Andrew Winter

The peak industry body representing Western Australian miners says the public and private sector need to work together to formulate a state-wide infrastructure plan for resources growth.

In its recent 10-year outlook report, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy outlined the widespread shift from project construction to production within the WA resources sector since 2013.

But Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia infrastructure manager Andrew Winter said the apparent slowdown and recent drop in iron ore prices should not be seen as a diminishing resources market.

According to a report on ABC Online, Winter says WA's transition into a mining production phase will rely on improved infrastructure.

He has identified a need for infrastructure capacity across roads, ports and aviation, and says industry and government need to work together to formulate a focused state-wide plan to improve infrastructure and access corridors.

"What the Chamber would be advocating for is a broader infrastructure plan, and, as part of that, an advisory board to the government on appropriate projects which should be funded to meet the needs of the state for the next few years," he says.

Growth of the south-west region's $1.9 billion resources sector is going to rely heavily on improved infrastructure and port access.

Winter says the release of the South West Regional Blueprint last week outlined some of the region's potential. But he says port access is key, and that relies on further stages to the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and the Busselton Airport expansion.