The prioritisation of local capability in major projects is leading to more competition for suppliers, meaning those who demonstrate delivery certainty, risk management and value for money will be better positioned to win contracts.
MC Tina Altieri
That was a key message from the inaugural SCOPE 2026 event on September 3, held by CCIWA and the Industry Capability Network WA (ICNWA), which connected about 300 WA businesses with procurement opportunities across the State’s defence, infrastructure and energy sectors.
“To be able to get into the opportunities and supply chains that major projects offer, you have to start small,” ICNWA Head Ray Loh said.
“Build relationships with key decision makers and then build your capability and your experience.”
State Development and Economic Diversification Minister David Michael said the Government was focused on encouraging investment in WA to help businesses create the next wave of jobs and supply chains.
“We all have a role to play in this process. It’s about connecting the right people to get the right outcomes,” he said.
Gateway by ICN: a national platform connecting major Australian projects with suppliers.
Defence pipeline demands early preparation
L-R: Defence panel, facilitated by ICNWA’s Ray Loh and featuring Worley Fluor Australia's Belinda Young, Aurecon's Amanda Pearce and Laing O’Rourke's Ewen Gee
Sitzler, Multiplex and Austal outlined opportunities emerging from Australia’s growing defence investment, alongside the stringent requirements businesses must meet to compete for work.
Defence Fuels Resilience Program: Sitzler is targeting 80% local industry engagement by subcontract value on its $200 million fuels resilience project at RAAF Learmonth Base, with opportunities spanning structural steel, roofing, blockwork, metalwork, carpentry and joinery.
RAAF Base Curtin Redevelopment Project: Multiplex plans to divide work for the RAAF base redevelopment in the Kimberley into about 30 to 50 packages. However, businesses must satisfy tender requirements covering areas including insurance, financial viability and compliance before their technical capability and value proposition can be assessed.
Defence panel, facilitated by ICNWA’s Ray Loh and featuring Laing O’Rourke, Fluor and Aurecon: Highlighted early visibility of project pipelines would give local businesses greater confidence to invest in workforce skills, security systems, cyber capability and tendering.
Panel members also said there has been a shift towards more collaborative contracting as the scale and complexity of defence projects grow. This would require greater trust, transparency and shared risk between clients and their delivery partners.
Spotlight: Austal building a resilient local supply chain
Austal's Daniel Eggleston
Strategic shipbuilding in WA: Austal’s defence agreement with the Federal Government aims to help establish the infrastructure, workforce and resilient supply chain required for a continuous pipeline of shipbuilding projects in WA, beginning with the Army’s new medium and heavy landing craft.
“We want to move from a transactional-style approach of dealing with a supplier for a particular project – linking longer-term arrangements to establish resilient supply chains in WA,” Austal Strategic Procurement Manager Daniel Eggleston said.
The company will be developing these long-term relationships over the next 12 to 24 months.
READ MORE: The Loh Down: How ready is WA to build a stronger defence sector?
Infrastructure projects open doors for local businesses
Genus, Built and Fremantle Ports spoke to the breadth of opportunities emerging from WA’s infrastructure pipeline – from major port and healthcare developments to the infrastructure supporting renewable energy projects.
Parron Maam Marang Wind Farm Transmission Connection: Genus is managing the critical connection piece of Zephyr Energy’s $2 billion Parron Maam Marang wind farm near Badgingarra. Work packages through Genus range from structural steel, concrete and civil works to telecommunications, logistics and specialist services.
New Mandurah Hospital: Built is delivering the $950m project under the WA Health Alliance. While construction is already underway, contract opportunities remain as the company is continuing to connect local suppliers with subcontractors.
Spotlight: Fremantle Ports plans gateway to future projects
Fremantle Ports’ proposed redevelopment of the ageing Kwinana Bulk Terminal is expected to support more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction.
Fremantle Ports' Sami Zouad
Procurement is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2027, but businesses were encouraged to start preparing and registering their interest now.
“We will be structuring the Kwinana Bulk Terminal redevelopment into manageable package sizes – so there will be large packages of over $50m but also smaller, specialised ones across a range of activities,” Fremantle Ports General Manager Strategy, Planning and Performance Sami Zouad said.
“We want to allow local businesses to participate. It’s [the project] going to create capability so that when defence, Westport and other projects in the area come up, you’ve built the capabilities and knowledge required to grow.”
Energy transition creates opportunities at scale
e2o, Alinta Energy, Envision Energy and Fortescue highlighted opportunities across renewable generation, storage, transmission, conventional generation and the eventual decommissioning of ageing assets.
L-R: Energy panel, facilitated by BidWrite’s David Lunn and featuring Murchison Green Hydrogen's Andy Gray, Liberty Industrial's Jason Hislop and Horizon Power's Richard Chin
Kwinana Gas Power Station Expansion (K2): Webuild Group subsidiary e2o said only about 20% K2 energy project has been procured, leaving opportunities across mechanical and electrical equipment, fabrication, scaffolding, craneage, transport, high-voltage work and other specialist services.
Marri Wind Farm and Cataby Power Station: Alinta Energy’s two proposed projects – a wind farm of up to 500 megawatts and gas-fired power station – will help strengthen grid security of the South West Interconnected System as coal generation is phased out.
Narrogin and Nullagine Stage 1: Envision Energy encouraged businesses to engage even where packages on its current wind projects had already been tendered. It said ongoing operations and maintenance requirements, along with future projects, would continue to create supply chain opportunities.
Energy panel, facilitated by BidWrite’s David Lunn and featuring Liberty Industrial, Murchison Green Hydrogen and Horizon Power: Reinforced that value for money did not mean choosing the lowest price. Proponents were weighing price alongside safety, quality, risk, social outcomes and the supplier’s understanding of the project.
Spotlight: Fortescue seeks innovation as build accelerates
L-R: Fortescue's Anton Rossouw and Chris Cleave
Fortescue is about one-third of the way through the energy infrastructure needed to decarbonise its Pilbara operations, leaving substantial work to be awarded and delivered over the next two years.
“Labour resourcing is always an issue, so we're looking for partners that has a stable and reliable labour force, equipment profile and innovation,” Fortescue Contracts and Procurement Manager Anton Rossouw said.
“We're always looking for buyers that can develop new technologies, new processes, new commercial models, and that can deliver better outcomes.”
Key takeaways for WA suppliers
- Project proponents are looking to engage local, small businesses and Aboriginal businesses, with packages of various sizes and expertise.
- Early market engagement can help project owners respond to labour and supply chain constraints.
- Proponents want certainty from suppliers. Be transparent with your capabilities and gaps.
- Make it easy for evaluators to see your capabilities – keep your Gateway by ICN profile up to date.
- Brownfield projects are often more complex than greenfield developments so proven experience may be prioritised greater.
- Defence is a long game. Start building relationships and capability early. Supplied must demonstrate heightened security, cyber, information management and auditing requirements.
Next steps – get support in positioning yourself to win project work
Industry Capability Network WA connects local suppliers with opportunities across mining, energy, construction, infrastructure and defence.
The team can help your business identify relevant projects, strengthen submissions, understand your position in the supply chain and build relationships with procurement decision-makers.
Learn more about ICNWA and Gateway by ICN. Contact us on 08 9365 7623 or at [email protected].
