Dan Wilkie

Perth’s industrial land values have reached a low point and are tipped to rise as the economy recovers.

SOUTH Hedland is set to get a major revamp, with approval for the development of a new town centre and plans for new worker accommodation that breaks with the Pilbara’s traditional approach.

Treasurer Troy Buswell says the state government will partner with the private sector to develop new subdivision opportunities to avoid a second big spike in Perth land prices.

TIMBER industry group Forest and Wood Products Australia predicts the structural use of manufactured timber products will be an important future growth area for the Western Australian timber industry.

THE developers planning to turn land around Jandakot Airport into a major commercial and industrial precinct have shifted their focus to industrial tenants as the project nears a final environmental approval decision.

THE Real Estate Institute of Western Australia is predicting Perth's median house price to remain steady over the next 12 months, while the rental vacancy rate is tipped to decrease slightly over the next quarter.

PLANS for an 18-storey retail and office building opposite the Parmelia Hilton on Mill Street have been approved by the City of Perth.

THE revitalisation of former industrial land at South Beach in South Fremantle has passed a key milestone, as national property developer Stockland expects residents to move into its Islands apartment complex by year's end.

HOUSING Minister Troy Buswell's reform proposals for public housing announced last week could not have come at a better time for national social housing provider Community Housing, which recently announced its intention to move into the Western Australian

THREE Western Australian builders have been ranked in the top 20 in the Housing Industry Association's annual Housing 100 survey.

NORTHBRIDGE-BASED Copraxis Architects says winning two out of three categories in LandCorp's regional affordable living challenge will allow it to shift its strategy and establish a larger presence in regional Western Australia.

PERTH'S metropolitan coast could host nine major marina developments in coming years adding 2,500 new boat pens.

THE social calendar is littered with cocktail fundraisers, charity balls, and other gala events designed to keep not-for-profit organisations in business.

TWO Western Australian interior design projects were commended at the Design Institute of Australia's state awards last week.

The big difference between setting up a pizza shop in Scarborough and running one in Kalgoorlie is the scenery. Dan Wilkie reports.

THE property development sector has strongly endorsed the state government's planning reform agenda, which was released last week by the Planning Minister John Day.

LANDCORP is extending its program of regional collaboration with local governments and the private sector in an effort to avoid future land shortages.

Western Australia-based BGC Australia has been named as the country's biggest builder in the Housing Industry of Australia's annual Housing 100 survey.

Barnett vows to slash spending; China stung by tougher FIRB rules; Labor to consider 8pm shop closing; Kontiki duster deflates Karoon; New home sales jump

Gas giant takes tax office to court; Investors take $125m Gwalia settlement; ACCC not happy with grain traders; ETS ultimatum a stunt: Turnbull; Recovery could stall: Henry

BENCHMARK Projects managing director Chris Carman has built a lengthy career out of establishing landmark developments.

FARM groups have welcomed the introduction of a grain trucking scheme that allows transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.

PERTH'S commercial office market and the state's building industry are both looking to big gas developments such as Chevron's Gorgon project to be a key driver of activity.

The redevelopment of Claremont has the potential to change the way local governments look at revitalising tired suburbs.

Confidence on the rise; Export earnings to fall despite China surge; ALP ranks split on uranium ban; State's population grows by 220 a day; Wong opens way for real ETS talks with opposition

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has approved a harvest management scheme that allows grain transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.

WA still the most resourceful state; PM plugs Gorgon in US investment sales pitch; WA's work safety stance carries risk; Voters back ETS but not early poll; Skills crunch looms in resources sector

Brighter outlook in the booming west; Reserve Bank wary of putting interest rates up as strong Aussie dollar could choke recovery; Premier’s 8pm shop hours offer falls flat; Rudd aligns with US on stimulus; Ministers downplay NBN risks

Board war as Fairfax family demands Walker's scalp; Population blow-out to strain budget; Trial mining a major step for BC Iron; After the panic, $4bn is hoarded; Leighton linked to new Gorgon deal

Nico Moretti’s cooking school in Leederville offers an exotic taste experience, if that’s what the punters want. Dan Wilkie reports.

The proposed redevelopment of the Midland Railway Workshops is set to enliven the historic centre.

TWO of Perth's biggest builders have welcomed last week's announcement of planning reforms, but are concerned about the timeliness of their introduction and have urged the state government to further simplify the planning process.