Dan Wilkie

Australia's largest gas infrastructure business APA Group has announced it will acquire the Emu Downs Wind Farm, formerly part of Rick Stowe's Griffin Group, for $171 million.

INCREASED confidence in the local economy has led to a spike in tenant demand for office space, new research says.

Stockland has offloaded its 50 per cent stake in the BankWest Tower to Brookfield for $130 million, in an asset swap deal that will see Stockland pick up two residential projects in Perth's north-east corridor for $271 million.

The average Western Australian tax return is expected to be the smallest in the country this financial year - nearly $700 less than the national average refund of $2,317, Bankwest research says.

Copper miner Kagara says it will vote against Copper Strike's proposedjoint venture development of the Einasleigh copper-gold-silver project in North Queensland with Chinese partners.

The Bob Browning-led Australasia Consolidated has announced that its recently-acquired subsidiary, Emerchants, has entered a series of new contracts which it says highlight the varied applications of its transaction card technology.

Developer Cedar Woods Properties has announced a $60 million joint venture with local Geraldton investors to build a 50-apartment development at the Batavia Coast Marina.

Rio Tinto has named Perth-based mining contractor NRW Holdings as its preferred earthmover for the next five years for the expansion of its Pilbara iron ore operations to 333 million tonnes per year.

Kambalda nickel miner Mincor Resources has launched an on-market share buy-back to re-acquire approximately 10 per cent of its issued capital.

The state government is inviting public comment on its latest plans for the contentious 5 kilometre, $620 million proposal to extend Roe Highway from the Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road.

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal says it will support any request to identify the cause of rust on its aluminium naval vessels, after claims surfaced that the US Navy discovered corrosion in the first ship delivered by Austal under a 10-ship contract.

Artemis Resources has sold its interest in the Yangibana rare earths project near Paraburdoo for up to $4 million, in part of a campaign to divest itself from non-core assets and focus on its gold developments.

Investors have wiped nearly half the value off of Navigator Resources stocks after it announced a discounted rights issue to raise up to $31.7 million.

Western Australian gold miners Focus Minerals and Crescent Gold have announced a merger plan that will result in the formation of one of Australia's top five gold producers with a market capitalisation of around $323 million.

Amcom Telecommunications has sold 4.5 million of its shares in internet service provider iiNet, and says it will distribute its remaining 31 million iiNet shares to its shareholders on a pro-rata basis.

The "best parts" of the Kimberley will be preserved under the West Australian government's strategy for one of the world's last wilderness areas, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Brockman Resources and Wah Nam International say the timely development of the Marillana iron ore project is top priority following the conclusion of Wah Nam's $900 million plus takeover offer.

Sandalwood plantation operator TFS Corporation has priced an offer of senior secured notes and options, to raise $150 million to acquire land and sandalwood and for general corporate purposes.

Perth-based iPhone applications maker Jammbox' new app has achieved number one download status in the entertainment category in the United States.

BC Iron says it is meeting iron ore production targets and forecasts it will ship 2.3 million tonnes by the end of December this year, despite haulage of ore from Nullagine being adversely affected by extreme weather.

ADG Global supply has announced a formal joint venture agreement with Denmark-based logistics group Airland to provide project logistics, procurement and supply chain solutions in Africa.

Engineering and construction consultant Forge Group has announced that its subsidiary, Cimeco, has won two contracts totalling around $102 million.

Regis Resources says production is set to commence at its Garden Well gold project around September 2012 - just two and a half years after discovery drilling - after releasing a study which put capital costs for the mine at $109 million.

Four more Angus & Robertson bookstores in Perth will be closed down over the next few weeks, with 39 workers to lose their jobs.

Chalice Gold Mines has announced a joint ownership agreement with the Eritrean National Mining Corporation that it says will underpin funding for the development of the Zara gold project in Eritrea.

A NEW library and public plaza at Cathedral Square and an injection of funding to complete the Forrest Square redevelopment have highlighted the City of Perth’s $80 million capital works budget, which was passed by the council last week.

WHILE many businesses in the west are bracing for the economically stifling impact of impending skills shortages, Skill Hire chief executive Stephen Edgar sees opportunity.

Perth's prestige western suburbs, notably Mosman Park, have been ranked among the nation's worst 25 performing suburbs within capital cities, with median house prices falling most comparitively since the peaks of the property boom.

Perth's office market has experienced a complete shift in sentiment over the March quarter, with increased confidence in the local economy leading to a rebound in tenant demand for office space, according to new research.

Catalpa Resources will buy Conquest Mining to form a $1.1 billion growth-focused gold miner, in which gold giant Newcrest Mining will hold a one-third stake.

Mining driller Ausdrill has expanded its reach into coal seam gas exploration drilling with the announcement of several contract wins collectively worth $84 million.

Flights to and from Perth Airport are expected to resume on Thursday morning, after a day of disruption that saw 13 airlines cancel or delay services, affecting nearly 200 domestic and international flights.