- More than $9 million allocated to boost Western Australia's environmental assessment and licensing capacity
- New funding for EPA and DWER to support investment certainty, economic activity
- $3 million for additional staff to address work associated with State Agreements
- $4.2 million to accelerate water planning and support development in the Pilbara
- Investment to support staff and infrastructure in WA's economic engine room
The State Government is securing Western Australia's economic future in an environmentally sustainable way with funding through the 2025-26 State Budget to support key environmental and water resource assessments throughout WA.
More than $9 million has been allocated to boost the State's environmental assessment and licensing capacity, with new funding for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to meet rising demand while supporting investment certainty and economic activity.
This includes $5 million over three years to fund nine full-time positions to boostthe EPA'sfrontline assessment capacity in environmental approvals, plus a further $4.5 million to fund 11 full-time positions to manage the expected growth in water license and works approval applications at DWER.
Collectively, this funding will ensure faster, science-based decision-making for major projects while upholding WA's internationally strong environmental protections.
This funding will be separately supported by a $3 million investment in the State Solicitor's Office to recruit two additional staff to address work associated with State Agreements, helping pave the way for job-creating projects throughout the State to come online quicker.
In addition, $4.2 million has been allocated to accelerate water planning in the Pilbara to support regional development and address the impacts of climate change.
This includes $2.6 million over two years for five dedicated staff to update critical water planning information and $1.7 million for real-time monitoring infrastructure, including telemetry systems and groundwater bores.
These upgrades will improve transparency and provide real-time data to support water security in WA's economic engine room.
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"The Cook Government is continuing to progress its generational reforms to Western Australia's environmental approvals system with further investment to increase our assessment capacity.
"This Budget makes clear that WA is open for business - and that building a strong, sustainable environmental approvals system remains a government priority.
"We're building the capacity to assess projects faster while maintaining high environmental standards and sustainable development."
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"This investment in the Pilbara reflects our government's commitment to water investigations and water planning to support long-term growth and climate resilience in regional WA.
"The Cook Government is increasing the capacity and expertise to meet the rising demand and complexity of water regulatory assessments.
"The infrastructure upgrades will enhance transparency and deliver real-time data to boost water security in regional WA."
