Place in time: Collie, Western Australia

Photo sourced from the State Library of Western Australia

Nestled 213 kilometres south of Perth and 59 kilometres inland from Bunbury, Collie has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy story for more than a century. With a population of around 9000 and deep industrial roots, this resilient town has long powered the South West of WA – a coal mining industry that began in the early 1880s, when shepherd George March first discovered coal in the area. 

Although Collie’s coal-fired power stations are approaching closure, the town is not standing still. With strong support from the WA Government and growing federal investment, Collie is embracing a bold and strategic transition - from coal to clean energy, and from traditional industry to innovation. 

The Noongar people have lived in the south-west of Western Australia for more than 45,000 years. The Wiilman and Kaneang people of the Noongar Nation are the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters in and around Collie. Their deep connection to Country spans millennia and is centred on the Collie River – a life source rich in cultural and spiritual significance. The town itself is named in tribute to this vital river. 

As the world moves towards net zero, Collie is showing that towns built on fossil fuels can help lead the clean energy future – with a transition plan that places community, heritage, and skilled local workers at its core. 

Photo sourced from the State Library of Western Australia

Clean energy and green manufacturing in action 

Here’s how Collie is turning ambition into action on the ground: 

• Synergy’s 500 MW/2000 MWh Collie Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is now under construction. Once complete, it will be one of the largest grid-scale batteries in the world, helping store renewable energy and ensure system stability across the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Its capacity will be equivalent to powering around 785,000 homes. 
   
• Neoen’s Collie Battery – Stage One is already online and delivering clean energy to the grid. Once both stages are complete, the system (560 MW/2,240 MWh) will be a cornerstone of Collie’s clean energy credentials – able to charge and discharge around 20% of average demand on the SWIS.  
   
• Green Steel of WA is planning a new green electric arc furnace steel mill in Collie. Using recycled scrap steel and powered by renewable electricity, the mill is a significant move toward low-emissions manufacturing.

With decades of industrial experience, an existing skilled workforce, and a strong local services sector, Collie is uniquely placed to become a hub for green industry and innovation. 

And while the future is bold, the past is honoured. The Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre showcases Collie’s rich history, housed in beautifully preserved heritage buildings that once served as Road Board offices. Visitors can explore artefacts from the town’s mining and domestic past – mining equipment, vintage household goods, and memorabilia that tell the story of Collie’s proud and resourceful community. 

Add in local attractions like the Collie Mural Trail (home to the world's largest dam mural at Wellington Dam), Lake Kepwari (a former mine turned lake), and the Collie Motorplex, and it’s clear: Collie is a place of momentum, memory, and meaningful change.