Infrastructure WA

Many and varied reform initiatives have been advanced by state government in recent years and significant progress has been made in areas such as the land‑use planning system, mining approvals and procurement. Measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 recovery have amplified this reform program and pace of change for government, demonstrating how state agencies and GTEs can work collaboratively to respond to significant change. Yet there is still much more that can be done.

WA is Australia’s largest state and comprises 10 regions: Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid West, Wheatbelt, Peel, South West, Great Southern, Goldfields–Esperance and Perth.

The 9 regions outside Perth are home to 25% of WA’s population, generate approximately 40% of the state’s gross state product and are an integral part of WA’s rich cultural identity. 

Many of WA’s comparative advantages are in the regions, and are well placed to realise the six strategic opportunities to build a more diverse and resilient economy.

With around 70% of Australia’s emissions associated with infrastructure-based projects, infrastructure has a very large role to play in meeting the net zero emissions by 2050 target.

Essential infrastructure in sectors such as housing, transport, energy and water is potentially at risk from sea-level rise, coastal inundation, intensifying weather events and bushfires. 

The Closing the Gap report 2020 identified that the target to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people by 2031 is not on track, with WA recording the largest gap of all jurisdictions for males, at 13.4 years.

In 2018, the child mortality rate for Indigenous children was 141 per 100,000, which is twice the rate for non-Indigenous children.

The employment rate for Indigenous Australians was around 49%, compared to 79% for non-Indigenous Australians.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation has estimated that digital innovation has the potential to deliver $315 billion in gross economic value to Australia over the next decade, with the possibility of generating a quarter of a million new jobs by 2025. 

On a global scale, Australia’s fixed broadband speeds lag far behind comparable developed countries and the quality, reliability and affordability of data services across WA varies greatly.

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 9,262

Gross regional product: $1.6 billion

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 53,914

Gross regional product: $21.9 billion

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 61,351

Gross regional product: $4.1 billion

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 36,054

Gross regional product: $3.2 billion

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 52,769

Gross regional product: $9.5 billion