Western Australia

The Western Australian government has launched a strategic plan to capitalise on the state’s manufacturing and technological capabilities and grow the local defence industry. Western Australia’s Premier Mark McGowan launched the Western Australia Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan during his address at the inaugural Indo-Pacific Defence Conference on Tuesday. The premier said that the … Continue reading WA launches defence industry strategy →

The Western Australian government has announced that it will establish a council to support the development of a renewable hydrogen industry in the state. The Renewable Hydrogen Council will comprise of experts from the private and public sectors, and will provide guidance on the progression and development of the hydrogen industry in WA. It is … Continue reading WA to establish hydrogen industry council →

The Western Australian government has announced 23 local businesses as the winners of the 2018 Innovation Vouchers Program. The program, an initiative of the state government’s New Industries Fund, enables small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve their capability and commercialise their innovations through the support of the state government. The successful applicants, who were chosen … Continue reading WA provides innovation grants to local SMEs →

In a move to promote Western Australia’s defence industry both in Australia and overseas, the state has launched the inaugural WA Defence Industry Capability Directory. The directory, containing more than 100 local companies,  is the result of the defence industry capability assessment undertaken by TCF Services, on behalf of Defence West.   The capability assessment, which … Continue reading WA promotes defence industry with the launch of new directory →

Battery material company Neometals has moved ahead with plans to build a lithium hydroxide refinery in a 40-hectare site in a new industrial estate at West Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The state land will be leased by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to help secure the development of the lithium facility. The agreement provides Neometals with a two-year … Continue reading New lithium processing plant to launch in WA →

Western Australia Lithium, a joint venture between Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile and Kidman Resources, is planning to build a new lithium refinery in Kwinana, south of Perth. The refinery could produce about 40,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate and/or lithium hydroxide from the mineral processed at the proposed mine and concentrator at Mt … Continue reading WA set to get another large lithium refinery →

Western Australia energy provider, Synergy, has appointed diversified engineering and infrastructure company PCR Tomlinson for construction and commissioning of a $60 million expansion to the Greenough River solar farm. The 10MW Greenough River solar farm, located in Walkaway, Western Australia, was the country’s first utility-scale solar farm when it first opened in October 2012. The clean, … Continue reading Synergy appoints RCR for Greenough River solar farm expansion →

A blueprint for the establishment of Infrastructure WA (IWA) was released earlier this month, which the WA government describes as a new approach to long-term infrastructure planning in Western Australia to create jobs. Focused on ensuring investment is made in the right projects, at the right time, and generating a pipeline of jobs in WA, … Continue reading Infrastructure WA to grow WA economy →

WA Premier Mark McGowan told a CEDA audience that the Western Australia economy has turned the corner from what has been a difficult period. “The Australian Bureau handed down the September quarter results, and we have state final demand growing for the second quarter by 0.9 per cent, and that’s the first time since 2013,” … Continue reading WA economy seeing better days ahead →

The WA Government will transform the existing Ocean Reef Boat Harbour into a world-class waterfront precinct, creating hundreds of jobs in the northern suburbs. Delivering on an election commitment to kick-start the development, the McGowan Government has committed $120 million over the life of the project and will see the long-awaited transformation finally get underway. … Continue reading Ocean Reef Marina project to see creation of “hundred of jobs”: WA Government →

A Climate Council report states who they see as leading the charge of Australia’s transition to clean, affordable and efficient renewable energy and storage technology. The Renewables Ready: States Leading the Charge report shows South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are all leading the renewables race, while the Federal Government remains stuck at … Continue reading Climate Council: SA, TAS and ACT leading the renewables charge →

Kennards Hire have announced that they are expanding their branch network in the northwest of Australia with three new branches joining the business across Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Having recently acquired CAPS Hire, the Kennards Hire network has seen new branches open up in Broome and Kununurra in Western Australia. In the Northern … Continue reading Kennards Hire expands branch network in WA and NT →

According to an official release by the WA government, Horizon Power will soon be supplying Pilbara customers with energy from the most efficient gas power station in the region with the successful commissioning today of the new South Hedland power station, built by TransAlta Energy (Australia). The new power station, which will deliver 150 megawatts … Continue reading Horizon Power to power the Pilbara →

The Naval Shipbuilding Plan has been released, outlining how the Australian government expects to deliver $89 billion worth of ships over the next few decades. According to the report, there will need to be $1.3 billion worth of upgrades to shipyards in South and Western Australia, which will be funded through taxpayers. It is also … Continue reading Foreign workers needed to support SA shipbuilding →

Food manufacturer Goodman Fielder has delayed the closure of its factory in Western Australia, due to issues with its supply agreement with George Weston Foods. Earlier this year, Goodman Fielder announced plans to cease production at its Malaga, Perth plant by April 28. The plan was to enter into a supply agreement with George Weston … Continue reading Goodman Fielder delays WA factory closure →

Adelaide company Ezy-Fit Hydraulics spent approximately $4 million on upgrades in preparation for a tender to replace the Collins Class periscope tubes, only to lose the tender to Thales, the original manufacturer of the parts. Ezy-Fit Hydraulics was awarded a $1.9 million Federal Government grant to upgrade its machinery and facilities, which the company was … Continue reading SA company loses $12m submarine tender →

CommSec has released its latest quarterly report revealing the economic performance of Australian states. The report analyses eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; business investment; unemployment; construction work done; population growth; housing finance and dwelling commencements. According to CommSec chief economist Craig James, the latest data indicates a multi-speed national economy. NSW remains on top, … Continue reading NSW continues to dominate Australia’s economic performance →

Australian shipbuilders have expressed fears that Australia will have minimal involvement in the building and maintenance of the nation’s future submarines and warships. South Australia should expect to see only a fraction of the benefits from the $89 billion Future Submarines and shipbuilding defence construction, according to Defence SA. The organisation claims there is a … Continue reading Fears for Australia’s shipbuilding industry →

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has called for federal and state governments hand over sovereign land and give tax concessions to manufacturers to help them transition away from coal power, according to The Guardian. AMWU Western Australia state secretary Steve McCartney has called for a Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) style finance body to … Continue reading Manufacturing union says manufacturers need help to transition from coal →

The federal government has announced the creation of a cooperative research centre (CRC) for Northern Australia investment for short-term collaborative projects that the government hopes will enhance the competitiveness of northern Australia. The CRC will be located in Townsville and will be comprised of industry representatives from Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Minister … Continue reading New CRC centre to boost competitiveness in Northern Australia →