Premier Coal is strongly committed to supporting the community in which it operates. Sponsorships, contributions and participation in community activities are part of a comprehensive partnership with the people of Collie and surrounding regions. Essentially, the priorities for Premier’s support programs are voluntary organisations that contribute to the quality of life for a significant number of people.
Total general contributions have varied up to $150,000 annually in recent years. More major community projects have included funding for the Collie Visitors Centre, Roche Park Recreation Complex, the Collie TAFE building, and building of the artificial turf hockey pitches in Collie.
Premier Coal is the principal sponsor of the Collie Agricultural Show, a highly successful voluntary initiative with broad community appeal.
Other major sponsorships include the Collie Riverside Open annual golfing event, Collie Speedway Sprint Car Classic event, Collie Ladies Bowling Gala event, Collie Harness Racing Club Premier Coal Cup and Collie Race Club Day.
Premier Coal has contributed in kind support to the Collie Motorsports Complex and has continued to assist in its development into WA’s pre-eminent driver training and motorsports venue.
The feasibility of producing the large fresh-water crayfish, Marron, using mine lakes has been demonstrated from research undertaken by the Centre for Sustainable Mine Lakes and supported by Premier Coal, including a study into its economic feasibility. Following this successful research phase, Premier Coal agreed to provide cash donation and in-kind support over three years to a local aboriginal group to proceed with a commercially viable Marron aquaculture project. More details on this project are in the Aquaculture Project section.
Support of youth education and development is a key theme for company support. This is done through a range of funding for:
- school and tertiary scholarships;
- a Schools interactive CD package for years 6-10;
- waste management and environmental training and management in schools;
- provision of vacation employment for tertiary students;
- provision of work experience for high school students; and
- school and university tours.
Premier Coal has entered partnerships with Life Education WA and The Smith Family to directly assist youth education and development.
Premier Coal’s assistance to people in the community generally has the following focus:
- broad community support for the activity;
- good standing of the organisation or group in the community;
- potential for matching money, for example from the group, the community, government or Lotteries Commission;
- amateur, junior or disadvantaged status;
- benefits the people involved;
- lasting or significant benefits to the organisations;
- potential benefit to Premier Coal’s employees (in a community context);
- potential for involvement of Premier Coal’s employees on a voluntary basis;
- a favourable association with Company activities (for example – rehabilitation work);
- involvement of volunteers from a broad cross section of the community; and
- Premier Coal is likely to receive positive recognition (for example naming rights, short-term or long term signage, media coverage, potential for ongoing involvement, publications or other sustained promotions.
Premier Coal does not support any activity that is unsafe, environmentally unsound or unethical.