Mixed reaction from Port Augusta community over Coalition's nuclear plans

Australia Broadcast Center

26-04-2025

June Lennon had a simple response when asked about the Coalition's plan to bring nuclear power generation to Port Augusta.
"Never again," she said.
The Yankunytjatjara and Antikirinya elder was four months old when her parents covered her with a tarpaulin to protect her from nuclear weapons testing at Emu Field, in outback South Australia, in 1953.
The impact on her family was significant.
In the aftermath they experienced vomiting and seizures, while later on, there were rashes and lasting mental health issues.
June Lennon was covered by a tarpaulin during nuclear weapons testing at Emu Field in 1953.
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ABC News: Brant Cumming
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"I've experienced … the loss of our family members, who were young when they passed on and should be still with us today," she said.
More than 70 years
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"Our families lived through it, they didn't like it. Why would anyone else like it?" she said.
"
It's not worth it — it wasn't worth it back in 1953, and it's definitely not worth it today.
"
A monument marks ground zero at Emu Field.
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Supplied: Burrinja Cultural Centre/Rosemary Laing
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Town's roots in power generation
Port Augusta is one of seven locations across the country earmarked to host nuclear power plants if the Coalition wins the federal election.
The plant would be built on the site of the town's old coal-fired power station, which was decommissioned in 2016 and later demolished.
Nearly 200 workers lost their jobs when the plant shut down, and the region looked to a future in renewable power generation — but the results have been mixed.
The former coal-fired power station was decommissioned in 2016 and later demolished.
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The Port Augusta City Council said the community has experienced "announcement fatigue" in the years since the plant closed.
"Despite multiple project announcements for the area following the closure of the former stations, only a few wind and solar projects have come to fruition," the council said.
Gary Rowbottom, who spent 17 years working as a mechanical technical officer at the plant, joined the push for renewables after he was made redundant.
Gary Rowbottom says the Coalition's nuclear plan is not practical.
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He said nuclear power would be too expensive, take too long to implement, and would not be a good fit for the electricity grid.
"I'd like to think that the Port Augusta public will look beyond the superficial jobs aspect and ask themselves: 'Is this what the electricity system really needs? Is this what the long-term health of the planet really needs?'" he said.
The Coalition has presented
Port Augusta is one of seven sites earmarked by the Coalition for nuclear power.
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Four Corners: Ryan Sheridan
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Economic boost a selling point
For others in Port Augusta, the prospect of more jobs is a more appealing selling point.
Small business owner Tony Mitchell has ridden the economic highs and lows of recent decades and said nuclear would bring renewal.
Tony Mitchell says nuclear power would bring jobs and economic rejuvenation to Port Augusta.
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"Trying to keep some of the kids in the region and some of the people that are doing professional development and those sort of higher studies, I think that's sort of the bigger benefit for the town," he said.
"
We had the coal-fired power station that employed hundreds … I think this is another transition.
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But Mr Mitchell said there was a fear of nuclear among parts of the town, and residents were not fully across the details of the Coalition's plan.
"It came out of the blue for us," he said.
Town, and household, divided
The nuclear plan has divided Port Augusta since it was announced nearly a year ago.
Neil and Julie Dedman live at Commissariat Point, across the Spencer Gulf from where the plant would be located.
Neil and Julie Dedman have opposing views on the Coalition's plan to build a nuclear reactor in Port Augusta.
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They have opposing views on the proposal.
"I believe it's the way of the future with energy requirements," Mr Dedman said.
"If we want industry, this is the sort of power we need."
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But Ms Dedman said the plant would only bring a significant number of jobs to the region during the construction phase.
"Then it will be down to minimal staff," she said.
She also feared South Australia would "end up becoming a dumping ground for the waste".
"I can't see Victoria or New South Wales or any other state wanting it in their backyard, it will end up in South Australia," she said.
Nuclear among a range of issues
On the streets of Port Augusta, a range of topics are on the minds of voters.
The influence of the nuclear policy on the outcome of the May 3 poll remains to be seen.
Other election issues raised with ABC News included cost-of-living, housing and crime rates.
Swinging voter Trevor Paynter, another former power station worker, says he supports the nuclear proposal — but it won't sway his vote.
"I think there's way more pressing issues in the short-term than a nuclear power station in Port Augusta," he said.
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