a package of measures designed to bring greater certainty to the state's grain freight network.
It follows the release of a report by the Strategic Grain Network Committee (SGNC), chaired by Fred Affleck and including representatives from WestNet Rail and CBH Group, which looked into the future viability of the narrow gauge rail network.
Mr O'Brien said state cabinet had committed to fund 50 per cent of the $43.5 million required to complete the re-sleepering of the Avon-to-Albany rail line.

Super extension for gold pit
THE life of Australia's largest gold mine, the Super Pit at Kalgoorlie, has been extended to 2021 with the state's mines department approving the operation's expansion last week.
"This expansion - the Golden Pike - is crucial to ensuring the pit's continued operation," WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said.
He said the mine's operators, the Newmont Mining Corporation/Barrick joint venture company Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, were required to meet stringent environmental requirements.
"The pit is close to residential areas and every measure will be taken to ensure the impact of the expansion is kept to a minimum," Mr Moore said.
Newmonts $3.2 billion Boddington expansion project should surpass the Super Pit as Australia's largest gold mine.