¶ COLLIE Shire Council gave the green light for acceptance of a $30,000 grant and implementation of stage one of the Collie Industrial Heritage and Mining Trail at its May meeting.
The trail, which is being designed in conjunction with a Just Transition working group, is proposed to be developed in three stages.
It is intended to include significant elements of Collie’s history, including the coal mining, energy generation and timber industries.
At its February meeting, council requested shire chief executive officer Phil Anastasakis ask for a three-month extension to accept the Heritage Council of Western Australia grant.
Council also asked that Mr Anastasakis clarify issues related to the trail’s ownership and whole-of-life costs.
Along with the grant, the project’s budget includes $3500 sourced via the Premier Coal Community Support Program.
The Premier Coal funding will be used for the related project of digitising underground mine maps at the Collie Public Library, which will in turn also be utilised.
The total budget of $33,500 includes a $6805 allocation, which will provide for unexpected and whole-of-life costs over 10 years.
If needed, it will also provide for the removal of assets at the end of the project’s life.
The cost of maintaining the trail’s 18 stage one sites over a lifespan of 10 years is estimated at an average $405 per year, to be incorporated into the shire’s recreation reserve management program
Stage one sites will include Wellington Dam, the Collie/Darkan Railway, Collie Visitor Centre, Worsley Mill and Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre. 
Interpretive features are proposed across the project's map design, plaques, QR codes, a website and integration into the Collie Wambenger Trails app.
Stages two and three have not been endorsed.
These stages would require a further report to council to proceed.