The development of a coal to liquids (CTL) facility to produce diesel is also possible.

However there are fears that a coalmine in the local area could damage the environment.

Conservation Council of WA spokesperson, John McCarten said, “The area where they are proposing to carve out this coal mine is widely recognised as some of the best remnant bush land in the country and is home to plants and animal species that are disappearing from other, overdeveloped parts of the Southwest.

Any large-scale mining would have a devastating impact on the local environment."

For full details, see Wednesday's edition of the Esperance Express.