- Laws to cut red tape, accelerate investment in WA economy pass Parliament
- Biggest reforms to State Development framework since 1952
- Approvals for strategically significant precincts and projects to be streamlined
- Bill to unlock major clean energy and defence opportunities, create long-term jobs, and business opportunities for Western Australians
New laws introduced by the Cook Government to unlock strategic precincts, fast-track approvals for major job-creating projects, and maintain Western Australia's status as the strongest economy in the nation have today passed Parliament.
The State Development Act 2025 builds on the outcomes from the WA Economic Reform Roundtable, reinforcing the government's priorities of creating quality jobs, becoming a renewable energy powerhouse, diversifying WA's economy for the future, and making more things here.
The legislation will enable a more coordinated and efficient approach to planning and approvals for major industrial projects and precincts.
It complements recent reforms to WA's regulatory system and introduces new powers to streamline complex and time-sensitive processes without compromising environmental or cultural safeguards.
The legislation allows the State Development Minister to declare Priority Projects and State Development Areas to unlock strategic developments that are a high priority for the State.
This will be supported by the Office of the Coordinator General, which will work across government to co-ordinate approvals and drive alignment on these selected projects and precincts.
New tools introduced under the legislation will reduce duplication and ensure major strategic opportunities are delivered in an investment-friendly timeframe.
The new laws are designed to help WA secure major new economic diversification opportunities in support of the government's Made in WA agenda, including:
- getting out of coal-fired power generation faster than any other Australian state, and setting the WA economy up for success in a world that is decarbonising;
- supporting WA's major trading partners to decarbonise, with critical minerals and clean downstream products, like green iron; and
- becoming the largest naval shipbuilding and maintenance hub in the southern hemisphere.
Importantly, the legislation respects the independence of the Environmental Protection Authority, the Western Australian Planning Commission, and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Committee, and maintains the integrity of existing regulatory frameworks.
The Act will bring WA in line with South Australia and the Northern Territory, which have recently introduced similar reforms to attract investment and deliver major infrastructure, and Queensland, which has long-standing Coordinator General powers.
Find out more on the Office of the Coordinator General website .
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Becoming a global leader in investment attraction, industry facilitation, and regulation is a key part of our strategy to keep WA the strongest economy in the nation.
"Our system of State Agreements has served WA well, and developed resources projects over 70 years, but we need a modernised, more agile system if we are to secure investment in a more competitive, time-sensitive global investment environment.
"These laws will give us the powers necessary to secure investment in major clean energy and defence manufacturing projects, which can transform the WA economy in the years ahead.
"This legislation will help us create the regulatory environment we need to get things done."
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation and Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The State Development Act will drive our energy transition, enabling major renewable projects that will help to put downward pressure on power bills.
"It removes barriers to investment and innovation, making it easier for manufacturers to grow, so we can make more things in WA.
"All this will happen without compromising our world-class planning and environmental standards."
