Latest Headlines

South Perth-based Cooper Energy says it has had to reduce oil production from a new well in South Australia after reaching production capacity at nearby fields.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher has today given approval for the development of the Devil Creek onshore gas processing plant, a joint venture between Apache Energy and Santos.

A new beachside suburb accommodating for 1,000 homes in the City of Wanneroo has taken a step forward with amendments to the metropolitan region scheme tabled in parliament today.

A fairly uncommon wine blend from WA winery, Houghton Wines has taken out top honours at a prestigious wine show in London.

Plans for a private port at Kwinana, backed by BGC boss Len Buckeridge, progressed today after Planning Minister John Day tabled planning scheme amendments to facilitate the reclassification of a waterway reservation to an industrial zone.

Oil and gas explorer Red Fork Energy has raised $5 million through a placement to fund the development of its projects in Oklahoma.

The new company to emerge from a merger between Jackson Minerals and Scimitar Resources will seek $7.5 million in fresh capital to ramp up exploration activities at its uranium assets.

The average weekly wage in Western Australia has grown more than 6 per cent over the past year to $1,338, higher than the national average of $1,182.

Shares in Vmoto have soared after the company secured a $US23 million ($A30 million) deal to supply 30,000 scooters to Vietnam.

Western Australia continues to dominate the country's share of capital investment on advanced projects with latest figures showing the state accounted for more than 70 per cent of expenditure.

West Perth-based Continental Capital has taken a further step towards establishing itself as a coal producer after securing a $20 million debt facility and a deal to acquire two more coal assets.

Heron Resources has suffered a blow with Brazilian mining giant Vale withdrawing from the $2 billion Kalgoorlie nickel joint venture, leaving the West Perth-based company looking for a new partner.

West Perth-based ThinkSmart has expanded its reach in Spain with the execution of a new three-year deal with Phone House.

Business satisfaction with banks has fallen to a new low with the latest customer survey showing the big four suffering drops in their overall rating.

Property developer Aspen Group has locked in $41 million from its planned $82.4 million capital raising, with the institutional component oversubscribed.

Woodside Petroleum has entered a deal with Apache Corporation for the supply of gas from two Western Australian fields for a second processing train at its Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility.

THE building and construction sector has welcomed the state government's record capital works program, as the industry looks to the government to stimulate activity while private sector investment languishes.

If we are to have a carbon tax, it's important we get it right – first time.

THERE weren't too many winners to emerge from the gloomy economic backdrop surrounding last week's federal and state budgets, but the small business sector has more to be pleased about than most.

Questions are being raised over the government's plans for infrastructure.

PERTH'S largest manufacturer of fibreglass swimming pools has developed what it says is a world first - a pool protection system that guarantees the colour won't fade.

Access to state government ministers seems reserved for a special few.

More than 40 directors have dropped off the WA Business News rich list during the past 12 months.

EIGHT former company directors and families have managed to bypass the global economic downturn, cashing in their shareholdings before the world went belly-up.

David Flanagan takes a long-term view of his company's role in the broader community.

THE stock market provides a very public barometer of the diminished wealth of many Australians over the past year.

THE world's second richest man, Warren Buffett, told shareholders early this month that good, skilful management was a key attribute he looked for in a potential investment.

CCIWA says the state deserved more from the federal budget, despite ports securing millions in funding.

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

RESIDENTIAL property developers and builders were big winners from state and federal budget initiatives, which will provide much-needed stimulus to the property industry.

LAST week, the Baltic Dry index, which is a benchmark measure for freight costs of bulk commodities including iron ore, coal and grains, rose 22.

THE state government has established a working group to review energy infrastructure options in the Mid West after its surprise decision to defer the upgrade of the transmission line to Geraldton.