WA Regional Development Framework 2026

WA Regional Development Framework

February 2026

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters across WA, and recognise their enduring connection to Country, community and culture.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and honour the next generation who continue to care for Country and keep culture strong.

Front Cover

Albany Wind Farm, Great Southern Region

Credit: Shirley Milburn / Shutterstock

Back Cover

Kununurra, Kimberley Region

Credit: Imogen Warren / Shutterstock

RDCo: rdco@dpird.wa.gov.au

WARDA: warda@dpird.wa.gov.au

Minister’s Foreword

Regional WA is the foundation of our State’s prosperity, identity and future.

From the resources and energy sectors of the Pilbara and Goldfields to the record grain exports from our agricultural region and our world class indigenous tourism experiences in the Kimberley and beyond, the long-term success of our State and nation relies heavily on industries based in regional WA.

Under the Cook Government’s Our Priorities for Government 2025–2029, we are focused on delivering outcomes that matter most to Western Australians, including creating quality jobs through a strong and diversified economy, ensuring access to health care when and where it’s needed, enabling housing for all, building safe and inclusive communities, protecting and restoring our environment, and delivering quality infrastructure and services across our State.

The Regional Development Portfolio, through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the nine Regional Development Commissions (RDCs), plays a vital role in achieving these priorities. The Portfolio builds partnerships across government, industry

and community to deliver regional development outcomes. Supported by nine Cabinet Ministers appointed for each region, this model strengthens the link between regional priorities and State decision-making, ensuring local perspectives inform policy and investment.

The RDCs are the feet on the ground in our regions, with the confidence of Government to lead, coordinate and support the delivery of major initiatives, projects and programs. Their effectiveness is grounded in trusted relationships and networks built over decades with local governments, Aboriginal organisations, industry and community partners.

We are Team WA in the regions, driving delivery on Government priorities with urgency and accountability. RDCs have a strong record of advancing State priorities and coordinating across agencies, industry and communities. Through programs such as Made in WA, RDCs are building the next generation of industries, diversifying the economy, supporting decarbonisation and strengthening WA’s sovereign capability.

Dampier,

Pilbara Region

Credit:

John Carnemolla / iStock

Place-based growth is central to WA’s future. The regions underpin our vision for economic diversification and provide a proven testbed for innovation across renewable energy, critical minerals, agrifood, tourism and advanced manufacturing. They are also living laboratories for climate adaptation, the energy transition and integrated service models, helping government test, refine and scale solutions that deliver the greatest impact.

In 2023–24, regional WA generated $12 billion in royalties, compared with just $5.4 million from Perth metropolitan and offshore areas1.

The scale of the regions’ contribution to our State cannot be overstated. In 2023–24, regional WA generated $12 billion in royalties, compared with $5.4 million from Perth metropolitan and offshore areas1. These figures demonstrate the immense

1. Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, 2023–24

value regional industries bring to the State’s economy, driving exports, creating jobs and underpinning our shared prosperity.

Every dollar invested in the regions multiplies in value for WA, supporting local jobs, boosting exports, strengthening communities and building long-term resilience for the State.

As we deliver on the Government’s priorities for the next five years, this Framework sets out how we will continue to build sustainable, vibrant and liveable regional communities supported by strong and prosperous economies, through partnership, innovation and a shared commitment to delivering outcomes that matter to all Western Australians.

Hon Stephen Dawson MLC Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley

Our Regions

WA’s nine regions are diverse, each differing in population, demographics, service access, industry focus, geography and natural resources.

This diversity creates distinct competitive and comparative advantages, while also presenting unique challenges for each region.

2023 Estimated Resident Population

ABS Estimated Residential Population 2023

Gross Regional Product (2023-24)

Remplan 2024 Economy Profile, Output Profile, GRP Profile

Our Vision

A strong, inclusive and sustainable WA - where vibrant regional communities provide great places to live, quality jobs and access to essential services for all.

Regional development is fundamentally about the people who live, work and invest in our regions. It is about the communities and economies that sustain them, and how they contribute to a growing and sustainable future for the State.

At the heart of regional development is quality of life. Many factors influence quality of life across WA’s nine regions. These are interconnected and reflect the social, economic and environmental conditions that shape how people live and work.

Underpinning this framework is a commitment to sustainability, resilience and equity — ensuring that all Western Australians benefit from strong and vibrant regional communities.

Factors Influencing Quality of Life in Regional WA

• Land and housing availability

• Lifelong learning and skills training

• Health and allied service availability

• Workforce attraction and retention supported by quality jobs

• Economic diversification

• Digital access and inclusion

• Low-carbon transition and sustainable energy development

• Changing climate and environmental resilience

Empowerment and economic participation of Aboriginal people

Regional Development Portfolio

The Regional Development Portfolio strengthens WA’s regions and ensures local priorities inform State decision-making.

It is delivered through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the nine Regional Development Commissions, which work together to implement regional development policy and programs across the State.

The Regional Development Council and the Western Australian Regional Development Trust provide statutory advice to the Minister for Regional Development, supported by nine Cabinet Ministers representing each region.

Legislative Framework

Develop and broaden the economic base

Identify infrastructure services to promote economic and social development

Promote business development

Functions of the Portfolio are established under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 and Royalties for Regions Act 2009, outlining these objectives in our regions: 1. Maximise job creation and improve career opportunities

5. Ensure the general standard of government services and access to services is comparable to the metropolitan area 6. Encourage, promote, facilitate and monitor economic development

Delivering on Government Priorities

Jobs

Diversifying the WA economy so that it remains the strongest in the nation. Regional development strengthens WA’s economy by helping local industries grow, attract investment and adapt to change. Across every region, we support businesses to scale up, build local capability and create the jobs that keep our communities strong.

What we do

• Work directly with local businesses to support growth and innovation.

• Connect investors and industry to regional opportunity.

• Back projects that create jobs and strengthen regional supply chains.

Health

Ensuring all Western Australians can access the healthcare they need, when they need it.

Healthy regions are essential to a healthy State. We work with health providers, local governments, allied health industries and communities to improve access to quality care and wellbeing, supporting solutions that strengthen regional health outcomes.

What we do

• Support strategic community infrastructure planning and investment.

• Support housing and facilities for health workforce retention.

• Collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to improve health access and wellbeing.

Housing

Ensuring every Western Australian has a home. A strong regional housing market supports local jobs, families and communities. We work with government, industry and local partners to unlock land, enable infrastructure and help maximise housing and accommodation availability to meet the diverse needs of the regions.

What we do

• Coordinate with partners to deliver housing where it’s most needed.

• Support developments that enable local workers and families to stay in the region.

• Help unlock land and infrastructure to increase regional housing supply.

Credit (L–R): Aurizon Shunting Yards in Esperance, Goldfields-Esperance Region; Narrogin Hospital by Swift Hound Media, Wheatbelt Region; Leonora Ageing in Place Village, Goldfields-Esperance Region; Wild Gravel by Patrick Boere Photography, Great Southern Region; Collgar Wind Farm, Wheatbelt Region; Goldfields Highway, Goldfields-Esperance Region.

Community

Building safe and inclusive communities.

Vibrant, connected communities are the foundation of regional prosperity. We support projects that build local capacity, strengthen participation and celebrate the diversity of people and places across regional WA.

Environment

Protecting and restoring our environment.

Regional WA plays a leading role in the State’s clean energy and sustainability future. We support local action on climate, restoration and renewable industries that protect natural assets and strengthen longterm resilience.

What we do

• Partner with Aboriginal organisations, local governments and community groups to support the liveability of regional communities.

• Support initiatives that build inclusion, safety and local leadership.

• Invest in community spaces and events that bring people together.

What we do

• Support regional renewable energy and sustainability projects.

• Partner with Traditional Owners to protect and restore country.

• Back industries that advance decarbonisation and environmental stewardship.

Infrastructure and Services

Delivering quality infrastructure and services across our State.

Infrastructure connects people, places and opportunities. We work across government and with local partners to deliver essential transport, water, digital and community infrastructure that supports liveability and regional growth.

What we do

• Coordinate planning and delivery of key regional infrastructure.

• Support projects that improve connectivity and service access.

• Partner with agencies and local governments to close service gaps.

Value Proposition

WA’s regions are the engine of the State’s prosperity, sustainability and liveability. They generate the industries, ideas and partnerships that power the economy and strengthen communities.

The Regional Development Portfolio connects Government priorities with regional action through trusted local leadership. Every dollar invested in the regions multiplies for the State, creating jobs, attracting investment and building long-term resilience.

By investing directly in regional economies, RDCs demonstrate the value of place-based delivery— when regions thrive, the whole State benefits. Strengthening regional communities also reduces pressure on metropolitan systems and boosts productivity.

Together, DPIRD and the RDCs act as Team WA in the regions—driving investment, innovation and inclusive growth so all Western Australians share in the State’s prosperity.

Contribution to State Government

The Portfolio sets the strategic direction for regional development in WA, connecting State Government priorities with regional communities.

It operates in alignment with key State Government plans, including:

• Our Priorities for Government 2025-2029

• Made in WA

• Diversify WA / Future State

• WA Innovation Strategy

• WA State Infrastructure Programme 2025

• WAPC Strategic Plan 2025–29

• Western Australia Visitor Economy Strategy (WAVES 2033)

• WA 10-Year Science & Technology Plan (2025-2035)

• Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy

• WA Climate Policy

• Regional Development Commission Strategic Plans

Busselton Jetty, South West Region

Credit: Anek Soowannaphoom / Shutterstock

How We Work

The Regional Development Portfolio is Team WA in the regions - connecting State priorities with regional delivery through trusted local leadership and strong cross-government partnerships.

What We Do

Work across Government

We collaborate across agencies to turn State priorities into regional outcomes. By aligning policy, funding and delivery, we connect major initiatives with local partners to achieve practical, lasting results.

Drive economic growth

We strengthen WA’s economy by investing in local jobs, business capability and infrastructure. By helping industries grow and innovate, we build resilient communities and ensure the benefits of growth are shared across the State.

Inform policy and investment

We provide evidence-based insights that guide government decisions and investment. By combining data with regional experience, we ensure local perspectives shape State priorities and inform future programs.

Deliver with agility and impact

We tailor local solutions that align with State priorities, drawing on deep regional knowledge and strong partnerships to act quickly and confidently. This approach turns complex challenges into practical, lasting results.

Our Value

Strong partnerships across Government, industry, Aboriginal partners and community.

Tangible investment that grows the economy and jobs.

Trusted delivery through people who live and work in the regions.

Test and scale solutions for WA’s future.