Nationals Leader, David Littleproud, and Nationals’ candidate for Calare, Sam Farraway, are touring through Lithgow and other parts of the Central West, outlining the benefits nuclear energy will bring to the region.
Mr Littleproud said it is clear local businesses are struggling with Labor’s soaring energy prices because Labor’s ideology and all-renewables approach isn’t working.
In contrast, the plan to transform the Mount Piper coal-fired power station into a nuclear power plant will have enormous benefits.
“The Mount Piper community will benefit from a multi-billion-dollar facility guaranteeing high-paying jobs for generations to come, an integrated economic development precinct to attract manufacturing, value-add and high-tech industry and a regional deal unlocking investment in modern infrastructure, services and community priorities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“It’s exciting to be in Lithgow to discuss the benefits with local businesses. We now know 77 per cent of workers at coal-fired power stations can be directly brought across to work on a nuclear power station. Nuclear will not only save jobs in the Lithgow area, but create jobs as well across other sectors.
“We all want to reduce our emissions, but we can do that in a sensible way, if we transition some of our coal-fired power stations to nuclear power plants.”
Mr Farraway said it is important to give the community the respect it deserves by outlining details of the plan.
“The zero-emissions nuclear plants will be owned by the Federal Government and we will form partnerships with the most experienced nuclear companies in the world to develop and operate the plants,” Mr Farraway said.
“Our zero-emissions nuclear energy will consist of two phases; starting with two establishment projects in the mid-2030s, followed by a buildout of projects though to 2050.
“All Central West locals will benefit from our balanced energy mix. Shifting to nuclear will keep an always-on source of 24/7 baseload power in the system to drive prices down and keep the lights on while we decarbonise.”
Recent Freshwater Strategy polling, commissioned by The Nationals, showed 63 per cent of voters in the Central West are backing the generation of electricity using nuclear power.
“Support for nuclear energy by people in the Central West is amongst the highest in Australia,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Cheaper electricity in the long-term is seen as a key benefit, followed by energy security and the long-term employment opportunities for locals.
