Regional Queenslanders in Biloela are open to nuclear energy and the jobs it offers, but they want an end to the political scaremongering
against the technology so they can hear the facts.
This was the message from day one of public hearings in regional Australia, as part of the Labor-dominated inquiry into zero-emissions
nuclear energy.
Locals in Biloela and surrounds have helped power Australian homes and businesses at the Callide power station for decades and stand ready to continue delivering low cost 24/7 baseload power for another century, under the Coalition’s energy plan.
If the Albanese Labor Government forces the premature closure of the Callide power station as part of its plan to rid 90% of baseless power from the grid by 2034, it will have a devastating impact on the town according to local business owners who provided evidence to the committee
today.
Further evidence from local business owners and farmers revealed there was already a strong belief that nuclear energy would bring more jobs and opportunity to the region.
Locals were reassured that the Coalition’s plan for a comprehensive two-and-a-half-year community engagement process would help provide answers to questions ranging from waste and water.
In contrast, there were serious grievances raised by local residents about the botched rollout of renewable energy projects in Central Queensland with concerns raised about safety, cost and a lack of a social licence.
This was made clear by testimony from the lived experience of locals, and borne out in the reckless indifference shown by Labor to the community on its green hydrogen export plans.
The Gladstone Area Water Board’s representative was not aware of any consultation by the Albanese Government on a local green hydrogen export project requiring over 16 billion litres of water a year.
In contrast, locals were assured that upon coming to government, the Coalition will be engaging this authority as part of a detailed site characterisation study.
Today’s evidence affirmed the Coalition’s policy of a balanced energy mix and its plan to put communities at the centre of a thorough engagement process.
To learn more on the Coalition’s energy plan, go to www.australianeedsnuclear.org.au.
ENDS
