Special Report: The Balcatta connection

Balcatta is home to two of WA’s best-known technology stocks – ERG and Orbital Corporation – and the little-known SafeEffect Technologies. They all have a troubled past but Mark Beyer finds that recent developments at each company point to a varied future

Nearly three years ago, automated ticketing company ERG completed a major balance sheet restructuring and installed a new board of directors.

Orbital Corporation’s latest results gave investors a glimpse into its colourful past when it wrote-down the value of a $19 million interest-free loan provided by the state government.

Former Orbital director Ken Johnsen is leading the revival of little-known Balcatta company SafeEffect Technologies, which is aiming to relist on the Australian Stock Exchange this month after a two-and-a-half-year suspension.