From major highways and freight rail to Bunbury Port and regional airports, infrastructure plays an important role in connecting the South West.
Utility services and digital networks support communities, businesses and industry throughout the region.
Together, these networks help connect people, goods and services across the South West and beyond.
Road
The South West is connected by an extensive State Road network that links communities, businesses and industry across the region.
Key routes include:
Together these routes support travel and freight movement within the South West and beyond.
Rail
Freight rail services connect Bunbury with Collie, Harvey and Perth, supporting the movement of goods across the region.
The Australind passenger train provides rail connection between Bunbury and Perth.
Port
Bunbury Port is one of Australia’s largest regional ports and an important trade gateway for Western Australia.
It’s strategic location on the South West coast and extensive landholdings support trade and industry, while providing capacity for future growth and development.
Airports
Busselton Margaret River Airport provides direct passenger services to and from Melbourne and Sydney, supporting inbound and outbound travel in the South West. The airport also services fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) operations.
Bunbury Domestic Airport supports a range of aviation activities, including emergency services, charter operations, aviation training and recreational flying.
Regional airports throughout the South West play an important role in providing aviation services for local communities.
The South West is supported by fibre-optic broadband networks and expanding 5G mobile coverage.
NBN Business Fibre Zones are available in:
These zones provide access to high-speed internet services and improved digital connectivity.
Digital networks support communication, online services, and remote working across the South West.
Access to reliable broadband and mobile coverage helps businesses, communities and service providers stay connected across the region.
Continued investment in broadband and mobile infrastructure is expanding connectivity for communities, businesses and industry across the region.
Power
The South West is connected to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), which supplies electricity to homes, businesses and major industrial areas.
Investment in transmission infrastructure continues across the network, supporting changing energy needs and the integration of new energy sources.
Water
Water services are provided by Water Corporation, alongside regional providers including Aqwest, Busselton Water and Harvey Water.
Water is sourced from surface water, groundwater and desalination, helping supply communities, agriculture and industry throughout the South West.
Gas
Natural gas infrastructure services major regional centres and industrial precincts throughout the South West.
The network supports a range of activities, from manufacturing and mineral processing to agribusiness and commercial operations.
While energy systems continue to evolve, natural gas remains an important part of the region’s energy mix and existing utility infratructure.
Western Australia’s energy system is changing as the State transitions from coal-fired power generation to a more diverse energy mix, including renewable energy, battery storage and flexible generation.
Guided by the State Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy, this transition includes investment in new energy infrastructure and technologies across Western Australia.
As part of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), the South West is seeing investment in transmission infrastructure, large-scale battery storage and renewable energy projects.
These developments are contributing to changes in how electricity is generated, stored and delivered across the network.
Collie is a focus of Western Australia’s energy transition as the State phases out coal-fired power generation by 2030.
The Western Australian Government has committed close to $700 million to support the transition through investment in infrastructure, workforce retraining, regional development initiatives and new industries.
The aim is to support the community and local workforce while helping diversify Collie’s economy and maintain it role as an important energy and industrial area.
Industries being explored include downstream processing, new energy technologies and low emissions manufacturing.
For more information, read the WA Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy.