With the season’s first cyclone approaching the WA coast, businesses throughout the North-West of the State have been reminded to ensure contingency plans are established and in operation. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said today it was crucial that everyone on sea and on land knew what to do when there was a cyclone in the area. “Under workplace safety and health laws, employers must...

Aubin Grove unregistered builder Craig Douglas Bisdee, as the sole director and secretary of Construct Homes WA Pty Ltd, has been prosecuted by the Building Commissioner for registration and contractual offences the company committed in contracting for and carrying out home building work at a Queens Park property in late 2011 and early 2012.

The average cost of unleaded petrol is set to increase by around 10 cents per litre (cpl) to 120.5 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Tuesday 26 January 2016, most Coles Express sites are increasing their ULP prices to 126.9 cpl; an increase of 17 cpl. The majority of Caltex sites are increasing their ULP price to 125...

· Fees charged by settlement agents and land valuers in WA to be deregulated · Competition and market forces will keep costs reasonable for consumers · Codes of conduct changes will ensure fee transparency and certainty From February 3, 2016, fees charged by settlement agents and land valuers will no longer be capped by the State Government. Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said it was no longer...

Consumer Protection is warning WA’s fuel retailers not to charge customers more than the amount reported to FuelWatch or displayed on their price boards and bowsers. It comes after complaints by drivers resulted in $1,000 infringement notices being issued to three separate petrol stations. Allegations investigated in the last quarter of 2015 included: A receipt showing a consumer had paid 133.9...

A Bullsbrook horse float business has been fined a total of $60,000 by the Midland Magistrates Court and ordered to pay compensation to consumers of $73,264 after accepting payments but failing to supply, as well as operating without a licence. Robert William O’Neil , trading as Izz-Wil-Cal Floats , was also ordered to pay costs of $2,131 after pleading guilty on 18 January 2016 to seven charges...

A Karratha real estate agency has been reprimanded and fined $5,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for overcharging clients for property inspection and management fees. Seaville Holdings Pty Ltd , trading as First National Real Estate Karratha , was found to have charged the owners of four properties more than what was contracted for property inspection fees between December 2011 and...

The average cost of regular unleaded petrol is set to increase by 13 cents per litre (cpl) to 125.0 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Tuesday 19 January 2016, most BP sites are increasing their ULP prices to 129.9 cpl, an increase of 17 cpl. The majority of Caltex Woolworths sites are increasing their ULP price to 128...

Consumer Protection has issued advice to Laura Ashley customers in WA who may be affected by the stores being placed in administration on 7 January 2016. A creditors meeting will be held by 19 January 2016 when the future of the company will be discussed. Until then, the stores continue to trade under supervision of the administrators, FTI Consulting. Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection...

WorkSafe has commenced a proactive inspection program to look at safety in the recreational diving and snorkelling industry. The inspection program will run until the end of the financial year and will include both metropolitan and regional areas of the State. WorkSafe WA Director Joe Attard said today that, although the number of injuries in the recreational diving and snorkelling industry was...

UPDATE 25/2/16: With the announcement of the imminent closure of the stores, Consumer Protection advises customers who have refund claims under the Australian Consumer Law to contact the manufacturer in the first instance or, if the manufacturer is not known, to contact the receiver, Ferrier Hodgson. Consumer Protection has issued advice to Dick Smith customers who may be affected by the company’...