Collie taskforce looking for ideas

A taskforce exploring economic opportunities for Collie wants public input to help protect the town's future.

The Collie Economic Development Taskforce was set up in November by Collie Shire Council and the South West Development Commission.

The taskforce is encouraging the public to complete a survey by April 15 to help a plan to build on the town's strengths.

Treasurer and Energy Minister Mike Nahan said at a young energy professionals event in January that Collie faced massive upheaval as WA moved towards renewable energy sources.

South West Development Commission chief executive officer Don Punch said he had a positive view about the town's future.

"On a comparative basis the town has a significant number of advantages compared to other towns," he said.

"It has strong leadership, a good resource base, lifestyle amenity and tourism assets as well as significant skills in entrepreneurship."

Mr Punch said the survey would ensure the taskforce could test community ideas for the town's future.

"It will give us insight into what people think about Collie and its potential and then we can ensure we can make recommendations reflective of the ideas of the Collie community," he said.

Mr Punch said recreational adventure-based tourism and high-value agricultural production were future economic opportunities.

"Other ideas include major industry dependent on energy or carbon processes that can utilise Shotts Industrial Park," he said.

"There could be lifestyle business opportunities that arise out of the continued growth of the population of the South West which will filter to inland communities."

Collie shire president Wayne Sanford said it was widely recognised that there were pressures on the industries in Collie.

"What we need is economic options to ensure prosperity for the town," he said. "Coal remains as a long-term solution because there are alternative uses like downstream processing.

"We need to also focus on other options like tourism and agribusiness and areas like that."

Visit yoursay.collie.wa.gov.au to complete the survey.