Western Australia’s strongly performing economy coupled with its rapid population growth is driving major upgrades and expansion of urban and regional infrastructure.
The profile of the State will change dramatically by 2022–23 as mega infrastructure projects are completed to cater to a population expected to reach 3.27 million by 2026.
Regional centres in the Pilbara, Mid West, Goldfields, and South West have experienced exceptional growth largely fuelled by a dynamic resources sector, with sales of minerals and petroleum valued at $99.5 billion in 2014-15.
Major projects are underway that will upgrade and expand the regional freight transport network, improving linkages to key domestic and export markets.
Two other major transport infrastructure projects are planned for Perth and they offer numerous and diverse investment opportunities.
The Forrestfield Airport Link will connect Forrestfield, just beyond Perth Airport, to the city with a new train line, which will include 8km of underground rail tunnels to avoid disrupting existing land and road use. The $2 billion State Government funded project is a transport solution to improve connections to and from Perth Airport, eastern suburbs, and regional centres.
The Perth Stadium Transport Project is an integrated public transport plan for rail, bus and pedestrian connections to the new 60,000-seat multi-purpose Perth Stadium and Sports Precinct. Shifting the reliance from cars to public transport will see 80 per cent of a capacity crowd (50,000 people) moved within an hour.
These projects will further drive the State’s economic growth, stimulating business, creating more jobs and attracting greater local and overseas investment in various sectors.