The Western Australian Government will invest $16.7 million to support key environmental and water resource assessments throughout the state.
$16.7 million boost to assessment capacity in State Budget
The investment comes through Western Australia’s 2025–26 Budget, and the State Government said it will help secure Western Australia’s economic future in an environmentally sustainable way.
More than $9 million has been allocated to boost the state’s environmental assessment and licensing capacity, with new funding for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to meet rising demand while supporting investment certainty and economic activity.
This includes $5 million over three years to fund nine full-time positions to boost the EPA’s front-line assessment capacity in environmental approvals, plus a further $4.5 million to fund 11 full-time positions to manage the expected growth in water license and works approval applications at DWER.
According to the State Government, collectively, this funding will ensure faster, science-based decision-making for major projects while upholding Western Australia’s internationally strong environmental protections.
This funding will be separately supported by a $3 million investment in the State Solicitor’s Office to recruit two additional staff to address work associated with State Agreements, helping pave the way for job-creating projects throughout Western Australia to come online quicker.
In addition, $4.2 million has been allocated to accelerate water planning in the Pilbara to support regional development and address the impacts of climate change.
This includes $2.6 million over two years for five dedicated staff to update critical water planning information and $1.7 million for real-time monitoring infrastructure, including telemetry systems and groundwater bores.
These upgrades will improve transparency and provide real-time data to support water security in Western Australia’s economic engine room.
Western Australian Environment Minister, Matthew Swinbourn, said that the State Government is continuing to progress its generational reforms to Western Australia’s environmental approvals system with further investment to increase its assessment capacity.
“This Budget makes clear that Western Australia is open for business – and that building a strong, sustainable environmental approvals system remains a government priority,” he said.
“We’re building the capacity to assess projects faster while maintaining high environmental standards and sustainable development.”
Western Australian Water Minister, Don Punch, said this investment in the Pilbara reflects the State Government’s commitment to water investigations and water planning to support long-term growth and climate resilience in regional Western Australia.
“The State Government is increasing the capacity and expertise to meet the rising demand and complexity of water regulatory assessments,” Mr Punch said.
“The infrastructure upgrades will enhance transparency and deliver real-time data to boost water security in regional Western Australia.”
