Councillor Pianta asked why the Collie Visitor Centre committee changed its mind. “Five years ago, you wanted an interpretive centre,” he said.

But Ms Keneally said the museum would be different in that it would be “old machinery”.

Collie Visitors Centre Board chairwoman Rosanne Pimm said the museum would be difficult to run. “The World of Energy could be successful on enough money. But if it is put up on a shoestring of money, it will fail.

“You never get a second chance of a first impression. If council is prepared to pay X amount of money, then I am sure the visitor centre would feel better but $50,000 has already been pulled out.”

Councillor John Borlini said the $50,000 pulled out was to be used for a curator.

Mrs Pimm said that was not her understanding. “The amount of money put aside now is not enough,” she said. The visitor centre could not put any more money into operating the World of Energy museum, she said. “ If it was set up in a different business unit and run by a separate organisation, we would assist.”

Cr Miffling said he did not believe the business plan reflected reality. “It forecasts 20 visitors a day which does not reflect reality,” he said. “In Collie, the visitors we get are usually young families on low budgets who can not afford $20 to get into the facility. The visitor centre staff does not have the expertise.”

The types of displays needed to be refreshed, Cr Miffling said. “We’re skating on the edge of unviability … the business plan is very sketchy,” he warned. “If something goes wrong, it will be council which picks up the pieces.”

Cr Borlini declared the museum would be an asset. “If it doesn’t work, we can just sell it. I can’t understand some people who are against something that can bring four to five million dollars to Collie.”

Cr Mark Pianta agreed. “Sixteen years ago, the Government said Collie was going to become a tourism mecca. Where is it? ... We should be welcoming the SWDC to spend money in Collie. The community is sick of hearing Collie is going to become a tourism mecca.”

Cr Glyn Yates spoke for the motion. He did not oppose the World of Energy coming to Collie but found it hard to believe enough people would visit. “Just because someone gives you money for free, doesn’t mean it is good value,” he said.

The community’s assets were its forests, rivers and mines “and people want to see them”.

Shire president Wayne Sanford agreed. “I can see the diversification in terms of tourism is attractive,” he said.

“Tourism is not and will not be the be-all and end-all of Collie’s future.”