Fraser Beattie

Former iiNet boss Michael Smith has replaced Russell Withers as chairman of convenience store chain 7-Eleven, while chief executive Warren Wilmot has resigned following revelations the company’s franchisees had been underpaying their workers.

A local exploration company led by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage is looking to join the wave of backdoor listings and become a gambling platforms provider, while technology company Velpic’s reverse takeover of International Coal has reached another milestone.

Local IT company Empired has won a $12 million contract to provide managed services to Western Power under an initial three-year term.

Construction giant CIMIC Group has won a $300 million contract for gas field development works in the Surat Basin in Queensland for Australia Pacific LNG.

There was a lot of money made on residential property sales around Australia in the June quarter, but the joy wasn't spread around evenly, with more than 10 per cent of all houses and about 20 per cent of all units sold in Western Australia during the quarter selling at a loss.

Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre has entered into a development agreement with drilling services company Imdex for its Lab-at-Rig product, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs when drilling exploration holes.

Perth companies Neometals and Mineral Resources have marked the start of construction at the Mt Marion lithium project, with first production targeted for mid-2016.

Alkane Resources has hired Finnish technology services supplier Outotec to provide early contractor involvement work at its Dubbo zirconia project in New South Wales.

Nickel miner Western Areas is moving forward with plans to increase its holding in South Australian tenements held by Monax Mining and Strandline Resources, and will begin a new drilling campaign in the coming weeks.

Phoenix Gold shareholders will be hoping for an improved takeover offer from Evolution Mining, after a proposal to acquire the business was knocked back by Phoenix directors today.

Programmed Maintenance Services’ $424 million takeover of its larger competitor Skilled Group is a step closer to fruition, after Skilled shareholders voted in favour of the scheme of arrangement today.

Local manufacturer Civmec has announced plans to further diversify its services, with the formation of a new defence business unit and a $30 million spend to expand its Henderson facilities.

Brookfield Multiplex has taken the top spot on the HIA-Cordell top 100 list of companies operating in the engineering construction, non-residential building and apartment sectors.

Flinders Mines stakeholders have voted against selling the Pilbara iron ore project to private New Zealand company Todd Corporation for $65 million.

Balcatta-based drilling services company Imdex has lined up a new debt funding deal after cancelling a $21.5 million placement just hours before today’s shareholders meeting.

A joint venture between Civmec and Sedgman has won a $145 million engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract at BHP Billiton’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

The state government has announced a better-than-expected result in its annual report on state finances for 2014-15, but Treasurer Mike Nahan says Western Australia has a long way to go before it returns to surplus.

The state government has invited the public to have a say on red tape reform through its #ShredTheRed campaign, while highlighting a number of efficiency improvements in the transport sector.

The corporate watchdog has fined Perth stockbroking firm DJ Carmichael $300,000 for actions undertaken by one of its former employees in 2011.

Kerry Stokes’ private company and three property investors are among five bidders shortlisted for the privatisation of Perth's major fruit and vegetable market, which includes the largest land development site in Canning Vale.

Junior explorers Azure Minerals and Metals of Africa have tapped investors to raise a combined $4.5 million to bolster their respective projects.

Quadrant Energy will pay $10 million to withdraw from a joint venture with Buru Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation, which together own oil and gas exploration permits in the Canning Basin.

Perth was one of only two capital cities to post a fall in home prices in the June quarter, while the national average rose 4.7 per cent.

Tech firm BrainChip has made a stellar debut on the ASX, after completing a reverse takeover of Perth-based Aziana.

Local explorers Encounter Resources, Horseshoe Metals and RNI have announced plans to raise a combined $9.8 million to fund ongoing work at their respective projects.

Perth-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has been hired to finish off work at Yara International’s $US800 million Burrup ammonium nitrate project in the Pilbara, after Downer walked off the job last week.

PS Structures has started work on new apartments at Bethanie’s Peel project in Mandurah, marking the aged care provider’s second major development this year.

IT firm ASG Group has built on its relationship with the federal government with the renewal of a new contract with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development worth $23.8 million.

Real estate companies Stocker Preston and Peard Real Estate Group have entered into an informal joint venture agreement to integrate their marketing, training and administration systems.

Private equity groups are on track to gain control of two mining operations, after Aditya Birla Minerals sold its mothballed Mt Gordon operation, while Atherton Resources looks set to be acquired in a takeover valued at about $56 million.

Cardinal Resources has received firm commitments for a $5 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Namdini gold project in Ghana.

Diversified contractor Brierty has won an $8.5 million contract to reconstruct three sections of the Coalfields Highway in the Shire of Collie.