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SOUTH Perth dining institution Coco's is a shining example of how good management can deliver a crowd favourite for more than a decade.

A LEANING towards perfectionism has served Umberto Tinelli well during his many years in the Perth restaurant scene. He is aware of the smallest aspect of his business and if something is out of place he wants to set it right.

THERE'S no doubt Perth's entertainment culture owes a big thank you to Nic Trimboli and the team at Matilda Bay Brewing Company – just think of venues such as the Sail and Anchor, the Queens Hotel, the Brass Monkey and The Como.

CONSISTENCY and diversification are the secrets to making money in the restaurant business, according to Fraser's Restaurant and Bluewater Grill owner Chris Taylor.

AS an owner-operator-chef, Neal Jackson has established a formidable reputation in Perth and Bunbury, but it hasn't been without hard work and some tough lessons.

CLYDE Bevan's face breaks in to a wry smile when he recalls once saying he would “never own a restaurant because there is no money in it”.

SPECULATION within the State's development industry suggests the WA Government is considering an infrastructure levy on newly developed blocks similar to that implemented in New South Wales last year.

LAST week State Scene highlighted South Australia's recent Constitutional Convention...

Nearly $100 million has been invested in olive groves in Western Australia over the past few years. Mark Beyer and Chris Leitch look at some of the looming challenges as the industry matures.

FORMER property developer Tony Fini has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a new tourism venture at his family's olive grove near Gingin, north of Perth.

IT has been fascinating to read some of the reports on Perth as a place to live and work in recent times.

THE next big growth area, and the next big challenge, for Western Australia's olive industry will be the establishment of processing and bottling facilities.

A MAJOR olive grove being established near Gingin is breaking new ground for the local industry by using ‘superdense' tree plantings.

THE Margaret River region is full of success stories, many of which revolve around tourism, wine or fine foods.

THE rapid expansion of the olive industry in the Moore River region has placed the area's underground water supplies under acute pressure.

THE legal position of employers whose employees engage in digital music piracy using company equipment remains unclear amid the bluster and noise of the latest debate on the issue.

A MOVE back to the brand is the defining feature of the RAC'S latest press advertising campaign.

AN effective communication and marketing strategy is paying dividends for Edith Cowan University, which was among the major winners at this month's Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) WA 2003 Awards for Marketing Excellence.

IN a win for the grass roots campaigning, the recently launched Land Tax Revolt campaign has received the backing of the Real Estate Institute of WA and the Property Council of WA, with other peak industry and community groups in sight.

FACED with increasing property management fees and wielding a thirst for more core business control, many of WA's listed retail property trusts are moving away from managing agents to in-house shopping centre management.

In the final part of our cash flow management series, Mark Beyer looks at finance options.

THE Australian Taxation Office has announced changes to make it easier for businesses to claim deductions for low-cost items such as office supplies, crockery and small tools.

While it has been a few years since David Pike attended a 21st birthday, a recent invitation was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Dozens of talented young people leave Perth every year for the excitement and opportunity of bigger cities. But there is also a steady flow of returnees. What brings them back? And how do they cope with ‘Dullsville'? Mark Beyer reports.

ASK any West Aussie if they're living in a democracy and, Sydney-to-a-brick they'll say, yes.

WA Business News spoke to some prominent local council leaders facing pressure to develop the coastline.

Free at last JUST in case anyone is interested, I've declared this paper an Alan Bond free zone – the only one in the country as far as I can tell.

AS coastal developments such as the South Beach development the Port Coogee Marina development make inroads on land availability south of Perth, the long-defunct South Fremantle P

FOR corporate lawyers Geoffrey Grice and Rupert Lewi, the return to Perth has been smoother than for many other professionals.

ONE of the common laments of people wanting to return to Perth is that there aren't enough good opportunities in the local business sector.

AFTER 19 years working in high finance in London, Simon Withers has used his return to Perth to make a clean break.

THE recent sacking of several Hamersley Iron workers for breaching their employer's ‘acceptable use of email' policy sent shock waves through WA industry.