Dan Wilkie

The Housing Industry Association says new home sales in Western Australia are at "dangerously" low monthly volumes, and finding an affordable detached house is similar to navigating a plane through a volcanic ash cloud.

Perth-based iron ore junior Brockman Resources says industry consolidation could benefit the development of its Marillana project in the Pilbara.

Fertiliser tycoon Pankaj Oswal has let loose on the administrators of Burrup Fertilisers, saying their mismanagement of the plant is diminishing shareholder value and could have already cost up to $US100 million in revenue.

Perth-based renewable energy firm Solco has forecast continuing growth in all areas of the solar energy market, after releasing guidance saying it will lodge a third-consecutive record profit for the 2011 financial year.

West Australian Agriculture Minister Terry Redman has described as a "drop in the ocean" the federal government's $30 million assistance package for pastoralists hit by the live cattle export ban.

Perth's property market remains Australia's battler, with new figures released today showing median house prices in Perth fell by nearly 3 per cent more than any other capital over the three months to May.

Underground mining contractor Barminco has deferred the launch of its $600 million-plus initial public offering due to volatile market conditions.

Gindalbie Metals says it is considering an equity raising to fund a 30 per cent blowout in construction costs for its Karara magnetite iron ore project in the Mid West.

A court has ruled three purchasers of luxury apartments at Mirvac's Beachside Leighton development who tried to back out of their contracts must uphold the terms of sale.

Moly Mines has secured $US500 million in financing agreements to fund the construction of its Spinifex Ridge molybdenum-copper project near Port Hedland.

Forge Group has announced that its subsidiaries, Abesque Engineering and Webb Construction have won construction and engineering contracts at AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi mine in Ghana.

The state government says it will cost $700 million to build a 60,000 seat multipurpose stadium on the Burswood Peninsula.

Western Australian private companies are the most optimistic in Australia regarding the nation's prosperity in the short term, according to a new survey released today.

In a long-awaited move for the Western Australian construction sector, developers and homebuilders will be able to use private assessors to certify compliance with building standards under a package of new legislation introduced today.

Emergent Resources says it is in advanced discussions with a number of Indian groups in relation to joint ownership of its Beyondie iron ore project in the Mid West.

Hong Kong's Wah Nam International has withdrawn from the bidding for iron ore junior FerrAus, after its offer was trumped by Atlas Iron yesterday.

Developers can now build up to seven storeys along Fremantle Harbour, and up to five storeys along Queen Victoria Street, under new planning guidelines endorsed by the state government today.

VDM Group has flagged a full year loss of more than $35 million, and says it plans to bolster its balance sheet through the launch of a pro-rata share issue to its existing shareholders to raise up to $52 million.

Jupiter Mines has announced it has begun a feasibility study for its $1.6 billion Mount Ida magnetite project in the Yilgarn region.

Joint selling agents CB Richard Ellis and Colliers International have tipped the Phoenix Shopping Centre in Spearwood to receive strong investor interest as it hits the market this week.

Navigator Resources have tumbled by more than 30 per cent after it announced it had won a 12-month extension to its finance facilities and revised the terms of its rights issue down to 4 cents per share.

Atlas Iron has joined the bidding for takeover target FerrAus, proposing a two-phase deal that will see the two miners' south east Pilbara iron ore assets consolidated before Atlas takes all of FerrAus' shares in an off-market bid.

Private equity group Resource Capital Funds has taken a 4.3 per cent interest in Perth-based gold explorer Castle Minerals, which has just completed a $4.8 million capital raising to fund exploration at its tenements in Ghana.

Beadell Resources has successfully completed a $30 million share placement to raise $30 million for the development of a processing plant and exploration programs at its Tucano gold project in Brazil.

Western Australia's regional property markets' fortunes have almost mirrored those of the sputtering metropolitan real estate market, with four of the ten worst performing suburbs in Australia located in WA coastal areas, new research says.

Drilling fluids and instruments supplier Imdex has announced it will acquire fluids and chemicals manufacturer Australian Drilling Specialties for scrip and cash totalling $12 million.

Power generation firm Pacific Energy has won the bid to construct a 12 megawatt power station for Regis Resources' recently green-lighted Garden Well gold project.

BHP Billiton says the cost of expanding its Worsley alumina refinery has increased by more than $US600 million due to its complexity of construction and broader inflationary pressures.

South Africa's Exxaro Resources has confirmed that it will not increase its $0.46 per share offer for iron ore miner Territory Resources, despite it being trumped by Hong Kong-based Noble Group earlier this month.

Engineering and construction group Clough has recruited Woodside Petroleum's Kevin Gallagher as its new chief executive.

Perth-based drive-through coffee business Muzz Buzz Franchising has announced an agreement with one of Australia's largest independent automatic teller machines firms to install standalone ATMS at Muzz Buzz stores.

The Armadale, East Perth, Midland and Subiaco Redevelopment Authorities will be rolled into a new body that will oversee future development for the entire Perth metropolitan area.