What WA’s Seven Cities Strategy Means for Regional Homebuyers 

If you’ve been considering a sea change or a tree change, the Cook Labor Government’s latest announcement is worth noting.

In April 2026, the government launched its Seven Cities strategy, a long-term plan to drive economic growth across Western Australia’s regions. Three of those seven cities fall within WA Country Builders’ territory: Bunbury, Geraldton and Albany. Here’s what the strategy means and why it matters if you’re considering building a home in regional WA.

What is the Seven Cities strategy?

The Seven Cities vision identifies Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland, Karratha, Broome, Geraldton and Albany as critical to the state’s economic future. The plan focuses on developing these cities into stronger regional hubs, supported by sustained investment in infrastructure, services and housing across current and future budgets.

It’s a long-term commitment, not a one-off announcement. The 2026-27 State Budget is the first instalment, with more to follow.

What’s been committed for Bunbury, Geraldton and Albany?

The 2026-27 Budget has already put significant funds on the table. For the regions WA Country Builders calls home, the key investments are:

These are meaningful, place-based investments in each city’s liveability and economic capacity. Better health infrastructure in Albany, improved transport connections through Bunbury, and growing industrial potential in the South West all point to regions with serious long-term momentum.

What about housing?

Housing sits at the centre of the Seven Cities plan. More than 500 homes are being built for regional frontline workers, including teachers and nurses, and will be delivered over five years in partnership with the resources companies, Rio Tinto and BHP. These Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) properties are specifically for essential workers, not the general housing market, but their significance is real.

More frontline workers means better-resourced schools and hospitals. Better services make a region more liveable, and more liveable regions attract more people. That’s the ripple effect.

The 2026-27 Budget also includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme, which now incorporates a shared equity model to help government workers buy homes in the communities they serve. The overall regional housing investment sits at $692 million.

What does it mean for you as a homebuyer?

Government investment at this scale doesn’t happen in places where the future has passed. It happens in places with real economic potential.

For anyone considering a move to regional WA, the Seven Cities strategy is a clear statement of intent. Bunbury, Albany and Geraldton are prioritised for long-term growth, and the infrastructure to support that growth is already being funded.

For those who build now, the opportunity is genuine. House and land packages in regional WA offer real value compared with Perth, and the lifestyle on offer in the South West, the Great Southern and the Mid West is one more West Australians are actively choosing. The question isn’t whether these regions are growing. It’s whether you want to be part of that growth from the beginning.

We know these regions well

WA Country Builders has been building across regional WA since 1991. We have local teams and trades in Bunbury, Busselton, Albany and Geraldton. We’re not just building in these communities. We’re part of them.

If the Seven Cities announcement has you thinking about making a move, we’d love to help you find the right design for your location. Browse our House & Land Packages or get in touch with your local WA Country Builders team.