Collie will play host to the South West Development Commission’s Critical Horizons renewable energy conference in June.
The conference, titled Powering the Future of WA, will run from June 7-8 and feature presentations about the future of energy.
SWDC acting chief executive Rebecca Ball said the conference was about ‘bringing together ideas about what the future mix of energy might be’ from regional experts who will offer insight into the steps businesses, towns and cities are taking to transition to a more sustainable energy future.
“We encourage Collie residents as well as those in the wider South West and around Western Australia to register to attend,” she said.
Shire of Collie president Sarah Stanley said the conference would be important for the future of Collie.
“We’re delighted to be able to host this conference in Collie,” she said.
“Obviously, for a long time Collie has played a critical role in power in the state and we look forward to being an integral part of that going forward.
“We know that coal-fired power generation will play a part for a period of time to come but we need to start looking towards the future and how we can transition from today’s state to tomorrow.”
Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said hosting a significant conference in Collie would allow the town to be showcased on a wider scale.
“Not only is the event a chance to ignite discussion around coal futures and inform thinking in regards to the future of energy, it is also a fantastic opportunity to showcase Collie,” he said.
“The town has transformed in recent years and we’re looking forward to showing it off to the delegates who will be attending.”
The conference will open with a welcome function at the Collie Motorplex on Thursday, June 7 before a full-day of presentations will be held at Harris River Estate on Friday, June 8.
