February 13th 2010

The city of Perth, Western Australia, has ranked amongst the world's most liveable cities in a global liveability survey conducted by the Economist.

No stranger to rating amongst the World's most liveable cities, in this survey Perth ranked eighth.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's liveability survey assesses the quality of life in 140 cities worldwide according to stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

Cities are given a relative score between zero and 100. Perth achieved 95.9.

Perth was one of several Australian cities to make the top ten. Melbourne ranked third, Sydney seventh and Adelaide joint-eighth.

Canada also performed well with Vancouver taking first place, Toronto fourth and Calgary fifth.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's global liveability survey

February 8^th 2010

The world's most technically advanced floating dock and transfer system has been unveiled at the Australian Marine Complex south of Perth.

The 99 meter by 53 meter dock is capable of lifting vessels weighing up to 12,000 tons out of the water for service and maintenance. It can also facilitate the water-to-land transfer of vessels up to 3,500 tons.

Speaking at the launch, Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said he was very proud of the world-first $60million floating dock.

"No other dock in the world can move in more than one direction at a time and very few docks have the capability to transfer and offload vessels," Mr Grylls said.

The State Government expects the floating dock to add more than $2billion to WA's economy over 25 years through naval contracts and resources-related projects.

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell said the new infrastructure would link Western Australian industries with development and operation of major resources, petroleum and defence projects.

"The addition of the floating dock to this important facility will ensure it remains at the forefront of major project delivery in this state," Mr Buswell said.

February 4th 2009

The screen adaptation of one of Australia's favourite stage shows will feature at this years' Berlin International Film Festival.

Bran Nue Dae is an uplifting coming of age story about a timid teenaged aboriginal boy's journey back to Broome, the beloved home town he's been sent away from.   

The natural beauty of WA's northern coastline provides a stunning background to the film which stars Rocky McKenzie, Geoffrey Rush, Ernie Dingo and Missy Higgins.

Bran Nue Dae's inclusion at the 60^th Berlin International Film Festival is yet another sign of recognition from the international film world. The movie recently featured at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

6oth Berlin International Film Festival website

January 29^th 2010

West Australian ship building company Austal has announced it will be building two more Joint High Speed Vessels for the US Navy.

The company said the US Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction of the two additional vessels as part of an existing 10-vessel, AUD$1.8 billion program.

The additional work is valued at approximately AUD$225 million.

Intended as the US Department of Defense's next-generation multi-use platform, the two 103 metre high speed vessels will be constructed at Austal's US facility, located in Mobile, Alabama.

Austal Managing Director Bob Browning commented: "By exercising Options 2 and 3, the US Navy has signalled its support of this important and significant multi-vessel program." 

Austal USA's President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Rella commented, "The Navy's decision to proceed with full construction of the second and third JHSVs will serve to underpin the momentum in our shipyard and support Austal USA's objective of driving greater efficiency and associated cost controls in its shipbuilding programs."

December 1^st 2009

WA Business News reports gold plated shovels have been used to turn the first sod on the massive $43 billion Gorgon natural gas project on Barrow Island, off WA's Pilbara coast.

Establishing the project will take about five years, with more than 3,000 construction workers living on the 30,000-hectare island ahead of the first gas shipment scheduled for 2014.

According to the WA Business News report Chevron Asia Pacific Exploration and Production president Jim Blackwell said the ceremony formally recognised the start of construction of Chevron's and Australia's largest single resources project.

"The greater Gorgon area is estimated to have 40 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources and is well positioned to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the Asia Pacific region, Mr Blackwell said.

He said it would help Australia climb the ladder from its position as the fifth largest exporter of LNG in the world.

Read the full story here