Don Punch

Fisheries Minister Don Punch has been taken to court over management measures introduced by the state government stipulating new rules for recreational, charter and commercial fishers.

The state government has eased the controversial demersal fishing ban for charter businesses operating in the West Coast region, but only if they eat their catches on-board.

The final stage of Bunbury’s major waterfront redevelopment project has progressed after the state government awarded three contracts to local businesses.

Talison Lithium will lead a study into reopening the Greenbushes rail line in a move that would take trucks off the South West Highway but may create new disruption for motorists.

The state government has confirmed $4.5 million restoration works will go ahead on Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty, almost six years after its closure to the public.

Tassal Group has acquired barramundi farm operator Marine Produce Australia's group of companies that has been in administration since May.

The state government has moved on progressing its proposed Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub in the South West after engaging Deloitte to undertake a feasibility study.

The state government has stepped in to fund a research program to futureproof WA’s scallop industry in the face of mounting difficulties caused by climate change.

Fisheries Minister Don Punch has poured cold water on a rethink of demersal fishing limits, claiming they are necessary to avoid complete collapse of the fishery.

The WA Government has ordered a multimillion offshore patrol vessel capable of combatting drug runners and illegal fishing off the North West coast.

Departmental concern over the planning process for an expansive marine park in the state’s south has been brushed off by state fisheries minister Don Punch.

International agribusiness ARYZTA has commenced construction on its first Western Australian bakery with a price tag of $66 million in the Peel Business Park.

Two government-backed workers' villages along WA's Coral Coast remain unbuilt and with no clear indication on timelines, years after first being touted to ease the accommodation squeeze.

Southern Ports boss Keith Wilks has welcomed the state government’s investment to identify potential development opportunities around Albany’s waterfront precinct.

ASX-listed International Graphite has announced the wet commissioning of its new graphite micronising plant in Collie.

High interest from commercial anglers in being paid to relinquish their quotas has given the state government the ability to double the length of a recreational demersal fishing window.

The WA public sector is well off track in meeting its workforce diversity target for people with disabilities, with the needle barely moving in the past six years.

A new food and beverage manufacturing facility has been unveiled within the Food Innovation Precinct of WA for businesses to develop and produce products on a commercial scale.

The Nationals WA have accused Regional Development Minister Don Punch of misleading the people of the South West in relation to the affairs of Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Major seafood producer Tassal Group has received a $5 million grant from the state government to aid its barramundi farm growth plans.

A 5400-hectare parcel of land has been leased to Kununurra’s largest farmer in a boost long-held ambitions for the Ord to become a major cotton growing region.

Two reports have detailed shortcomings in engaging people with disabilities in workplaces across WA and the nation.

The state’s latest efforts to diversify the economy of the historic coal mining town of Collie will include spend on commercial diving, dentistry, energy storage and support for tourism.

A joint venture between Multiplex Constructions and Perkins Builders has been contracted for main works of the Bunbury Regional Hospital's redevelopment project.

The state government has stepped in to secure the future of Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre, putting up $1.5 million to pull the tourist attraction out of administration.

The state government will pitch in to rebuild Western Australia’s $18 million wine trade with China following the removal of crippling tariffs.

ASX-listed International Graphite has received an additional $6.5 million grant from the state government, in order to accelerate progression of its downstram processing operations in Collie.

Albany’s shellfish hatchery will be expanded by local business Colab Construction, following the award of a $3.6 million government tender to support the state’s seafood industry.

A tender to build a clean energy research centre in the Pilbara has been put to the market by the state government.

The boss of a Pilbara local government has urged policymakers to “get out of the way” and instead fund local councils to solve housing problems themselves.

Two WA owned businesses have won a $69.2 million contract for the construction of a new breakwater at Bunbury’s Casuarina boat harbour.

A service matching disabled jobseekers with small and medium business employers will form part of a year-long trial to boost participation in the workforce.

The proposed offshore wind zone farm has received criticism after the federal government declared an area off the coast of Bunbury for the renewable industry.

The state government has progressed its plans to establish a hydrogen and clean energy workforce training centre in the Pilbara, after awarding a design contract to Aurecon.

Analysis: There are shades of the maligned Royalties for Regions program in the scale of recent government spending at Collie, Business News research has found.

Auzvolt has its sights set on Collie as it seeks to buck the global trend and deliver a viable business outside China.

A hub to help build Western Australia’s Aboriginal bushfoods industry has opened south of Perth.

Six traditional owner groups will share in up to $2.1 million worth of grants to start native seed production trials for land restoration.

SOUTH WEST: Despite the interest in the renewable energy sector, big plans for offshore wind farms off the Bunbury coast are becalmed.

The WA government’s regional ministers will be directed to address housing shortages and regional development roadblocks in major country towns.