Could Nuclear Power Derail Australia’s Bush Revival? Residents Voice Concerns
As regional Australia experiences a surge in population, fears grow that nuclear plans may threaten this growth and the community’s future.
Lithgow, Australia, Nuclear Power, Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Community Concerns
The government has picked seven spots for nuclear reactors, including one at the Mount Piper power station in central west NSW. Tom Evangelidis, a council member in Lithgow, shared that his family moved there for its affordability and closeness to Sydney. But he fears a nuclear reactor might scare off potential newcomers just when the town is looking to thrive.
“This is our phoenix moment,” he told a parliamentary committee. He’s worried that nuclear energy could halt their progress. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is set to reveal the costs of his nuclear plan soon, despite a report showing that solar and wind energy are cheaper options.
Meanwhile, EnergyAustralia is working on a 500-megawatt battery storage system near Mount Piper and exploring pumped hydro at Lake Lyell. Further west, near Dubbo, there’s a proposed Renewable Energy Zone that could harness 4.5 gigawatts from solar and wind.
Residents like Peter Hennessy feel left out by planning laws regarding renewable projects. He criticized Energy Minister Chris Bowen for prioritizing solar energy without considering the impact on rural communities.
Jim Blackwood, a retired doctor and climate action advocate, believes debating nuclear energy is pointless since it would take too long to set up. “We need action now,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Lithgow is grappling with the fallout from climate change and the decline of its fossil fuel industry, all while recovering from the devastating Black Summer bushfires. “Four years ago, this town was surrounded by a raging inferno,” Dr. Blackwood recalled. The inquiry will continue in Sydney on Thursday, as the community seeks clarity on its future.