The people of the city of Collie in Western Australia who have become accustomed to living and working between coal mines and large coal-fired power plants are at a historic crossroads.
Key points:
- WA will close its own coal-fired power plants in 2029
- They are located in Collie, a city with rich ties to coal
- The locals are not surprised by the decision and have conflicting feelings about the future
After years of contemplation, the WA government has announced it would shut down the city’s two coal-fired power plants by the end of 2029, instead of investing billions of dollars in renewable energy and storage.
The news came as no surprise to locals, who have seen cities elsewhere in the country drain their main vital blood as Australia moves into a renewable energy future.
But third-generation coal miner Paul Moyses said the WA government’s decision would change the fabric of the city.
Coal mines have employed four generations of Paul Moyses’ family. (ABC News: Anthony Belly)
“It will destroy the lives of many families in terms of employment; they will have to move to the inbound flight industry or leave the city,” he said.
“We need to know what kind of industry we’re going to get here at Collie so we can train people to work in that industry.
“So far nothing has happened.”
The government said about 1,200 employees in and around Collie would be affected by its decision.
Collie Power Plant closes in October 2027. (ABC News: Hugh Sando)
Collie Preston Labor MP Jodie Hanns said it was a “pretty tough” day for the local community that has thrived on coal mining since the 1920s.
But he said the locals were not naive.
“We know this has been coming for a long time,” he said.
“The alternative was literally to close the door and leave and that’s not something this community entertained.
“[Coal] Its expiration date has definitely not passed, there is still a role to play for coal in the future. “
Jodie Hanns announced the historic decision at the Muja Power Station. (ABC South West: Sam Bold)
Ms Hanns said residents were unwilling to abandon their well-established lifestyles.
“They’re not looking for a FIFO lifestyle, so the future here is to create opportunities for workers and the community to thrive well in the future,” he said.
Tourism to help the rebirth of the city
Collie Visitor Center Director Janine Page said the city had been preparing for the change for some time.
Janine Page says Collie is becoming a competitive tourist destination. (ABC South West: Sam Bold)
“I think for the families involved there will always be a bit of nervousness,” he said.
“But I think the people have always been an optimistic people. We’ve never caught anything lying.”
A mural spread across a dam wall near Collie has become a popular tourist attraction. (ABC South West: Sam Bold)
Ms Page said 27,000 people had stopped at the visitor center last year, the highest number ever recorded.
“Tourism has been growing all over Collie for the last two years and we have more [projects] it’s also planned, ”he said.
Bicycle shop owner Erik Mellegers said he had benefited from the state government’s investment in local mountain bike routes.
Erik Mellegers is pleased with the way the government has handled the transition so far. (ABC South West: Sam Bold)
He said the end of coal-fired power generation from heavy industry during the decade could adjust people’s spending habits in the city.
“Tourism will not replace industry, but there can be a whole range of things that will replace what coal leaves behind,” he said.
“But in the end, we need to see the industry stay with Collie so that Collie can thrive in the short term.”
Mellegers said it seemed logical for some people to leave the city because of the change.
“Collie is a pretty close-knit community – there’s a lot of positivity for a lot of people,” he said.
“But at the same time there are a lot of people who are very scared who are wondering what the future holds and that could see them make decisions that may not be good for the city.”
Collie Shire President Sarah Stanley said tourism could coexist with industry.
Sarah Stanley says work is underway to free up industrial land for future investments. (ABC News: Hugh Sando)
“Tourism is an obvious sector for us … but it’s just one and it’s not even the biggest one we’re focusing on,” he said.
“It was a quick and easy victory for us and much needed in the early stages of our economic diversification.
“The next step is to bring together those new industries that we haven’t seen before.”
More than $ 500 million in support
The WA government said it would spend more than $ 500 million to create “blue-collar” jobs in the local community, including:
- $ 300 million to dismantle power plants, which would provide continued employment for years after shutdown
- $ 200 million for the Collie Industrial Transition Fund to attract major projects and new industries to the city
- $ 47.8 million in other new training initiatives for the transition of the local workforce
He said $ 115 million had also been invested in the Collie Futures Fund since the McGowan government came to power in 2016.
Collie coal mining dates back to the late 1800’s. (ABC News: Anthony Pancia)
WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan said that while some workers he spoke to during a visit to the Muja power plant on Tuesday were disappointed, the government had made clear its intentions.
“People were expecting this,” he said.
“They know what’s going on with coal demand. They’re very happy that they’ve been given enough time to plan.”
The government’s investment in Collie comes as it juggles another transitional plan to support a 2024 ban on deforestation of native forests.
Its $ 80 million compensation package and investment in softwood plantations have provoked mixed reactions from people in the timber towns of southwestern WA, of which Collie is also a part.