Members of the Greens party visited Collie on Wednesday to launch their plan for Collie to transition from coal to 100 per cent renewable energy sources by 2030.
The Energy 2030 plan was presented by WA Senator Scott Ludlam, Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt and MLC Diane Evers.
Senator Ludlam said their plan included employment opportunities for life after coal.
“We think there should be a plan, for the workers, for the people who have kept the lights on in this state for over 100 years,” he said.
“Our reason for visiting is to get a sense of what the community wants, what they need in place and to showcase our ideas which includes a transition fund.”
Collie was the first stop on the Greens’ national coal transition tour, and Mr Bandt said the push towards renewables in Collie was crucial in the plan to control global warming.
“We need to make the change from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and you only have to look at the Great Barrier Reef for what scientists are saying at the moment is on it’s last legs,” he said.
He said it was important to begin the transition sooner rather than later.
“We need a plan that means no one is left behind, and that the people of Collie aren’t being left behind,” he said.
“We will be pushing the state government for $100 million transition fund to make sure that workers and communities are looked after.”
South West Greens MLC Elect Diane Evers said the plan would also focus on future industry opportunities.
“Having talked to a few people in Collie, people that live here like living here and they want to stay here, but there is some acceptance that they know coal will be phased out in time,” she said.
“We need to look at what kind of jobs we can come up with in tourism, maybe value adding to agriculture, build on the resources that we have here.”
The Greens’ renewables plan would include wind and solar energy, with a possibility of biomass.
Have something to say about Collie’s renewable energy future? Email- shannon.wood@fairfaxmedia.com.au
