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Miners' shares soar as $A gold price hits record high

Oil prices have risen more than one per cent in a session of volatile trade, drawing support from signs that Saudi Arabia is cutting crude output but pressured by concerns that slowing global economic growth could dent demand.

Gold prices have climbed to a six and a half month peak, moving closer to the key $US1,300 an ounce level, as concerns about economic slowdown gripped global markets and fuelled demand for safe-haven bullion.

About 85 severely dehydrated cattle had to be put down and hundreds more were found already dead at a pastoral station in Western Australia's north.

The ASX has surged ahead with gains across all the major sectors, while the Aussie dollar has mostly rebounded from a flash crash that hit many major currencies.

Wesfarmers-owned Kleenheat Gas has paid $25,200 in penalties, after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued two infringement notices for alleged false and misleading discount gas campaign.

Gold and copper producer Doray Minerals has announced the sale of its Andy Well and Gnaweeda gold projects to Westgold Resources, in a cash and scrip deal worth $15 million.

Access to credit will remain the most significant barrier to house price growth in 2018, in Perth and across the nation, according to market analysts CoreLogic.

Opponents of a Puma Energy development on Dunsborough's main street have emerged victorious from the three-year stoush, after the developer behind plans to build the 24-hour service station announced it would no longer proceed with its bid.

Fortescue Metals Group has selected Belmont-based NRW Holdings as the preferred contractor to deliver the first stage of earthworks, roadworks and drainage works at the company's Eliwana rail project, located 90 kilometres west of the town of Tom Price in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Northern Star Resources has been knocked back in its $150 million bid to acquire a near-half stake in the East Kundana gold mine from its joint venture partners Tribune Resources and Rand Mining, which say the offer significantly undervalues the asset.

Western Australia continues to evolve into a globally significant energy metals province, with Pilbara Minerals securing funding to support a second stage of its Pilgangoora lithium mine in the north of the state, while US chemicals giant Albemarle Corporation has begun work on its $1 billion lithium hydroxide facility near Bunbury.

The ASX has surged at the open, boosted by percentage-plus gains for financials, energy and mining stocks, while the Aussie dollar is limping back after slumping to a decade low.

Perth house price slide to ease in 2019

Gold has risen to its highest level in over six months as weak factory activity data in Europe and Asia compounded concerns of a global economic slowdown and weighed on stock markets, increasing the precious metal's appeal.

Oil prices are up about two per cent amid choppy trading supported by a slight recovery on Wall Street, even as concerns remained about weakening global economic growth which could hurt demand for oil.

The state's financial outlook has improved since the May budget by about $3 billion across the next four years, with iron ore royalties and federal grants doing the heavy lifting, but the domestic economy will again shrink this year.

Local tech company Aurora Labs has signed a joint venture agreement with WorleyParsons to provide an additive manufacturing service primarily for the resources sector.

Charter Hall Group has acquired Coca-Cola Amatil's principal Western Australian production facility for $45.25 million.

New data out today reveals population growth in Western Australia remains subdued, with only a slight rise recorded in the year to June, while nationally the population increased 1.6 per cent.

The state government's Koolyanobbing mine bail out will cost $182 million, according to budget details released today.

Western Australia has regained the mantle of the highest unemployment in the country, after a 0.8 per cent uptick in the jobless rate in November.

Perth's next wave of CBD developments is taking shape, with Brookfield Property Partners' plans to add an 8-storey office tower to a redeveloped Elizabeth Quay busport approved this week, and its $360 million riverside headquarters for Chevron also understood to have gotten the nod from planning authorities.

A pre-feasibility study released today by Peter Bradford-led Independence Group has confirmed the viability of an underground mine at the Tropicana gold project.

Woodside Petroleum's Browse and Scarborough LNG developments are the biggest of $95 billion of major projects under way or likely in Western Australia, with 96 ongoing and a further 68 probable.

A WA-based construction industry disruptor has delivered a world-first in environmentally sustainable building.

As business winds down ahead of the Christmas break, The Blue Room Theatre is ramping up its offering with the release of its Summer Nights campaign for Fringe World Festival 2019.

WA's 2018 Australian of the Year, and former 40under40 winner, Tracy Westerman is not slowing down in her push to improve mental health in remote indigenous communities.

Early gains for supermarket stocks haven't stopped the Australian share market dipping to a fresh two-year low, with the bourse mirroring a Wall Street tumble following the US Federal Reserve rate hike.

Warning of deaths over solar panels

Oil prices rose overnight, recovering somewhat from a sharp selloff during the previous session, after US data showed strong demand for refined products.

Gold prices fell overnight, giving up earlier gains, after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates and noted that "some" further gradual rate hikes would be needed next year.