Opportunities

Land Abutting Golf Course & River

The Shire of Collie had a feasibility study undertaken in 1999 with respect to developing a Tourist Resort abutting the picturesque Collie Golf Course and the Collie River. This initiative has been put on hold over the past six years, however given the current climate in Collie, which is very positive in terms of both private and tourism investment the Council would welcome enquiries pertaining to the further development of this proposal.

Lake Kepwari

Lake Kepwari (LK) is a water-filled former open-cut coal mine located some 10 kilometres south-east of Collie. Almost 2 km long, 1km wide and 70m deep, the LK void is part of a mining lease, which has been rehabilitated by Wesfarmers Premier Coal who intend to hand back the site to the State as a valuable community asset. The water body and its surrounds present an enormous recreational opportunity for the local community and for visitors to the Collie area.

The South West Development Commission in close partnership is facilitating development of the lake with a local committee, the Lake Kepwari Working Group (LKWG), who are implementing the W5 Development Plan (June 2003). The LKWG is comprised of representatives of State Government agencies, the Shire of Collie, Collie Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Premier Coal, the Centre for Sustainable Mine Lakes (CSML), and the local community. The plan provides the framework under which the lake will be developed in a sustainable manner, and ensures compatibility with the surrounding area.

The LKWG is on track to deliver an exciting new recreational and tourism project for Collie and the South West region. However, a project of this size has several important environmental and cultural approvals that must be secured. An example of this was the successful consultation the LKWG undertook with the Ngalang Boodja Aboriginal Council, who expressed their strong support for the project. “Kepwari” is a word from the Noongar language meaning “playing in water”.

When complete, Lake Kepwari is expected to contain a mix of public and private investment capital. The SWDC successfully completed a capital works application to the State Government to fund the initial public infrastructure and services, whilst private investors have already indicated their interest in funding accommodation and facilities. The LKWG hope to call for Expressions of Interest from the private sector in early 2006.

Lake Kepwari is expected to be opened to the public by December 2006, and while the project is progressing very well, a critical factor will be the outcome of the water testing currently being undertaken by the University of Western Australia and the CSML. Public safety is of primary concern in the development of the lake, therefore it is critical corners are not cut. The pace of environmental rehabilitation and geological stability at the lake is to a large degree set by nature, and as a result, will require patience from the local community. It has taken five years to fill the lake, and now some time must be allowed for it to be studied in terms of safety to the public.

An Open Day was held at the lake in May 2005 which gave the general public an opportunity to see progress of the lake and to view water skiing trials, and a Public Consultation Day held August 2005 to encourage local comment.