Infrastructure

A STUDY investigating the impact of the resources sector on the Pilbara's road transport network has labelled the state government's planning "inadequate", and concluded that the lack of a Pilbara freight transport strategy could put future mini

The first ever national audit of the resources export chain has found key infrastructure shortfalls in Western Australia's $59 billion minerals and energy sector.

Paladio Group has confirmed a $57 million contract to design and construct an accommodation village in Port Hedland for BHP Billiton.

Property developer Port Bouvard has agreed to sell its landholding at Lot 105 Old Coast Road Dawesville for $4.5 million to an undisclosed purchaser with settlement in financial year 2010.

Plans for a private port at Kwinana, backed by BGC boss Len Buckeridge, progressed today after Planning Minister John Day tabled planning scheme amendments to facilitate the reclassification of a waterway reservation to an industrial zone.

Questions are being raised over the government’s plans for infrastructure.

THE building and construction sector has welcomed the state government's record capital works program, as the industry looks to the government to stimulate activity while private sector investment languishes.

As the state rushes to commit to a port at Oakajee, it would do well to heed the warnings of previous infrastructure arrangements.

CCIWA says the state deserved more from the federal budget, despite ports securing millions in funding.

THERE is growing speculation that some grain traders are considering establishing their own port-based grain loading facilities to take advantage of the deregulated export environment and challenge the monopoly of grains handler CBH.

THE state government has established a working group to review energy infrastructure options in the Mid West after its surprise decision to defer the upgrade of the transmission line to Geraldton.

Shares in Atlas Iron have risen after the miner announced a five-fold resource increase at its Wodgina iron ore project near Port Hedland.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has again defended the government's decision to not release the State Infrastructure Strategy, saying its framewok needs to be revisited.

The government has committed to a $23.8 billion capital works program over the next four years - an increase on the $18.5 billion spent over the past four years - with a record $8.3 billion to be spent in 2009-10.

While the federal government's decision to invest in significant WA infrastructure projects has been welcomed, a business lobby group says the state's importance to the nation's economy has been undersold.

The federal government has allocated $236 million for the sinking of the Northbridge rail line as part of the $8 billion Building Australia fund, while the Fiona Stanley hospital will receive $255 million.

If you want to see a balancing act, get involved in infrastructure in the Mid West. That is where billions of dollars of investment - the most important we are told for the next 50 years - relies on numerous stakeholders coming together.

West Perth-based Galaxy Resources has selected a site in China for its proposed lithium carbonate plant that will process ore from its $68 million Mt Cattlin project near Ravensthorpe.

Macmahon Holdings has secured contracts for three major government water infrastructure projects on the east coast valued at $120 million.

Western Areas will have the right of first refusal over Kagara's Lounge Lizard nickel project after it struck a multi-million dollar deal to grant the latter company access.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has approved Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation's (Ansteel) $162 million acquisition of an additional stake in Gindalbie Metals.

Former Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Tim Shanahan has been appointed as the new chairman of the Pilbara Development Commission with Port Hedland Port Authority chief executive Andre Bush to be his deputy.

DESPITE trade volumes falling at Fremantle Port in recent months, complaints about delays at the wharf by members of the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia (CBFCA) suggest efficiency has not improved as expected.

THE rural townsite of Gidgegannup to the north east of Perth is perched for significant expansion if the master plan from property developer, Port Bouvard, lodged last week with the City of Swan and the Western Australian Planning Commission, receives app

THE current condition and future use of the rural rail system across Western Australia as part of the state's grain freight network continues to generate debate, as stakeholders seek a commitment from the government to support the ageing infrastructure.

Port Bouvard has lodged its master plan for the Gidgegannup townsite with the City of Swan and the Western Australian Planning Commission following 18 months of planning and environmental investigations.

Shares in Aurox Resources have surged after it received environmental approval for its Balla Balla magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara in a move the company says will provide certainty for potential financiers.

Gindalbie Metals has welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority's long awaited report on its $1.8 billion Karara project but may appeal over the exclusion of one iron ore deposit in the project area.

A newly launched campaign to maintain the transport of grain on rail instead of roads has put the state's farm groups at odds.

West Coast Eagles chairman Mark Barnaba has joined the Western Power board as chairman Peter Mansell is re-appointed.

Bunnings Warehouse has outlined its growth plans for the state, with two new stores set to open this year and development approval being sought for another store in Forrestdale.

Shares in Port Bouvard have jumped as much as 20 per cent today as the property developer cleared a major hurdle for the its proposed Point Grey development near Mandurah.