Business News

The state government has allocated $2 million for a new co-working space in Karratha to promote small business and startups in the area.

David Parker has resigned as director of Aurora Labs.

Coventry Group has appointed its former chief financial officer Robert Bulluss as company secretary following the resignation of Chris Lloyd. 

Perth contractor Brierty has confirmed it expects to report a significant uplift in half-year profit after cutting back costs and adopting a ‘back to basics’ strategy.

The state’s agricultural body has welcomed the Commonwealth’s decision to reduce its planned backpacker tax to 15 per cent, less than half than what was originally proposed.

Perth-based Tap Oil has settled its outstanding disputes with its second-largest shareholder, days before the matters were to hit the courts in Singapore.

A $10 million renewable energy-powered microgrid, which has the potential to become Australia’s largest, has been given the green light for development in Kalbarri.

ResignationsDr Nigel Finch has resigned as director and chairman of Panorama Synergy. Managing director Terry Walsh has been appointed as acting chairman.

Saybubble has been named Techboard’s highest trending company for this fortnight, following strong international news coverage and social media engagement.

The founding managing director of Doray Minerals has announced his resignation after nearly eight years in the role, citing personal reasons for his departure, with non-executive director Leigh Junk to fill the role until a full-time candidate is found.

Perth-based Valmec has won a $6.6 million contract to provide its services to Saracen Mineral Holdings at the gold miner’s Thunderbox operations.

Three local businesses have been inducted into Family Business Australia’s hall of fame, including an electrical contractor established in 1920, a fertiliser supplier and an engineering business that recently listed on the ASX. 

Real Estate Institute of Western Australia boss Hayden Groves says residential leasing activity continues to improve across the Perth metro area, as the central sub-region’s median rent falls to $380 per week.

Aerial imagery company Nearmap has announced plans to raise up to $25 million from investors to fund development, sales and marketing work.

Probuild has awarded Perth-based Global Construction Services a $59 million contract for work on the $500 million Ritz-Carlton hotel and The Towers apartments project at Elizabeth Quay.

The auditor general says former transport minister Dean Nalder’s decision to withhold information from parliament about his proposed Max Light Rail project was unreasonable, as the details were already in the public domain.

Perth-based technology company Smart Parking has announced plans to raise up to $10.9 million from investors to fund enhancements to its products, as well as sales and marketing work.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of Fortescue Metals Group’s proposed extension plans at its Solomon iron ore operations near Tom Price, subject to a number of strict conditions.

Perth-based tech startup Fleetsu has taken home the top prize at the Motorola Solutions public safety hackathon for its safety mobile application.

Picton-based Piacentini & Son has won a contract to undertake mining work at Galaxy Resources’ Mt Cattlin lithium project near Ravensthorpe.

Engineering contractor Monadelphous Group says it has received $200 million worth of work on the east coast, including two major contracts in the water infrastructure market.

Quest Minerals has appointed Paul Piercy non-executive chair and Dennis Gee non-executive director to fill the casual vacancies created by the failures of Mr Piercy and Mr Gee to be re-elected at t

WACA appoints first female deputy chair

Dacian Gold says it will cost $220 million to bring its Mt Morgans gold project near Laverton into production, which it hopes to do by early 2018.

Aspiring gold miner Gold Road Resources has received the Environmental Protection Authority’s nod of approval for its proposed development of its $507 million Gruyere project near Laverton.

Perth-based OTOC has further expanded its operations with the acquisition of Tasmanian business Lester Franks Survey & Geographic for up to $5 million in cash and shares.

Subiaco contractor SRG has won a $24.4 million contract from WaterNSW as part of works on a dam near Tamworth.

Unemployment in Western Australia surged last month, placing it ahead of South Australia as the worst-performing state in October.

Local companies have shared in $35.6 million worth of construction and building contracts for work around the state, including the Perth-based civil and mining division of Watpac Group, which has won a $7.1 million contract for road upgrades at Kalbarri National Park.

Technology company DTI Group has announced plans to raise $11.6 million from investors to bolster its balance sheet and fund development of its products.

Perth-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering says its joint venture with Kentech has grown its order book at the Chevron-operated Wheatstone LNG project near Onslow to $60 million.