- 20-year Draft Infrastructure Strategy will be launched on 21 July
- Infrastructure WA will visit each of the 10 WA regions for consultation
- WA is one of the a few states and territories not to have such a plan
Infrastructure WA has announced the draft of the first 20-year State Infrastructure Strategy will be launched on 21 July 2021 at Crown Perth, in a lunch hosted by the Property Council (PCA).
This will be followed by a consultation program with the final strategy set to be presented to the State Government early next year.
This strategy follows new legislation and the creation of Infrastructure WA in 2019.
The Infrastructure Western Australia Act 2019, which commenced in July 2019, set out the functions and responsibilities of Infrastructure WA, some of which include:
- delivery of a State Infrastructure Strategy addressing infrastructure needs and priorities for the next 20 years;
- assessing major public infrastructure proposals; and
- coordinating the provision of information and submissions to Infrastructure Australia.
Despite pandemic-induced restrictions last year, Infrastructure WA was able to consult extensively with the community, industry and both state and local governments. Their submissions were taken into account when formulating the Draft Strategy.
While more specific details cannot be revealed until the launch, it is understood the Draft Strategy focuses on infrastructure demand management through early intervention, improving planning systems and pathways along with optimising existing assets.
Upon launching the Draft Strategy, a wide-ranging public consultation phase will take place whereby Infrastructure WA visit each of the ten WA regions, according to John Langoulant AO, Chairperson of Infrastructure WA.
“The Draft Strategy brings together the views of government, industry and the WA community and delivers a roadmap for our state’s infrastructure needs and priorities for the next 20 years and beyond.”
“It sets clear foundations for the state’s growth, prosperity and social well-being and addresses a raft of challenges across areas of significance.”
John Langoulant, Infrastructure WA Chairperson
Sandra Brewer, the WA Executive Director of the Property Council, added that she is thrilled to partner with Infrastructure WA to launch the Draft Strategy.
“A long-term vision for the delivery of infrastructure in our growing state will give business the confidence it needs to invest and our communities the assurance that we are heading in the right direction.”
“It will be exhilarating to be in the room with so many industry and business leaders. Infrastructure underpins every industry and organisation in our state, so the Draft Strategy matters to us all.”
Sandra Brewer, Executive Director PCA WA
WA has been one of the few states in the country without a long-standing infrastructure plan, once that outlasts governments and gives a view of what will be required decades into the future.
This new strategy seeks to address this problem, and should be a welcome development.
