Infrastructure WA
IWA Update: October 2020
Read what the IWA team has been up to this month
From the CEO
Since commencing as Infrastructure Western Australia's Chief Executive Officer in August, much has occurred in a relatively short space of time.
submissions have closed on our State Infrastructure Strategy Discussion Paper, our state-wide workshop series has concluded, and we have moved on quickly to begin analysing feedback received. From our consultative process we had more than 520 attendees at our workshops, received more than 140 responses to our Discussion Paper and surveyed nearly 600 Western Australians.
Early analysis from feedback indicates they see embracing technology, improving digital connectivity, addressing climate change and utilising our regions to unlock strategy opportunities as critically important to help determine WA's infrastructure needs and priorities for the next 20 years.
To complement this, our team are currently working with State Government agencies on finalising their submissions for consideration in Infrastructure Australia's 2021 Infrastructure Priority List refresh, which will be published in February 2021.
As IWA moves forward, I'll be sharing more learnings and insights as we work towards the release of the draft State Infrastructure Strategy.
Philip Helberg
Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Western Australia
Youth voices help shape future infrastructure planning
We recently held a number of youth and young professionals workshops to hear their thoughts on the opportunities and barriers to growth in Western Australia.
Participants identified being a State that's more self-sustainable, diverse in our exports and innovative in our thinking as key opportunities for economic, social and environmental growth in WA.
Participants collectively felt that the following three IWA objectives were most important when evaluating future infrastructure investment initiatives:
- Address climate change and increase resilience
- Enhance infrastructure delivery and develop skills for the future
- Embrace technology, data and digital connectivity.
A big thank you to all who participated in the workshop.
IWA publishes its first Annual Report
We celebrated an important milestone late last month with the publishing of our first Annual Report, which rounds off an important 12 months for our burgeoning agency.
Highlights include the Infrastructure Western Australia Act 2019 officially commencing in July last year, the release of our Discussion Paper towards our first State Infrastructure Strategy and the appointments of our first 15 staff members and ten-person inaugural Board.
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan finalised
We're pleased to announce our first Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) is now available following its consultation period.
Under the Disability Services Act 1993, State agencies are required to prepare a DAIP to ensure people with disability are given best opportunity to undertake their roles in the workplace.
The finalisation of the Plan will ensure people with disability are supported to have the same opportunities as others to access our services, facilities and information.
Thank you to the Department of Communities who assisted us in developing the Plan.