JOBS — COLLIE
1162. Hon COLIN HOLT to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the government's
stated plan to create jobs in the town of Collie.
(1) In the past
two and a half years, how many new permanent full-time positions have been
created in Collie as a result of state government initiatives?
(2) What are the
total FTE numbers and titles of those positions and how many are living in the
town or Shire of Collie?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
I have to say that it takes time to generate these jobs and, unfortunately, in
the eight and a half years before we came into government, nothing was done for
a just transition, so this is a work in progress.
Hon Colin Holt interjected.
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN:
Members opposite did nothing.
(1)–(2) The McGowan government is unabashedly committed to
Collie's future and has already announced a series of projects and
initiatives to diversify the local economy and create new long-term jobs for
local workers. To date, several projects that have been funded through the $60 million
industry attraction and development fund and the $18 million Collie Futures
industry development fund have already been announced. These include the Collie
adventure trails project; the Collie Roundhouse redevelopment; the Department
of Fire and Emergency Services multipurpose facility; the Department of Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety Collie licensing centre; the Collie
delivery unit; the coal advisory team; and the industry attraction advocate.
Collectively, these projects are anticipated to deliver around 270 jobs. In addition,
a number of smaller projects have already been funded through the Collie
Futures small grants program, which are expected to deliver around 10 to 20
additional new jobs. As most of these projects are still in the early stages,
full employment numbers will only be known closer to project completion. A significant
number of other projects currently under active consideration will add further
new jobs to the Collie economy.