Mark Beyer

Henderson-based modular building supplier Nomad Building Solutions Ltd has exceeded the forecasts in its 2006 float prospects, reporting a net profit of $7.1 million for the half-year to December 2006.

Western Australia’s remarkable run of good economic news continued this month with the unemployment rate falling to the lowest level since official records started 30 years ago.

Small and mid-sized audit firms will come under increasing pressure to merge or restructure their business after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission adopted a hard-line interpretation of its auditor rotation policy.

Unlisted Perth company Lignor has taken another step towards building a $250 million engineered lumber plant in Western Australia, following the lead set by Denis Cullity’s Wesbeam Holdings.

Uranium producer Paladin Resources Ltd has reported commissioning problems at its flagship Langer Heinrich project in Namibia, though it believes the problems are "normal at this stage".

The Mid West region has established itself as Western Australia’s second iron ore province after the Pilbara, with three companies now exporting ore through Geraldton and a fourth planning to start exports next year.

Sons of Gwalia shareholders looking forward to a payout after last week’s historic High Court ruling will have to wait for two more matters to be resolved before finding out what, if any, distribution they can expect.

Australia’s prospects of hosting the world’s biggest telescope have hit a significant hurdle after the co-ordinating committee was forced to consider an alternative location.

A proposed $2 billion radio telescope in the Mid West is forcing infrastructure and mining companies in the once-sleepy region to reshape their plans.

Rio Tinto’s bumper 2006 profit result announced last week may have highlighted the boom in commodity markets, but it also hid a few shockers in its Australian operations.

The debate over rail and port infrastructure in the Mid West hotted-up today, with Yilgarn Infrastructure providing details of its rail project and the state government calling for more data from the industry before committing to further port upgrades.

Alinta's directors have been pilloried in the national press for their handling of the proposed management buy-out and there is concern in Perth that WA's corporate reputation is also suffering.

During the past four weeks, Alinta Ltd, Multiplex Group and Sydney-based Origin Energy Ltd have highlighted the challenge facing company directors trying to determine the best approach to market disclosure.

Rising costs have been a growing problem for businesses during the current boom, and Mid West iron ore miner Mount Gibson Iron has added a new kind of cost blow-out to the mix.

Mount Gibson Iron Ltd has delivered a mixed report card for the December quarter, with ore shipments hitting a record level but profit below forecast and expansion projects adversely affected by cost increases and delays.

Perth-based wealth management company St Andrew's Australia has expanded its financial planning business by acquiring Queensland firm Whittaker Macnaught, established by high profile media commentator Noel Whittaker.

The state government has approved $9.5 million in funding so the Port Hedland Port Authority can proceed with dredging work but has deferred a funding decision on the proposed expansion of the port's public berth, likely to cost about $180 million.

Mount Gibson Iron Limited has delivered a mixed report card for the December quarter, with ore shipments hitting a record level but profit below forecast and expansion projects adversely affected by cost increases and delays.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd has announced the appointment of senior executive Mark Chatterji as chief financial officer.

The state government is expected to approve a $180 million upgrade of Port Hedland’s port facilities in the next fortnight, soon after selecting a preferred site for the Pilbara region’s next major iron ore port.

Two weeks after Alinta shocked the market by announcing a management buy-out proposal, the future of the energy infrastructure company has turned into a fully-fledged auction process.

Perth debt collection specialist Keith John has sold his Malaysian business to Credit Corp Group, six months after selling his Australian business to the same purchaser.

The state government is planning a hybrid contracting approach for the design and construction of the $1.1b Fiona Stanley Hospital to try and maximise competition and reduce risk facing the state.

Euroz Securities has for the first time knocked Patersons Securities off its position as the top stockbroking firm in Perth for equity capital raisings.

Engineering company Clough Ltd, which appointed a new chief executive this week following a major restructuring, has re-jigged the planned sale of its property development business.

The past year was a boom time for many businesses and investors, yet ironically it was characterised as much by failed deals and lost opportunities as it was by successful transactions.

South African company Murray & Roberts Ltd has taken firm control of local engineering and construction group Clough Limited by replacing chief executive David Singleton with its own nominee.

Perth-based asset management company PearlStreet Ltd has announced plans for an $8 million initial public offering and listing on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Sundance Resources chairman George Jones has predicted an 8 to 10 per cent increase in iron ore prices in 2008, which would help to attract support for the company's $3.1 billion Mbalam iron ore project in west Africa.

Premier Alan Carpenter has finished the year sounding upbeat, despite all of the ministerial and corruption crises gripping his government. Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall report.

The amalgamation of local councils is a topic of debate that generates a lot of heat, but outside of Geraldton and Northam there is no immediate prospect of real change.

With local government coming under close scrutiny, WA Business News invited some of the leading figures in the sector to discuss key challenges and propose solutions.