This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Western Australian Cook government has allocated $134 million from its Collie Industrial Transition Fund to unlock industrial land and generate jobs in the sector.
The funds will be used to activate Collie’s Coolangatta Industrial Estate by supporting the delivery of major infrastructure upgrades.
“The Cook Government is committed to supporting new and existing businesses to diversify, expand and create new long-term jobs in Collie,” said Don Punch, minister for regional development.
“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.
The government announced $8.3 million to secure 155 hectares of industrial land in the estate and $8.5 million to detailed design for the delivery of essential infrastructure upgrades to power, transport and water supplies.
With the remaining $117.2 million to be set aside to deliver the works once the detailed design is complete.
It is hoped that the funding will help secure new major industrial projects for Collie in the lead up to 2030, when the state-owned coal-fired power stations are scheduled to close.
“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,” said Roger Cook, premier.
“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 is part of the Just Transition for Collie, which the Cook government has invested more than $662 million into, to support the transition away from coal.
“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,” added Cook.
“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.”
