Episode 7: Major Projects Shaping WA in 2025

January 30, 2025

EPISODE 7: Major Projects of 2025

What's Actually Happening?

This week on The Powerhouse Podcast, we’re taking a deep dive into the biggest projects set to transform WA in 2025 - from the Western Trade Coast to major infrastructure, defence, and resource developments across the state.

There’s a lot happening. Billions of dollars are being poured into new ports, defence precincts, hydrogen hubs, and advanced manufacturing facilities. It feels like everything is kicking off at once - but is this just election-year timing, or are we finally seeing the result of years of behind-the-scenes planning coming to life?

So what does all this actually mean? When do the jobs start flowing? Which projects are moving ahead, and which are just talk?

Whether you’re in business, curious about WA’s economy, or just want to know how freight comes and goes into Fremantle, this episode is packed with insights and expertise.

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Esther Anderson

About Esther Anderson

This week, it’s just me behind the mic - Esther Anderson - bringing you the latest on WA’s biggest projects for 2025. If you’re new here, I’ve spent the last 30 years working alongside industry across Western Australia, from the Pilbara to the South West, and everywhere in between. Over the years, I’ve worked on 25 different mine sites, collaborated with businesses of all sizes, and been deeply Interested in WA’s industrial growth and development.

Having worked across sectors like mining, resources, infrastructure, and manufacturing, I’ve had a front-row seat to how WA’s industries evolve, adapt, and drive the state’s economy. My work on the Western Trade Coast over the past decade has given me insights into the future of industry, from major infrastructure projects to the shift towards renewables and advanced manufacturing.

This podcast is about pulling back the curtain on the big changes shaping WA - what’s happening, why it matters, and how it impacts businesses, industries, and the people working within them. Whether you’re in industry yourself or just want to understand WA’s economic future, I’ll bring you the real stories behind the headlines.

Let’s dive in.

IN THIS SHOW:

1. Westport: The Future of WA’s Freight Industry – Fremantle’s container port is out of room, out of time, and out of options. Westport, planned for Kwinana, is set to revolutionise WA’s trade and logistics with a deep-water, high-tech facility that will finally take the pressure off Perth’s congested road networks. But what does this mean for businesses, industries, and the long-term economy of WA?

2. AUKUS and the Defence Boom – Perth isn’t just a mining hub anymore - it’s on its way to becoming the naval capital of the Indian Ocean. Beyond the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, WA is set to host the largest naval base in the Southern Hemisphere, with massive investment pouring into shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, and defence supply chains at Henderson. This means decades of high-skilled jobs and billions in defence contracts, but can WA deliver on the scale required?

3. NeoSmelt & WA’s Green Steel Industry – For years, WA has been digging up iron ore and shipping it off overseas, but the NeoSmelt project in Kwinana is a game-changer. This new electric smelting furnace will process iron ore right here in WA, laying the foundation for green iron and steel production. It’s a massive shift from being just an exporter of raw materials to becoming a key player in global low-emission steel.

4. H2Perth and the Hydrogen Economy – Hydrogen is often talked about as the next big thing, but is WA finally in a position to make it happen? Woodside’s H2Perth project in Kwinana is designed to be a commercial-scale hydrogen production facility, supplying both domestic and international markets. But with global competition heating up and the industry still in its infancy, is WA ready to lead the way?

5. Mining & Critical Minerals: The Next Boom? – WA’s traditional mining powerhouses aren’t slowing down, but there’s a growing focus on new critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and rare earths - essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy. From Rio Tinto’s Winu copper-gold project to BHP’s expansion in nickel mining, WA is positioning itself as a global supplier for the industries of the future.

6. Infrastructure & Energy – The Silent Drivers of WA’s Future – While the big projects grab the headlines, WA is also investing heavily in water security, transport, and renewable energy. The Lumsden Point expansion will make the Pilbara more competitive for exports, the Alkimos Desalination Plant will help future-proof Perth’s water supply, and solar, wind, and battery projects are growing to support WA’s shift towards decarbonisation.

These aren’t just plans on paper—they’re projects that will shape WA’s future. But the big question is, when will they actually happen?