INFRASTRUCTURE WA has released Foundations for a Stronger Tomorrow, its first state infrastructure strategy, which is now available for public comment.

The infrastructure body, which was a key election commitment of the McGowan Labor government, provides an advisory and assistance role to the state government on infrastructure related matters.

The draft strategy, which has state-wide coverage, includes 88 recommendations of which around 75 per cent are “non-build recommendations”.

Some recommendations outline the potential next steps for key projects that require further investigation and develop a roadmap for future work already being implemented, including METRONET and Westport.

The draft strategy includes a recommendation for “planning and preparing for a new container port in Kwinana – Westport”.

Last year the government announced its backing for Westport, a land-backed port built within the Kwinana Industrial Area, connected by a freight corridor via Anketell Road and the Tonkin Highway.

In June, the government announced the formation of a new Future of Fremantle Planning Committee to examine opportunities for the Westport project.

State government initiatives already underway are reinforced in some of the recommendations in the draft strategy including:

  • developing an Aboriginal Cultural Centre near the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan);
  • building an additional desalination plant to increase the volume of desalinated water;
  • achieving WA’s target for net zero emissions by 2050;
  • increasing the capacity and quality of convention and exhibition facilities in Perth’s CBD;
  • investing in infrastructure to support WA’s growing hydrogen industry; and
  • exploring opportunities to expand carbon farming.

An eight-week consultation program for the draft strategy now commences, and this includes more than 20 workshops and consultation sessions across the state to seek feedback on the recommendations.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said, “While Infrastructure WA is tasked with providing expert advice to government on WA’s infrastructure needs, the advice is not binding.

“The government will consider the final strategy and provide a response to each of the recommendations as required by the legislation.”