Economy

$107 Million contract for Ocean Reef Infrastructure delivery awarded, supporting more than 150 Western Australian jobs.
February 21, 2024
The contract for works on the Ocean Reef Marina Development in Western Australia has now been awarded, with Georgiou set to deliver the construction of public infrastructure. The $107 million contract comprises the delivery of public infrastructure such as boat ramps, marine walls, as well as recreational spaces. These works will also include the development of lots for residential, retail and hospitality purposes. Work will begin in 2024 to create: A Family Friendly beach Perth’s first coastal pool Pedestrian Promenade Residential Living Spaces Children’s Play Spaces Recreational facilities such as change rooms, toilets, BBQs and shade structures. Construction on the …

$50 million package of works underway on WA’s Great Northern Highway Corridor
February 16, 2024
The delivery of 11 overtaking lanes on Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland is now underway as part of a $50 million package of works. The lanes, which have been included under the Australian Government’s newly announced Great Northern Highway corridor, will help support the Pilbara region’s booming mining industry and foster economic development as well as improve road safety for heavy vehicle drivers and other road users. The major package of works is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, with the Australian Government providing $40 million and the Western Australian Government $10 million. With more than …

NRW Contracting Pty Ltd named preferred proponent for the $225 million Reid Highway Interchanges Project in Western Australia.
January 24, 2024
NRW Contracting Pty Ltd has been appointed to lead the design and construction of two new interchanges on Reid Highway. This initiative, the Reid Highway Interchanges Project, comes with a $225 million budget, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, who are each contributing $112.5 million. The primary goal is to replace the current signalized intersections at Altone Road and Drumpellier Drive/Daviot Road with efficient, free-flowing interchanges. This includes modifying Reid Highway to pass over Altone Road and constructing a new bridge for Drumpellier Drive/Daviot Road over Reid Highway. The project also aims to cater to cyclists and …

WA’s Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility is undergoing a $238.5 million upgrade, providing local jobs and $174 million spent with WA Subcontractors
January 16, 2024
Western Australia’s Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in Perth is undergoing a $238.5 million upgrade, aiming to set a new standard in sustainable wastewater management. This upgrade is pivotal for the facility, which processes wastewater for about 900,000 homes and businesses in Perth’s southern suburbs. The upgrades, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5,600 tonnes C02-e annually, with less power needed to be purchased from the electricity grid to run the plant. Enhanced energy recovery technology will also be installed, allowing the facility to capture and reuse more biogas (mostly methane, which is naturally produced during …

$100M Construction to Perth gateway resulting in new job opportunities for the local economy.
March 15, 2023
Construction has started on the $100 million Causeway pedestrian and cyclist bridges. The project features two cable-stayed bridges, which provides a 6m wide shared path that links Victoria Park foreshore at McCallum Park with Heirisson Island and Perth’s CBD at Pint Fraser. The project, which is part of the $1.5 billion Perth City deal, aims to provide alternative transport options with greater connectivity and to further enhance the natural environment and public amenity. The project’s goal is to improve the safety, connectivity and amenity for people commuting to work and school, and for tourists as well. The Causeway Link Alliance …

Western Australia’s unemployment rate is the lowest of the States at 3.1%
September 15, 2022
The Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data shows that Western Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 3.1 per cent in August, the lowest of the States, and below the national rate of 3.5 per cent. A further 879 Western Australians found work in August, up 0.1 per cent. Over the year to August, employment has risen by around 70,000 new full-time positions, or 5 percent, the strongest in the nation. WA’s female unemployment rate fell to just 2.8 per cent. Over the year, the rise in employment was entirely driven by full-time work, with 7.5 per cent annual average growth, …

Construction commences on a $45 million grid-scale battery storage system in the NT, generating cost savings of about $9.8 million annually.
September 5, 2022
The energy storage system, being provided by Swiss-headquartered Hitachi Energy, is expected to be operational in 2023, with battery installation due to commence late this year. The battery will support the Darwin-Katherine grid that services 150,000 customers, allowing greater penetration of renewable energy while increasing stability and reliability of the power supply. “Construction of the Darwin-Katherine BESS is a huge step forward in our plan for 50% renewables by 2030,” Energy Minister Selena Uibo said. “Our electricity will be more reliable and stable, whilst maintaining affordability for Territorians. “Our future is renewables. This is why we are investing now in the BESS and hydrogen-powered …

Major Perth Zoo upgrade underway as part of a $16.5 million construction program supporting approximately 380 jobs.
August 26, 2022
The Café and Function centre are the first projects to be delivered under the McGowan Government’s Perth Zoo Master Plan 2040 and are planned to be completed by mid-2023. The café will create a new eating and alfresco area adjacent to the zoo’s main lawn, with the new function centre set to provide a much-improved space for events, functions, seminars and weddings. Both projects are being built by local company Crothers Construction, supporting about 380 jobs during construction and sourcing materials from local suppliers. These developments are the first to be delivered under the Perth Zoo Master Plan 2040, with …

The $280 million Swan River Crossings project final concept revealed as one of Fremantle’s most significant infrastructure projects.
August 25, 2022
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, each contributing $140 million. The transformation of the area includes: removing the signalised intersection at Canning Highway and Queen Victoria Street; realigning Canning Highway from East Street to travel down and under the new bridge, and connecting to Beach Street; prioritising journeys into Fremantle via Queen Victoria Street, providing a direct, free-flowing journey from North Fremantle into the harbour city; and opportunities for urban landscaping, heritage interpretation and community connection for an area in front of the existing Naval Store, including the use of existing timber pylons in …
Western Australia to be the State of choice for skilled workers migrating to Australia, supporting industry demand for its strong economy and jobs market.
August 23, 2022
As part of its work to deliver the skilled labour needed to support Western Australia’s strong economy and jobs market, the McGowan Government has made changes to its migration program to ensure WA is the State of choice for skilled workers migrating to Australia. New settings include: Shake-up of migration program to attract more skilled workers to WA and support industry demand Temporary relaxation of migration criteria and $200 application fee waived to help meet current skills needs Skilled Migrant Employment Register available to connect new skilled migrants with WA jobs To capture all priority industries, the State Government has …

