The new State Development Bill 2025 was introduced into the WA Parliament on 10 September 2025 and had its second reading in the Legislative Council on 16 October 2025.
The purpose of the Bill is primarily ”to establish and make provision for the office of Coordinator General; and to provide a framework for the coordination, facilitation and promotion of development and activities of strategic or economic significance to the State”. The Government says the proposed legislation will “unlock strategic precincts, fast-track approvals for major strategic projects around the State and maintain Western Australia as the strongest economy in the nation”.
Under the legislation, the Premier will have powers to declare Priority Projects and State Development Areas. This will be supported by the Coordinator General, who will be delegated statutory powers to accelerate and oversee regulatory processes and industrial land activation, enabling the State to respond rapidly to emerging opportunities and reduce duplication. The Government media releases refer to large-scale critical minerals, renewable energy, energy transition (green iron), naval shipbuilding and multi-user infrastructure projects. However, the scope of the proposed legislation allows for smaller projects to be designated, if the Minister for State Development and the Premier are satisfied as to the project’s significance.
A key concern is that the Bill places a significant level of discretion in the hands of the State Development Minister and the Premier (currently the same person).
The Environmental Defenders Office is also concerned that, as well as centralising too much power in the executive arm of government, the Bill creates serious risks of undermining the intended operation of WA laws and ultimately harming the environmental and community/cultural values of WA.
Unusually, the Bill is not made subject to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) in the event of inconsistency.
The Law Society has made a submission to Roger Cook as the Premier and Minister for State Development setting out the Law Society’s concerns in regard to the Bill. The submission can be read here.