WA Government to boost development of Collie green steel mill

The WA Government has announced it will invest $9.8 million in Generation Steel — formerly known as Green Steel of WA — to progress plans for Australia’s first low-emissions steel mill and Western Australia’s first steel recycling mill in Collie.

Allocated from the $230 million Collie Industrial Transition Fund, the funding unlocks Generation Steel’s next stages of development for the steel mill project and marks a significant milestone in Collie’s transition.

The investment, matched in co-funding by Generation Steel, will support the completion of pre-development activities as the project works towards its final investment decision.

Construction of the mill is anticipated to create up to 500 jobs in Collie. When operational, the mill is expected to support up to 217 ongoing jobs, positioning Collie at the forefront of WA’s manufacturing sector, according to the government.

The investment builds on the $4.5 million already committed by the WA Government and follows the completion of Generation Steel’s bankable feasibility study, which confirmed the project’s viability and supports the project’s progression to the next stage of developing the proposed steel mill.

Generation Steel aims to support more downstream processing and manufacturing within Australia and says it is committed to developing a steel project that delivers local jobs, economic opportunities and long-term benefits for Collie and WA.

“Collie has played a vital role in powering Western Australia for decades, and under my government, it will continue to do so,” Premier Roger Cook said. “Not only is the town now home to Australia’s biggest batteries, but its future will be further bolstered by projects supported through Collie’s Just Transition, including Generation Steel’s steel recycling mill.”

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone for Generation Steel as they work to build WA’s first steel recycling mill,” said Energy and Decarbonisation and Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson. “Building a green iron industry in Collie will create quality jobs and diversify the local economy for generations to come.”

“Generation Steel is bringing in modern technology and the innovation required for efficient Australian manufacturing,” said Generation Steel executive director Don Johnston. “This strengthens Australia’s sovereign steel industry, uses our scrap steel resources and reduces reliance on steel imports.”

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