A mayor whose town is rumored to be earmarked for a nuclear power plant if Peter Dutton wins the next federal election criticized that plan on Friday, even though some locals were in favor of it.
On Wednesday, Shadow Energy Minister Ted O’Brien did not deny that the central western New South Wales town of Lithgow was one of the sites where the Coalition plans to site a nuclear plant.
But Lithgow’s enthusiastic mayor, Maree Statham, has quashed speculation that her town could go nuclear if Dutton becomes prime minister in an election a year from now.
‘More than four decades ago, this council declared the city a nuclear weapons-free zone. This political position remains valid,” said Ms Statham, an independent.
“My intention is to invite Peter Dutton to visit Lithgow and explain to this community why they should welcome a nuclear power plant in their backyard when no other community in the whole of Australia would do this.”
A mayor whose city is set to build a nuclear power plant if Peter Dutton (pictured) wins the next federal election, criticized that plan on Friday, even though some locals were in favor of it.
Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham (pictured) has ended speculation that her town could go nuclear if Peter Dutton becomes Prime Minister in an election a year from now.
Statham also noted that his district is also responsible for the water supply to Australia’s largest city.
“I will suggest that you then also talk to the more than five million people in Sydney who drink water from the basin where you would like to install nuclear power plants,” he said.
Another Lithgow councillor, Stephen Lesslie, told Daily Mail Australia he opposes having a nuclear plant in the city because it would be “expensive, unsafe (and there are) no solutions for waste”.
But he said he does not expect much support from people in other parts of Australia to keep Lithgow free of nuclear weapons.
“If this means the power station won’t come to where they live, then the rest of Australia probably won’t give a damn,” Lesslie said.
Voters will judge Dutton’s vision of a nuclear Australia and Anthony Albanese’s government pursuing an energy transition led by renewables in next year’s election.
Until this week, the Coalition had been very coy about where it would set up nuclear plants, but O’Brien let the cat out by not denying a suggestion by radio host Ben Fordham that Lithgow was a prime target.
“Whether it’s (in Lithgow) or anywhere else in Australia, one of the things we’ve learned along the way is that communities that have experience hosting coal plants, have high energy IQ, get it.” said Mr. O’Brien.
“And they understand the importance of 24/7 base-load power.”
Fordham called Lithgow a “dying town” that would welcome the jobs that would be created by having a nuclear power station, but the council said there are other ways to regenerate the area.
Survey
Should Australia go nuclear?
- Yeah 721 votes
- No 105 votes
“Lithgow Council calls on all levels of government and all political parties to undertake significant investment and action in places like Lithgow to grow and strengthen their economies at a time when mining and power generation will become less important” he said in a statement.
But some locals say their town needs a nuclear power plant.
“I think we are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the idea of renewable energy, especially in agricultural areas,” Lithgow woman Sarah told 2GB on Thursday.
He said the people of the area, once of great importance to Australia’s coal mining industry, have “energy in their DNA”.
‘They speak in megawatts and kilowatts and Everyone is worried about the stability of the (electrical) grid.’
Sarah said she is organizing an information evening on nuclear energy next month and there will be “fans fighting against this, but… we want people to come forward and talk to us about this.’
Peter, another Lithgow local, said he was “absolutely” in favor of having a nuclear power plant in the town, and “couldn’t think of anything better”.
‘It’s a really amazing place and it needs more employment. “It’s the best place to connect power to the grid,” he said.
The town of Lithgow (pictured), in central western New South Wales, is set to be one of the first locations for a nuclear power plant if the Coalition wins the next federal election.
Lithgow Town Council is opposed, but some locals say their town needs a nuclear power station. The photo shows a nuclear plant.
“This place needs it, it’s a great place to invest… Let Lithgow drive Australia forward.”
A third resident, Christina, agreed, saying, “We should have nuclear power.” This area is simply magnificent, but it is dying.
‘And he has been in need of an injection for a long time because our council is doing nothing. Just do it.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dutton for comment.