Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray has reaffirmed his commitment to help fund the construction of a chapel at the Collie Cemetery.
Mr Murray had pledged $300,000 from the McGowan Government if he was re-elected at last year’s state election.
The project had also previously had $1.5 million committed prior to the 2013 state election.
Mr Murray said he was still committed to the promise despite the project not receiving any funding at either of the two state budgets released in the last year.
“Currently, the project is still on hold until funding becomes available,” he said.
“I will endeavour to have my commitment for the chapel at the Collie Cemetery proceed within the four year term of government.
“I would really like to see this project completed as it would help many older people pay their respects when they are unable to travel to Bunbury to attend services or funerals.”
Mr Murray said if funding did become available, there would have to be discussions with the shire and community groups about what “would be the best model to service our town”.
The project to build a non-denominational chapel at the Collie Cemetery has long been a passion of the Rotary of Club of Collie.
Collie Rotary Club president John Bylund said the club had been given permission five years ago to complete a feasibility study for the project.
“In conjunction with council and Bendigo Bank, we conducted a feasibility study to answer questions about what was needed, where it should go and what style it should be – things like that,” he said.
Mr Bylund said the project had taken a back seat in the time since the study was commissioned, but that the Rotary Club remained committed to the project.
“It sort of fell away over the last couple of years as other projects took priority,” he said.
“But we are in the process of reinvigorating the project and working getting the chapel planned out.”
Mr Bylund said there was a real need for the chapel and that was why the Rotary Club was involved.
“The Collie Rotary Club exists to do community service,” he said.
“We felt that there was a need for an all-beliefs chapel in Collie so there would be somewhere for everyone to have their funerals in town.”
