COLLIE RIVER VALLEY
BULLETIN Published by LOCALS for LOCALS Thursday, November 3, 2022
EDITION No. 107
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MASTERPIECE
Tiny Art Show artist Lachlan Cole looks at the artwork on display at the Collie Public Library. Story page 17.
Dux’s future in forensics
JACKSON Rabaud last week won the Lions Club of Collie Fred Scharf CSHS Dux award. Pages 10-11.
Power shortage woes
NOT enough power is being generated to keep the lights on this coming summer, according to South West MLC Steve Thomas. Page 3.
Church needs to rebuild trust FAITH Workers Alliance executive officer Chris Bedding responds to bullying allegations made by Fr Gerald Tan last month. Page 4.
Govt. to import coal Situation a ‘mess’
COAL is set to be imported from the eastern states to prevent blackouts in WA this summer. Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns confirmed Synergy is exploring an option to secure coal from interstate to insure against any unexpected coal supply issues during the coming months. “Local coal supply issues have been exacerbated by weather and issues with the mining companies,” she said. “The State Government will do whatever is required to ensure WA’s power supply is not interrupted this summer.” South West MLC Steve Thomas said
the whole situation is “a mess”. He understands coal is being sourced from numerous locations in an effort to find coal similar to that mined in Collie. “They want something similar to Collie’s sub-bituminous coal,” he said. “Queensland has black coal and New South Wales has brown, so they want something similar so they don’t have to change how they operate too much.” Dr Thomas said Premier Coal knows the government is transitioning away from coal. “So why would it invest in the future of coal production in Collie when it will be shut down in the next few years,” he said. “There is no incentive to invest so they
will probably need to import more. “It will get worse, not better.” Dr Thomas said imports of coal would likely increase as the problem escalated. “This will decimate the Collie economy and provide jobs for people over east. “I think this reflects the impending disaster that will hit Collie through the transition process to what is effectively 100 percent renewables.” Mrs Hanns said Collie’s coal and power industries were “in transition”. “It wouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who works in the sector that these are issues the companies are grappling with,” she said. “Coal has been mined in Collie for more than 100 years and everyone understands it won’t go on forever.”
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A Yancoal spokesman said despite operational challenges and wet weather, Premier Coal escalated production steeply to meet demand in 2022. “In 2023, Premier is expected to have its highest annual production since the start of open cut operations,” he said. A Synergy spokesperson confirmed the company is exploring interstate options. “Synergy has sufficient coal to assist the Australian Energy Market Operator to meet electricity demand in the South West Interconnected System,” the spokesperson said. “Synergy is unable to speak to the details surrounding its contractual arrangements with coal suppliers as this information is commercially sensitive.”
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