Charlotte Varcoe
DISCUSSIONS around nuclear power have been reinstated after the Federal Government announced it would examine its potential.
Barker MP Tony Pasin said he was in support of the investigation to understand current, viable options.
Mr Pasin said nuclear energy was a “mature, proven technology that has the possibility to provide reliable, emissions-free, base-load electricity and it is high time we had an informed debate on its benefits.
“We need to look into what are the viable options right now, and what are the most viable options for affordable, stable electricity.”
He add: “We should do the due diligence that is necessary to decide what is the best option going forward. All I want to do is ensure that whatever decision we make for the long-term future of our economy and generations is that the decision is grounded in science.”
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chairman Angus Ralton said instead of nuclear power, wind farms and solar would be more efficient.
“Nuclear can take around 10 years to build a reactor. Even small ones take a long time and we don’t have the framework to be allowed to build them,” Mr Ralton said.
“The reactors are also notorious for blowing out, whereas with wind and solar it can take one-to-three years for a large-scale project to be rolled out.”
He said other issues, such as costs to build nuclear and waste disposal, should also be considered.
“Building nuclear power is hideously expensive and I don’t see the point in exploring something new when we already have wind and solar power here,” Mr Ralton said.
“I don’t think the community has any real desire to have nuclear power, I just don’t think it is going to happen.”
