Edited announcement

The state's peak business lobby group is disappointed that its attempt to secure important changes to the proposed new award for the building and construction industry has been unsuccessful.

Perth-based engineering and construction company Decmil Australia has been awarded a $74 million sub-contract by Thiess for the design and construction of temporary construction facilities on the Gorgon Project.

Port Bouvard has refinanced its existing bank facilities with St George Bank to the tune of $167.6 million, renewed until the end of 2011, allowing the property developer to focus on progressing the development of its flagship assets in Western Australia.

The state government has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling's overturning legal action by Apache Northwest to block the release of a restricted report into the Varanus gas pipeline explosion more than 18 months ago.

Resources veteran Miles Kennedy has tendered his resignation as non-executive chairman at Sandfire Resources which the company said is part of a planned restructure of its Board.

Perth-based drug discovery company Phylogica has signed an agreement with pharmaceuticals maker Roche to evaluate Phylogica's proprietary Phylomer technology in transporting large molecules to attack disease targets within cells.

Perth-based construction and engineering outfit Doric has secured a $3 million contract with the Water Corporation to increase pump performance at the Tamworth Hill Pump Station in Baldivis.

Developing and commercialising innovative technologies of 35 start-ups across the nation is the aim of the federal government's $64 million in funding, to be distributed by 11 fund managers.

Planned strike action by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has been condemned by Premier Colin Barnett and Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore as totally irresponsible.

The state government has announced it would contract major Norwegian shipping company, Jebsens to provide shipping services to the state's North-West.

Perth-based Global Construction Services has been awarded additional formwork and concrete contracts on the Department of Health's Fiona Stanley Hospital project from Delta Group.

The state government has revealed a $51 million surplus in its mid-year financial projection statement released today.

Alec Coles, a museum director from the United Kingdom with 30 years of experience in the cultural and heritage sectors has been appointed director of the Western Australian Museum.

Rare earths project developer Arafura Resources has appointed current non-executive director and Cristal Global executive Dr Stephen Ward as its new managing director.

The corporate watchdog has reached an agreement to settle a class action against Melbourne-based trustee company, State Trustees Ltd for $13.5 million, in relation to securities issued by failed property group Westpoint.

Latest data from the state's real estate institute indicates Perth's median house price is heading back to the peak level it achieved in December, 2007 on the back of strong sales turnover among more expensive homes.

Perth-based oil and gas company Amadeus Energy has acquired the Texas-based operator of the majority of its US interests in a deal worth more than $US5 million.

Subiaco-based GBM Resources has signed an initial agreement with Tokyo-based Pan Pacific Copper, which could spend up to $55 million on the exploration and development of GBM's copper-gold projects in northwest Queensland.

Cape Lambert Resources has emerged as a major shareholder in West Perth-based oil and gas explorer Monitor Energy following its recent $2 million capital raising.

Planning Minister John Day has approved the controversial Australian Fine China Scheme Amendment, with some concessions, making way for the redevelopment of one of the last sites in the Subi Centro project.

The state's biggest gas users have called for Western Australia's gas reservation policy to be given "teeth" to meet what they call a worsening gas shortage and to ensure domestic supply obligations are not able to be avoided by LNG exporters.

On the eve of the pivotal third test match between Australia and the West Indies, the state government, the Western Australian Cricket Association and Cricket Australia have agreed to Perth hosting a test match each year until at least 2012.

Former Alcoa Australia managing director Wayne Osborn has been appointed to chair the Council of the Australian Institute of Marine Science by Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.

Western Australia's Commission for Occupational Safety and Health has today released a new code of practice for the safeguarding of machinery.

Two West Perth-based companies have each been awarded a $7 million grant from the federal government's geothermal drilling program.

VDM Group subsidiary, Wylie and Skene, has secured additional work at Citic Pacific Mining's Sino Iron magnetite project at Cape Preston, with the contract valued at $14.5 million.

Malaga-based insulation company Air-Cell Insulation has been acquired by Irish global building products manufacturer, Kingspan Group enhancing Air-Cell's product offerings and strengthening its position in the market.

The state government has unveiled plans to connect the Swan River to the Perth CBD area through a redevelopment involving potential cable cars to Kings Park and a 2.8 hectare inlet at an initial cost estimate of at least $250 million.

The former managing director of Chameleon Mining, Gregory Barnes, has been found guilty of providing false evidence regarding the company's $3 million initial public offer.

The state government has used $17.8 million from stage two of the federal government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus package to build 50 new affordable homes in Mirrabooka, Housing Minister Troy Buswell said today.

The state government has today awarded a $40 million contract for the upgrade of Wellington Dam to an alliance inlcuding Leighton Contractors, AECOM, Hydro Tasmania and Structural System.

Melbourne-based La Trobe University has named education provider Navitas as the preferred tenderer to manage its existing international college.