Coal to fire power: Collie remains frontrunner as new defence manufacturing hub in WA

The Western Australian town is a cornerstone of coal mining and power production in transition, with plans for coal-fired power generation to be phased out by 2030.

WA Minister for Defence Industries and Veterans Paul Papalia has previously indicated the town will be looking for a large employment move into the future.

“You’ve got a really highly skilled workforce transitioning out of coal-fired power, you’ve got some 1,300 workers there who are highly skilled and potentially could be the source of workers for this activity,” Papalia said previously.

“You’ve got a number of industrial sites there, industrial areas that are potentially suitable for this type of activity.

“There’s a rail line from the town down to the Port of Bunbury for export. It is something that I think would suit Collie.”

Earlier this year, the WA government called on defence industry to help shape a nationally significant “WA Forge” advanced defence manufacturing hub in Western Australia.

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Expression of interest (EOI) were opened for local, national and international companies under a proposed nationally significant industrial ecosystem supporting sovereign defence capability and global supply.

The proposal explores the development of a large-scale co-located industrial footprint which connects advanced manufacturing, innovation, logistics and supply chains within a single strategic location.

“This is an opportunity for companies with an international market to establish a presence in WA,” Papalia said.

“We want to attract global companies to help shape a sovereign capability that supports our allies and strengthens defence supply chains.

“We’re not starting from scratch, WA has the skills, the industrial base and the innovation. This EOI is about bringing it all together and building something bigger.”

The EOI process is currently running for six weeks, until 8 July, to help identify companies interested in shaping the future industrial base and inform planning around infrastructure, workforce development, industrial land, research partnerships and export pathways.

“Western Australia is ready to play a far greater role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability,” WA Premier Roger Cook said.

“This is a call out to our most forward-thinking businesses. If you have the capability, ambition and an existing global market, we want you helping to build this precinct from the ground up.

“This will help diversify our economy, create quality jobs for the next generation and deliver on our plan to make more things in WA.”

The initiative aligns with Commonwealth priorities under the Defence Industry Development Strategy, the National Defence Strategy and AUKUS Pillar 2, alongside the state government’s Made in WA, Diversify and WA Defence and Defence Industry strategy priorities.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.