Edited announcement

The State Government has released the final management plan for the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park off the coast of Rockingham.

The National Australia Day Council has announced the State and Territory finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards 2008, with Western Australia's Mark Bin Bakar, George Jelinek, David Joske and Patricia Lavater among the nominees for the top prize.

The State Government will call for tenders to supply 26 gigawatt hours - five per cent of the energy it needs - from a renewable source, Energy Minister Francis Logan has announced.

Harvey Industries Group, trading as Harvey Beef, has appointed chief financial officer Michael Rapattoni to the role of Chief Executive Officer, the company has announced.

West Perth-based mineral explorer EnviroGold Ltd has closed its $16 million capital raising oversubscribed and two weeks ahead of schedule, the company has announced.

The State Government's Forest Products Commission has signed a $12 million deal with Nedlands-based Plantation Energy Ltd to supply low grade plantation pine logs to the company for use in its timber fuel pellet plant.

Perth-based commercial property investor Aspen Group Ltd's Aspen Parks Property Fund has acquired eight caravan parks in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales for a combined $54.6 million, the company has announced.

Osborne Park-based Fairstar Resources Ltd has hit back at a claim by its takeover target, Leederville-based gold explorer Golden West Resources Ltd, that the company had failed to outline tax consequences for shareholders accepting the offer.

West Perth-based gold and base metals explorer Shield Mining Ltd will not exercise an option to earn in on projects in Madagascar held by Canada-based Majescor Resources Inc, the company has announced.

The State Government has launched an advertising campaign to encourage businesses to take on more apprentices and trainees, after Education Department figures revealed employer numbers were not keeping pace with the growth in numbers of budding tradespeop

An $11 million collaboration between universities and the CSIRO to unlock stranded offshore oil and gas reserves through improved subsea pipeline design will be launched today at the University of Western Australia.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Range Resources Ltd has raised 4 million pounds through a placement of 18 million shares at 22 pence each on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market.

Subiaco-based Natural Fuel Ltd lost its chairman, former Liberal leader John Hewson, and two directors today, less than one week after releasing an annual report showing a net loss of $47.8 million.

West Perth-based Nare Diamonds Ltd and Continental Goldfields Ltd have received shareholder approval to change their names, the companies announced today.

Shares in Subiaco-based Strategic Minerals Corporation NL were down 10 per cent at close of trade after Oxiana Ltd announced it would not proceed to the second stage of a farm-in agreement over the Woolgar uranium project in Queensland.

US-based Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has acquired the Broadwater Resort & Spa, Dunsborough, for a price in line with the site's $12.3 million book value, vendor West Perth-based Westralia Property Trust Ltd has announced.

The State Government is seeking public comment on the future management of the Millstream-Chichester National Park, in the Pilbara, Environment Minister David Templeman has announced.

Herdsman-based Olympia Resources Ltd will acquire a zircon concentrate processing plant in Kalimantan ahead of the company's own mine being set up.

A advertisment designed by Northbridge agency Ad Impact for Welshpool-based Midalia Steel was the only Western Australian winner in this year's prestigious Caxton Awards for print advertising.

Specialist mining and energy software developer ISS Group Ltd has disclosed that its European office has concluded a purchase agreement with BG International, formerly British Gas.

Automotive parts supplier Allomak Ltd has made its second Western Australian acquisition, agreeing to buy Alanco Australia Pty Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Axiom Properties Ltd has agreed to buy a 50 per cent interest in an Adelaide bulky goods centre for $25 million from its major shareholder, Peter Laurance's Pivot Group.

Perth-based gas developer Po Valley Energy Ltd has awarded a $10 million contract for its first production plant in Itay, which is targeted to start producing in the third quarter of next year.

Two weeks after listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, Empired Ltd has acquired fellow Western Australian IT services company Quadrant Group for more than $1.7 million in cash plus 300,000 share options.

Private Brisbane company ERM Power is expected to proceed shortly with a new gas-fired power station at Neerabup, just north of Perth, after gaining environmental approval.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval for a major expansion of Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd's Super Pit mining operation.

Coogee Chemicals chairman Gordon Martin has backed a recapitalisation of Fremantle-based Frankland River Olive Company Ltd, which is aiming to raise a total of $5.9 million through a placement and rights issue.

Tap Oil Ltd has signed its third gas sales contract in the past two months, lifting its total revenue from the new agreements to $243 million over the coming decade.

East Perth-based company Hydrotech International Ltd will work with China International Engineering Consulting Corporation to promote its Multi Pulse sequencing system in China, the company has announced.

South Perth-based energy company Aviva Corporation Ltd will incorporate emissions technology for carbon capture, desulfurisation and air cooling in its Coolimba Power project, south of Eneabba.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Bass Metals Ltd will raise $5.4 million through a placement to bolster working capital, including development at Que River and the company exploration program.

More enhanced nickel exploration campaigns over greenfields provinces could push Western Australia's nickel production ranking from third place to first, according to Geological Survey of WA project leader Franco Pirajno.