Fraser Beattie

The jobless rate in Western Australia rose to 5.8 per cent in June, while a small increase in the national rate has economists warning it hasn't yet peaked.

Singapore-founded property crowdfunding business CoAssets wrapped up its first day of trading on the Newcastle-based National Stock Exchange of Australia today, with its shares closing flat at 10 cents each.

A local subsidiary of Norway's Global Maritime Group is the latest company to be awarded a contract for work at Woodside Petroleum’s operations in the North West Shelf.

Last year's Business News Rising Stars winner, emergency response and security services provider Executive Risk Solutions, has taken the top prize as the 2015 Telstra Western Australian business of the year.

Two local miners have announced plans to exit the resources industry and move into other fields, by way of backdoor listings.

Perth-based Zeta Petroleum will acquire a substantial shareholding in oil explorer Oilex, when the company completes a planned $US23 million ($A30 million) capital raising.

Local aquaculture firm Seafarms Group has announced plans to raise up to $16.6 million, with major shareholders Ian Trahar and Paul Favretto committing to a large portion of the raising.

Former VDM Group boss Andrew Broad has returned to his former employer, mining services business Ausdrill, and will become its chief operating officer of Australian operations.

Financial planning technology group Decimal has formed a partnership agreement Perth-based P&N Bank as it seeks to expand its service offering to a broader range of members.

Online advertising business Tech Mpire has made solid gains on its first day of trading on the ASX, after being acquired by Fortunis Resources in a $3.1 million backdoor listing.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum has awarded a front-end engineering and design contract to a consortium comprising two NYSE-listed companies, for its proposed Browse FLNG project.

Automotive Holdings Group has bought all three Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Perth from Western Pacific Automotive for a combined $58 million.

Nickel explorer Rumble Resources says a recently completed drilling program at its Zanthus project in the Fraser Range has turned up nothing of value.

The Fiona Stanley Hospital has won the top prize at this year’s WA Architecture Awards, with Hassell, Hames Sharley and Silver Thomas Hanley commended for their design efforts.

June was another slow month for new car sales in Western Australia, while national sales continued to grow.

West Perth-based explorer Legend Mining will buy a large block of land in the Fraser Range and form an exploration joint venture with the highly successful prospector Mark Creasy.

Gold and copper miner Geopacific Resources has launched a $23 million capital raising to fund an exploration program at its Kou Sa project in Cambodia.

The game between Adelaide Crows and Geelong this weekend has been called off, but other AFL games will proceed, after Crows coach Phil Walsh was found dead in his home early this morning.

A proposed extension of Roe Highway in Perth’s southern suburbs has received conditional approval by Environment Minister Albert Jacob.

Atlas Iron has reopened its Mount Webber iron ore mine, marking the recommencement of mining at all three of the company’s Pilbara operations after shutting them less than three months ago.

Two local independent music-media rivals have announced plans to combine their businesses, leveraging off each other’s print and online strengths to create a single print masthead and online portal.

Subiaco-based biotech firm Phylogica has announced plans for a heavily discounted $10 million capital raising to fund development of its cancer treatment programs.

Coles has avoided a public review by the consumer watchdog by offering to divest its freehold interest in a development in Perth's southern suburbs so it can operate a new supermarket nearby in Lakelands.

More than $4.5 billion was pumped into the local economy by domestic tourists in the year to March, Tourism Council WA says.

One day after a reported 100 workers lost their jobs at the Ellendale diamond mine, Kimberley Diamonds has announced the mine has been closed and its subsidiary Kimberley Diamond Company placed in voluntary administration.

The government of the Republic of Cameroon is planning to seek funding from China for the rail and port infrastructure at Sundance Resources' Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project, allowing the Perth company to focus just on the mine development.

The mining arm of Cimic Group has won a $137 million operations contract at the Encuentro Oxides open pit copper mine in Chile, in partnership with local mining equipment supplier Emeco Holdings.

Northern Star Resources and St Barbara have led mining industry support for research projects that link CSIRO and university scientists seeking ways to extend the life of existing gold mines, reveal new deposits and improve processing efficiency.

The value of Australian iron ore exports is expected to fall next year as strong growth in production volumes is offset by a slump in prices to a forecast $US52.10 per tonne in 2016.

An investment company chaired by Perth businessman Farooq Khan has made an off-market $8 million cash bid for full ownership of Strike Resources, and may seek opportunities for the business outside the resources sector.

Perth-based explorer Auroch Minerals has sold its Mozambique gold assets to Xtract Resources for a cash and share package worth $US12.5 million ($A16.3million).

Bannister Downs Dairy Company managing director Sue Daubney has won the Industry Advocacy award at the 2015 Women in Industry Awards in Sydney.