The WA Government’s decision to close two coal-fired power stations in Collie by the end of 2029 and instead plough billions of dollars into renewable energy and storage has caught local workers by surprise.

Third-generation coal miner Paul Moyses says the decision will change the whole fabric of the town but, more broadly, believes coal should co-exist with renewable energy sources, at least in the short term.

“Coal has been a reliable energy source for 100 years. We don’t have blackouts in WA with coal as our energy source,” he told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings.

“I think going into the unknown with renewables, who knows, we may have blackouts, that’s a concern.”

Collie Visitor Centre manager Janine Page says Collie has long been preparing for change but the town has always been optimistic, with a record 27,000 people stopping by the visitor centre in the past year.

“Our new Wellington Dam mural trail, which includes 45 other murals around town. If you’re an outdoors person, we have lots of mountain bike trails, hike trails, beautiful swimming areas, picnic/BBQ areas and then the Coalfields museum… and the blue lakes are a big drawcard too,” she told Bartlett.

Tap PLAY to hear how Collie will crack on when the coal stations close