New report highlights future planning and infrastructure gaps in regional WA

A shortfall of 60,000 homes, thousands of kilometres of substandard roads and unreliable internet are all holding regional WA back. That is according to a landmark report which has highlighted planning and infrastructure failings across the nation in spite of record population growth in the past three years. The Infrastructure Australia report paints a picture of each region’s diverse assets, growth industries and infrastructure requirements — and it doesn’t always make for happy reading. It found WA needed 19,300 more affordable homes and its social housing stocks were 39,200 homes short of what was required, with an average wait time of 94 weeks for public housing in the Mid West-Gascoyne region. The report shows the Goldfields-Esperance region is experiencing a housing shortage, preventing more people moving to the area and thus restricting the workforce. There are also 15,642km of unsealed roads which are “inadequate to service the region’s biggest industries of mining and agriculture”. While the Great Southern contributes to the State’s agriculture sector and is also a popular eco-tourism destination, its roads are ageing — many older than 50 years. Access to reliable internet is a significant issue facing the Kimberley, with almost a quarter of small businesses unhappy with the quality of their connection. But Infrastructure Australia chair Col Murray said he hoped the report would help to fix many of these problems. “This is the first time a report of this magnitude has been conducted solely on regional Australia that localises each area’s strengths and opportunities,” Mr Murray said. “It provides a foundation of data, knowledge and community perceptions to support future infrastructure planning, decision-making and network governance across the country. “Governments at all levels, businesses and communities themselves, have acknowledged the need to address these challenges for many years, but too often they work in isolation.” The report also shows the Peel region is facing a water supply crisis, with the population projected to reach 444,000 by 2050. It says concerns have been expressed “around climate change having already led to reduced rainfall and a drier climate” and recent events are also contributing to an influx of people. “The significant upswing in regionalisation — further accelerated by the pandemic — has compounded pressure on already stretched regional infrastructure assets and networks,” Infrastructure Australia chief executive Romilly Madew said. “By drawing out commonalities where they exist, we are aiming to improve information sharing and enable a coordinated, forward-looking view of the challenges and opportunities in Regional Australia.” Further consultation is being encouraged with submissions open until April 29.