Collie has been identified as a preferred location for a potential hemp processing plant to service 37 growers across the State's budding industry.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray today announced $35,000 in funding from the Collie Futures Small Grants Program (CFSGP) to allow WA Hemp Growers' Co-op (HempGro) to develop a business case for the facility.
The business case will investigate the opportunity to produce wholesale hemp products, as well as working with other hemp-focused businesses including bio-char, fibreboard, bioplastics, and food and seed products.
If the facility gets the green light it has the potential to create jobs both in growing and processing, and enable farmers to expand and diversify into new business streams.
HempGro was created in 2018 to establish, develop and support a sustainable and prosperous hemp industry in Western Australia.
Another project receiving funding through the CFSGP is The Humble Horse, a family-run business that plans to use its $20,000 grants to offer horse-riding tours and riding lessons in Collie.
The company has been operating in the Margaret River region for the past nine years and is looking to expand to Collie, where it will offer long horse rides that capture the natural beauty of the region.
This project will help fill the gap after Collie's only horse riding school recently closed down.
The funding will be used to construct the entrance, fencing, parking and driveways, a round yard, machinery transport and a toilet block.
The business plans to collaborate with local accommodation, food and beverage suppliers to provide goods for the rides and tours.
Both the $2 million Collie Futures Small Grants Program and $18 million Collie Futures Industry Development Fund are part of the $20 million Collie Futures Fund, aimed at diversifying Collie's economy and creating jobs.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The hemp industry is gaining ground in WA - licences have more than doubled over the past two years with 22 sown varieties across the State.
"An industrial hemp processing facility in Collie would create jobs as well as present growers with opportunities for diversification in and around the region.
"The McGowan Government has been a strong champion for the WA hemp industry, providing more than $435,000 in grants over the past 15 months and we hope this funding will really help it flourish."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
"The arrival of The Humble Horse to Collie will offer a service not currently available in Collie.
"It is also a terrific opportunity to align with the McGowan Government's trails vision for Collie.
"The McGowan Government has allocated $10 million to create and maintain more than
180 kilometres of high-quality mountain bike trails in and around Collie."
Minsiter's office - 6552 6200
