Regions drive the boom

Continued strong growth in iron ore and gas projects in the Pilbara has underpinned WA's economic growth.

The nickel industry in Western Australia, like the nickel price, has experienced highs and lows over the years.

The growth of state's iron ore province in the Mid West has been a lot slower than many companies had predicted, with some of the massive projects set to change the face of the region yet to get under way.

If Western Australia plays its cards right, the state will benefit from a succession of giant oil and gas projects over the next decade that will deliver big economic dividends for 30 or more years.

The wealth of major project activity in Western Australia has been a boon for local contracting firms, which are reaping the rewards of record high bidding activity in both the infrastructure and resources sectors.

Rising energy, steel and labour costs, and the added burden of investors snubbing the industry has led to a spate of casualties in the gold sector in recent years.

The iron ore, nickel and gas sectors have grown to dominate new investment in Western Australia's resources sector, but there continues to be substantial investment in other mineral sectors across the state.

Increased downstream processing of Western Australia's mineral resources has for many years been the goal of successive governments.