Urea plant to boost local economy - 10 March 2009
Local leaders say a $3.5 billion urea manufacturing plant planned for Collie will provide a welcome boost to the South West’s economy.
Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers last week announced plans to construct the plant at Shotts, near Collie.
The project is the biggest single investment in the region and will provide 1500 jobs during a three-year construction phase and 200 permanent jobs once the plant is operational.
Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries chief executive Allan Birrell said as well as providing significant employment opportunities, the fertiliser plant will present a range of large-scale benefits to the region.
“Particularly in these tough economic times, the announcement of such a major development for the South West is good news,” he said.
“The project is set to produce a flow-on effect to coal companies and also South West businesses that service the resources industries.
“The benefits of the project are long term. Griffin Coal, for instance, has signed a 25-year contract to supply Perdaman with 2.6 million tonnes of coal per annum to produce urea.
“The proposed start date of the plant will coincide with the beginning of the end of the $2.5 billion Worsley expansion, ensuring the economic benefits provided to the South West by that program will be continued.”
The plant will be located at the former Shotts townsite, which is in the process of being transformed into a 246-hectare prime industrial park.
South West Development Commission chief executive Don Punch welcomed recent approval for the assembly of land at Shotts for the purpose of establishing the estate.
“This is an exciting project that will help accommodate the needs of future industry and provide a boost to the Collie and South West economies,” Mr Punch said.
“The site is ideal for such a venture and there has already been interest from companies keen to set up operations there, including Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers.
“Much of the appeal of the proposed industrial site has to do with its strategic location.
“It has rail, road and power access and is situated east of Collie, off the Coalfields Highway.
“Its close proximity to the Collie coalfields provides opportunities to open up the area to direct value-adding through the transformation of coal and diversify Collie’s economy through the establishment of new industries.”
Mr Punch said the next stage of the Shotts Industrial Park project was to start with the land assembly and approvals process so that a major industrial site could be established at Shotts.
“The South West Development Commission has played a key role in getting this project off the ground and will continue to coordinate the development of the new industrial park,” he said.
People will be able to find out more about the urea plant planned for Collie when a representative from Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers, Joseph McCarthy, talks about the project at the upcoming South West Focus Conference. The event will be held in Bunbury on April 2. For more information, visit www.southwestfocus.com.au
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Media contact:
Teneille Watson
Community Relations Officer
M: 0417 961 051