Download summary of recommendations
(351.82 KB)
Infrastructure WA
Search State Infrastructure Strategy recommendations
Search Recommendations
Strengthen and expand WA Climate Policy programs to develop carbon farming and sequestration markets
11. Assist in offsetting carbon impacts associated with infrastructure by strengthening and expanding programs outlined in the WA Climate Policy to develop carbon farming and sequestration markets, including:
- assigning a lead state agency to coordinate the program of works, including development of a Western Australian carbon farming strategy and carbon farming industry development plan across state agencies, government trading enterprises and tenure types to identify and enhance the carbon farming market in WA
- exploring opportunities to expand carbon farming to government-managed land outside of the conservation estate
- supporting Aboriginal empowerment through land management and custodianship in carbon farming initiatives.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 11 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
11.20 Improve the use of carbon farming and carbon sequestration markets in WA
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
11.20 On schedule
Amendments to the Land Administration Act 1997 to provide a new form of leasehold land tenure have been completed. Policy development is ongoing.
Interagency carbon farming working group developing policy and approvals framework for other carbon farming methods on Crown land.
Implement a statewide approach to climate change adaImplement a statewide approach to climate change adaptation for existing infrastructureptation for existing infrastructure
12. Better inform future infrastructure climate change risks and adaptation requirements by implementing a statewide approach to climate change adaptation for infrastructure, including:
- expanding the Climate Science Initiative to require statewide coverage and update it regularly to incorporate new information
- requiring all state agencies and government trading enterprises to develop climate change adaptation plans to enhance the climate resilience of assets, operations and services under their control, including analysis of place-based climate change impacts, risk assessment of vulnerable assets and infrastructure requirements to increase resilience to potential climate change impacts for assets at risk, which are embedded in their strategic asset plans and business cases
- developing guidance that enables state agencies and government trading enterprises, in partnership with peak industry bodies, to progress the further development of sectoral adaptation actions
- requiring relevant state agencies and government trading enterprises, in partnership with the private sector, to develop sectoral adaptation plans for all relevant sectors that enable sectoral stakeholders and infrastructure asset owners to identify climate change risks and measures to adapt to current and future climate change impacts.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 12 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
12.21 Consider the expansion of the Climate Science Initiative once the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for WA has been finalised in 2023
12.22 Develop a climate risk framework to monitor, assess and report on implications of climate change on the state's finances, infrastructure, physical assets and service delivery
12.23 Complete the Health Sector Adaptation Plan pilot, a project under the Western Australian Climate Policy
Current Implementation Progress
2/3 actions complete
1/3 actions on schedule
12.21 Complete
Implementation is complete, noting that the expansion of the Climate Science Initiative was approved in the 2023-24 State Budget and will be delivered over 4 years.
12.22 On schedule
Development of guidelines on climate risk reporting requirements is progressing. A number of agencies have commenced work on preliminary climate change risk assessments.
12.23 Complete
The Sector Adaptation Plan for Health was completed in June 2024. The plan will inform the development of a Health and Human Services sector adaptation plan, as set out in the Climate Change Bill. Project learnings will be applied to the expanded sector adaptation plan program identified in the Climate Adaptation Strategy.
Implement methods of accountability and coordination across state agencies and GTEs
13. Ensure effective climate change mitigation and adaptation planning and decision-making for infrastructure by implementing methods of accountability and coordination across state agencies and government trading enterprises, including:
- annual public reporting of progress on mitigation and adaptation actions via responsible Ministers
- introducing performance measures related to progress of infrastructure-related mitigation and adaptation actions in directors-general and government trading enterprises chief executive officers’ accountability mechanisms
- regular public reporting of the state’s emissions, the extent to which they have changed compared with 2005 levels, and estimated emission reductions achieved through implementing the sectoral emissions reduction strategies.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 13 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
13.24 Consider additional reporting of the state's emission reduction as part of the SERS
13.25 Subject to the result of Action 13.24, the introduction of infrastructure-related performance measures in Director General and Chief Executive Officer accountability mechanisms requires further consideration
Current Implementation Progress
1/2 actions are behind schedule
1/2 actions have not commenced
13.24 Behind schedule
The Climate Change Bill was introduced to Parliament in December 2023, however debate has been postponed
13.25 Not commenced
This action is dependent on the outcomes of the Climate Change Bill, which is currently postponed.
Incorporate sustainability into the SAMF
14. Incorporate sustainability into all stages of the infrastructure decision-making process by amending the Strategic Asset Management Framework, including:
- updating the Strategic Asset Plan Guidelines, requiring state agencies and government trading enterprises to include projects and actions identified in climate change strategies and plans in their strategic asset plans, including the net zero transition plans, sectoral emissions reduction strategies, climate resilience action plan and relevant adaptation plans
- updating the Business Case Guidelines for projects and programs with a capital cost of $100 million or more to require business cases to:
- quantify Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions associated with projects and programs and use this as a key input in determining infrastructure options and design outcomes
- align to emission reduction goals and pathways identified in net zero emissions transition plans and sectoral emissions reduction strategies (once developed)
- demonstrate potential climate change impacts on the assets and adaptation actions to reduce infrastructure vulnerability and increase resilience
- updating the Business Case Guidelines for projects and programs with a capital cost of $100 million or more to require completion and publication of sustainability tool certification, using the most appropriate tool for the type of asset.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 14 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
14.26 Consider further changes to the SAMF in respect of projects and programs needing to align to emission reduction goals and pathways
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
14.26 On schedule
The addition of sustainability principles and minor amendments to the Strategic Asset Management Framework are being considered. Infrastructure WA will lead the development of decarbonisation of infrastructure guidelines, in consultation with agencies, including the Departments of Treasury and Finance.
Develop a sustainability bond framework
Facilitate access to green, social or sustainable finance by developing a sustainability bond framework.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 15 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
15.27 Progress the development of a sustainability bond framework
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions complete
15.27 Complete
Implementation is complete, noting that the Sustainability Bond Framework was launched in May 2023.
Develop and implement a shared environmental and heritage information system for priority locations
Inform more robust and integrated infrastructure planning, decision-making, design and reporting by developing and implementing a sustained, shared environmental and heritage information system for priority locations.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 16 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
16.28 Continue the rollout of Environment Online, with further development of this platform subject to the development of a business case for additional funding
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
16.28 On schedule
Major releases in this period introduced additional methods to log in to Environment Online to improve ease of access. Native vegetation clearing permit functionality was also added, included the ability to apply for and track native vegetation clearing permit applications, amend, transfer and surrender clearing permits, and view a dashboard to track associated records. A range of other enhancements were also added to the existing functionality of Environment Online.
Replace the current system of acquiring environmental offsets separately for major projects with a coordinated bioregional approach
17. Support the delivery of major WA Government infrastructure projects by replacing the current system of acquiring environmental offsets separately with a coordinated bioregional approach, including:
- identifying priority conservation areas for protection, acquisition and on-ground management, regenerative projects and/or research projects where state agencies and government trading enterprises can direct funds to meet environmental offset requirements
- implementing and administering centrally coordinated funds consistent with the principles and operation of other pooled environmental offset funds.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 17 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
17.29 Develop a strategic regional approach for implementing offsets, including identification of priority areas for restoration and acquisition, and improving the governance and operation of a centrally coordinated fund
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
17.29 On schedule
Regional planning for Perth and Peel, and Wheatbelt regions is progressing. The work program for strategic and economic reforms for environmental offsets is progressing and is further supported by Vogel-McFerran review recommendations published in December 2023.
Develop an overarching urban forest program
18. Contribute to infrastructure and community resilience in the urban environment and support the equitable provision of an interconnected network of cover by developing an overarching urban forest program, including:
- assigning a lead state agency to provide overarching coordination, resourcing and funding mechanisms
- embedding program evaluation to ensure it remains fit for purpose
- extending the existing Urban Canopy Grant Program to increase the urban tree canopy across the Perth and Peel regions, and other major regional urban centres
- partnering with local governments, community groups and other land managers in the rollout
- further reviewing existing planning policy settings with regards to the treatment of trees in new greenfield and infill developments.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 18 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
18.30 Assess the merit of a state-level urban forest program
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
18.30 On schedule
A whole-of-government Urban Greening Strategy for the Perth and Peel regions is currently being developed, as announced by the WA Government in February 2024. Work on drafting the new Strategy is well under way, with initial stakeholder consultation nearing completion.
Implement a regional development strategic framework that identifies state and regional priorities and guides whole of government action and investment
Drive better alignment of infrastructure provision and regional development needs by implementing a regional development strategic framework that identifies state and regional priorities and guides whole of government action and investment. The framework should:
- align to other government strategic documents, such as this Strategy and Diversify WA, and be developed in collaboration with government, business and regional stakeholders
- prioritise regional centres based on their strategic importance to the state’s economic and population growth
- consistent with Recommendation 28 in the Planning and coordination chapter, inform integrated regional plans, which include a baseline assessment of the region’s infrastructure, and identify infrastructure and staging required to support the region’s development and growth underpinned by a credible evidence base
- incorporate clear linkages to funding sources and processes, including the annual State Budget process
- be reflected in state agency and government trading enterprise strategic asset plans and business cases
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 19 partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
19.31 Progress the Regional Development Portfolio Plan
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions complete
19.31 Complete
Action is complete, noting that the WA Regional Development Framework was published in October 2023.
Improve transparency of government regional investment by reporting all regional expenditures and geographic distribution in the State Budget
Improve the transparency of government regional investment by reporting all regional expenditures (recurrent and capital) and geographic distribution in the State Budget.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 20 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Current Implementation Progress
The Government Response notes that existing activities, such as reporting on capital expenditure by region as part of the budget, address this recommendation, so no further government action has been identified.
Showing 11 - 20 of 93
Strengthen and expand WA Climate Policy programs to develop carbon farming and sequestration markets
Climate change and sustainability
Implement a statewide approach to climate change adaptation for existing infrastructure
Climate change and sustainability
Implement methods of accountability and coordination across state agencies and GTEs
Climate change and sustainability
Incorporate sustainability into the Strategic Asset Management Framework
Climate change and sustainability
Develop and implement a shared environmental and heritage information system for priority locations
Climate change and sustainability
Replace the current system of acquiring environmental offsets separately for major projects with a coordinated bioregional approach
Climate change and sustainability
Implement a regional development strategic framework that identifies state and regional priorities and guides whole of government action and investment
Regional development
Improve transparency of government regional investment by reporting all regional expenditures and geographic distribution in the State Budget
Regional development