Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he is pleased Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a future Federal Coalition Government will introduce zero-emissions nuclear energy in Australia with Port Augusta listed as one of seven locations for a reactor to be built.
“The construction and operation of a plant at Port Augusta will provide hundreds of high tech, high paid jobs it will also draw huge interest and investment to the community by the declaration of a special economic zone which provide significantly cheaper electricity in that zone,” he said.
“Renewables are a very important part of the electricity mix and I expect their contribution to keep growing across Australia, but they are by their very nature unreliable and require expensive and extensive back-up systems. Under a Coalition Government nuclear will be part of the energy mix and provide the reliability the system is increasingly lacking.”
Mr Ramsey said the reactors would be Government owned and provide hundreds of highly technical and highly paid jobs in for at least 80 years for Port Augusta.
“I have spoken to Port Augusta City Council Mayor Linley Shine and outlined the plan, and look forward to providing more detail to council and the community in the coming months,” he said.
“We are not looking to re-invent the wheel and will be adopting proven design technology of at least Gen3 standard or beyond. This approach will help shorten the lead times.
“This is the perfect time for us to be considering nuclear.
“We have had a nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights for generations and now, with the signing of AUKUS agreement, the existing ban on government agencies discussing nuclear will have to be lifted and regulations developed with some urgency.
“There too, we should be able to copy what has proven to work in other advanced, democratic economies.
“It is intended we conduct a two and a half year consultation period at the nominated sites speaking to all concerned parties and providing cIear, concise back-up material for their consideration.”
Mr Ramsey said the Port Augusta community stood to benefit greatly from a zero-emissions nuclear plant with benefits including:
- A multi-billion dollar facility guaranteeing high-paying jobs for generations to come;
- An integrated economic development zone to attract manufacturing, value-add and high-tech industry; and
- A regional deal unlocking investment in modern infrastructure, services and community priorities.
“There is an urgency here for SA,” he said.
“Last year 71% of our electricity came from renewables, double the next highest state, Victoria, but that achievement has also delivered Australia’s highest retail electricity cost by a margin of 50%.
“Ninety per cent of the eastern state’s baseload electricity, predominantly coal fired generation, is coming to the end of life over the next decade. Australia needs another source of 24/7 baseload power to replace coal. Labor’s wind and solar plan just isn’t working.
“Australia needs nuclear.
“Our plan is bold, visionary and what Australians need to secure our energy and economic future.”
The seven locations, located at a power station that has closed or is scheduled to close, where we propose to build zero-emissions nuclear power plants:
- Liddell Power Station, New South Wales
- Mount Piper Power Station, New South Wales
- Loy Yang Power Stations, Victoria
- Tarong Power Station, Queensland
- Callide Power Station, Queensland
- Northern Power Station, South Australia (SMR only)
- Muja Power Station, Western Australia (SMR only)
Each of these locations offer important technical attributes needed for a zero-emissions nuclear plant, including cooling water capacity and transmission infrastructure. That is, we can use the existing poles and wires. The local community also has a skilled workforce.
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 62774967
June 19 2024
