About the Western Trade Coast
Located at the centre of WA’s port, freight, transport and utilities networks, the Western Trade Coast has supported the WA economy for more than 70 years. The region currently supports around 43,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes up to $20 billion annually to WA’s economy.
As WA transitions toward a more diversified and lower carbon economy, the Western Trade Coast is entering a critical period of change. The area is well positioned to support growth in renewable energy, critical minerals processing, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding, alongside its established heavy industries. Major State-significant projects, including Westport and the Henderson Defence Precinct, will underpin long-term employment, investment and economic resilience.
The declaration of the Western Trade Coast as a State Development Area (SDA) under the State Development Act 2025 provides a coordinated framework to guide this next phase of industrial development, further activate strategically important land and infrastructure, and support emerging industries while balancing social and environmental considerations.
Status
Current status: SDA gazetted and declared
On 26 June 2026, the WTC SDA was gazetted in the WA Government Gazette and declared as WA’s first SDA. This declaration defines the area’s boundaries and objectives. Following this, the Coordinator General is now the central point of oversight for the WTC SDA and has commenced preparation of the WTC SDA Plan. This plan will guide future land use, infrastructure coordination and development across the area.
What the WTC SDA Means
The WTC SDA establishes a whole-of-government approach to planning, infrastructure coordination and development facilitation across the region. The declared boundary identifies where coordinated long-term planning will occur under the State Development Act.
The boundary was informed by targeted engagement with government and industry, alongside technical analysis, to ensure it captures key industrial areas, infrastructure corridors and future development needs. The SDA declaration does not change how land or waters within the boundary can be used today.
The WTC SDA provides a coordinated setting for two current Priority Projects: Clean Energy Link Kwinana and Project NeoSmelt. Their designation underscores both their individual strategic importance and their complementary role within the SDA, contributing to the advancement of decarbonisation across the State’s energy network and mineral processing capabilities.
WTC SDA boundary map
The map below shows the boundary of the WTC SDA. The spatial dataset is available via DataWA and a PDF is available to download in the 'Documents and resources' section below.
What the declaration of the WTC SDA means for you
For proponents and industry:
- Improved certainty for development and investment decisions
- Coordinated planning and delivery of shared, common‑use infrastructure
- Support for State‑significant projects, including Westport and the Henderson Defence Precinct
- An escalation point for resolving complex development constraints
For landowners:
- Greater clarity on long‑term planning intent and future land use opportunities
- Identification of transitional land uses and strategic land assembly requirements
- No change to existing land tenure, ownership or lawful land uses
For the community:
- No change to environmental standards, heritage requirements or statutory approvals
- Coordinated management of social and environmental values, including Cockburn Sound
- Continued support for local jobs, skills development and economic diversification
Consultation
The Office of the Coordinator General will undertake statutory public consultation on a draft WTC SDA Plan. Details on consultation timing, how to participate and supporting materials will be published on this page when available. Feedback received during consultation will help shape the final SDA Plan, including land use priorities and infrastructure planning. The Office of the Coordinator General will also continue ongoing engagement with landowners, industry, government and other stakeholders during implementation planning.
Next steps
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