Michael Ramsey

The market capitalisation of Western Australia's top 100 listed companies has fallen on the back of lower commodity prices, marking an end to four months of consecutive gains.

Western Australia's domestic gas production has recorded its first significant quarterly growth since 2008, helped by the opening of BHP Billiton's $1.5 billion Macedon project.

Shares in Atlas Iron have gained after the miner reported strong demand for its direct shipping ore sales contracts in 2014.

The state's peak hospitality lobby has welcomed a commitment by the competition watchdog to enforce penalties against businesses that post fake online reviews.

Contractor Brierty has secured a new residential land development contract in the Northern Territory worth up to $100 million.

CITIC Pacific says it is working hard to bring its Sino Iron project up to full production, after completing the first shipment of magnetite concentrate from the trouble-plagued development.

Global miner First Quantum Minerals is set to purchase a stake in West Perth copper junior Caravel Minerals, adding to its interests in Western Australia.

Woodside Petroleum and National Australia Bank chairman Michael Chaney says the growing compliance burden on companies threatens to compromise their ability to deliver for shareholders.

Sundance Resources has outlined a new approach to funding its major iron ore project in West Africa, seven months after terminating a $1.3 billion takeover agreement with Chinese company Hanlong Mining.

Higher demand for new housing is placing further pressure on the state's land supply, as a new report finds land sales are tracking at more than 40 per cent above the 10-year average.

Forge Group looks set to surrender a significant share of its equity to creditor ANZ Banking Group in exchange for a company-saving debt package, as spooked investors wiped more than 83 per cent from the contractor's market value.

Altona Mining is the latest Perth company to receive a first strike from shareholders against its remuneration report.

Just four months after becoming Forge Group's new lender, it appears ANZ Banking Group will need to pitch in more debt financing to keep the struggling company afloat.

The state government will retrospectively amend its land tax legislation after a court ruling broadened the potential for property developers to obtain an exemption.

Bis Industries has deferred plans to launch a long-anticipated $510 million initial public offering due to what it describes as unfavourable market sentiment towards the Australian mining and resources sectors.

Brookfield Multiplex has completed construction of a $200 million accommodation village at Hancock Prospecting's $10 billion Roy Hill iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Mia Davies has been elected deputy leader of the WA Nationals and will become a cabinet minister after beating Wendy Duncan in a party-room ballot.

Cape plc and Giovenco Industries have each been awarded major contracts at Chevron's $29 billion Wheatstone LNG project near Onslow.

Perth stockbroking firm DJ Carmichael has acted as lead manager to a $4.4 million capital raising by oil and gas explorer Rampart Energy.

Global Construction Services has received a first strike against its remuneration report, with shareholders also protesting against the re-election of executive director George Chiari.

Perth-based concrete construction group Whittens has been awarded a $15.5 million contract for civil concrete construction works at the Boggabri coal handling and processing plant in New South Wales.

Donaldson + Warn director Geoff Warn has been appointed as the state's new government architect following a nation-wide selection process.

Residents of Perth's outer suburbs are spending more than the average mortgage repayment on driving to work every week due to inadequate public transport options, a new report has found.

Bis Industries has acquired Queensland-based innovative haulage company Powertrans for $30 million as it prepares to launch a long-awaited initial public offering.

Calibre Group has promoted acting chief operating officer Peter Reichler to the position of managing director, on a total fixed remuneration package worth $500,000 less than that of his predecessor

Empire Oil & Gas has conceded defeat in its bid to stave off efforts by major shareholder ERM Power to overthrow its board, saying it now believes ERM's proposal is the best way forward for the company.

Diploma Group has developed a new remuneration package for managing director Nick Di Latte with a lower base pay but new performance incentives as it prepares to face shareholders at its annual general meeting next week.

Perth engineering firm Clough has ceased trading on the ASX after securing the green light from shareholders and the Federal Court to proceed with a $462 million takeover by South African group Murray & Roberts.

Ausdrill managing director Ron Sayers says he no longer plans to step down from the role next year, despite the prospect he could face a retrial on tax fraud charges.

Gindalbie Metals says it will continue to purchase iron ore from third parties to make up for a shortfall of concentrator production at its Karara mine, as the company warned shareholders it will need additional capital investment before it can reach capacity at its main magnetite project.

Cash Converters has been hit with a second strike against its remuneration report but shareholders showed little interest in spilling the company's board at its annual general meeting in Perth today.

RCR Tomlinson says it's confident its newly acquired infrastructure business will provide significant growth in the year ahead as the company looks to diversify its revenue streams.