ABC News, 5 Mar 24
"....................................................................................................... The electorates containing coal plants scheduled to close are held almost entirely by Liberal and National MPs, with the exception of Hunter MP Dan Repacholi.
Nationals MP Colin Boyce said the Callide Power Station could be a good option for a nuclear plant, if the community supported it.
"Absolutely on face value I would be supportive of looking at those options. The Callide Power Station at Biloela in central Queensland is number one on the list for closure according to the current Queensland government, so that site there, all the infrastructure that's already there, the transmission lines, the water supplies, that would be somewhere to me that would be a reasonable outcome," Mr Boyce said.
"I would suggest that site is a possible site for a possible nuclear small modular reactor, or something similar.
"Having said that we would have to take that to the community and gauge their thoughts on it before any decisions were made."
He added that safety concerns held by some communities were valid, and that was why an honest conversation to address those concerns was necessary.
Nationals MP Darren Chester, who represents the seat of Gippsland where the Yallourn coal fired plant is scheduled to close, told the ABC last year he would consider a nuclear reactor in the Latrobe Valley if it made sense.
"If a potentially suitable site was identified for a nuclear power station in my electorate, it should be considered in a transparent manner with widespread consultation and an explanation of the potential costs and benefits," Mr Chester said.
"If it was in the national interest and there were social, economic and environmental benefits, I'm sure that Gippslanders would be willing to have a constructive conversation about nuclear energy."
Mr Chester told The Australian yesterday any government wanting to introduce nuclear would first have to reassure host communities safety concerns had been managed.
Nationals leader David Littleproud told Perth radio station 6PR yesterday he was ready to lead the way on the prospect of nuclear power in his electorate.
"I've got four coal fired power stations [in my electorate], I've made it very clear. I'm prepared to lead my community in that discussion," he said.
"And we've got time, we don't have to do all this by 2030."
Liberal MP Rick Wilson said it would be premature to speculate on sites, but was open to the idea of a nuclear site in O'Connor.
Communities such as Collie in my electorate, which have experience hosting power stations, have high energy-IQ and their existing infrastructure and workforces could make them potential candidates to host a next-generation nuclear plant in the future," Mr Wilson said.
He said like any major project, it would need the backing of the community.
Dan Repacholi, whose electorate contains plants scheduled for closure, has been contacted for comment. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-05/coalition-nuclear-plan-identifies-retiring-coal-likely-sites/103545440
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