Nicole Lockwood

The state government has appointed Infrastructure Australia board member Nicole Lockwood to chair a new taskforce to plan a Kwinana outer harbour development, as Transport Minister Rita Saffioti indicated she would stare down internal party dissent about the project.

SPECIAL REPORT: Rita Saffioti is stamping her mark on the transport, lands and planning portfolios she took on last March, initiating a number of major reviews and appointing several industry figures to key roles.

At a time when debate about a potential outer harbour project south of Perth is building momentum, a look at the history of development in Kwinana’s industrial zone provides an illustration of the impact of government intervention in the state’s economy, for better or worse.

With public consultation on the state government’s Westport project starting this month, we look back at more than 20 years of planning for an outer harbour at Kwinana.

The state government has contracted Deloitte and AECOM to undertake studies on shipping volumes and traffic flows that will be pivotal to its Westport outer harbour project.

Fremantle’s port has room to grow container trade, possibly for three decades, according to a new report by the state government’s Westport taskforce, but freight infrastructure improvements are needed in the short term at Fremantle, Bunbury and Kwinana.

SPECIAL REPORT: WA will be waiting until at least 2030 before an outer harbour development is needed, and in the meantime work is being done to evaluate the best ways to extend the life of Fremantle Port.

The state government has appointed 10 members to the board of its peak infrastructure advisory body, including six directors from the private sector led by chairman John Langoulant.

The state government’s Westport taskforce has concluded that all container shipping should be moved out of Fremantle to a new land-backed port in Cockburn Sound, to be built at a cost of about $4 billion.

Five Western Australian women have been appointed to senior board positions, including Marion Fulker joining the Infrastructure Australia board and Samantha Tough chairing Horizon Power.

A more efficient freight network is a key priority for the state government, but upgrading the status quo requires a big spend and some complex solutions.

Health Minister Roger Cook said testing criteria for COVID-19 would expand as of tomorrow, 28 new cases in WA overnight; Premier Mark McGowan aired his grievances with the Artania cruise ship, and Andrew Forrest pledged $160 million towards procuring medical supplies and increasing testing in WA.

The state government has set up an advisory group, with executives from more than 20 businesses and community groups, to provide advice on the impacts of COVID-19 and measures to help economic recovery.

The state government has accepted the Westport Taskforce’s final recommendations and will proceed with building a new, land-backed port in Kwinana by 2032.

The planned Westport development in Kwinana will be government owned, Premier Mark McGowan said, with claims it would cost less than extending operation of Fremantle harbour.

Trade forecasts underpinning the Westport development have not been updated since the onset of the pandemic, but proponents believe it won’t affect option selection.

City of Joondalup, Perron Group, Sandfire Resources and Water Corporation have made significant appointments over the holiday season.

What’s the next big-ticket item for Perth after decades focused on road, rail and port infrastructure?

Two prominent WA women will take positions atop the boards of Infrastructure WA and GESB following John Langoulant's appointment as the state's agent general in the UK and Europe.

A likely change of power in Canberra this year will have little bearing on the makeup of WA’s political and business leaders. Click through to see our updated ranking of WA's 50 Most Influential.

National connections and regional understanding are a rare combination.

Ten years after opening its doors, Spacecubed has increased capacity to support WA innovators.

A growing breed of educators wants to equip students with business-like skills.

The federal government is adopting a swathe of reforms recommended by Infrastructure WA chair Nicole Lockwood but the local body will not be directly affected.

Former federal minister Ben Morton, former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill and Noongar elder Richard Walley will join state government boards in the new year.

The state government has rejected calls by its key infrastructure adviser to evaluate asset sales and private funding for new developments.

Some of Perth’s most experienced venture capitalists are seeking to raise more than $100 million for startup investment.

Purpose Ventures, a new fund to invest in Western Australian startups, has raised at least $37 million, including a $10 million foundation investment from a major local entrepreneur.

Three new local funds proposing to focus on early-stage investment are raising expectations.

Former WA bureaucrat Reece Waldock is one of three transport experts drafted in by the federal government to review its infrastructure pipeline and set new priorities.

Malcolm Steinberg's Malka Foundation has committed $5 million to boost Curtin University's planned $25 million program to develop entrepreneurial and innovation education over the next five years.

Infrastructure WA chair Nicole Lockwood says the freight route could be used to access southern industrial areas once Fremantle Port is out of action.

A Curtin University-run program to promote entrepreneurship in schools, funded by Timezone founder Malcolm Steinberg, has launched with Department of Education backing.

Infrastructure WA has announced two additions to its board, appointing Fiona Hick and John Galvin until the end of 2026.