Region in focus: Collie

Collie, located 213 kilometres south of Perth and 59 kilometres inland from the regional city port of Bunbury, has powered Western Australia for decades through coal mining and coal-fired power stations.  
 
In recent years, the WA Government has been leading efforts to diversify Collie’s economy and reduce its reliance on coal by working to attract major investment and supporting the development of new and emerging industries. This work has been guided by the internationally recognised Just Transition framework, which focuses on supporting workers, industries and communities in the shift away from carbon-intensive industries.  
 
As part of this transition, the WA Government has committed more than $662 million to Collie and the surrounding region. This funding supports retraining programs, industrial diversification and infrastructure projects. 
 
As one of our priority regions, the Net Zero Economy Authority is committed to supporting Collie throughout this transformation. We are working with the WA Government, local communities, and industry stakeholders to support workers, their families and the broader region as Collie shifts towards a renewable future.  
 
A range of initiatives to support the region’s future are already underway, including: 

• Retraining programs: establishment of the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre to provide impacted workers and the community the chance to upskill or retrain for new industry opportunities. 
   
• Infrastructure projects: two major battery storage projects which aim to support decarbonisation in WA are Synergy’s Collie Battery Energy Storage System (CBESS) and Neoen’s Collie Battery. Both projects will be instrumental in supporting electricity reliability as WA transitions to renewable energy. 
   
• Industrial land: the Coolangatta Industrial Estate, a strategically significant site in Collie is being unlocked to help secure major, job-creating industries to the region. 
   
• Tourism initiatives: such as the Collie Mural Trail, an expansive outdoor art gallery featuring more than 40 murals connecting Wellington Dam with Collie’s town centre. The dam mural is the largest in the world and is inspired by local stories and imagery.  

The Authority remains committed to helping Collie harness the opportunities of the transition to a net zero economy. You can learn more about our plans for Collie and other regions at community transition plans.