The new WA Civil Infrastructure 10 Year Outlook report, commissioned by the Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia (CCF WA) and written by Oxford Economics, highlights a $208 billion pipeline of civil construction work ahead in WA over the next decade.
This independent assessment provides valuable insight to assist CCF WA Members with strategic investment, planning, and resource allocation, while also strengthening CCF WA’s advocacy to Government.
Key Findings from the Report
- Current Activity: Civil construction activity in WA grew 15% in FY2025 to $18.2 billion, driven by increases in electricity, water, and sewerage projects. Roads and railways, however, declined for the first time since 2019.
-
Short-Term Outlook (FY2026–2027): Activity is expected to hold steady at around $18.2 billion in FY2026, with moderate declines across some sectors before rebounding in the latter half of the decade.
-
Medium-Term Outlook (FY2028–2030): Most sectors are forecast to recover, with growth supported by renewed investment in roads, energy, water, telecommunications, and pipelines.
-
Long-Term Outlook (FY2031–2035): Civil construction activity is expected to surpass all historical peaks, averaging $25 billion per year. This increase will be driven by an uplift across most segments – particularly roads, energy (driven by the transition to renewables), water, telecommunications and pipelines.
-
Roads and bridges (+7% p.a.)
-
Electricity infrastructure (+$47 billion total investment)
-
Water and sewerage (+8.7% p.a.)
-
Ports and maritime (+29% p.a. between FY2028–2030)
-
Railways (driven by Westport and regional freight lines)
-
Sector Highlights
-
Roads & bridges civil activity: Declined by approximately 15% in FY2025 and will hold firm in FY2026, followed by a mild decline in activity between FY2027-FY2029. In the longer term, 7% p.a. growth is forecast between FY2030-FY2035.
-
Electricity: Surged to $4.6 billion in FY2025, an expected contraction for FY2026 and FY2027 (as current projects move to completion), with another wave expected from FY2028. In aggregate, electricity infrastructure activity in WA over the 10 years to FY2035 is expected to total $47 billion, more than double the $20.5 billion 10-year spend from FY2016 to FY2025.
-
Water & Sewerage: Civil construction activity is expected to increase further in FY2026 and remain high in FY2027 before falling later this decade. Over the medium to long term, another wave of activity will result in growth averaging 8.7% p.a. between FY2031 and FY2035.
-
Ports & Maritime: Near-term surge as work ramps up on major projects, followed by another wave of large, publicly funded projects underpinning average growth of 29% p.a. between FY2028-FY2030. Over the longer term, Ports and Maritime construction activity will pare back but remain at historically elevated levels.
-
Railways Construction Work: Hit a record $2.5 billion in FY2025 due to Metronet, with activity to halve over the next two years followed by a strong growth forecast from FY2028 through to the mid-2030s driven by the development of Westport and regional freight lines.
-
Land Development: A forecast 10.5% growth p.a. FY2026–2028, moderating thereafter to consistent growth of 2.4% p.a. between FY2029-FY2035, with strong demographic drivers underpinning sustained residential construction activity.
-
Gas Pipelines: Steady growth, reaching $1.9 billion by FY2035.
-
Telecommunications: To decline slightly in FY2026 followed by a clow, steady increase to $1.1 billion by FY2035.
-
Recreation Infrastructure: Expected to more than double to $1.5 billion by FY2035.
Access the Full Report
The WA Civil Infrastructure 10 Year Outlook provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing WA’s civil construction industry.
- Read the full report here
- Learn more about CCF WA and become a member here.
