Latest Headlines

Local councils have up to six months to advise the state government of their amalgamation plans and intentions to reduce the number of elected members.

Shares in Incremental Petroleum have closed up nearly 23 per cent as suitor TransAtlantic Petroleum Corporation sweetens its takeover bid.

Energy and Minerals Australia says it is targeting 2013 to start uranium mining at its Mulga Rocks deposit in Western Australia.

An Extract Resources director facing the boot from a major shareholder has called for a meeting for the removal of two of his fellow board members.

The state opposition says hundreds of sustainable jobs could be created in Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun from the investment in a biomass power plant and wave technologies, rather than a $60 million road.

More good news for the state's property sector as new analysis reveals first home buyers in WA receive more in government incentives than any other state or territory, while quarter-on-quarter land sales in Perth jump 29 per cent.

Two major shareholders in Subiaco-based Red Fork Energy have spent a combined $1 million boosting their interests in the oil and gas explorer.

The proposed merger between Australasian Resources and billionaire Clive Palmer's Resource Development International is anticipated to take place next year as the latter re-schedules its listing plans.

Former Western Power managing director David Eiszele has been appointed as the new chairman of Verve Energy.

Battle lines drawn on $42bn plan; Fortescue to raise $77m for payouts; BHP slashes spending to combat metals downturn; Crisis picks up speed; GE Capital to axe 400 more jobs as part of revamp

THERE'S not much talk of the global economic downturn or falling commodity prices when you listen to companies with an interest in iron ore mining and infrastructure projects in the Mid West region.

IF Premier Colin Barnett is looking for places to find new jobs and boost the state's royalty income, he needs to look no further than the gold industry.

The Note raised an eyebrow at a bit of research floating about this week suggesting one in six BankWest customers could vote with their feet and leave the bank as a result of the recent takeover by Co

BUILDERS, insulation suppliers and solar hot water providers will be winners from the state and federal government stimulus packages, announced this week.

BROCKMAN Resources managing director Wayne Richards has taken advantage of the recent upswing in the company's share price, exercising 1 million options in the money.

The Note loves to trawl the annual returns of WA's political parties to see just who gives what.

Small retailers find service and customer loyalty pay dividends in a downturn.

THE six not-for-profit organisations that have teamed up to buy the failed ABC Learning centres say childcare should be the responsibility of not-for-profit organisations and not the corporate sector.

A PUBLIC forum planned for Esperance next week will give residents the opportunity to comment on the future of the town's port.

EAST Perth-based hospitality contractor Compass Group has called for amendments to the federal government's proposed industrial relations laws to clarify ambiguity over a provision concerning the 'transfer of a business'.

THE crashing of pans and clashing of egos may be the norm in any large kitchen, but one notable Perth eatery has brought the action front and centre as part of its latest makeover.

ONE in six BankWest customers and more than 7 per cent of St George customeras plan to vote with their feet and leave the banks as a result of the recent corporate activity, a new poll by Retail Banki

PERTH-BASED education services company Navitas has defied the global economic slowdown by reporting a lift in interim profit to a record level and outlining plans to pursue further international growth.

The work of a Perth immunogenetics expert could improve the lives of millions.

I REMEMBER a scene from a Monty Python sketch where a father and son were looking out from a second-storey window.

SMALL business has been urged to manage their cash flow more carefully this year as the global economic downturn creates more financial pressure.

The outlook for WA is not as gloomy as some are predicting.

The downturn in managed investment schemes could hurt horticulture, while the carbon credit market is boosting forestry projects.

Proposed IR changes will have a major effect on businesses across the nation

THE past 12 months have been an unsettling time for truffle project manager Oak Valley Gourmet.

BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe closure again raises the issue of a fly-in, fly-out workforce

WITH a 160-year trade history, sandalwood is Western Australia's oldest export.