Collie’s transformation into a hub for future industries continues to gain momentum, with several milestone developments positioning the Western Australian town at the forefront of the state’s industrial transition.
Green Steel of WA, which is aiming to build Australia’s first low-emissions steel mill and WA’s first steel recycling mill, has secured all necessary regulatory and statutory approvals to progress its feasibility phase.
Backed by $2.7 million in funding from the Cook Government, the project has completed its front-end engineering design and is now approaching a final investment decision, as reported in a news release.
Premier and State Development Minister Roger Cook said the achievement represents a significant step in the State’s strategy to diversify Collie’s economy.
“Establishing a green iron and steel industry in WA is a key focus of our Made in WA plan, and Collie’s Green Steel Mill will kickstart this new industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a WA-first, Magnium’s pilot magnesium production plant is now operational in the Light Industrial Area of Collie.
The facility, supported by $7.5 million through the Collie Industrial Transition Fund, is seen as a major milestone in the development of sustainable domestic magnesium supply, a metal critical to defence and automotive manufacturing.
“Hitting these key milestones is another step forward to securing Collie’s future as a major new industrial hub,” Cook added.
Interest in developing battery materials is also growing in the region, with International Graphite commencing a feasibility study for its Battery Anode Material Facility at the Coolangatta Industrial Estate.
The State Government has provided $12.5 million in support to the company, which plans to produce graphite products for both batteries and a range of industrial applications.
In addition, construction is underway for Tesla’s battery re-manufacturing facility, with completion slated for October 2025. Once operational, the plant will service, repair and renew Tesla’s battery products, including Megapacks.
These developments are part of a broader shift for Collie, with the Western Australian Government having invested over $662 million to support a Just Transition from coal and build a future-focused industrial base.
The transition plan includes workforce training and investment attraction strategies to help secure long-term economic resilience.
Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns acknowledged the work of local stakeholders in driving progress. “The Just Transition Working Group has been working hard to secure major new industry in Collie,” she said. “It is great to see the transition powering ahead and major milestones being reached.”
“These major job-creating projects are positioning Collie as the centre of WA’s plans to become a renewable energy powerhouse,” said Premier Cook.
