Premier Mark McGowan joined local MLA Mick Murray in Collie today to announce the $60 million Industry Attraction and Development Fund to create local jobs and secure the future of Collie.
The fund will be available for large-scale initiatives that will promote economic diversity, job creation and sustainability in Collie.
The State Budget will include $60 million for the fund. This funding was previously earmarked to establish a biomass energy plant and a solar farm in Collie.
The McGowan Government has made the decision to invest the funding previously set aside for biomass and solar projects to create the new Industry Attraction and Development Fund. The Government believes renewable energy could still have a future in Collie but it needs to be part of a broader economic development strategy.
An initiative supported through the fund is the $10 million Collie Adventure Trails plan to establish Collie as Western Australia’s premier ‘trail adventure town’, which will create jobs for locals and support the local economy.
The fund comes on top of the $20 million Collie Futures Fund, which is already providing financial support and investment into the Collie region.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“This is a significant investment in the future of Collie and is the latest in a series of measures that will grow the local economy and create long-term jobs.
“The Industry Attraction and Development Fund will be crucial in facilitating investment in large-scale initiatives to Collie, to generate growth in a diverse range of industries.
“My Government is absolutely committed to ensuring a prosperous future for Collie, as the town’s economy undergoes a transition in the coming years. This $60 million investment will go a long way to ensuring the future sustainability of the town and new job opportunities for locals.”
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
“It is very pleasing that the Premier is continually listening to the Collie community and looking at all possible avenues to underpin the growth of our economy.
“The fund will help to diversify Collie’s economic base, stimulate growth and lay the groundwork for a smooth economic transition into the future.
“I welcome the Premier’s commitment to this fund, in addition to the many State Government projects already underway around town, and thank him for his continued support on the ground.”
