Latest Headlines

Perth's housing market is staging a modest recovery with the median house price reaching $460,000 in the September quarter and tipped to keep rising until the New Year according to the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.

Shares in nickel miner Sally Malay Mining Ltd closed up 7.3 per cent to $5.27 after the company announced a significant upgrade in reserves for its Lanfranchi joint venture project, south of Kambalda.

Brian Ellis, who replaced former Liberal MLC Margaret Rowe in the Western Australian Legislative Council in June this year, will take over the role of Shadow Minister for the Mid West next week, the State Liberals have announced.

Woodside Energy Ltd has extended its contract with West Perth-based IT infrastructure services provider ComputerCorp Ltd for another 12 months, the company has announced.

The Australian share market closed at fresh peaks today, after global miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto and other resources stocks headed higher.

Confirming the suspicions of many in the industry, a pre-existing wine oversupply and a strong dollar put pressure on the profits of smaller wineries in 2005-06, according to a survey by Deloitte and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia

Hamilton Hill-based barramundi producer Cell Aquaculture Ltd has acquired the remaining 50 per cent stake in Cell Aquaculture Netherlands BV, buying out former European chief executive Harrie Rutgers.

West Perth-based Ausron Ltd, which plans to become a financial services technology provider under the name Rubik Financial Ltd, has completed a capital raising of $25 million, subject to shareholder approval.

West Perth-based mineral explorer EnviroGold Ltd has announced plans to raise $16 million through a placement to develop its 70 per cent owned Las Lagunas Gold Tailings Project in the Dominican Republic.

South Perth-based uranium explorer Extract Resources Ltd will list on the Toronto Stock Exchange from October 22, the company announced today.

The State Government has allocated $2.4 million to UnitingCare West's HomeConnect housing service, which helps secure affordable rental accommodation for at-risk families.

Perth-based biotechnology company Stirling Products Ltd has extended a technology development agreement with UK-based Merial Ltd until the end of March 2008, the company has announced.

West Perth-based base metals explorer Liontown Resources Ltd will raise $3.2 million through a placement, the comapny has announced.

Perth-based petroleum player Samson Oil and Gas Ltd has raised $3.4 million through a placement, with funds to be spent on exploration of its US oil and gas projects.

West Perth-based gold explorer Goldstar Resources NL will place 9.5 million shares to investors, raising $4.1 million to help it complete a feasibility study on its Eureka project.

Murchison opens $938m bid for Midwest; World economy to be tested by the recent credit squeeze; QLD launches $654m rail funding; construction market plummets in August; Gorgon project granted environmental approval.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive John Langoulant has called on people found guilty of misconduct in the Corruption and Crime Commission's Smiths Beach report to resign in the Chamber's response to yesterday's hearing.

Westralia Property Trust Ltd has unveiled a strategic shift into the rural sector, with plans to buy land from its 49-per-cent-shareholder Futuris Corporation Ltd as it exits its current tourism portfolio.

Subiaco-based Ironbark Gold Ltd has taken a 5.4 per cent stake in West Perth-based gold explorer Sabre Resources, through the purchase of 4 million shares in the company worth around $2 million.

Midvale-based scientific instrument manufacturer XRF Scientific Ltd has announced plans to raise over $1.1 million through the issue of 23.7 million shares at five cents each to shareholders on a one for three basis.

Balcatta-based Carnavale Resources Ltd will acquire two Brazilian iron ore tenements for around $4.5 million from Puma Metals Mineracao Ltda, the company has announced.

West Perth-based hydrocarbon exploration company Antares Energy Ltd has boosted its stake in the Kenedy Ranch project from five per cent to 60 per cent the company has announced.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Central Asia Resources Ltd has signed a deal with Kazakhstan-based Kazakhstan-Australia Association Ltd, giving it first right of refusal on several exploration prospects adjacent to its current joint ventures.

The City of Perth has closed the temporary parking facilities at Ozone Reserve, after experiencing minimal demand at the three sites opened this week due to rail closures on the Joondalup and Fremantle rail lines.

Shares in iron ore explorer Midwest Corporation Ltd have soared by more than 30 per cent after rival Murchison Metals Ltd made a takeover bid worth up to $986.3 million.

CCC says Burke and Grill did nothing illegal; Evans & Tate may have been insolvent before calling administrators; Howard and Brumby give Pratt support; Health Care attacks on Healthscope takeover plans for Symbion; Kintyre deposit in bidding war.

Five of Perth's mid-tier accounting firms have changed their name and/or their affiliation in the past six months, representing an unprecedented period of restructuring for the sector.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA is leading a trade mission to China next week as part of a series of visits to the nation.

Further to the appointment notice in last week's WA Business News, it has been clarified that Linc Property was in fact founded by Ben and Adam Lisle.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of I

ISS Group Ltd managing director Shane Atwell has increased his indirect interest in the company through the conversion of 6.2 million unlisted options valued at $1.5 million.

With a median house price in excess of $610,000, rents for three-bedroom houses up to $1,000 per week and more workers yet to arrive, the Shire of Broome and the state government are trying to get more land onto the market to ease the housing crisis.