Key Insights
- Industrial land supply is tightening – Gap Ridge recorded 29 hectares of vacant industrial land absorption since the 2020 Regional Land Supply Assessment.
- Demand is absorbing land at a strong rate – Light and General Industrial land recorded average consumption of 9.7 hectares per year.
- General Industry land is particularly constrained – All remaining General Industry-zoned land in Karratha is located within Gap Ridge, with supply estimated at around six years based on historical consumption rates.
- New industrial lots are coming to market – DevelopmentWA has confirmed future Gap Ridge releases, creating new opportunities for industrial occupiers, buyers and investors.
- Long-term expansion is already being investigated – Gap Ridge North could potentially provide approximately 355 hectares of future industrial land, which could materially shape Karratha’s future industrial property market.
There’s plenty happening on the ground in Karratha’s Gap Ridge Industrial Estate, and it’s an area I’m keeping a close eye on.
While driving through Gap Ridge recently, I stopped to take a look at significant civil works underway around Resource Road, between Basalt Way and Iron Way.
While I haven’t been able to confirm the specific scope of the works pictured, they come at an interesting time for Karratha’s industrial property market. Industrial land supply is firmly in focus; DevelopmentWA has new lots on the horizon at Gap Ridge, and the City of Karratha is already investigating what the next stage of industrial expansion could look like.
Industrial land is being absorbed
When you look at the figures, you can see why future industrial land supply is an important conversation for Karratha.
A City of Karratha Industrial Land Assessment found that 29 hectares of vacant industrial land had been consumed at Gap Ridge since the WA Planning Commission’s 2020 Regional Land Supply Assessment.
The assessment calculated an average consumption rate of 9.7 hectares per year across light and general industrial land. Based on that rate, the remaining industrial land within Gap Ridge was estimated to be consumed within approximately seven years.
General Industry land was being consumed even faster, at an average 7.8 hectares per year, with an estimated six years of supply remaining. Importantly, the assessment found that all remaining General Industry zoned land in Karratha was located within Gap Ridge.
For me, that makes Gap Ridge a particularly interesting precinct to watch.
For businesses looking for industrial sites, investors considering opportunities in Karratha and existing property owners, the availability of suitable industrial land has the potential to become an increasingly important part of property decisions.
New Gap Ridge lots are coming
DevelopmentWA has confirmed that previous stages of the Gap Ridge Industrial Estate have sold out and new industrial lots are coming to market.
Future releases are planned to cater for both light industrial and noxious industrial uses, with a range of lot sizes intended to accommodate different operational requirements.
Gap Ridge is already one of Western Australia’s largest regional industrial precincts. According to DevelopmentWA, the estate is planned to ultimately deliver approximately 135 lots across 290 hectares, with lots serviced by power, water, sewer and NBN.
Location is another major advantage.
Gap Ridge is approximately 9 kilometres from Karratha town centre and just 2 kilometres from Karratha Airport, with connections to the Port of Dampier and other key regional infrastructure.
For businesses supporting Karratha’s resources and industrial sectors, that connectivity matters.
Planning is already looking further ahead
What I find particularly interesting is that the conversation isn’t stopping with the existing Gap Ridge estate.
In 2026, the City of Karratha commissioned a Gap Ridge Technical Feasibility Study to investigate further industrial development opportunities at Gap Ridge North.
The $274,615 contract was awarded to GHD Pty Ltd, with the study intended to investigate the feasibility of future industrial development in the area.
City planning documents have also identified a broader Gap Ridge North Development Investigation Area, potentially providing approximately 355 hectares of future industrial land supply.
This shows that planning is already looking beyond the industrial land available today and considering what Karratha may require to support its future growth.
Supporting Karratha’s growing economy
That forward planning makes sense when you look at the bigger picture.
According to the City of Karratha, our local economy generates more than $22 billion in annual economic output and supports almost 15,000 jobs, underpinned by globally significant resources industries, strategic ports and a skilled workforce.
The City’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2025–2035 also places a focus on attracting investment, supporting business and increasing economic diversification.
As Karratha continues to grow and diversify, having the right industrial land and infrastructure available will be an important part of supporting the businesses operating here.
I’ll be watching what happens next
One of the advantages of being based here in Karratha is that I get to see what’s happening within these industrial precincts firsthand.
I’m driving through areas like Gap Ridge regularly, speaking with local businesses, property owners, buyers and tenants, and seeing where activity is happening on the ground.
That’s why the works on Resource Road caught my attention.
With new industrial land coming to market and further expansion already being investigated, Gap Ridge is certainly an area I’ll continue to watch.
For businesses considering establishing or expanding their operations in Karratha, investors looking for their next opportunity, or property owners wondering what changes in the market could mean for their asset, it’s worth keeping an eye on what happens here next.
If you’re considering buying, selling or leasing commercial or industrial property in Karratha, I’m always happy to have a conversation about what I’m seeing in the local market.
Jodie Faulkner
Commercial Sales & Leasing Executive
Realmark Commercial Pilbara