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OLDER office buildings in the Perth CBD are likely to require a major overhaul, as rising vacancies and new office blocks threaten their ability to maintain and attract tenants.

THE 83-year-old Muresk agricultural training school is expected to close within two years, potentially ending an important chapter in the history of Western Australia's regional education.

WESTERN Australia's resources industry is demanding urgent implementation of measures to overhaul the state's failing approvals processes following a damning review commissioned by the state government.

THE real estate industry was an early engager of the burgeoning online sector when readership figures for traditional print mediums began to decline.

FRENCH energy giant GDF SUEZ, formerly Gaz de France, is expected to beef up its presence in Perth following a $US370 million-plus deal with Santos to develop floating LNG facilities off the state's far north coast.

A RECENT State Administrative Tribunal decision that hinged on the definition of a retail shop could have major implications for business owners.

THE proponent of Australia's biggest new coal-fired power plant believes the two-stage 330-kilovolt upgrade of the Perth-Geraldton transmission line has left the door open to competition among aspiring power proponents in the Mid West.

THREE directors from global education services provider Navitas have pocketed a combined $18.6 million from the sale of more than 6 million shares following the release last week of another strong profit.

PERTH students seeking commerce skills to engage with Chinese business have a new avenue open to them with the launch of a program at Murdoch Business School.

WESFARMERS Energy has recently signed a major two-year sponsorship agreement with the Asthma Foundation of WA.

THE impact of the global financial crisis on the drilling industry was painted in stark relief this week in a flurry of news from key players in the sector.

Wholesale bread business backs Nedlands retail outlets. Jonathan Barrett reports

Labor to oppose retail trading change

A MOVE by Perth businessman Gordon Martin to bankroll a $20 million "rescue package" for Great Southern investors is widely expected to be the first of several competing proposals to be lodged in the coming weeks.

PATENT and trade mark attorney firm Wrays has extended its services by establishing a law firm specialising in intellectual property in recognition of the increased local demand for IP litigation s

The state government has established a project team from Main Roads and environmental and engineering consulting firm AECOM to manage environmental approvals, engineering design and community engagement processes for the contentious Roe Highway extension.

Woodside Petroleum expects to treble production from its Pluto LNG project at the Burrup Peninsula by 2014, after formally starting front end engineering and design work for two additional production trains at the site.

Following the Varanus Island explosion last year and today's massive Gorgon gas deal announced with China, the state government has introduced legislation to avert future gas shortages and secure WA's future gas supply.

Gold producer, Avoca Resources may have secured a victory in the final hours of its bid for Goldfields miner Dioro Exploration, raising its stake in Dioro to just over 36 per cent after a UK fund manager relinquished its hefty interest in the miner.

A leading economist believes the record $50 billion Gorgon liquified natural gas deal with China could lead Western Australia into a "symbiotic" relationship with the Asian giant while the Greens reiterated the deal hasn't received environmental approval.

Engineering and construction company, AusGroup has delivered record earnings thanks to it work in the resources sector over the last 12 months, with revenue and profit surging 26 per cent and 52 per cent respectively.

Globe Metals & Mining has teamed up with South African engineering outfit, Thuthuka Group to invest $US10.6 million into Globe's Kanyika Niobium Project, in return Thuthuka will receive a 25 per cent stake in the project.

Gold exploration company Tianshan Goldfields has agreed to sell all of its Chinese assets to Hong Kong-based company China Power Sino Renewable Resources for $US22.5M.

Mineral sands producer Iluka has posted a net losst after tax loss of $55.8 million in the half year to June 30 after cutting production earlier this year and selling its interest in Consolidated Rutile (CRL).

Western Australia has signed its biggest-ever resources deal overnight, a $50 billion agreement to export liquid natural gas to China.

Twiggy's discount no help to China; French, Santos in gas play; Amcor to buy Alcan despite profit dip; NAB grows housing book; Curtin in bid for medical school

The state government has earmarked the future possible use of geothermal energy to power homes and businesses in Perth following the recent awarding of the first geothermal exploration permits in the Perth Basin.

Engineering services provider, LogiCamms has announced a 59 per cent increase in after tax profit, reaching $4.6 million on the back of a strong second half performance.

West Perth-based nickel miner Western Areas has announced a $35 million loss in the year to June 30 as a result of weak nickel prices, delayed sales and continued investment in its expanding nickel operations.

The push for extended retail trading hours in Perth is doomed to fail after the Labor opposition decided to oppose the move, joining the Nationals who also oppose change.

Three regional Western Australian companies have led the country in collectively receiving the greatest funding allocation from the first round of the federal government's $35 million Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program (RFPIPP).

Brockman Resources has gained environmental apporval for its Marillana iron ore project in the Pilbara, where the company aims to establish a 17 million tonne per year mining operation.