CCIWA Chief Economist

Aaron Morey

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) welcomes the release of Infrastructure WA’s Draft State Infrastructure Strategy today. The strategy outlines a principled long term approach to improving infrastructure in our State.

Initiatives proposed in the strategy would support the key longer term economic challenge facing the WA economy – diversification. Central to achieving diversification is to provide businesses with more globally competitive infrastructure.

In addition to a more rigorous approach to major projects, CCIWA particularly welcomes the prioritisation of initiatives to facilitate private investment, and improve the sharing of data within the public sector, and with the private sector. Accelerating digitisation throughout government and the economy is critical to improving productivity. The strategy includes a digital one-stop-shop for all Government approval processes, which could materially reduce time lost by business to grinding bureaucracy.

CCIWA also welcomes the recommendation to refine and monitor the estimated optimal required timing for Westport – a proposal that CCIWA has been advocating for some time.

Initiatives to respond to climate change and strengthen WA’s renewable hydrogen sector are an opportunity to diversify our State’s energy supply and build emerging industries.

Investment in affordable housing, mental health, public transport and better roads all combine to improve social outcomes and enhance productivity.

The consultation between the business community and Infrastructure Western Australia on this draft strategy has been close and productive. CCIWA looks forward to working through the proposals and eventually towards adoption by government as formal policy.