The state government’s pre-election commitment to fund the construction of a biomass plant in Collie is an ‘undeliverable’ promise according to South West MLC Steve Thomas.
Dr Thomas said it appeared it had ‘backflipped’ on its commitment to provide $30 million to support the construction of a biomass energy plant, with no visible progress being made on the project and no funds allocated in the state budget.
“It’s a good thing that they’ve backflipped on this commitment, just like it was good thing they backflipped on education cuts, because it’s an undeliverable project,” he said.
“That’s $30 million committed to the biomass plant that could be better spent in other ways to help Collie.”
A recent report in The Australian claimed that the federal government’s $100 million Australian Bioenergy Fund through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation had failed to provide funding to any bioenergy projects over the past three years.
Dr Thomas said that showed a biomass plant wasn’t the answer for Collie, and the government should be looking at other options.
However Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said the state government was still committed to the project.
“The money that the McGowan government has committed towards a biomass energy plant is still there,” he said.
“We are standing by our election commitment, however at this stage there has been limited interest outside of government.
“This funding has been promised to encourage not only a biomass plant but other industries into town, which is an important element of the election promise.
“Putting aside Mr Thomas’ negative views it was pleasing to recently announce the Collie Futures Small Grants funding amounting to $678,000 to kick-start new industry in Collie.”
Mr Murray said the state government was providing more opportunities to develop future industries to prepare Collie for life after coal than the previous government had.
“It is not our fault that the Liberal government failed to live up to the expectations of many and now Mr Thomas himself is trying to deflect blame from his own party,” he said.
“Mr Thomas’ party had eight years to help Collie when they were in government but did nothing.”
