Infrastructure WA
Search State Infrastructure Strategy recommendations
Search Recommendations
21. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of regional social services and infrastructure by developing regional social services and infrastructure models that are more responsive to the changing needs of communities across regional WA, including those caused by population growth and decline, by:
- applying integrated, place-based approaches that allow social service state agencies such as health, education, justice, policing, housing and emergency services to better coordinate and co-locate services and infrastructure and ensure the service mix is tailored to changing community needs
- investigating the application of a hub-and-spoke approach aligned to WA’s settlement network to coordinate social services and infrastructure
- piloting potential regional social service and infrastructure models in a remote Aboriginal community, a small town and a regional centre
- undertaking a social services and infrastructure needs assessment to understand how needs will change in response to long-term population growth and decline and demographic change.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 21 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
21.32 Pursue place-based partnerships, including those required under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy
21.33 Increase the proportion of services to Aboriginal people that are delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), consistent with the WA Government's Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Current Implementation Progress
1/2 actions on schedule
1/2 actions complete
21.32 On schedule
Department of the Premier and Cabinet is continuing to work with the partnership parties to progress development of a formal East Kimberley Partnership Agreement and Action Plan. The East Kimberley PBP received $1.795m in the 2024-25 State Budget.
21.33 Complete
Action is complete, noting that the Whole of Government ACCO Strategy was published in May 2024, and an evaluation of the ACCO Sector Strengthening Grants Program has commenced. The Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (ACCO peak body) was established in May 2024.
To ensure the timely and optimised delivery of infrastructure, review the effectiveness of existing and proposed infrastructure facilitation and coordination models within 5 years of operation and consider if alternate models should be established.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 22 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
22.34 Continue to review the WA Government approach to infrastructure coordination and facilitation, including the effectiveness of existing and proposed models. This will also be considered as part of the next State Infrastructure Strategy, due in 2027.
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions not commenced
22.34 Not commenced
The timeframe for completion of this recommendation is 2032. Given this timeframe, no action has been taken to date. Further scoping is required to determine deliverables, which will be undertaken at a later date.
23. Improve the navigation of project approval processes by establishing a single digital government approvals system, including:
providing a single access platform that offers standardised, consistent and transparent information covering all WA Government infrastructure approvals processes, time frames, roles and responsibilities and supporting information required from the proponent
- staging updates to the platform to create a single lodgement portal for all WA Government infrastructure approval applications that allows users to track progress, enables transparent reporting and facilitates sharing of consistent information across state agencies.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 23 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
23.35 Implement the reform priorities of Streamline WA, including further development of Approvals WA
23.36 Consider the merits of providing a single digital government approvals system, including reviewing business systems in approval agencies.
Current Implementation Progress
1/2 actions complete
1/2 actions on schedule
23.35 Complete
Action is complete. The key initiatives within Streamline WA 2023-24 have been completed. Adoption of approvals outcomes will be agency dependent. Key actions and deliverables to note include the Green Energy working group, and development of Quality Applications, Performance Measurement and Stop-The-Clock policies.
23.36 On schedule
Solutions are being further investigated by the Approvals Reform team, with support from the Office of the Coordinator General within JTSI.
Streamline project approvals processes and reduce regulatory burdens by implementing a program to review and modernise relevant infrastructure approvals legislation and progress targeted amendments at least every 5 years.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 24 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
24.37 Review relevant infrastructure-related legislation as part of the Streamline WA program
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
24.37 On schedule
Agencies continue to implement regulatory reforms aligned to the Streamline WA agenda. The identification and implementation of legislative amendments to streamline decision-making and improve efficiency is a WA Government priority. The Office of the Coordinator General's Government reporting on state significant projects and tourism investment will capture improvements in regulatory processes as a result of legislative change.
25. Make best use of existing and planned urban infrastructure by preparing and implementing an urban consolidation action program, including:
- identifying significant barriers to increasing urban consolidation and developing a clear roadmap that outlines intended outcomes, responsibilities and time frames
- reviewing and adjusting policy settings to support infill locations, including liveability and amenity improvements, with particular focus on refining policy settings for public open space, public realm improvements, schools, utilities and public transport and the associated development contribution requirements
- planning incentives that support infill development, encourage land assembly and create a stronger pipeline of development sites
- implementing purchaser support where appropriate to facilitate increased infill development, such as further extension of the Off the Plan Duty Rebate Scheme for apartments and place-based approaches to building bonus grants and Keystart lending requirements
- providing funding and support for development of precinct plans for key infill locations
- identifying and prioritising infrastructure capacity upgrades and coordination needed to support infill development
- transparently reporting progress (at least every 2 years) towards achieving infill targets set in Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million by local government area, taking into account relevant contextual factors.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 25 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
25.38 Implement the Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million land-use planning and infrastructure frameworks
25.39 Continue to support METRONET Station Precinct planning
25.40 Identify infrastructure barriers through strategic planning activities
25.41 Review and implement relevant policies such as the Design WA suite of state planning policies (SPPs) for precinct design, residential design codes for apartments and medium-density housing, as well as those related to public open space
25.42 Consideration of planning incentives that support infill development through planning reform
25.43 Regularly report on progress against Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million through the Urban Growth Monitor
Current Implementation Progress
6/6 actions on schedule
25.38 On schedule
Implementation of the Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million suite of land use planning and infrastructure frameworks occurs through day-to-day regulatory activities of DPLH and the WAPC, such as decisions on local planning strategies, scheme amendments, subdivisions and development. This planning includes the consideration of infrastructure costs, delivery and staging.
25.39 On schedule
METRONET station precinct planning is delivering the planning frameworks to enable private sector investment and development within the walkable catchment of stations. It is also identifying where State Government infrastructure investment, including social infrastructure, is required to support and attract private sector investment. DPLH and the WAPC are continuing to work with stakeholders to facilitate urban consolidation through METRONET Station Precinct Planning.
25.40 On schedule
The WA Government committed $55m to strategic water and wastewater infrastructure to support development of more than 15,000 new homes across METRONET sites and strategic sites. These include Bennett Springs, Morely, Malaga, Yanchep, Redcliffe, Meltham and Kelmscott.
Special Development Infrastructure Development Fund - In March 2024 the locational criteria was expanded to include development around train stations and strategic, secondary and district activity centres. More than 55 residential development projects have been supported with more than $37m in funding to help industry deliver over 3,700 apartments.
25.41 On schedule
Policy updates include:
- State Planning Policy 4.2 Activity Centres - complete (gazetted July 2023)
- Safer Placed by Design CPTED Guidelines - complete (published July 2023)
- Residential Design Codes Vol. 1 and consequential amendments to Vol. 2 - complete (gazetted April 2024)
- Review of Liveable Neighbourhoods - initiated and will result in the new State Planning Policy 7.1 Neighbourhood Design, which will guide structure planning and subdivision of greenfield and larger infill sites. Drafting is progressing and is anticipated to be finalised in late 2024/early 2025.
25.42 On schedule
Refer Action 25.41
25.43 On schedule
The Urban Growth Monitor reports on several key states of the land supply process, with its primary focus on the availability of land zoned for urban development. This annual report provides detailed information on consumption rates of urban zoned land; the rate of residential infill development in the Perth metropolitan and Peel regions; and density trends. Urban Growth Monitor 15 was released in January 2024.
26. Ensure adequate information on infrastructure servicing and operational costs informs decisions by embedding rigorous infrastructure appraisal in the planning decision-making framework, including:
- underpinning future reviews of Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million and development of integrated regional plans with a thorough analysis of the capital and operational costs of infrastructure provision and the extent to which this is likely to be carried by the state government, including understanding the cumulative impact of demand that may stimulate major new investment, to inform the staging of greenfield development fronts and consideration of new development areas
- staging and prioritising development fronts and identifying a clear implementation strategy in land-use plans, which is adhered to in decision-making, to ensure infrastructure is programmed, funded and delivered in the most efficient and effective manner
- preparing costed and scheduled infrastructure servicing plans, where proponents seek to depart from staging plans, or are outside land identified for future development in the frameworks, to provide decision-makers with an understanding of the real costs (capital and operational) to state government to allow implications to be considered in land-use planning decision-making
- ensuring rezoning proposals for greenfield land are considered in the context of land supply and demand.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 26 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
26.44 Implement the Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million strategy
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
26.44 On schedule
Day-to-day resolution of infrastructure coordination, staging and implementation issues occurs through interagency referral, collaboration and decision-making process using land use planning instruments and applications. The Infrastructure Coordination Group, made up of senior government officers, meets regularly. It has been actively working to coordinate the infrastructure planning and delivery for residential growth in the Perth metropolitan areas. The outputs from this process have been provided to the WA Government to inform future policy positions and decisions.
27. Transform the Perth CBD and immediate surrounds (including locations adjacent to the Swan River such as Burswood and South Perth) by preparing a city opportunity plan that sets an agreed strategic framework, including:
- developing a clear and compelling long-term vision for the city
- identifying major precincts, other significant redevelopments and infrastructure that will contribute to city growth and activation, and consider:
- desired outcomes for initiatives and the synergies between them
- interface opportunities and issues
- staging
- implementation requirements and responsibilities.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 27 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
27.45 Deliver the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal in partnership with the Australian Government and City of Perth
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
27.45 On schedule
Most Perth City Deal projects are now in delivery phase. These include the ECU City Campus, Common Ground East Perth, the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges and the WACA Ground Improvement Project and Aquatic Centre. A number of the smaller projects within the CBD Transport Plan have been completed and others are in progress. The total value of the Perth City Deal has increased to $1.7b.
Establish the land use, infrastructure and environmental needs of each region by progressively preparing, in order of priority, 20-year integrated regional plans. The plans should be:
- modelled on Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million
- supported by a robust regional development framework (see Recommendation 19 in the Regional development chapter), along with evidence-based identification of strategic infrastructure needs to serve and support population change and economic growth
- refreshed at least every 10 years.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 28 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
28.46 Prepare eight regional planning strategies that are proportionate to the scale and development needs of the regions which are subject to the plans
Current Implementation Progress
1/1 actions on schedule
28.46 On schedule
Draft regional planning strategies have been prepared, informed by a series of workshops and engagement with key stakeholders. The draft strategies are currently being revised in response to feedback received from Government stakeholders.
29. Ensure a focus on state-significant precincts through greater government infrastructure coordination and investment, tailored governance models and land-use planning intervention by establishing and implementing state priority areas, including:
- developing and publishing a prioritisation framework, in conjunction with key stakeholders, to ensure consistency of approach and application to areas of greatest strategic need or opportunity
- endorsing the framework and state priority area locations at a whole of government level to ensure sufficient carriage by state agencies and government trading enterprises
- extending the redevelopment functions and powers of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority Act 2011 to non-metropolitan areas during the Machinery of Government legislative review process to enable an additional method for urban, industrial and economic land project planning and delivery in regional state priority areas.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 29 is not supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Current Implementation Progress
This recommendation was not supported by the government. Infrastructure WA will continue to monitor and provide advice on matters, as required.
30. Ensure the protection of strategic industrial land uses, infrastructure and resource inputs by:
- finalising and gazetting the draft State Planning Policy 4.1 - Industrial interface
- reviewing the Environmental Protection Authority’s Guidance Statement 3 – Separation distances between industrial and sensitive land uses, to ensure alignment with the finalised State Planning Policy 4.1. – Industrial interface
- protecting, preserving and maintaining flexible uses in key industrial sites, particularly inner-metropolitan areas
- reviewing the effectiveness of State Planning Policy 2.4 – Basic raw materials and the updated State Planning Policy 4.1 – Industrial interface, after they have been operational for 5 years
- updating and maintaining basic raw materials resource mapping to understand the impacts of extraction, changing land-use patterns and environmental restrictions.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 30 (a,b,c,e) is fully supported; (d) is not supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
30.146 Finalising and gazetting the draft SPP 4.1 Industrial Interface
30.147 Support the Industrial Land Authority through the Industrial Lands Steering Committee, to ensure there is adequate development-ready industrial land available across WA
Current Implementation Progress
1/2 actions complete
1/2 actions on schedule
30.146 Complete
Implementation is complete, noting that SPP 4.1 was gazetted in July 2022.
30.147 On schedule
DPLH continues to participate and provide support to the ILSC, which provides an oversight of industrial land uses including infrastructure considerations and challenges for the delivery and operation of industrial land. JTSI provides the secretariat support for the ILSC. Lead agency responsibility of this action has been transferred to JTSI.