The Western Australian Government is providing a further $58.6 million to help Collie move away from coal, taking public support for the mining town’s transition beyond $700 million.
The latest funding forms part of a wider plan to support workers, attract new industries and diversify the economy as state-owned coal-fired power generation is phased out by 2030.
A Plan for the Collie Basin, released on Wednesday, sets out measures focused on energy security, workforce transition and the creation of future jobs.
The plan follows a review by the Collie Basin Consolidation Taskforce, which examined the future of coal assets in the region and options for supporting the town’s long-term economic growth.
Collie Power Station is due to retire by the end of 2027, while the remaining units at Muja Power Station are scheduled to close in 2029.
The government said Collie would also become home to Western Australia’s second State Development Area, intended to co-ordinate industrial development, infrastructure planning and investment across key employment areas.
It said the designation would help position Collie as a centre for major industry, advanced manufacturing and energy-related development, while making use of its existing workforce, power infrastructure, rail connections and transmission network.
The new measures build on the $547.4 million Collie Transition Package announced in 2022, which included funding for new industries, worker training, small businesses and the decommissioning of the town’s coal-fired power stations.
The Western Australian Government said it would continue working with industry, unions, workers and community representatives as Collie prepares for the end of coal-fired power generation.
