Queensland regional councils and utility companies were not consulted about plans to build a nuclear power plant in their area before it was publicly announced, an inquiry has been told.
But the controversial energy technology could be welcomed by many Central Queensland residents regardless, with business people and farmers telling MPs they preferred nuclear and coal to renewable energy sources.
Members of the Nuclear Power Generation inquiry visited the town of Biloela on Wednesday, a short distance from the Callide Power Station that has been identified as a site for a nuclear power plant under the coalition’s energy policy.
In June, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced plans to establish seven nuclear power plants across Australia, including two in Queensland, if his party won government at the next election.
But Banana Shire Council Mayor Neville Ferrier told committee members the political parties did not consult local politicians about the plan for their region.
“I only had one phone call that said there was going to be an announcement in the next morning but didn’t say what it was,” he said.
“They said there’s going to be an announcement tomorrow.”
Opinions about a local nuclear power plant were split in the region, Mr Ferrier said, with some concerned the coal-fired power plant that employed 250 people would be closed prematurely and others worried about the risks of nuclear technology.
Residents would need more information to assess the energy plan, he said, and up-to-date findings from experiences of new-build nuclear facilities overseas.
“The biggest disappointment about talking nuclear is that it has become political and some of what politicians are saying is childish and lacks credibility,” he said.
“How can our residents in the shire make an informed decision?”
Representatives from the Gladstone Area Water Board and Gladstone Regional Council also told the committee they had not been consulted about the announcement, and councillor Kahn Goodluck said more details about the cost of nuclear power would be needed.
“I have an open mind but, for me, the critical thing is around price, it’s around availability,” he said.
“I would ask all members that will be making those decisions to please consider price and availability at the forefront of your minds.”
The inquiry also heard from local business owners who strongly supported a nuclear power industry, including McCosker Contracting managing director Bob McCosker who branded the CSIRO’s GenCost energy report as a “load of junk” and called solar panels “asbestos of the future”.
“There is no option: you’ve got coal or you’ve got nuclear,” he said.
“If you choose to wipe out coal, you have no option but nuclear if we want a country that actually can survive.”
Local farmers Cedric and Therese Creed also appeared at the inquiry, representing 10 landowners from the region who opposed a nearby 9000 acre solar farm and the development of others like it.
The group questioned the impact of solar panel installations on farming land, Mr Creed said, and wanted to see nuclear power plants replace renewable energy developments.
“It can be built on existing power station sites, doesn’t need a substation or transmission lines, it’s clean, won’t impose on a small amount of a finite prime food-producing land,” he said.
“You ask yourself, do you want good clean food on your table or do you want a hot shower? Food security is far more important.”
The nuclear power inquiry will hold a public hearing in Nanango, in Queensland's South Burnett region, on Thursday.
