WA Industry Boosted by New Reference Group

  • New Industry Reference Group (IRG) to provide advice to government on infrastructure required for the Western Trade Coast
  • Cockburn MLA David Scaife designated Parliamentary Secretary
  • IRG to include peak industry bodies and businesses from the region with first meeting due to be held in July

The Cook Labor Government's Made in WA plan will be further bolstered by a new Industry Reference Group (IRG) which will provide advice to government on the development of the Western Trade Coast (WTC) as Perth's premier strategic industrial area continues to grow.

Cockburn MLA David Scaife will chair the IRG having been designated Parliamentary Secretary for the Western Trade Coast. Members will include a range of industry proponents that operate in the WTC, as well as:

  • Kwinana Industries Council;
  • Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA;
  • Henderson Alliance; and
  • Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.

The group will inform the delivery of common-user infrastructure in the region and consider industry needs in government policy and decision-making.

WTC has supported industrial activities in Western Australia for more than 60 years making it one of the first heavy industrial areas established in the State.

It generates about $15 billion of direct and indirect economic activity annually and has created more than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The region is home to major infrastructure initiatives including Westport and the Henderson Defence Precinct, as well as industrial processing and manufacturing, shipbuilding and defence industries which are critical to the government's Made in WA plan.

Creation of the group follows the release last year of the WTC Infrastructure Strategy, which outlines options for infrastructure development to support the region's growth.

The group's first meeting is set to be held this month.

To find out more, head to: www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/western-trade-coast

As stated by Premier Roger Cook:

"Western Australia's economy is the strongest in the nation - but if we want to keep it that way, we need to invest in and support our industrial base.

"That's why, as part of my government's Made in WA plan, we are committed to supporting strategic industrial areas throughout the State that will help decarbonise our energy systems, diversify our economy, and continue creating jobs that will sustain our future prosperity.

"Establishing this reference group is a critical step in delivering major infrastructure projects across the precinct.

"With significant projects already underway - from clean energy initiatives to defence industry growth through AUKUS - it's vital we have the right structures in place to ensure planning is strategic, staged, and aligned with industry needs.

"I'm committed to securing long-term economic growth, creating quality local jobs, and setting up the Western Trade Coast for success well into the future."

As stated by Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier David Scaife:

"As Perth's premier industrial area, the Western Trade Coast is home to industries that support thousands of jobs and that are critical to our resources, agricultural, and defence sectors.

"We have a once in a generation opportunity to build on that capability by diversifying the Western Trade Coast into additional downstream processing and manufacturing industries as part of the Cook Government's Made in WA plan.

"I look forward to working with industry to seize that opportunity as Parliamentary Secretary for the Western Trade Coast and chair of the Industry Reference Group."

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