Western Australia has cleared the way for faster assessment of major resource and industrial projects following the Legislative Council’s approval of the State Development Bill, legislation aimed at streamlining approvals for priority developments and designated precincts.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) welcomed the passage of the Bill, saying it marked a pivotal policy move as the state competes for global investment in energy transition and downstream industries.

CME CEO Aaron Morey said the legislation “set a strong platform ahead of a critical year for WA’s energy transition and efforts to attract new future-facing industries”.

“This Bill is a clear signal of intent. Western Australia is open for business and prepared to move at the pace required to compete for international investment,” he said.

“There is so much opportunity ahead of us but realising that potential requires a sustained focus on boosting our offering to global markets.

“One of the most important ways we can do that is by bringing down energy costs and speeding up the delivery of project-ready industrial land – two objectives this Bill will help us achieve faster without compromising on our world-leading environmental, social and heritage outcomes.”

The Bill received bipartisan support, a development Morey said would bolster investor confidence.

“CME called for rapid passage of this critical Bill and Parliament has delivered,” he said.

“Having our major political parties on the same page on legislation like this enhances Western Australia’s reputation as a stable and reliable trade partner.

“In an increasingly turbulent period for geopolitics, our stability is one of our greatest strengths. It’s a feature of doing business in Western Australia we should be proud of, and a feature all lawmakers should strive to uphold.”

The legislation introduces a new mechanism to coordinate regulatory processes across multiple government agencies, aiming to cut duplication and materially shorten assessment timeframes. CME said this alignment would be essential to unlocking investment across both new and existing industries and to advancing the land corridors required for transmission lines and the infrastructure needed to make Strategic Industrial Areas project-ready.

Morey added that attention must now turn to securing bilateral agreements with the Commonwealth, enabling Western Australia to undertake federal assessments and approvals under the updated Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

“Passage of the State Development Bill means we’re entering 2026 with the wind in our sails,” he said.

“Quickly getting a bilateral agreement in place would significantly add to that momentum and go a long way to cementing Western Australia’s reputation as one of the world’s leading resources jurisdictions.”