Collie’s Just Transition from Coal: Latest Updates and Key Takeaways from My Recent Visit
If you’ve read my book, you know the town I’m referring to. Recently, it made headlines as a proposed site for a nuclear power plant. But how is its transition from coal progressing?
Hi everyone!
I'll be back with my regular newsletter at the end of this week. Already you can check out the incredible line-up for the Global Citizen Festival and read about priorities here. So far it will feature Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Rauw Alejandro, and appearances by the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall and festival curator Chris Martin. If you want to make an immediate impact, though, consider taking action by urging Australia’s Minister for International Development, Pat Conroy, to rejoin the incredible International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD does remarkable work in alleviating rural poverty and promoting sustainable development, and the decision to rejoin is currently awaiting the Minister’s consideration. Very timely!
In the meantime, I’m sending this mid-week update because the town of Collie, Western Australia, has been making national headlines across Australia, and many of you have been asking about its progress in implementing a just transition since reading about it’s inspiring story of progress in my book. With a bit of free time on hand this evening, I figured now is a great moment to share an update, especially as I spent some time in the town back in March.
But first, very quickly, since this happened as I was writing this, I am curious what people think of the protest stunt earlier today in the UK, where Just Stop Oil protestors covered the legendary Stonehenge in orange paint ahead of the summer solstice. It's worth noting that Stonehenge is managed by a public trust dedicated to rewilding and conserving the surrounding area. I have a poll going on LinkedIn and would welcome your verdict.
In my book, I talk about different campaign tactics and how extreme methods can make similarly radical policy ideas seem more appealing by comparison (“pushing for extreme policy positions” on page 30). However, sometimes these stunts can massively backfire and push people away. Worst, they can negatively impact public perceptions of a movement as a whole. As Jane Goodall has said in the past, blocking roads, for example, risks alienating an otherwise sympathetic public, and she encouraged protestors to focus their attention on policymakers and others with the power to make changes. What do you think?
Ok, now back to the story of Collie and why its in national news across Australia…
For those unfamiliar, or who haven’t yet a had a chance to read my book, Collie’s unfolding transition towards being a renewable hub is spotlighted in a chapter of my book as a prime example of policy entrepreneurship. This century-old coal community - home to approximately 8000 people - has powered much of southwest Australia’s electricity needs for most of that period. However, in 2022, the West Australian Government announced that its final state-owned coal fired power stations would close by 2029, accompanied by significant multi-hundred dollar investments to diversify the small town’s economy. This story has piqued interest globally, and especially during my book tour, it has sparked numerous discussions on how to lead successful transitions elsewhere, like the collapse of steel manufacturing in Wales which is threatening to leave many workers without a job.
As I outline in the book the key ingredients to making Collie's transition strategy a success includes:
Active community involvement in setting goals.
Consultation with all stakeholders.
Pragmatism from unions and environmental groups.
A clear endgame with accountability to ensure government promises are met.
So, why is Collie in the news now? The ongoing so-called ‘climate wars’ in Australia have brought this little community back into focus. The country’s Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has suggested that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require nuclear power. And earlier this week he announced that, if elected, his party would build 7 nuclear plants across the country - including near Collie, using the retiring coal plants' sites.
Nuclear policy, much like in other parts of the world, triggers deep emotions in Australian political debate. Much of the immediate backlash is based on economic arguments and rationale. The WA Government has labeled it as costly and reckless, while even some Opposition members in Dutton’s own party acknowledge that it is unlikely the proposed nuclear power plant in Collie would come online before 2050 (he’s proposed that at least 2 of the plants would be ready by 2037; although some experts question this). The local member for Collie in the WA Parliament, Jodie Hanns, whom I interviewed for the book, has for her part been defiant in local media over the past few days that “Nobody in Collie wants this.” Regardless of public opinion, given the timelines involved, it is unlikely these plans will generate a large amount of alternative jobs in the foreseeable future.
Nonetheless, the recent media about Collie’s future provides a good opportunity as any to send this brief recap of my most recent visit. For those who have not read my book, this update picks up where I left off in the chapter on Collie, which I described as thus:
“Overall, despite the potential for further delays, as far as Collie is concerned, the transition appears to be on track…. Fortunately, unions and local leaders, such as Hanns, remain actively engaged, monitoring and tracking these commitments and collaborating closely with the government to ensure accountability… . This sustained pressure is delivering results. In June 2023, the WA government announced an A$1 billion contract to construct battery energy storage systems, one of the world’s largest, to be operational in Collie by the end of 2024… This alone will create 500 construction jobs.
Investors in other industries have also begun to move into town, such as green steel smelters, hiring a few dozen people here and there and piloting projects before hopefully scaling them further. Collie appears to have new energy as investment dollars flow. Buildings have been improved on the main street, resulting in recognition and heritage awards in 2022 as old hotels and pubs reopen their doors to a significant surge in tourists. New adventure sports companies have been set up since the June 2022 announcement, and new venues and infrastructure, including mountain bike trails, have been completed with government investment. Hanns jokes that she thought she “knew everyone,” but on Sundays, she can walk down the street and “know not one person” as tourists flock to town.
People have also bought houses, with retirees attracted to Collie’s beautiful scenery and affordable housing prices. Murray jokes that the bowling club has “never been busier. . . [it has gone from] being defunct to about fifty or sixty members…”
For now, the local community appears to be broadly supportive, even as they are somewhat apprehensive about what the future might bring. “They’re optimistic. They’re impatient but optimistic,” says McCartney. When reacting to news of potential delays, a local miner, Shannon Boston, aptly stated “[At the least] we’re not kept in the dark.” That alone is an improvement on what existed before the just transition process began.”
If you're curious about HOW these outcomes were achieved, grab a copy of my book. It provides a detailed, step-by-step account of the journey. It's also available on Audible for those who prefer to listen.
So, what did I learn on our recent visit about the ongoing implementation of Collie’s just transition? Well, we were warmly welcomed by former local MP Mick Murray who Hanns took over from in 2021. As some of you may recall from reading my book, Mick is a local legend and former coal worker. To give you a quick sense of Mick’s character, in an email exchange as I rushed to finish the book, Mick shared stories about his earlier advocacy for coal, recalling an incident around 2002 when the state faced a power shortage during a hot week. Here's an excerpt:
Early in my political career I think about 2002 the state run out of power on a very hot week and the Alp we’re holding their caucus meeting in Bunbury So I turned up with a wheelbarrow of coal as the state at that time were relying on gas and oil at the expense of coal to remind the [then] Premier and Minister about Collie coal The Premier refused to accept it… It got A fair bit of air play and the premier was pissed ha ha
Mick guided us on our latest visit to Collie in March 2024, showing us around new businesses and investment sites. We saw everything from pilot projects introducing green industries to the town, to local beef jerky shops on the main street, and even the expansion of the KFC parking lot — all funded or subsidized from the government bucket of money set aside for the transition. One notable visit was a test site aiming to establish the world's first net-zero magnesium facility in Collie. More small projects are in the pipeline, and time will tell if they gain traction, but there was certainly a buzz of activity.
During the visit, we dropped by the WA Government’s Delivery Unit for Collie and discussed the scale of the policy change and the challenges ahead. They emphasized the need to find 1200 new jobs for Collie in the near term to ensure a just transition. They outlined prospects for creating hundreds of jobs by 2027 across three main green industries: granite, magnesium, and green steel. Collie offers significant advantages to these industries beyond government subsidies, including a highly skilled workforce.
Oh, and for those intrigued by beef jerky (I must confess I didn't ask about their sustainability methods!), I grabbed a few packets and gave them to my friend Akram. Here's what he had to say in his review:
Here is my review of the jerky!
It was made of high-quality meat cuts and properly dried. 8/10.
The chilli jerky was a little too weak (for us). The chill they used was not hot enough; there was no mouth burn. Sometimes jerky makers rely solely on the chilli to flavour their jerky. 6/10.
I cannot be sure; I think one flavour had some nutmeg in it. It was delicious. 8/10.
The jerky with the sweet flavour was the best. It was beautifully balanced between sweet and salty. I could tell that this was the favourite of the jerky maker. 9.5/10
After a brief tour through Collie’s industrial centre, we hit the road and made a brief stop on the outskirts of Collie at the large open-cut coal mine. Seeing an open-cut mine in Western Australia is always breathtaking. While smaller than iconic pits like the gold mining pit in Kalgoorlie, Collie’s coal mines still impress with their scale, making even large trucks appear like toys in comparison.
As my wife Xinyi took in her first glimpse of a large Australian mine, Mick narrated its history to us. The closure of the last underground mines in the 1990s resulted in significant job losses that Mick vividly recalls, motivating his advocacy for an orderly and just transition that allows workers ample time to plan their futures. As Collie's power plants prepare to close in the coming years, the town's remaining mines will also cease operations, given their direct ties to the plants. Globally, discussions about the future of coal mines have sparked intriguing debates. Recently, I received innovative policy ideas from a colleague in the Hunter Valley who is developing a proposal for regenerative agriculture, aiming to transform a coal mine into a comprehensive hub for regenerative farming and food production.
Next, we visited the plant itself and witnessed the groundbreaking for the battery storage project mentioned earlier—a significant victory for the community, as detailed in my book. This initiative is projected to create at least 500 jobs in the short term. It's a promise that must be made and, more importantly, a promise that is being kept.
The potential for tourism and hospitality feature in the conclusion in my book chapter on Collie, especially focusing on the lively activity along the main street. At day's end, we returned there, where I met with a local journalist to discuss our observations and the book. One standout attraction we missed this time is a vibrant mural on nearby Wellington Dam, which has become a popular tourist draw, attracting visitors from near and far. Regrettably, time constraints prevented us from visiting during this trip. However, my sister visited a few weeks later and graciously shared this photo:
Leaving Collie, one standout from this trip was a word someone shared with me: instead of calling it a 'transition,' we should refer to it as a 'renewal' to capture the real change happening. Reflecting on this, I realize the significant government involvement, consultation, and investment in Collie's renewal is what makes it successful. This contrasts with the approach in the US, where philanthropy played a major role in supporting affected workers. For example, former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, along with the Sierra Club, invested tens of millions to target coal power plants for closure and reduce emissions.
Key lessons of policy entrepreneurship can be applied to the 2,400 power plants worldwide, with one-third already announcing closure dates. Some regions are making significant progress. For example, New England will be coal-free for the first time in over a century, becoming the second region after the Pacific Northwest to achieve this. The goal is for the entire US to be coal-free by 2030. However, it remains uncertain how many closures will avoid disrupting communities and workers, whether in the US, Germany, or South Africa. Germany, for instance, has pledged to phase out coal by 2038. Yet, at the recent G7 meeting in Italy, countries like Germany faced pressure to phase out coal earlier. While this is good for the planet if they did so, if Germany doesn't manage the transition well, workers could suffer.
The good news is there are plenty of policy templates, as Collie demonstrates. For developing countries, groups like the Rockefeller Foundation's Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet are leading the way, supporting energy transitions in 20 countries and aiming to provide improved electricity while averting 147,000 tons of emissions.
I’ll finish up with these words from my chapter on Collie in the book:
I’m reminded of the words of the eminent Australian historian Peter FitzSimons, explaining why Western Australian stories often remain unknown. Introducing his epic account of the improbable Catalpa Rescue, one of history’s most remarkable prison breaks, FitzSimons writes about a peculiar unspoken pact Western Australians share: “Don’t Tell Any Bastard East of Kalgoorlie.” (Kalgoorlie is a prominent gold mining town in the heart of WA’s outback, where vast desert stretches for miles east until you reach major Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney; Perth lies miles to the west).
As a proud Western Australian, some might accuse me of breaking this pact to share Collie’s example of a just transition with the rest of the world. If that is the case, I offer no apologies… Today, Collie’s experience should serve as a beacon of hope to communities facing similar transitions worldwide
PS: For a deeper dive into how Collie embarked on its transition, be sure to read my book. You can also check out these local media stories from our most recent visit. I'd love to hear your thoughts and reflections!
Well done Sir. Deep and so insightful. Keep up the impact Sir 💯✅⭕