The Pilbara, Kimberley and Wheatbelt regions have been identified as the state's regional industrial land hotspots, according to a new survey conducted by LandCorp.
The Pilbara, Kimberley and Wheatbelt regions have been identified as the state's regional industrial land hotspots, according to a new survey conducted by LandCorp.
Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said results from LandCorp's inaugural Regional Industrial Land Survey showed strong business sentiment meant 71 per cent of companies in the regions were looking to purchase or lease land over the next five years.
The survey said 81 per cent of respondents were expecting to grow their business over the next five years.
Around 40 per cent of responding businesses said they were interested in land in the Pilbara, 28 per cent in the Kimberley and 15 per cent were interested in Wheatbelt industrial land.
Broome (27%), Port Hedland (24%) Karratha (19%), Dampier (13%) and Onslow (10%) were the towns with the most interest for industrial land.
Nearly half of all businesses wanted to purchase/lease industrial land in order to expand their existing business, while a third were looking to relocate from their current premises.
The top three industry groups interested in industrial land were construction, at 22 per cent, transport/postal/warehousing at 10 per cent and manufacturing, also 10 per cent.
"The results clearly demonstrate many businesses are willing and able to relocate or expand their operations in regional Western Australia, and encouragingly this is occurring in those same areas in which the State Government is currently focused on delivering industrial land supply," Mr Grylls said.
"Together with local governments and regional development commissions, LandCorp is working to ensure industrial land is being developed to meet market needs and ensure a strategic approach to land supply.
"Two of LandCorp's major industrial developments, Gap Ridge in Karratha and Wedgefield in Port Hedland, are examples of the strategic estates that will service the needs of the Pilbara, one of the key demand regions indicated by survey respondents.
"Industrial land is being developed in other regional centres and these survey results indicate strong buyer interest will be received."
Mr Grylls said the annual survey, conducted online last November, would help guide employment growth and business investment, particularly at industrial estates.
