Fraser Beattie

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum is considering growth opportunities in Papua New Guinea, announcing today it was evaluating a takeover offer for Oil Search through an all-scrip deal valued at more than $11 billion.

Local contractors PS Structures, Cockram Construction and Broad have secured a combined $39.3 million worth of work for the state government.

The environmental watchdog has recommended approval of a new iron ore mine in the Pilbara, proposed by resources giant BHP Billiton.

Eight years after Diploma Group listed on the ASX, the Di Latte family is looking to buy back the business from shareholders.

Local oil and gas company Antares Energy has sold its two remaining assets in the Permian Basin in Texas to an undisclosed private equity buyer, for about $US250 million ($A360 million).

A mine worker has died after a truck rolled over at Hanking Gold Mining’s Southern Cross project, while another was fatally injured at Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley operation in New South Wales.

Shipbuilder Austal has shone in the quarterly rebalance of the S&P/ASX indices, while many local miners and contractors have lost their status.

Eminent Western Australian historian Geoffrey Bolton has died at the age of 83.

Former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Allan Fels will lead an independent panel to receive and review claims involving underpaid staff by franchisees of 7-Eleven.

New car sales in Western Australia have continued to lag behind the national trend, with sales down 8.4 per cent in August.

Dempsey Minerals has announced a change in direction with a proposed acquisition of a local unlisted oil explorer, in a deal valued at about $2.6 million.

Local builder Summit Homes has taken national honours as one of the best places to work, in a study judged by BRW.

Stakeholders in Sirius Resources have shown their support for the proposed acquisition by Independence Group, with three recommendations passing by an almost unanimous vote.

The Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) has announced a $200 million redevelopment that will transition its ground to a 'boutique' venue designed to complement the new Perth Stadium, which will host all Big Bash League and major international matches.

Perth-based exploration company Ventnor Resources has struck gold at its Black Dragon project north of Kalgoorlie.

Minbos Resources has ended merger talks with its joint venture partner, Petril Projects, after the two companies were unable to agree on certain terms of the proposal.

The competition watchdog plans to grant a regulatory exemption to WA Chip & Pulp Co, which will allow the Japanese-owned woodchip exporter to continue its partnership with international grain trader Bunge at the Port of Bunbury.

Watpac is part of a consortium selected as the preferred tenderer for the construction of 15 new schools in Victoria.

The corporate watchdog says former Hanlong Mining managing director Hui Xiao has pleaded guilty to insider trading involving two Perth resources companies.

7-Eleven says it will establish an independent panel to review franchise agreement terms, amid claims that staff have been underpaid by franchisees.

Executive search and consulting firm Heidrick & Struggles has taken advantage of the collapse of global competitor CTPartners by recruiting three senior executives in Perth to establish a new local office.

Dwelling prices rose by an average of just 0.3 per cent in Australia’s capital cities in August, with Perth being one of the poorer performers, with prices down by 1.3 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate at a record low of 2 per cent for a fourth straight month.

A UK-based institution has signed an agreement with TFS Corporation to invest in 208 hectares of new Indian sandalwood plantations in the Northern Territory, for an undisclosed sum.

Swan Taxis has launched an update for its app, which now allows customers to book a cab ride and make automatic cashless payments with the use of a credit card, similar to the service offered by competitor Uber.

Shares in local diversified contractor Brierty slumped after it flagged a $6 million hit to its profit result on the back of a cost blowout on a Mains Road WA project.

Nedlands-based investment manager Viburnum has acquired oil and gas diving contractor Cal Dive International Australia, in partnership with Houston company SCF Partners.

Online streaming service provider Quickflix has requested a trading halt for at least a month so it can undertake a restructuring program aimed at reducing costs, raising funds and attracting new customers.

Gold miner Doray Minerals is seeking to double its workforce to support its Deflector project, after announcing it has secured $91.7 million in funds to bring the project into production.

Sandalwood producer TFS Corporation entered a trading halt this morning, just before the scheduled release of its annual results, saying it was in discussions with its newly-appointed auditor.

Shares in Atlas Iron surged on news it had lowered its cash costs in July by $11 per wet metric tonne, with the iron ore miner flagging more cash flow in August.

Macmahon Holdings has reported a net loss of $217.9 million for the financial year, on the back of impairments to its assets during what has been a tough time for contractors and mining services firms.