¶ THE Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre could share a site with the Collie Visitor Centre under a plan being investigated by Collie Shire.
Councillors gave the go ahead for the shire to assist with determining the feasibility of the museum moving from its Throssell Street site to co-locate with the centre, also in Throssell Street, at their July meeting.
A letter from the centre supporting the proposal was tabled.
The museum received Collie Futures Small Grants Program funding of $95,000 last August to support stage two of its redevelopment, including an internal concept design, ready-to-build plans and development of a business case.
It was anticipated the redevelopment would transform the museum into a modern tourist attraction and almost double its exhibition space.
“It will be an iconic building at the entrance to town, right across the road from the Collie Visitor Centre,” museum treasurer Alison Kidman said at the time.
However, the museum has now pivoted away from the redevelopment, favouring co-location with the centre in its confidential business case presented to the shire.
The future location of the museum, which is at capacity and in need of a location that will protect its collection and allow for expansion, has been a point of contention in recent years as various options have been explored.
Sites proposed have included next to the RSL premises in Throssell Street and at the former Forest Products Commission (FPC) building, also in Throssell Street.
Any prospect of a move to the FPC site was taken off the table in 2023 after the State Government announced the building would be converted into a TAFE training facility.
However, the government subsequently abandoned its plans more than a year later, favouring development of the facility in the Collie Light Industrial Area.
The FPC property was sold towards the end of last year and blocks have since been advertised for lease.
Shire chief executive officer Phil Anastasakis will work with the museum and the centre, and a report will be presented to council before the end of the year.