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Mining & Resources | Technology
4 Mar 2026, by Amy Sarcevic
The diverse economy of Western Australia’s Mid West has long been driven by traditional industries, like construction and agriculture, as well as resurgent mineral commodities, like gold and iron ore.
But how well is the region placed to support newer-coming entrants, such as manufacturing and space. And what are its overall long-term growth prospects?
Ahead of the Mid West Major Projects Conference, Nils Hay, Chief Executive Officer of the Mid West Development Commission, shared his view on which trends to anticipate, and what the Commission is doing to accelerate growth.
Growth prospects are good
Mr Hay says the region’s prospects are good, with strong performance across a range of activities.
“We have seen some industries thrive, particularly green energy, downstream processing, and space – and cross-cutting those, manufacturing and innovation,” he said.
“In mining, there has been expansion in mineral sands, rare earths, and critical minerals, in turn, driving growth in downstream sectors. We are seeing more investigation around the refining of commodities like green iron, vanadium and titanium, for example.”
Agriculture is also reaping the benefits of a good harvest for broadacre grain and the removal of Chinese trade barriers on Western Rock Lobster exports.
“We’re seeing strong growth in agriculture and, with that, further opportunities for diversification, particularly in aquaculture. People are investing into things like oysters, scallops, seaweed, live rock and coral.”
Onshore conventional gas in the North Perth Basin is also active, with the Waitsia project hitting first gas late last year, and Hancock Energy eying a similar-sized processing facility with their Belisama project.
Mr Hay says both projects have broader economic significance.
“They have implications for the domestic gas market, but they also speak generally to the opportunity in the Midwest – i.e. lots of good renewable energy, along with the gas required for firming, should you need it, and existing gas pipeline infrastructure.
“Access to affordable energy is going to be critical for the future and from that perspective, we are in a very good position.”
Meanwhile, the construction sector has been busy with the Geraldton Hospital redevelopment and a $350m upgrade to Geraldton Port. Mr Hay says both have spurred construction activity elsewhere, including in the housing sector, with the local workforce now highly engaged.
Building up traditional sectors
Mr Hay says the Commission is focussed on adding layers to industries that have been in the Mid West historically.
Among them, is the region’s renewable energy sector, which is set to grow significantly, with the delivery of the Clean Energy Link North transmission project.
“Between Three Springs and Coorow, we’re seeing a lot of new renewable energy projects being proposed and moving through planning approvals processes,” he said.
Overcoming challenges
While this expansion is welcome from a decarbonisation perspective, Mr Hay says it poses practical challenges.
“It’ll require workers, construction, logistics, a whole lot of things which are in high demand right now. And then, of course, housing which is the perennial need for all these industries to grow. We need the workforce – and the workforce has to live somewhere.”
Housing is, however, a high priority for the Western Australian government and, because of this, Mr Hay believes it is receiving significant attention.
“There’s acknowledgement that we need this housing to support the delivery of projects, as well as general economic diversification and growth.”
Encouraging further growth
To further support growth, the Commission is working with the public and private sector to promote of the region and support those who wish to invest.
Mr Hay says investment appetite is currently strong, but that awareness of the region is not on par with other major industrial hubs.
“Awareness is an area for improvement. We tend to find there is good awareness of Western Australia in general, but when you break it down on a more granular level, it’s often more focused on bigger industrial centres like the Pilbara and Kwinana. The Mid West doesn’t always receive that same attention. So, there’s a role for us to help people better understand.”
Thankfully, with its wide range of assets, Mr Hay is finding the region an easy sell.
“We have some of the best renewable energy in the world. We’ve got a lot of magnetite and a number of critical minerals.
“We are home to the biggest city in WA north of Perth, in Geraldton, so there is an existing workforce and industrial base there. There is a lot of investment going into infrastructure in the form of upgraded transmission lines, an upgraded port, a new hospital, all these sorts of things. So, there is a fertile area to lean into.”
Further insight
Giving a more detailed analysis of what to expect from Australia’s Mid West, Nils Hay will present at the upcoming Mid West Major Projects Conference, hosted by Informa.
This year’s event, supported by the Mid West Development Commission, will explore investment, diversification, and collaboration opportunities across the region.
Learn more and register your tickets here.
Informa Australia is the nation's leading event organiser. Our events comprise of large scale exhibitions, industry conferences and highly specialised corporate training.
