Collinsville Power Station

A classic example of opportunity lost. Despite all of the debate around clean energy etc, this plant sits beside a mine delivering high quality coal which is transported by rail and exported. The plant could have been restored to modern working and been fed direct via conveyor belt from the mine providing a cheaper base load power tot he region in the interim of sorting out emissions etc. At least to part credit, the electricity supply distribution network of the power station has been reused by three large solar farms which now surround it. Access to the site is probably off limits although the gates are wide open and there wasn't a sole to be seen when there early Oct 2021.

An abandoned coal fired power station on the outskirts of Collinsville. Originally built in 1968, it employed large numbers of people from the entire region, it was closed at one point to rid itself of union strike action and reopened later on and upgraded by automating various processes.

When I passed through it in 2007 the place had seen better days and had serious problems, it's ownership passed through different hands before being closed forever a few years ago. You should be able to drive right up to it to inspect it's exterior. When I was there the rear of the station would periodically be enveloped in huge clouds of coal ash caused by splitting waste pipes. Update October 2019 : access has been revoked.You should be able to take pictures from the gate - be quick, they are intending to bulldoze this place!

Private industry in Australia refuses to Build new coal fired stations as they require constant and expensive maintenance. Coal fired technology was over taken by solar cells in the end - as evidenced by the fields of solar cells installed around it. One day the people of Collinsville will realise they have a unique museum right on their doorstep to bring tourism to the town.

Point of interest: the cooling towers are made of wood! In operation you'd see and feel them swaying thanks to huge blades spinning around. Air was drawn upwards, hot water was showered down. Eungella dam was built to supply the water to the place.

In the future they could run guided tours around the power station. I think when they destroy the power station it will be another wasted opportunity that could have brought the tourist dollar to the town.