Mark Beyer

AGL Energy is set to take on Alinta Energy and Wesfarmers' subsidiary Kleenheat in Western Australia’s retail gas market, with the company targeting 100,000 customers within two years.

Diversified surveying and contracting group OTOC said today there had been a reduction in the volume of work available for its infrastructure division at the immigration detention centre on Nauru, with the slowdown expected to hit divisional earnings.

Singapore-based Mitra Energy has completed the $US10 million ($A13.3 million) purchase of the Stag oil field off the Pilbara coast, but is still awaiting regulatory approval to take over as operator.  

Bibra Lake company Airstream has started rolling out a series of wireless control systems for home lighting, reticulation and security as it seeks to stay ahead of competitors in the home automation market.

The government’s failure to explain some fundamental details of its innovation plan has raised questions.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall, Mark Beyer and Dan Wilkie discuss innovation strategy, Wheatstone, Pilbara mining, Sam Walsh and commercial property.

A joint venture comprising Henderson-based contractor Civmec and international engineering firm Black & Veatch has been selected as preferred proponent for a $196 million wastewater project south of Perth.

In May 2015, mining executive Julie Shuttleworth had to deal with two major developments in her life. She had just started as general manager of Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon mine when she found she was pregnant with her first child.

A co-funding program with angel investors and a commercialisation fund for Western Australia’s universities are the ‘big ticket’ items in the state government’s $20 million innovation strategy, released last night.

Perth property developer Adam Lisle has long had a keen interest in motor racing, but it was a visit to a country club outside Las Vegas set up especially for motor sport that steered him down the path to his new business venture.

Chevron has blamed problems at one of its overseas suppliers and inadequate planning for a $US5 billion ($A6.6 billion) blowout in the cost of its Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

An ambitious waste recycling project using technology developed by ASX-listed AnaeCo and jointly built by contactor Monadelphous Group has gone into administration.

Western Australia’s peak business group is facing competition for members after the Australian Industry Group established a Perth office, shortly after ending a commercial alliance with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

Waste management companies in Perth are enjoying more demand for their services, but face continuing challenges finding markets.

Perth-based broking firm Patersons Securities is understood to have won a spot on the panel of retail brokers that will support the $2 billion initial public offering of Alinta Energy.

Fortescue Metals Group has pushed down costs and debt further after reporting higher iron ore shipments in the September quarter.

The state government has failed to hit any of the targets in its own waste management strategy, and part of the reason is a lack of coordination among its two key agencies, a review by the auditor general has found.

The co-founders of a successful property developer Nicheliving are mired in a legal dispute after plans to buy out key executive Danne Forte were halted when other directors questioned his financial projections.

Curtin University is set to benefit from the listing today of ePAT Technologies, which adds to a steady flow of tech companies that have attracted support from investors over the past six months.

SPECIAL REPORT: The national broadband network is throwing up unexpected competitive challenges for players in the communications sector.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Beyer and Dan Wilkie discuss the Roe 8 project, house prices, DAPs, private infrastructure, Tony Grist and the telco sector.

Euroz has reported a bumper first-quarter profit of $9.75 million, driven by strong growth in capital raising deals and good performances by its funds management businesses.

The amount of money the state government pumps into big events like the Hopman Cup, the Perth Fashion Festival, V8 Supercars and Margaret River Gourmet Escape is set to remain a secret after a review by the auditor general.

Advisers to mining and exploration companies have tentatively welcomed new guidance from the corporate regulator on forward-looking statements but believe more clarity is needed.

Two well-known Leederville cycling businesses have hit differing problems this week, with retailer Riders Choice going into voluntary administration and accessory manufacturer Cycliq facing a regulatory speed bump on its path to an ASX listing.

Telstra has defended the quality of its network after a series of major disruptions this year while also warning against the possible regulation of mobile roaming charges.

AMP Capital has bought the newly built Eastern Goldfields regional prison, joining the likes of Catholic Super, Australian Super and Aberdeen Asset Management as private owners of public infrastructure assets in Western Australia. Click through to see the BNiQ listing of public assets in private hands.

SPECIAL REPORT: Perth’s major business brokers are adapting their strategies to deal with a changing buyer profile and a general softening of prices.

SPECIAL REPORT: The recent sale and merger of two testing laboratories in Perth has allowed the vendors of each business to achieve very different outcomes.

SPECIAL REPORT: The stock market’s appetite for new listings is allowing a range of companies, from family-owned engineering firm Veem to big national player Alinta Energy, to raise capital.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Beyer and Dan Wilkie discuss residential property, Malaysian investment, innovation, fracking and our quarterly report on corporate finance deals.

Perth’s first innovation hub dedicated to the resources sector plans to focus on the impact of disruptive technologies after its official opening last night.