The Government of Western Australian (WA) has declared five Priority Projects and the State’s first-ever State Development Area to fast-track industrial precincts and economic diversification through the development of the local renewable energy, lower-carbon and manufacturing industry.
Four large-scale wind projects have been defined as Priority Projects to streamline approvals and improve delivery timelines, collectively equating to more than 1 GW (gigawatts) of renewable energy capacity. The Priority Projects include: Zephyr Energy Parron Maam Marang Wind Farm, Kondinin Energy Kondinin Wind Farm, Alinta Energy Marri Wind Farm and Neoen Narrogin Wind Farm.
The WA Government, through Synergy and Water Corporation, have already signed power purchase agreements with three of the projects. And for most of the projects, the estimated commissioning stage will be around 2028 to 2029.
NeoSmelt has also been defined as a Priority Project. NeoSmelt is a consortium-led initiative involving BlueScope, BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside Energy and Mitsui Iron Ore Development. The project aims to produce molten iron using Pilbara iron ore and lower-carbon energy inputs, positioning Western Australia within emerging global green iron supply chains.
To support these developments, the Government has declared the Western Trade Coast as its first SDA. Located between Munster and Rockingham, the precinct is a major industrial, defence and logistics hub, contributing up to $20 billion annually to the State economy and supporting around 43,000 jobs.
The State Development Area designation introduces a coordinated planning framework, with the Coordinator General overseeing approvals, infrastructure and land use planning. A State Development Area Plan will be developed to guide long-term growth, with public consultation to follow.
The move is backed by more than $90 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to support Strategic Industrial Areas across the State. This includes $45.2 million for land assembly at Latitude 32, $11.3 million for Kemerton in the South West, and $27.1 million for infrastructure planning at Boodarie in the Pilbara.
Premier Roger Cook shared that the new framework will support job creation and economic resilience.
“By working together to keep Western Australia’s economy the strongest in the nation, w’ll ensure WA remains the best place in the world to get a quality job and build our resilience to external challenges,” Premier Cook said.
Energy and Decarbonisation and Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson explained that the wind projects would play a key role in the State’s transition away from coal.
“Together, these wind farms will unlock more than one gigawatt of renewable energy, helping us to get out of coal by 2030 and secure clean, affordable and reliable power for the future,” Minister Sanderson said.
Parliamentary Secretary David Scaife added that the Western Trade Coast would be central to the State’s industrial future, supporting projects spanning green iron production through to defence manufacturing.
To find out more about State Development Areas and Priority Projects, visit the Government of Western Australia website.
