Legislation to establish Infrastructure WA (IWA) as an independent governmental advisory body has been introduced to WA Parliament.
The legislation will establish IWA as a statutory authority that will advise the WA Government on the state’s infrastructure needs and priorities, and ensure maximum value from every dollar spent by government agencies on major proposals.
IWA aims to ensure the state’s long-term infrastructure priorities are informed by robust independent advice, and will foster a bipartisan approach and greater collaboration between the State Government, community and industry.
John Langoulant AO has been appointed as IWA chair-designate and will assist with the organisation’s establishment and early operation.
Mr Langoulant is a respected member of the Western Australian community with significant experience in both the public and private sectors.
An expression of interest will be released in early-to-mid-2019 to select other board members.
WA Premier, Mark McGowan, said establishing Infrastructure WA would help develop a pipeline of investment, provide business certainty and create long-term, secure jobs.
“IWA will change how we plan and deliver infrastructure and will set our State up for the long term,” he said.
IWA’s immediate task will be to develop a 20-year State Infrastructure Strategy that will identify WA’s long-term infrastructure requirements and recommend significant projects and programs to meet those needs.
“The State Infrastructure Strategy will build on our existing infrastructure plans for the State, including the first stages of METRONET, and outline a vision over a 20-year horizon,” Mr McGowan said.
IWA’s other roles include assessing and reporting on major government infrastructure proposals before investment decisions are made; providing advice on infrastructure priorities, and funding and financing options; and co-ordinating the state’s submissions to Infrastructure Australia.
