- $134 million to fast-track large-scale projects in Collie by activating industrial land
- Allocation from the Collie Industrial Transition Fund to support delivery of major infrastructure upgrades to service the Coolangatta Industrial Estate
- Major Collie projects push ahead with expansions, diversifying the town's economy as it transitions away from coal-fired power
The Cook Labor Government has allocated $134 million from its Collie Industrial Transition Fund to activate Collie's Coolangatta Industrial Estate to help secure major new job-creating industries for the region.
Collie's Just Transition is powering ahead, with new industries and businesses emerging across the town as the transition away from coal-fired power generation progresses.
The Cook Government has today announced $8.3 million to secure 155 hectares of industrial land in the Coolangatta Industrial Estate a strategically important parcel of land, which has been the subject of considerable interest from major project proponents.
A further $8.5 million has been allocated to detailed design to support the delivery of essential infrastructure upgrades to the Coolangatta Industrial Estate's power, transport and water supplies, bringing industry-ready land one step closer for large-scale projects.
The remaining $117.2 million has been set aside to deliver these works once detailed design is complete.
The infrastructure upgrades will boost the appeal of Coolangatta for industries targeted by the State Government, as well as deliver safer roads for the Collie community.
The funding allocation is an important step towards securing new major industrial projects for Collie in the lead up to 2030, when State-owned coal-fired power stations will close.
While in Collie today Premier Roger Cook toured the sites of two emerging industries continuing to scale up and play an important role in the town's industrial future.
WesTrac Technology Training Centre, an international training hub in Collie for autonomous vehicle technology used in mining industries, will soon mark another accomplishment with the Stage 2 expansion of the cutting-edge training facility nearing completion.
The project, previously supported through two grants with a combined $3 million in funding from the Cook Government, will now include a new remote dozer training area and expanded facilities, set for launch to market in November this year.
Collie's Quantum Filtration production facility was also officially opened, marking a major milestone in the town's Light Industrial Area, with the site now commissioned and ready for operations.
Following a $2 million investment from the Cook Government last year, the plant's commissioning will enable Quantum Filtration to cater for a strong and growing global demand for its water filtration products.
The WA Labor Government has already invested more than $662 million to deliver a Just Transition for Collie, attracting new industries and putting training opportunities in place as the economy transitions away from coal.
As stated by Premier and State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:
"My Government is absolutely committed to delivering a strong future for Collie, delivering major new industries and local jobs as the economy transitions away from coal.
"We're seeing significant interest from exciting industrial projects looking to establish in Collie, with Green Steel of WA and Magnium Australia set to finalise their State-supported feasibility studies in the coming months.
"Opening up industry-land land at Coolangatta is a critical next step for Collie, to make this town as attractive as possible for major projects.
"This commitment today will help to secure Collie's future as an industry hub, putting its skilled workforce to best use and setting up this town for the long term.
"Everywhere you look in Collie, you can see the Just Transition coming to life from the southern hemisphere's leading autonomous vehicle training hub to growth in local manufacturing in the light industrial area.
"Our plan is working and Collie's future is bright under our WA Labor Government."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The Cook Government is committed to supporting new and existing businesses to diversify, expand and create new long-term jobs in Collie.
"This new funding activating Collie's Coolangatta Industrial Estate is another important step towards securing major job-creating industries for the region.
"When you invest in new industries, this benefits the community in terms of jobs and training, and also has positive flow-on effects to local businesses and suppliers.
"Diversifying local economies is really important when building strong communities, along with building quality of life with access to services - and we're doing both as we take Collie forward in this Just Transition and build a strong future for generations to come."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"This is another important commitment from the Cook Labor Government to create local jobs and set up our community for the future.
"Collie's Just Transition is well underway, and unlocking Coolangatta will take our efforts to diversify the local economy to the next level, helping to attract major new industries for our town."
