00:00A town long known for one thing, coal. But that's changing slowly, with Collie's state-owned
00:09coal power station set to close by 2030, the WA government spending hundreds of millions
00:15of dollars on the transition.
00:17Hopefully, part of the just transition process, of course, is to attract new industries to
00:22Collie and there are a few of those in the pipeline.
00:25The Federal Opposition is hoping one of those is nuclear, but many in Collie say they need
00:31more detail on the Coalition's plan.
00:34We're not fully informed enough, I believe, and the Council believes, to have a debate
00:38about something that we really don't know enough about.
00:43Job wise, yes, it will be good for our town, but that's about all we know at the moment.
00:48Others have made up their mind.
00:50It's not going to happen because it will cost too much and there is no advantage to it.
00:55I feel that it doesn't line up with what Collie needs for a sustainable and healthy future.
01:02And some local businesses the ABC spoke to were unwilling to say where they stand on
01:07what's become a controversial issue for the small town.
01:11Some people say, yes, we're all in favour of it. Other people are saying, no, we don't
01:14want it. So, you know, you've got this bit of a difference.
01:18The last time Opposition leader Peter Dutton visited the town, he received a frosty reception
01:23from some.
01:24If you want to do work on our land, come and talk to us.
01:27The consultation so far doing little to ease concerns.
01:31You're very weak, Mr Dutton.
01:33Elders and traditional owners here in Collie are pretty much, yeah, not willing to give
01:38consent to a nuclear reactor being built here.
01:42They'll get the chance to have their say at a public hearing in Collie on Monday, part
01:47of a federal inquiry exploring the viability of nuclear power in Australia.
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